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ZTE Framework that converts a Three UK branded MF286d to Nordic B11

Looks like Three may have issued an OTA update for the ZTE MF286D to B07

Mine arrived in the post today and after checking that it worked, I tried the Play to Nordic update framework but it's not updating the router firmware. I had a look through this thread but can't see any 'before' screenshots so can't be certain if it's a later firmware update or me not doing things properly.

1692289457812.webp


1692289256607.png
 
mine got updated to B07 in may

Just managed to update to Nordic B11 with the admin password. Many thanks to @meritez for the discovery work.
I had a couple of problems along the way & thought I'd mention them here in case anyone else has the same:

1, I needed to highlight the line in the framework update gui that contained my imei etc, without doing that, I could press the big arrow button but nothing happened.

2, The Play to Nordic flash only went to 99% and stopped, I had to end the Windows 7 VM session that I was using to end the framework update. The Nordic to Nordic worked fine however and went to 100% no problem.
1692371704809.webp



I used Windows 7 Pro in a VBOX VM in my Linux PC with a bridged network connection. I ran the the update as Admin & got asked about allowing data through the Windows firewall each time.
 
Last edited:
Did you manage to run the Play to Nordic framework ok? Not had a chance to check too much today so still not sure what the problem is.

I haven't tried although I've been following this thread.

Instead I recently got a "C" grade Sercomm 4G+ router for £35 which has CA on upload and just about has the level of control I want with the Requestly hack to get proper admin access. The ZTE hasn't implemented CA on upload on B07 but I see Nordic B12 has it turned on by default.

ZTE seems to run on lower power for the same download speeds so it would be nice to revert to that router in the future (no sign of 5G from Three here).
 
I haven't tried although I've been following this thread.

Instead I recently got a "C" grade Sercomm 4G+ router for £35 which has CA on upload and just about has the level of control I want with the Requestly hack to get proper admin access. The ZTE hasn't implemented CA on upload on B07 but I see Nordic B12 has it turned on by default.

ZTE seems to run on lower power for the same download speeds so it would be nice to revert to that router in the future (no sign of 5G from Three here).
5G, what's that? Not even decent 4G where I live so need to use 3G.
But, 2 steps forward and er it's no longer possible to select 3G only via the setup, but I have done a manual select on the 3G from the list of carriers and will see if that sticks. I've ordered some header pins and will see about upgrading from B02 to B12 via serial when they arrive.

On the plus side for those with multiband 4G, it looks like uplink CA is possible?

1692374192740.png
 
Not easy to follow this thread but in a nutshell can you update modem and go to b12 without serial if so how?
Good question, I've been wondering the same and think the answer may be no, but I am happy to be corrected on that. I'm assuming that we're both talking about the Nordic firmware & not OpenWRT?
 
Okay I think we're getting somewhere now, and thanks for clarifying this - we definitely need some documentation in one place if possible.

So my route to Nordic including the modem update using serial method:

Three to Nordic using the Tim to Nordic firmware in the Mega link above, using the Framework software included in the download. That took me to Nordic B11 firmware for router but modem B02.

Then using same Mega link, downloaded Nordic to Nordic which aligned the modem/router to allow updates.

Using soldered connection to the board and a CP2102 serial to USB interface, PuTTY, waited for it to boot, pressed enter for CLI and entered:

nv get admin_Password

Took the output to www.base64decode.org to get the actual password.

Logged in on 192.168.1.32

On PuTTY entered:

nv set imei=866754040397403

Pressed F5 on the web interface to check it had changed, then went to update via web interface. Changed the time to 2am on SMTP settings for it to apply the update. After the update, rebooted, logged back into web interface, waited for it to say update successful, then repeated the nv set imei command on PuTTY before checking for another update and repeating until all the updates had applied.

Is there a way to identify what modem version I am on?

I'm hoping with these instructions other people who want to run pure Nordic with latest modem can follow this clearly, this is only suitable for people with a serial interface so the box needs to be open otherwise you won't get the web interface password or be able to set IMEI. I'd also like to see step-by-step instructions for people who want to do it without serial to get from Three to Nordic with latest modem using OpenWRT if that's possible?
I'm having some difficulty here & hope someone can help...
I started off with Play to Nordic
Then went to Nordic to Nordic pw admin
All OK at that point, then..
I went to Nordic to Nordic pw ---
Got the admin password via serial
Changed the imei to the whitelisted number
Logged in & checked the imei via the status screen, all correct

But, the FOTA update checker does not find any updates!
 
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