Before you upgrade the firmware on your ReadyNAS OS 6 storage system, please take these items into consideration.
Firmware is the software that operates your ReadyNAS storage system. It is written directly to your system's read-only memory.
NETGEAR periodically releases firmware updates to improve and secure your storage system. Because firmware is stored in read-only memory, updating the firmware requires a special process.
Updates are numbered chronologically, for example:
- ReadyNAS OS 6.0.1
- ReadyNAS OS 6.0.2
- ReadyNAS OS 6.1.1
- ReadyNAS OS 6.2.4
- ReadyNAS OS 6.4.0
Your ReadyNAS can update the firmware by downloading the firmware automatically from the internet. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the firmware from the NETGEAR Support site and upload the firmware to your system through the ReadyNAS Admin Page. Lastly, if your ReadyNAS is joined to ReadyCLOUD, ReadyCLOUD can facilitate the firmware upgrade process for your ReadyNAS.
The update process changes only the firmware; upgrading your ReadyNAS firmware does not modify or make changes your data. Before any upgrade, NETGEAR recommends that you make a current back up of your data, especially data that cannot be replaced.
To automatically update ReadyNAS OS 6 firmware via the Admin Page:
If your ReadyNAS system can access the Internet, the Check for Updates method from the Admin Page is the easiest way to update your firmware.
Access your ReadyNAS Admin Page. Select System > Settings > Update. Click the Check for Updates button.
If no firmware update is available, or if the system is unable to properly check for updates, you are notified that your system is using the most current firmware.
If a newer firmware update is available, you are prompted to update your system. Click the Update button on the pop-up screen that displays. The system downloads the new firmware. When the download is complete, you are prompted to reboot your system.
Click the Reboot button. Your system reboots and installs the new firmware. If you enabled email alerts, your ReadyNAS system sends a message when the firmware update finishes.
To locally update ReadyNAS OS 6 firmware via the Admin Page:
If you keep your ReadyNAS system in a location without Internet access, you must update your firmware locally.
Using a computer that can access the Internet, download the latest firmware for your system from https://www.netgear.com/support/product/ReadyNAS_OS_6.aspx.
If you can later connect this computer to the local area network with the ReadyNAS, download directly to the computer; otherwise, download the file to a portable media device such as a USB drive. Connect the computer on which you downloaded the latest firmware to the network with the ReadyNAS, or if you downloaded to a USB drive, connect the USB drive to a computer on the local network.
Log in to the ReadyNAS. On the Admin Page, select System > Settings > Update.
Click the Install Firmware button. Click the Browse button. In the file browser pop-up that displays, navigate to the file containing the updated firmware and select it. The Update Firmware pop-up screen displays the name of the selected file in the File Name field.
Click the Upload button. The firmware file uploads to your ReadyNAS system. After a few moments, the Update Firmware pop-up screen displays details about the new firmware.
Click the Install button. You are prompted to reboot your ReadyNAS system to complete the firmware installation. Reboot your ReadyNAS system. If you enabled email alerts, your ReadyNAS system sends a message when the firmware update finishes.
To remotely update ReadyNAS OS 6 firmware via ReadyCLOUD:
If you are not able to access your ReadyNAS Admin Page because you are not on your local area network, and your ReadyNAS is connected to ReadyCLOUD, ReadyCLOUD will help facilitate the firmware upgrade process. For more information about this, see https://kb.netgear.com/25874/Why-Am-I-Seeing-the-Message-ReadyCLOUD-needs-to-upgrade-your-system-s-software.