Hikvision TFTP update software

[Jon Ovington]

Hi there,

I've done the usual firmware fail but having troubles getting a copy of the Hikvision TFTP update software.

Looks like the European site has had a refresh and removed it.

 

[Jon Ovington]

Found a copy from way back, so far it is not as easy as last time. The camera continually restarts but doesn't appear to say online long enough for the process to start. Will try the restarting as others have suggested.

 

[badmana]

Yeah, same problem here. I found a version from 2007 in chinese and it doesn't locate my NVR.

 

[alastairstevenson]

Hikvision do appear to have removed the download availability of the Hikvision-specific tftp updater. @Stevejn - can you confirm that this removal is part of a deliberate policy and not simply an omission during the website update?
It would be helpful if you could share the purpose behind no longer providing this tool.
What can you tell us about future plans to remove self-help facilities such as firmware updates?

Many thanks.

 

[zimurgy]

Has anyone been able to locate a recent version of the TFTP server? I have scoured the web, I can't believe there isn't a version anywhere to be had. I am desperate to get my hands on it to get my NVR back in order.

 

[The_Senator]

I too am searching for this tool.. Successfully bricked an DS7616 NVR by trying to put the 3.3.2 firmware on it....

All my readings say that Download the TFTP server program from HIK - and yet I can't find one server that has it on..

CAn *any* tftp server be used? Any advice appreciated..

 

[alastairstevenson]

The tftp server is Hikvision-specific, it is probed for with a 'magic number' by the camera/NVR and responds in a specific way.
But you can use a standard tftp server (eg the Jounin one) if you use the serial console connection for the update.

You can find a copy of the Hikvision public release of their tftp upgrader within @whoslooking 's popular 5.3.0 downgrader here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3hy72q4osstun72/5.30 Downgrader.rar?dl=0

And @Stevejn from Hikvision UK was going to check up why it's no longer on the website and report back.

 

[zimurgy]

In my relentless pursuit I found it by digging through every folder inside the Hikvision USA FTP. I attached it to the thread. Hope this saves someone the hours it took me. Also to note, it failed the first 8 times I tried using it with the AV2000 error, but on my last try it worked and I upgraded my NVR.

Thanks.

 

[alastairstevenson]

Also to note, it failed the first 8 times I tried using it with the AV2000 error, but on my last try it worked and I upgraded my NVR.

Dogged indeed!
Most (normal) people would give up after the first 2 or 3 failed attempts.
Did you have the NVR directly cabled to the PC, or were they wired to their own router/switch ports?

In my relentless pursuit I found it by digging through every folder inside the Hikvision USA FTP

Determined as well!
The last couple of times I checked, the user/password combo that is still published on Hikvision's own website (hikfirmware/Hikvision123) no longer work. Unless they have imposed a regional restriction on the access ...
Do you have updated logon credentials?

the AV2000 error

This is something that confuses many people.
I think it is simply an olde bit of code from way back that's still in the startup actions of the Linux kernel, after it has loaded the device configuration, and isn't a genuine error.
It occurs during normal startup.

 

[zimurgy]

I guess you could say I was not going out without a fight on this one. This was my first time using a Hikvision product, and I guess bricking your device is a right of passage. I was really happy that I also found the exact firmware in that FTP under the Latest folder so I at least knew it was going to have a firmware I was confident belonged on my NVR.

I used the standard host ftp.hikvisionusa.com and the hikfirmware and Hikvision123. I am thinking maybe they are using some sort of geo-filter if you can't connect.

I used a straight cable from the NVR to my laptop, which to make things way more challenging was running OS X 10.11 with a Windows 8.1 VM using VirtualBox. So eventually I simply started the TFTP, chose the Option menu and clicked on the folder the firmware was located in, which was the default, but I did it anyway, then I fired up the NVR and it worked on the last try I was willing to do. My plan was to boot it, and walk away and let it sit for a while as I read on another forum that even after that AV2000 error the TFTP will try again and sometimes the second go is the winner, I was never being patient enough to allow that to happen. I was too burned out to even try connecting a camera, which will be the project this evening.

Since the camera will have the same IP as the NVR I will use a PoE injector to boot the camera and then use the straight cable to the laptop so I can web into it and change the IP and the set the password to a complex password being going PoE into the NVR.

I am hopeful this will get me my proof of concept so I can then order the rest of my cameras and start pulling wire.

Thanks.

 

[whoslooking]

If as you say your an inpatient person and can't wait, the do yourself a big favour, either use your router or a network switch between your nvr/camera and your computer. Straight connections are unreliable at best, you may end up taking a hammer to a nice bit of kit lol

 

[alastairstevenson]

Straight connections are unreliable at best, you may end up taking a hammer to a nice bit of kit lol

Correct, despite this being in the Hikvision instructions.
On device bootup, the interface is up then down then up with varying IP configurations, so the PC at the other end has to react and keep up in various ways to this, which can cause some missing connection problems due to timing.

I used the standard host ftp.hikvisionusa.com and the hikfirmware and Hikvision123. I am thinking maybe they are using some sort of geo-filter if you can't connect.

Well, from my UK IP address, that does not work. It used to.
If that's yet another regional restriction this is getting silly.
Anyone else care to try from outside the US?

 

[whoslooking]

I'm blocked as well lol, as if we could not get around that.
This is almost a joke.

 

[Speed666]

For me it works (PL).

 

[whoslooking]

It's easy still to get in though lol

 

[alastairstevenson]

I wonder if the blocking is down to individuals? Nahh - surely not.
Time I restarted my router to get another IP address.

 

[The_Senator]

Update..

Thanks to zimurgy for posting the HIK TFTP server program.. Still would not connect with my windows 10 machine..

SO I dragged out an older windows 7 machine with firewall disabled and it connected..
Downloaded the 3.3.1 MultiLanguage from the HIK Europe site (http://www.hikvisioneurope.com/portal/index.php?dir=Product Firmware/Recorder/7600NI-E1-A All-in-one NVR/)

Then i ran HIKTOOLS over it and changed the language to 2 (Seller obviously failed to mention is was a chinese machine.. but anyway!)

Fired up the Bricked NVR plugged into my old laptop (IP:192.0.0.128) fired up TFTP server program (with the modded digicap.dav firmware).. and IT LOADED.. and then BOOTED!

So, big thanks to those on this forum for the tools, posts and utilities (and knowledge)..

It seems 3.3.4 is NOT to be loaded on the NVR as it bricks it straight up. It will be interesting to see if there is an update that WILL allow it..

I noticed 3.4.0 is now out... Might try and brick the machine with that!

*** 3.4.0 causes the NVR to brick as well.. 3.3.1 it is then ****

Again, thanks..

 

[alastairstevenson]

Well done, and thanks for posting - it adds to the collective knowledge base.
I wonder what Windows 10 is doing to stop tftp when it's not the firewall?

Interesting the recent posts about 3.3.4 bricking on certain NVRs.
There is a school of thought that 3.3.1 is some sort of sweet spot for the moment.

 

[zimurgy]

I was able to upgrade to 3.3.4 but my model is Hikvision DS-7604NI-E1/4P. My guess is this will work also for the DS-7608NI-E2. I will attach it for anyone that needs it.

If you are not running the NI-E1 version, I wouldn't try it. You may enter brick city.View attachment DS-76xxNI-E1(E2)P_USA_Firmware_3.3.4_150811.zip

 

[badmana]

I use W10 and had no trouble using TFTP (with firewall off and Malewarebytes disabled).

I got 3.4.0 working on my 7604N E1/4P by using the original chinese firmware from the chinese website. I reset my unit to 3.0.10 (english) and then went to 3.3.1 and then 3.4.0.

3.3.4 also always bricked my unit (all versions). 3.4.0 overseas/EU and NA all worked but the language was fixed to chinese. Ironically the original chinese firmware works in English.