A new version of the Nova firmware has started to be deployed on StarBand's network. The new version addresses a problem with intermittent connectivity, which was caused by a temporary loss of the outbound signal.

The problem occurred primarily on the edges of the footprint for Galaxy 27, at 129 W.

The new version is first being deployed on cluster 51. It will eventually be downloaded to all Nova VSATs.

When the new firmware is being downloaded, you will not be online and may see only the Power and the Rx lights on. You will also see the modem lights blinking, as in a normal power cycling, but it will take quite a bit longer than a normal power cycle.

So, if you see some unusual light patterns occurring, just be patient and let it do its thing. It will again go online, after the download has completed.

Here is how to tell if you have the new version or not:

1. Connect to the modem at 192.168.1.1. (Note: you may not be able to connect until after the download has completed.)

2. Click on Info, on the left.

In the Software section you will see something like the following, if you have the latest:

Boot version 2.0.6.0
Active boot version 2.0.6.0
Operational version 98.19.02.09 <== This is the new version

This is what you see if you don't have the latest version:

Boot version 2.0.5.2
Active boot version 2.0.5.2
Operational version 05.05.01.37 <== This is the previous version

Note: An operational version which ends in ".37" has the fix for what is known as the "Lights are on, but no one's home" problem. This version was deployed to all VSATs on cluster 51. An exception would be a VSAT that was powered off for several days, while the fix was being deployed.

If you see ".23" in the last position, you do not have that fix. This would be the version on cluster 80, for anyone who wasn't having the problem.

Thanks to Barb Nolley for the heads up on this.