[Solved] Wi-fi vs Ethernet (IP Addresses) - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Wi-fi vs Ethernet (IP Addresses)
Hi All,
I recently notice that when I switched the Amazon Fire TV from Ethernet connection to wi fi, the ip address changed. Once the IP address is assigned to each connection it remains the same for that connection I am sure most of you knew this but in case someone didn't.
For now have I blocked OTP on both ip address using adb. My question if i switched connection between wi-fi and Ethernet, do i have to block the amazon updates each time i switched the connection?.
Also what is the adb command to verify if amazon updates are blocked? I know how to block the updates but is there another command to just check to ensure amazon updates are blocked?
Thank you

ashsha7877 said:
Hi All,
I recently notice that when I switched the Amazon Fire TV from Ethernet connection to wi fi, the ip address changed. Once the IP address is assigned to each connection it remains the same for that connection I am sure most of you knew this but in case someone didn't.
For now have I blocked OTP on both ip address using adb. My question if i switched connection between wi-fi and Ethernet, do i have to block the amazon updates each time i switched the connection?.
Also what is the adb command to verify if amazon updates are blocked? I know how to block the updates but is there another command to just check to ensure amazon updates are blocked?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't remain the same unless you created a static ip. So even if you remain on the same Ethernet connection you will be assigned a new one from time to time. Not usually a big deal unless you're using that device as a server OR you're frequently sideloading apks or pushing zips to that device (you might want static for aftv)
It sounds like you already disabled updates through adb shell? If so once you entered it the terminal/command prompt will return new state "disabled", no need to try and verfify further but you can just disable them again.
Fyi--you might benefit by going to aftvnews and reading the starters guide. There's lots of other info as well.

Solved
KLit75 said:
It doesn't remain the same unless you created a static ip. So even if you remain on the same Ethernet connection you will be assigned a new one from time to time. Not usually a big deal unless you're using that device as a server OR you're frequently sideloading apks or pushing zips to that device (you might want static for aftv)
It sounds like you already disabled updates through adb shell? If so once you entered it the terminal/command prompt will return new state "disabled", no need to try and verfify further but you can just disable them again.
Fyi--you might benefit by going to aftvnews and reading the starters guide. There's lots of other info as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tested this, once you block the OTA updates on the amazon fire tv using adb command pm disable com.amazon.dcp and You should see the message: “Package com.amazon.dcp new state: disabled”, the fire TV will not get updates regardless of the IP address.
However, it is always safer to block OTA updates with your router and thru adb when IP address does changes.
Thankyou

ashsha7877 said:
I have tested this, once you block the OTA updates on the amazon fire tv using adb command pm disable com.amazon.dcp and You should see the message: “Package com.amazon.dcp new state: disabled”, the fire TV will not get updates regardless of the IP address.
However, it is always safer to block OTA updates with your router and thru adb when IP address does changes.
Thankyou
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Sorry. Once you disable them you're done with that box--no need to pm disable again. That applies to any network you connect to, doesn't matter. You could go to your friends house in another state, hookup aftv and they are still disabled.
This is different than blocking from the router. If you do that and don't pm disable then you WILL receive updates if connecting to a new network. Plus you could still get updates if Amazon uses a different domain. I only block updates on the router if I'm trying to root a new box then when it's rooted with cwm installed and updates disabled, I stop blocking them on the router. I find its not necessary, but some people keep them blocked.
In my first reply I was mainly trying to clear up any confusion related to ip addresses and the difference between static and dhcp. But good to hear you seemed to have figured it out.

Related

How to Block Root using UVerse Gateway?

Hi
I seem to have hit a bit of bad luck.
I have ATT Uverse with their 3800HGV-B Gateway, and a Netgear WNDR4300 behind it. As Uverse gateway wouldn't block the amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net, softwareupdates.amazon.com domains, I "blocked" them on the Netgear router, and AFTV is connected via Ethernet to the Netgear box.
I ordered AFTV from Staples and was lucky to get a rootable version (v620), the above blocking was not effective and v820 got downloaded but didn't autoinstall. I went ahead and Rooted it using AFTV Utility, and made a mistake!! of not disabling OTA updates on AFTV. I was make a mistake and clicked in the OTA menu and lost all root
I tried another AFTV box, and this installed OTA and went straight to v520. I have used AFTV Utlity to block further updates hoping it might be easier to get Root on this version than v820.
My "blocking" on Netgear router is clearly not working.
I MAY give this another try w/ a new AFTV order but need to know how to block the sites using Uverse Router. I would really like to get a Rootable AFTV, as I want to have XBMC assessable via the home page, pair my Wii Remotes, etc.
Is there anyway to determine the stock FW version based on AFTV DSN Number.
Any guidance would be most appreciated.
I really want the Root
Umm, ~200 views and no replies. I hope soem guru chimes in
First off, you should ask questions in the q&a forum. You get better results. But hold on, let me find my spoon...I don't use a netgear router so I can't tell u exactly what to do but you can probably Google it. On the router, you would need to look for parental controls or firewall areas. Use key word blocking or url blocking and block the required sites. They are listed around this forum somewhere. Then before you even power up your firetv, use your computer and try and download the software updates from Amazon. If you have your router set up correctly it should give you an error and not let you get them.
Edit: quick Google search turned up this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2760884
Thanks for taking the time to post a reply. The issue I have is wrt the interaction of UVerse Gateway and the 2nd Netgear Router behind it. As DNS is still handled by Uverse, (I think) Netgear router is not able to block it. I have that part configured. I will try and block the additional URL in the thread. Thanks again.
Legolas2 said:
Thanks for taking the time to post a reply. The issue I have is wrt the interaction of UVerse Gateway and the 2nd Netgear Router behind it. As DNS is still handled by Uverse, (I think) Netgear router is not able to block it. I have that part configured. I will try and block the additional URL in the thread. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use UVerse but I have a similar setup with a router behind a gateway. Can't you disable DNS on the gateway and configure the router to handle DNS?
I can't offer specifics on UVerse as I don't use it but on mine I just turn off DNS on the gateway and let my router handle it.
The easy way to do it is to open a free account on opendns.com and block from there. After root, follow this guide: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-block-ota-update-for-amazon-fire-tv-and-keep-root-access/
Do you have DD-WRT installed on your Netgear? If so, I have the same setup (except I have a Time Warner cable in place of Uverse). Using the the DNSMasq on my Netgear does prevent DNS lookups. I can confirm that with my setup. The Netgear does not need to pass through the DNS look-up further upstream if you properly set up your Masq options in DD-WRT. I have used 2 routers with DD-WRT setup and both have worked as intended.
The reason I can say that it works is that my updates were blocked, but more importantly, any pings to the the blocked addresses from my laptop (hooked to the same Netgear router) results in the bogus IP I put (127.0.0.1). One thing you want to make sure to test your setup is to make sure that you ping it on a computer and make sure that you don't have any static DNS entries for your network adapter on your machine that you are testing with.
If you have DD-WRT installed or plan to install it, please update the thread and I can post some pictures of my setup.
jmerrilljr2 said:
The easy way to do it is to open a free account on opendns.com and block from there. After root, follow this guide: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-block-ota-update-for-amazon-fire-tv-and-keep-root-access/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bingo. I had to do this when my router blocks were not working. Before I even plugged in my FTV, I tested the update web addresses in my browser. If I hadn't of done that, then I would've thought that my router block was working and lost root as soon as I plugged it in. Instead, I saw that my router blocks were eff'd, and signed up for OpenDNS. Confirmed the blocks in my browser...THEN, I plugged in the FTV for the first time.
Anytime you only get one shot at something, you really want to make sure that you get it right and don't miss.
Now that Staples has AFTV down to $84, I will try my luck again and use OpenDNS setup. Hopefully I can get a "rootable" FW version out of the box.
BTW, Uverse Gateway sucks
Legolas2 said:
Now that Staples has AFTV down to $84, I will try my luck again and use OpenDNS setup. Hopefully I can get a "rootable" FW version out of the box.
BTW, Uverse Gateway sucks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took a look at a pdf of your 3800HGV-B Gateway modem and it apparently does bridge mode.
Bridge mode will make it act like a modem only, and let your router take care of DNS & all the other settings. It's how I have my home set up (I have comcast though, different hardware), as in my experience the modem/routers you get from your ISP usually sucks.
Might want to take a look into that.
nyder said:
I took a look at a pdf of your 3800HGV-B Gateway modem and it apparently does bridge mode.
Bridge mode will make it act like a modem only, and let your router take care of DNS & all the other settings. It's how I have my home set up (I have comcast though, different hardware), as in my experience the modem/routers you get from your ISP usually sucks.
Might want to take a look into that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Nyder. I managed to get 3800HGV into bridge mode and was able to block the Amazon sites from my computer. Will get to installing the new Fire TV (hopefully, it is rootable).
I wish AT&T had made this easy, it was PITA to get it working, w/ multiple factory resets needed to get it done right.

[Q] Any way to test if updates are blocked?

I recently got a UK Fire TV so I can't root it, but I still want to block updates just in case.
I'm running a TP-Link WDR3600 with DD-WRT and I have set it to block the three URLs* using the devices static IP and MAC address.
However, when I go to the "check for system update" option it still lists the last check as 'today'.
I did additional tests using firefox on the device itself and it can block URLs (for this test Google) but I'm not sure whether the updates are blocked.
For now I've disconnected it just in case and OpenDNS isn't an option for me as I have a shared IP address.
*:
firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com
softwareupdates.amazon.com
amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net
from what i read blocking the update URLs is useless, you might as well let it update and wait for a new root procedure.
DEREKTROTTER said:
from what i read blocking the update URLs is useless, you might as well let it update and wait for a new root procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true. Just go to the URL in your browser and see if your router stops you. Mine didn't, so I setup an OpenDNS account. That worked.
OpenDNS also worked great for me as well.
Using a VPN kills the OpenDNS block on the Amazon updates, so make sure you do the internal block if you plan on using a VPN.
retroben said:
OpenDNS also worked great for me as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the responses, unfortunately OpenDNS isn't really an option since I live in a flat where we share a connection/IP address.
So I guess I'm just going to have to risk it then or maybe look up alternatives.
In case I do try something, what is the way to tell? Does it just pop up with an error message?
tech3475 said:
Thanks for the responses, unfortunately OpenDNS isn't really an option since I live in a flat where we share a connection/IP address.
So I guess I'm just going to have to risk it then or maybe look up alternatives.
In case I do try something, what is the way to tell? Does it just pop up with an error message?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you give the fire tv a static ip address, you have to manually fill in the dns servers.
rbox said:
If you give the fire tv a static ip address, you have to manually fill in the dns servers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is not how I'd set it up but that it could cause other issues, for example, if someone else uses opendns to block something which I want.
tech3475 said:
The problem is not how I'd set it up but that it could cause other issues, for example, if someone else uses opendns to block something which I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you guys not talk to each other to figure out a plan that works for all?
spyder3 said:
Can you guys not talk to each other to figure out a plan that works for all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it would be impractical if not impossible where I am.
In the end I decided to give it a shot anyway, just have to hope I'm the only one using opendns.
So far so good.
DEREKTROTTER said:
from what i read blocking the update URLs is useless, you might as well let it update and wait for a new root procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a lot of tests to day (UK fire tv)
you get different IP for that URL depending on what DNS you use unblockus,google,isp etc etc
so im not sure I think its all in the lap of the gods
I am so poised on smashing this thing up :¬) I will enjoy it
tech3475 said:
I recently got a UK Fire TV so I can't root it, but I still want to block updates just in case.
I'm running a TP-Link WDR3600 with DD-WRT and I have set it to block the three URLs* using the devices static IP and MAC address.
However, when I go to the "check for system update" option it still lists the last check as 'today'.
I did additional tests using firefox on the device itself and it can block URLs (for this test Google) but I'm not sure whether the updates are blocked.
For now I've disconnected it just in case and OpenDNS isn't an option for me as I have a shared IP address.
*:
firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com
softwareupdates.amazon.com
amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All settings on DD-WRT:
Go to Settings. Under that make sure your tab is again "Settings".
Under the subsection DNSMasq, put these options.
DNSMasq: Enable
Local DNS: Disable
No DNS Rebind: Enable
Additional DNSMasq Options: Copy these 4 lines and paste into that textbox.
#block amazon firetv update
address=/amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net/127.0.0.1
address=/softwareupdates.amazon.com/127.0.0.1
strict-order
Also, refer to the PDF file. Look at the section "Network Setup". Within that look at "Router IP" and "DHCP". Change your private subnet to whatever you wish to use, mine is 192.168.5.0/24.
Once you have the setup, reboot your router. Next, reboot your computer and ping one of the above DNS address. You should get a reply back from "127.0.0.1". Next reboot your FTV and verify.
I have the same setup and works for me.
NOTE: MY TIME WARNER MODEM/ROUTER IS IN BRIDGED MODE. Meaning, it is a simple pass through and all router related functionality is disabled. Works solely as a dumb modem.
NOTE: Simple URL blocking is not sufficient. That ONLY blocks HTTP access, not HTTPS.
Thanks, that seems to have done the trick.

Can someone test this for me on the Fire TV 2 (takes a couple of minutes)

FireTV 2 will not allow Custom DNS on WiFi (works on Wired)
Can someone please help verify this for me ... this problem has happened since day 1 when firmware was 5.0.2 ... I am now on 5.0.3.1 and the problem is still there.
Basically once you get to the screen where you enter the passphrase for Wifi - click on Advanced and enter a unique IP / Mask and DNS. Doing this on WIRED works - but not on Wifi. Basically, on wifi it pretends to accept it - but it does not stick.
Amazon says its not possible - which makes no sense since Apple TV / PS3 / Laptop all do that. I would understand if it did not allow it for both Wired and Wireless. But when it works for Wired but not for Wireless (both talking to the same DHCP) ... then its a bug.
You can test it by changing the Custom DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Official Google DNS) ... and then if it works - revert back to letting DHCP set it. Please let me know if it works for you.
Nobody can test this and help out a fellow FireTV user?
I did the test. It sticks. I used my own specific ip with the dns I set.
guiso98 said:
I did the test. It sticks. I used my own specific ip with the dns I set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I narrowed the bug down to it happening only when the DHCP server issues an IPv6 DNS address to the wireless adapter.

can't get past FireTV registration page after deregistering

Hi, not sure where to go from here.
I have a rooted FireTV with ClockworkMod installed. It was registered to my name, but my wife just started a trial of Amazon Prime, so we thought it'd be a bright idea to deregister the FireTV from my Amazon account and register it with her account.
Big mistake. Now, the FireTV boots up and gets to the screen that gives you the choice to register or create a new account. I log in with her Amazon info, my Amazon info, doesn't matter--no matter what we do, it goes to a screen saying "The network connection has been lost." The only two buttons are "Try Again" or "Check Network Settings".
It's not a network problem, believe me (I have a home LAN and know what I'm doing, troubleshooted that, it's fine--in fact, I can connect to it via adbFire and see processes on it, etc.). My wife even phoned Amazon, and they made sure to register the FireTV on her account. I can see it in her account on Amazon.com under "Manage Content and Devices".
Even the Amazon tech was stumped. Any ideas? I'd rather not lose root if I can help it, but we can't get past this "network connection lost" screen.
I had blocked Amazon updates on the FireTV and on the router, but I enabled updates on both, thinking that maybe the update blockers were causing an issue. Yet even still, it's not working.
Try to connect using a cable instead a wifi connection, and try registering again.
Tried that, no luck, same thing
Unblock updates on the router or connect to a Hotspot just for the registration time. I have had amazon registration fail when blocking update domains on the router. Root will be safe.
Tried that, still no luck.
Well, I found the solution. I bypassed the router completely and plugged the FireTV directly into the cable modem. Registered first try. Bizarre...I know what I'm doing with routers (I have tomato firmware installed on my Asus RTn16). I had all the update blocks disabled (it's a single checkbox in tomato). Maybe it's a tomato bug? Anyway, works now, and I've since hooked it back up to the router and all is still well. I still have rooted firmware. I did see, when I went into Settings/System, that it was downloading a system update (the menu item said "Cancel System Update"), so I cancelled that.
Interesting...I opened an ADB session and I see that org.xbmc.kodi is still in the files list on the FireTV, as well as folders for a few other Android apps I installed, but none of them appear in the FireTV apps list (because I did a factory system restore). Is there a way to restore these without reinstalling? Some way to maybe have the FireTV "rescan" its own installations?

SmartDNS service doesn't work anymore after Fire OS 5.0.5 update

I am using a smart DNS service (such as unblock-us / unlocator) on my Amazon Fire TV as well as on a Fire TV Stick, in order to watch shows in my home country language, as I am currently living in Germany.
The DNS setup was done directly on the Fire TV Box, not in my router due to limitations from my internet provider. When I started with the DNS service, everything worked like charme from the start. But yesterday evening my Fire TV got the update by Amazon onto OS version 5.0.5 (before it had an OS version called 51.1.6.3.) From this moment on, the DNS service stopped working on the Fire TV.
Everything is still set up correctly, but I just get the German content, no matter what region I have set in my DNS Service account. No error message though. I tried to restart the device, deleted and re-added the network with the DNS settings and restarted again, restarted the router, but nothing helped. I haven't done anything different than before. So I am quite sure, it has to do with the OS update by Amazon. The Fire TV Stick in the other room still has the former OS version (54.1.2.3.). There, everything still runs smooth as it used to be as well on the Fire TV box.
Is anyone here facing the same issues with the new Fire TV OS 5.0.5? Does anyone know how to solve this or what I can do different, to make it work again?
Thanks in advance for your help.
same !!!
I have same prob since update today.. I was using overp*ay
Any luck getting it sorted thx
One way around is to get your internet provider to bridge their modem (if it is build into router) and buy a good router you can set-up using a custom DNS/VPN
I talked to the u*locator support today (Smart DNS Service I use). They say it's because of IPv6 that seems to break their service. Under settings → system → about → network, the DNS is not in IPv4 but IPv6 format. Apparently Android 5.1 (Fire OS 5.0.5) and my cable provider plus the Fritz!Box Router I am forced to use by them don't go well together in this combination. Former OS version was based on Android 4.2.2. - no problems. I found several reported issues in other contexts (smartphone wifi, smartphone push notifications, etc.) with the keywords IPv6 in combination of Android Lollipop, my ISP and the router I gotta use. So it seems I am unlucky with this combination.
So does anyone have a hint, what workaround options I have?
- downgrade to the former OS? How can that be done?
- would rooting and disable IPv6 on the Fire TV be a possibility?
- (bridging the modem as bula1ca said is unfortunately no option with my ISP)
I heard wired connections on the firetv box doesnt have this problem but im curious to know the fix because I have a fire tv stick
So I got a solution! Inspired by bula1ca's post, I am additionally using an old TP-Link Router now (TL-WR841ND), which doesn't support IPv6. No rocket science. I just connected the WAN Port of that Router with a free LAN port of my original Fritz!Box, set up a wireless network on that old router and changed DNS to my smart DNS service in DHCP settings. So now I have an additional wireless network that I only use with the Fire TV and my Fire TV Stick. Result: The Fire TV doesn't get a IPv6 DNS anymore, but only Ipv4. Works like a charme.
Whizzkid78 said:
So I got a solution! Inspired by bula1ca's post, I am additionally using an old TP-Link Router now (TL-WR841ND), which doesn't support IPv6. No rocket science. I just connected the WAN Port of that Router with a free LAN port of my original Fritz!Box, set up a wireless network on that old router and changed DNS to my smart DNS service in DHCP settings. So now I have an additional wireless network that I only use with the Fire TV and my Fire TV Stick. Result: The Fire TV doesn't get a IPv6 DNS anymore, but only Ipv4. Works like a charme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy that worked for you however some modems need to be "bridged" before you can use your own router.
My router is a Fritzbox and I'm using it in bridge mode. I have simply disabled ipv6 support for the home network:
-DNSv6-Server in Home Network - DNSv6-Server through Router Advertisement (RFC 5006) - off
-DHCPv6-Server in Home network - deactivate
SmartDns is working again even over a Wlan connection. Other router brands might also have this possibility
I'm facing the same problem with IPv6/IPv4.
How do you connect WAN with LAN ports etc., and what else needs to be done how so that the FireTV can eventually work with an IPv4 address?
will2go said:
I'm facing the same problem with IPv6/IPv4.
How do you connect WAN with LAN ports etc., and what else needs to be done how so that the FireTV can eventually work with an IPv4 address?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See my answer above. You have to find a way to disable IPV6 DNS in your home network.
-You might be able to do it in your router settings
-if your router doesn't allow switching it off attach another hardware (router) to your WAN cable modem's port where it is possible to do so/or the router is an old pre-ipv6 model where it is off anyway.
Just connecting the firetv to a lan port won't help unless you have a special router setup
uzi74 said:
See my answer above. You have to find a way to disable IPV6 DNS in your home network.
-You might be able to do it in your router settings
-if your router doesn't allow switching it off attach another hardware (router) to your WAN cable modem's port where it is possible to do so/or the router is an old pre-ipv6 model where it is off anyway.
Just connecting the firetv to a lan port won't help unless you have a special router setup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't disable IPv6 since my ISP is just providing IPv6 addresses. If I disable that within my router, there's no internet connection.
How do I setup another router via WAN? That may actually work. Do you happen to have a step-by-step guide how to do that?
Thanks.
will2go said:
I can't disable IPv6 since my ISP is just providing IPv6 addresses. If I disable that within my router, there's no internet connection.
How do I setup another router via WAN? That may actually work. Do you happen to have a step-by-step guide how to do that?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to disable IPV6 completely, just for your home network (if your router supports it). - in case you get a dual stack IPV6 (you get an IPV4 and IPV6 address assigned the same time)
How to do it exactly, how to use a different router and what is possible for you, you would better ask in forums of your internet provider. (I had to request my internet provider to switch the router/cable moden they gave me to bridge modus, than I was able to hook up a different router on the LAN1 port of my cable modem - I needed it before for different purposes)
Your options are very much dependent on your internet provider and hardware you own, but basicly your goal is the have IPV4-only DNS on your home network
Not an option, sorry.
My router won't allow full disabling of IPV6 unfortunately.
I have just heard from unblockr.net a SmartDNS provider, and they suggest that it would potentially help to disable this.
My traffic is definitely being routed via their servers as I can connect to the DNS servers fine, but it won't unblock geoblocked content for a certain country I'm aiming for which is a shame.
johnsmithtetley said:
My router won't allow full disabling of IPV6 unfortunately.
I have just heard from unblockr.net a SmartDNS provider, and they suggest that it would potentially help to disable this.
My traffic is definitely being routed via their servers as I can connect to the DNS servers fine, but it won't unblock geoblocked content for a certain country I'm aiming for which is a shame.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kind of router do you have that can't handle this simple setting?

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