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I saw two questions on this topic and the response was that the latest firmware is pushed out to the internet service provider. But my situation is I chose not to use any router from the service provider and purchased this on my own. So I would have thought I should be able to update the firmware on my own as well (as and when there is a firmware update).

It doesn’t matter if you purchased it on your own or was provided by the ISP. All modem/router combo devices without separate provisioning will get the firmware the ISP has approved. Its not user updateable or changeable. 


Got it - thank you for the reply.


Sorry. its one of the reasons most advanced users recommend having a modem separate from the router. Then you’re not locked into the ISP’s firmware


Please explain. How does that help? Do they not have to be compatible with the ISP in this case too?


While the modems firmware is locked down, the separate router isn’t. So you can control the firmware on the router. Some users simply put the combo device in modem only mode and attach their own router to it. I’ve done this before. Regularly. that way I control the firmware on the router and know its up to date for security/performance. Plus a standalone router (of the same specs) will perform usually faster as its not managing multiple tasks  (simplified version for explanation)


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