Loading and storing additional radio module firmware (RMFW) allows for RMFW image switching. Image switching enables your router to work with different carriers.
This process is used when NETWORK OPERATOR SWITCHING is set to Automatic. You can check this setting in the Hardware Interfaces > Cellular Interfaces > Cellular section.
For automatic Network Operator Switching to work, the router must have radio module firmware for another carrier loaded and displayed in the RADIO MODULE FIRMWARE table. The following steps describe how to ensure that the required radio module firmware is loaded onto the router.
Insert the carrier SIM that you want to image switch to into the desired SIM Card (slot).
Power the router on.
Log in to AirLink OS.
Go to System > Admin > Radio Module Image Management.
Check if the required RMFW is showing in the Radio Module Firmware list.
Update AirLink OS, as described in Updating AirLink OS Software.The software update will take 1-2 minutes, as indicated by the yellow LED chase pattern. During the update, any specified RMFW images not on the router are loaded onto the router, but are not applied to the radio module yet. The router reboots when the software update is complete. After reboot, the router executes several checks and the RMFW image switch occurs based on the SIM that was inserted in Step 2 above, as indicated by the green LED chase pattern. The update should take about 2-5 minutes, depending on the RMFW version it is updating to.
When the update is complete, you can confirm the RMFW configuration under Status / Monitoring > Radio Module. Check that the FIRMWARE NAME, FIRMWARE VERSION, and FIRMWARE CONFIGURATION have been updated.
The CUSTOM OPERATOR SWITCHING (COS) is only used when RMFW image switching is automatic. When the router sees a SIM, and is set to automatic, then the COS table is checked first. If there is no relevant COS definition, then the internal database defines which RMFW to use.
Example: If Bell issues a new SIM that has a different PLMN or ICCID than what is defined in the internal database, then a definition using COS to associate the new PLMN or ICCID to an existing carrier firmware is created.
In the above example,
If the RMFW does not already exist on the router, then use the following process to manually download the RMFW from ALMS onto the router.
When the update is complete, you can confirm the RMFW configuration under Status / Monitoring > Radio Module. Check that the FIRMWARE NAME, FIRMWARE VERSION, and FIRMWARE CONFIGURATION have been updated.
This process is used when NETWORK OPERATOR SWITCHING is set to Manual so that you can manually switch the radio module firmware to a specific network operator. You can check this setting in the Hardware Interfaces > Cellular Interfaces > Cellular section.
As a prerequisite, the RMFW image must be loaded on the router. See Manually loading RMFW on to Router.
Insert the carrier SIM that you want to image switch to into the desired SIM Card (slot).
Power the router on.
Go to Hardware Interfaces > Cellular Interfaces.
Under Cellular > NETWORK OPERATOR SWITCHING, click Automatic to switch it to Manual.
Under SELECT NETWORK OPERATOR, select your desired carrier.
Click SAVE.
The Cellular ADAPTER STATUS indicates Initializing and then Updating Firmware within a few seconds, as indicated by the green LED chase pattern. The update should take about 2-5 minutes depending on the RMFW version it is updating to.
When the update is complete, you can confirm the RMFW configuration under Status / Monitoring > Radio Module. Check that the FIRMWARE NAME, FIRMWARE VERSION, and FIRMWARE CONFIGURATION have been updated.