Router USB Ports
ract
Contributor - Level 1

I have a MI424WR (Rev. I) router.  The only Verizon instruction manual I could find says a firmware update will come in the future to activate the USB ports.  Anyone know if that has happened?

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Re: Router USB Ports
JOSEm441
Specialist - Level 2

I am using the current firmware 40.20.7 ... the ports are powered & can be use to recharge a cell phone but that seems the limit of their functionalitySmiley Mad

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Re: Router USB Ports
JOSEm441
Specialist - Level 2

I am using the current firmware 40.20.7 ... the ports are powered & can be use to recharge a cell phone but that seems the limit of their functionalitySmiley Mad

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Re: Router USB Ports
tns2
Community Leader
Community Leader

They have dropped hints about what they might allow the ports to be used for but absolutely no dates.  For now you can only use them for power.

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Re: Router USB Ports
ract
Contributor - Level 1

I also have the current firmware 40.20.7.  I want to use one of the ports to connect a printer that does not have wireless capability but does have an Ethernet port.  Guess I am out of luck (the LAN Ethernet ports on the router are used up); maybe I will try an Ethernet switch to increase the number of ports.  Thanks for your help.

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Re: Router USB Ports
armond_in_nj1
Master - Level 1

@ract wrote:

... I want to use one of the ports to connect a printer that  ... .does have an Ethernet port ... (the LAN Ethernet ports on the router are used up); maybe I will try an Ethernet switch ...


That's exactly what you should do.  Buy a good quality Gigabit Ethernet switch with as many ports as you need (and then some), and simply plug your existing equipment, including the new printer, into the device.  I am currently using a 24 port switch that's almost filled up, and the system works perfectly.

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Re: Router USB Ports
pwith
Enthusiast - Level 2

According to the router manufacturer, ActionTech, the MI424WRI router (the latest version) supports attaching devices to the USB ports; however, Verizon disables this functionality before shipping it to customers.

Verizon technical support confirms this, but is unable to enable the feature. They don't know when the feature will be enabled, nor do they know why is has been disabled.

The manual for the router states this feature will be enabled in the future. Given that Verizon's manual is dated 2011 and it is now nearly the 3rd quarter of 2013, one would think they would have enabled it by now.