PRODUCT RELEASE NOTE

RELEASE NOTE For: iNET 900 Firmware Ver 6.7.0

RELEASE DATE: September 10, 2008 FIRMWARE
2008 GE MDS LLC, 175 Science Parkway, Rochester, NY 14620 USA
Phone +1 (585) 242-9600, FAX +1 (585) 242-9620, Web: www.gemds.com

MDS iNET 900 FIRMWARE - VERSION 6.7.0

Overview
This section describes Software/Firmware updates for the iNET 900.

Products: iNET 900 Access Point and Remote

Version: 6.7.0
Release Date: 10-SEP-2008

Important Notes:
Hardware Compatibility
Hardware version 1.0.6 (shipments started in September 2008) includes a different internal
flash memory device. Version 6.7.0 firmware includes support for this new flash in addition to
supporting the previous flash device. INETs with hardware Version 1.0.6 will NOT function
with firmware versions earlier than 6.7.0.

Important Access Point Defect Fix

Firmware version 6.7.0 fixes a serious issue with Access Points. See Defect Fix #1 below. GE
MDS recommends that all iNET Access Points be upgraded to firmware version 6.7.0.

Compatibility with iNET-II

INET and iNET-II products are NOT compatible or interchangeablesee Operational Notes
and Limitations section below

New Features
None

Changes to Existing Features

1. Improved robustness of radius authentication process. Algorithms more gracefully handle packet
loss during the authentication process.
2. Added support for new flash memory device present on HW Version 1.0.6.
3. Improved download speed of firmware reprogramming when connected to TFTP server via wired
ethernet port.
4. Repetitive events in Event Log are now listed only if there is a change in status.
5. MAC address of remotes are now included in event log association events.
6. Increased resolution of the event log time stamping. Format is now: HH:MM:SS

GE MDS iNET 900 Release Notes Rev 6.7.0 Page 1 of 4

Defect Fixes
1. Fixed AP lock-up issue. Depending on network topology and traffic patterns, Access Points may
become unresponsive to user interfaces and/or network traffic after anywhere from 3 days to 12
months (or more). Because of the seriousness of this issue, GE MDS recommends that all APs be
upgraded to firmware version 6.7.0.
2. Multicast operation on COM port in data mode now functions properly when VLAN data ID or
mode is changed.
3. Changes to prioritized AP feature in Remotes
a. First AP in Prioritized AP list is now correctly used immediately following reboot
b. Remote now uses 9th entry in prioritized AP list. (Previously it only used 8)
c. Remote now properly uses access points from the list. For example, during third scanning
interval, remote will properly consider beacons from AP#1, AP#2, and AP#3 in the
prioritized AP list.
4. Fixed event log spacing so that the year is properly displayed in the timestamp.
5. When user fallback mode is set to Local and the Radius server is inaccessible, the remotes web
server no longer goes non-responsive.
6. Unit will now display more than eight entries in the Approved Devices menus.

Known Errata
1. Dynamic IP addressing (DHCP) not supported when VLAN enabled
2. The DF1/EIP functionality can be accessed from either the Data or Mgmt VLAN subnets when
VLAN is enabled.
3. With the unit set to dynamic IP address (DHCP Client), a change to the Static IP configuration
incorrectly changes the current IP status on the bottom of the menu screen.
4. When operating with UDP serial data mode, the menu may improperly display the following stale
message even after data is flowing correctly: This 'IP ADDR' may be invalid for this network.
5. See 6.6.0 release notes

Operational Notes and Limitations

1. Compatibility with iNET-II
This firmware is intended for use on iNET units only. It should not be attempted to use in
iNET-II units.
iNET and iNET-II units are not compatible over the air. That is, an iNET AP cannot link with
an iNET-II remote, or vice versa.
An iNET unit cannot be upgraded to iNET-II.

GE MDS iNET 900 Release Notes Rev 6.7.0 Page 2 of 4

 MDS iNET 900 FIRMWARE UPDATE 6.6.0
Introduction
This document describes Software/Firmware updates to the MDS iNET 900 products.

Important Notes:

This firmware is intended for use on iNET units only. It should not be attempted to use in iNET-II
units.
iNET and iNET-II units are not compatible over the air. That is, an iNET AP cannot link with an
iNET-II remote, or vice versa.
An iNET-II unit cannot be upgraded to iNET.

New Features
1. VLAN (IEEE 802.1Q)
Same functionality that exists in iNET-II Rev 2.3.0
Ethernet port can be configured as either Trunk Port or Access Port
Separate IP addresses for Data and Management VLANs
Dynamic IP addressing (DHCP) not supported when VLAN enabled
VLAN feature-set available only after proper authorization code is loaded into the unit

Changes to Existing Features

1. Added an Authentication event to better report errors from the security suite during 802.1x
device authentication.
2. Changed all references from RADIUS Device Authentication to IEEE 802.1X Device
Authentication (no change to functionality)

Defect Fixes
1. Modbus/TCP server does not crash with bad serial data
2. Changes to Channel Configuration no longer requires a reboot to take effect
3. Changes to the Prioritized AP Scanning and Connections Time parameters no longer requires a
reboot to take effect.
4. Fixed the calculation of the Mobility Settling timer so that it will not start being calculated until the
device is fully associated. Older version of firmware did not take in to consideration the additional
authentication steps when doing 802.1x device authentication. The Remote would attempt to
sample the RSSI before being authenticated. The Remote would then immediately go back to
scanning to look for a better AP.
5. Removed the prioritized AP link from the tree in the web interface (AP Only)
6. Serial data statistics are now accurate when operating in TCP client or TCP server mode.

GE MDS iNET 900 Release Notes Rev 6.7.0 Page 3 of 4

Known Issues or Limitations
1. Dynamic IP addressing (DHCP) not supported when VLAN enabled
2. The DF1/EIP functionality can be accessed from either the Data or Mgmt VLAN subnets when
VLAN is enabled.
3. The web server (HTTP) may crash when RADIUS user authentication is enabled and numerous
HTTP requests are sent to the web server. If this occurs, disabling and re-enabling the web server
from any other user interface can restart the web server.
4. See 6.4.0 release notes

GE MDS iNET 900 Release Notes Rev 6.7.0 Page 4 of 4