Does anybody know if the Z100G firmware is available for download anywhere? Or is it only available when Sofaware pushes it to your router? I lost my web filtering when I went to 7.0.39 (discussed in other session). I read Texas Rocket's message to go back to 7.0.36 as a temporary remedy which I attempted to do by contacting support, who supposedly downgraded me to 7.0.36, only to find that it had no changed when I logged into the router.

Now I hear that 7.0.39 is released, but it doesn't always fix the web filtering problem, unless you do a two-step dance around older versions before upgrading to it. I consider myself frustrated now, despite the impressive features of the Z100G. I'm used to having firmware available for download and loading myself.

I think if you downgraded you have to wait for the push, but if you call them or live chat they will push it right out.

The firmware file is not downloadable, it's provided via the service center once you are connected to it.
Once you connect to the service center it will automatically begin a secure transfer of the firmware directly to the device.

Thats (service center) only for the current firmware not previous firmware. There no way to downgrade unless you reset your router to a 5.x version and then the service center upgrades with current again. Ere how can you get a earlier firmware version?

As we have seen the indiscriminate push of firmware updates is a really good way to cause mayhem with a number of users - why not tell us its available and allow us to update when we want.

Having the ability to fall back to an earlier configuration that worked is essential IMHO.

It is after all "My Computer" not yours.

All users have the ability to disconnect from the service center.
The Z100 is first and foremost a security router intended to protect and as such receives firmware updates that update the firmware (which includes the Smart Defense mechanism) and Vstream which enables anti-viral defense in addition to those offered in Smart Defense.

The subscription is for upgrades not downgrades for obvious reason, if any user has a legitimate
reason to downgrade such as an issue with the newer firmware and he wish's to rollback until a newer firmware is released they can contact the support team and we will push a downgrade.

Please remember - the intent of this device is to protect you and your assets and I can assure you we are the leading brand in this area as 98% of the Fortune 500 companies use CheckPoint technology to protect them selves as you can now do using the Z100 Security Router.

Erez, Unless my economics fail me, Its us the consumers that buy your products and services make you a fortune 500 company. What happens to giving your paying customers what they want. It will keep checkpoint in business a long time. If I screw my computer network and router up, that my problem not yours.

quote:

Originally posted by Erez Kalman:
All users have the ability to disconnect from the service center.
The Z100 is first and foremost a security router intended to protect and as such receives firmware updates that update the firmware (which includes the Smart Defense mechanism) and Vstream which enables anti-viral defense in addition to those offered in Smart Defense.

The subscription is for upgrades not downgrades for obvious reason, if any user has a legitimate
reason to downgrade such as an issue with the newer firmware and he wish's to rollback until a newer firmware is released they can contact the support team and we will push a downgrade.

Please remember - the intent of this device is to protect you and your assets and I can assure you we are the leading brand in this area as 98% of the Fortune 500 companies use CheckPoint technology to protect them selves as you can now do using the Z100 Security Router.

I feel for you Erez, having to deal with us. Hopefully you don't take these "suggestions" in the wrong way.

It's just us "users" (shoe's on the other foot this time for a lot of us) trying to make your product better.

Sure, we can be royal-pain-in-the-posteriors, but we all have our own little "tweaks" we want implemented and obviously we're all passionate about security. At least we're well intentioned if not always spot-on.

However, I would caution everyone in the community here to realize that each of these features costs something (it's not always money either) and sometimes the "perfect fix for you" can have the potential to do more harm than good for the general consumer.

It's always a fine balance between features and product reliability, I'll take product reliability any day over one more feature however much someone else thinks they have to have it. Not to say anyone suggestions are not reasonable, just making a point.

At the end of the day it may not be the perfect router solution for everyone but I sleep way better at night now that I have my Z100g and my SofaWare service.

So community, please realize that not every feature that is asked for can be or even should be delivered. So be kind to Erez.

That being said, I vote yes on syslogs!!!! :)

Well put Erez and DrKevorkian. Far too many of us (me included) have become accustomed to the Linksys (and the like) way of using routers and so-called firewalls that pale in comparison to the Z100G. I have had my difficulties setting up this device in the WLAN arena, but after doing a little research and reading of the (very thick) manual, and of course, some items on this discussion area, have been able to set up a virtually impenetrable system with the wireless working perfectly. This device is not for a person who does not want to take the time to learn how to set it up properly. If you do though, to coin a phrase, you will "sleep way better at night" with the Z100G than if you were using one of the competitors.

Just my two cents and thanks to Erez for being so even handed in your responses.

quote:

At the end of the day it may not be the perfect router solution for everyone but I sleep way better at night now that I have my Z100g and my SofaWare service.

I second that!

I have been waiting for a router with better security than the standard off the shelf consumer router, but more affordable than the 500.00 routers marketed to small businesses, and so far the Z fits the bill, and was just what I was looking for security and price wise.

I'm guessing most of the early adopters here are geekier types used to playing with the guts of their equipment-but I also get that Joe Consumer isn't likely to be upgrading router firmware on their own, and therefore pushing the updates makes sense from a security perspective in light of that target market.

Anyway-I am also quite pleased with my Z, and would recommend it to my friends and family.

quote:

Originally posted by dichamw:
Erez, Unless my economics fail me, Its us the consumers that buy your products and services make you a fortune 500 company. What happens to giving your paying customers what they want. It will keep checkpoint in business a long time. If I screw my computer network and router up, that my problem not yours.

Your economics failed miserably, but more importantly, you didn't get what Erez said: He didn't say CHECKPOINT is a Fortune 500 company: He said: 98% of F500's USE Checkpoint for THEIR security needs.

Why? Because it is the best in the industry by leaps and bounds!

Now if you want a lesson in economics, consider this: Fortune 500 companies as well as 10's of thousands more companies, spent several billion dollars on CHECK POINT software over the years and that gave Checkpoint the working capital to develop world-class security software that you can purchase for a mere $150 and they'll even throw in a 4-port router with secure wireless B/G. Companies pay thousands of dollars for the SAME software. Hence the user restriction on the licenses.

You will not find a more secure router for your home in this price range. Yes, you will find many that are easier to set up and you can download all the buggy firmware you want, but in the end, you have put your computers at risk. Remember, EASY TO INSTALL - EASY TO HACK!