As originally posted by Michael Codanti on the PTP list, the firmware updates to the Apple Airport, Lucent/Orinoco RG-1000, and Lucent/Orinoco AP-500 are all interchangeable. I have tested this now (2/3 I don't have a AP-500), and it was successful. This was all done using the FreeBase software.
Tested:
Hardware - Apple Airport Base Station
- Upgraded to: Apple Airport 1.2 Firmware
- Upgraded to: Lucent/Orinoco AP-500 Firmware
- Upgraded to: Apple Airport 1.3 Firmware
Hardware - Lucent/Orinoco RG-1000
- Upgraded to: Apple Airport 1.3 Firmware
This means that you can take a Apple AirPort, or Lucent/Orinoco RG-1000, or Lucent/Orinoco AP-500, and upgrade it to the functionality of any of the three since the firmware is all interchangeable.
I can now change my AP recommendation that has NAT and DHCP to include the RG-1000 since you can update it to the functionality of the Apple Airport, my previous recommendation. I highly recommend updating the RG-1000 firmware to the Apple Airport Firmware, or AP-500 firmware (if you don't need NAT & DHCP) as the RG-1000 firmware is a pain to work with and doesn't support setting all the options that way you might want. Buying the RG-1000 instead of the Apple Airport saves you $70.
From MichaelCodanti's post:
Features:
RG-1000, and AirPort
- DHCP Server
- NAT Server
- Modem with dial out capability (Possible Dialin capability soon)
Cost: RG-1000 $229.16 / AirPort $299
AP-500
- Radius Authentication
- Better monitoring tools
- A LOT of control over what is bridged
- Link integrity testing (Takes the wireless down if the wired goes down)
- Cost: $659.77
(Note: Prices are from CDW)
The legality of firmware swapping is questionable at best, and hopefully will not be needed once Agere releases their Summer update for the RG-1000.
-- TerrySchmidt
Also note that you can now download Orinoco's AccessPoint software and use it to configure your RG-1000, having MANY more options, including the ability to change the AP name and run as a full public access point.
I purchased the Compaq WL310 home office gateway and upgraded it to the Orinoco RG-1000 rom, then downloaded the AP-1000 software and upgraded to that included rom.
-- Dan Kelly
Q: Is there a magic site with all of the firmwares around?
A: Found a site [url]http://www.aciri.org/fenner/airport/[/url][url label]here[/url label] that lists the Airport v1.3, v1.3.1, and v2.0 firmware. RichardLangis
Q: Rumor has it you can upgrade the RG-1000 to the AP-1000. Does this make it functionaly the same as purchasing an AP?
Q: What advantages does (did) the Airport firmware have over the RG-100?
The ability to turn of WEP. The ability to specify your ESSID (this was originally why the RG-1000 didn't get the Wi-Fi Compliance certification, because you couldn't specify the complete ESSID, thus prohibiting proper roaming).