OK, I know this thread is an old one, but I made the effort to register, log in and post here.
First off I really am not intending any of this to seem as a flame or the like, seriously I am not. If at any point it starts to sound that way, stop reading as its not coming across as intended.
Like a good few out there (oh and there are a good number if you look), I had some issues with my home based wifi and decided to splash out and get some higher end equipment. I had a look at Cisco and another enterprise competitor, and decided that whilst as a home user I really couldn't justify the cost of the equipment new I saw Cisco at work, and in various places, and it was seen as one of the more solid companies out there. I could have bought a consumer unit new, but I bought a second hand Cisco AP thinking that this would probably do me for a very very long time. I obtained the unit from everyones favourite auction house after a good bit of thinking on what would suit my needs, and a lovely Cisco box arrived at my door. It wasn't working as intended and I was told by some of the networking chaps I know that Cisco would have a newer firmware on the website and that would sort out what I wanted.
Again, I'm a _home_ user. Fully understand that I'm more than 2 standard deviations from what Cisco would consider its customer base, but thought that I would have a look on the website. Like so many here I found exactly what I was after for the hardware I bought, but its paywalled. No option for home users to have a discounted one time purchase, or cheaper access like some other companies offer. I asked about on the cost of what a service contract would be (note I _only_ wanted the firmware .... no telephone support .... no tools). I'm at the point where I am a little more than dismayed at this attitude towards a single firmware download.
I get that keeping things up to date costs cash, time and effort. I really do, and like others here, I'm not looking for a free lunch, I'm just trying to stop older corporate equipment from headed to landfill. It is overkill for my current needs, and I would have got a kick out of using it on my network here at home.
I kind of feel the "its like a computer you need to pay for the software" line is a little bit of a tough pill to swallow given that I can get any manner of different operating system updates for free. Microsoft do it, as do Apple. Yes you buy the program, but as a home user I don't pay for patches or updates. Upgrades on the other hand I will happily pay for. This unit already has a firmware on it and an old one at that, so it already has the "software", I just wanted the newer one to patch some of the snags in getting it to work at home.
Anyhoo, as I am getting slightly off topic. I just find it a bit disappointing that a company like Cisco would paywall an update to a firmware. I'm not looking to pick a fight, not looking to ruffle someones feathers, not looking even for a reply. Just felt the need to post my comment. I would have paid for the firmware at the moment, but not a full service contract. I don't need it, I just needed the firmware.
As for my AP, it doesn't work properly at the moment, as I appreciate that I bought it second hand I have no way of returning it. Just the fact that a firmware paywall is all that's stopping me from using this device. As its an end of life unit, I'll have a looky inside and keep it on a shelf, its my first bit of Cisco kit after all. From this experience, it will probably be my first, and last Cisco product as I clearly cannot afford the "upkeep".
As for the competitor, I just checked their site and ALL the firmwares are available with no contract required. Will scout one of those on the bay soon, I unfortunately cannot justify spending cash on a contract for a firmware upgrade now, only to potentially need one again in the future and need another contract then.
Don't get me wrong, I really do like Cisco products. Hence why I spent my cash on a second hand unit rather than a new consumer access point. I would still hold the Cisco brand in high regard, but I sure as heck would point out to folk that any updates are paywalled.
I can only hope that Cisco change their mind about how they treat firmwares in the future. Heck I wouldn't mind if I was charged $5 for the firmware, that would irk some given the competitors attitude towards firmwares, but I can understand development costs, testing, hosting, and archiving all cost money and I am happy to pay for that.
As I said, not meant to ruffle any feathers, not come across as a rant, if what I have said above seems that way all I can say is to reread it from the point of view of someone with a great bit of equipment, but will never get to use it.
No response needed as I probably won't be back, I just logged in to have my say and move on.
If you got this far, thank you for reading.
-A home electronics enthusiast
