Downloading firmware from Z-Wave device?

dpeeling · January 18, 2024, 5:18pm

I have several devices of the same make and model but a couple of them have out of date firmware. I’d like to flash the latest firmware but I’ve had trouble getting access to the right version. Is there a way to download the firmware from one device so I can flash it to another? I am using the SiliconLabs Zwave coordinator dongle and the ZWave JS integration in HA.

freshcoast · January 18, 2024, 6:24pm

The short answer is no, because Z-Wave JS does not have an API for downloading firmware from nodes. The plumbing to do so is there, just not the implementation of the full process.

Other hurdles are:

The device in question would need to support Firmware Update Meta Data Command Class v5, which many don’t. This version is only required for Z-Wave Plus V2 devices. Check the version of your devices, if it’s not v5 there’s no chance.
I’m not able to find any requirement that downloads actually be supported, a device is allowed to return a “This firmware target is not downloadable” error. So even if v5 is supported, your vendor may block it.

Here’s an open issue asking for the feature:

github.com/zwave-js/node-zwave-js

Support firmware downloading (reading fw from device)

opened 10:39PM - 11 Jan 21 UTC

LordMike

enhancement

**Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.** I have an id…ea that's mostly a curiosity right now: Can we build a firmware database, with easily-usable binaries for different device types? (We probably can't... licensing and whatnot). Part of this idea involves gathering firmwares that can be tricky to get. Downloading a firmware _from_ a device, would help a lot. Devices with newer firmwares could help efforts to flash older devices, even when the original manufacturer refuses or can't provide new firmware images. **Describe the solution you'd like** [In the docs](https://www.silabs.com/documents/login/miscellaneous/SDS13782-Z-Wave-Management-Command-Class-Specification.pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A366%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22XYZ%22%7D%2C89%2C735%2C0%5D) for the z-wave `COMMAND_CLASS_FIRMWARE_UPDATE_MD` CC, it says: > The Firmware Update Meta Data Command Class may be used to transfer a firmware image to or from a Z-Wave node. _This is for version 4+, and most of the devices I've seen are version 3 - but here's to hoping._ If it was possible, an API to download a firmware image from the device would be beneficial. The downloaded images would be as raw as they could be, without any additional packing or whatnot from manufacturers.. :) **Describe alternatives you've considered** N/A **Additional context** Entirely theoretical, it should be possible to flash one device via. another.. Hmm.. I originally [wrote about this on ozw](https://github.com/OpenZWave/open-zwave/issues/1563#issuecomment-647816537).