NCC – Firmware Upgrade User Experience Enhancement

Zyxel_Lynn

Overview

Zyxel Nebula Control Center (NCC)has made an enhancement on Firmware Upgrade User Experience (UIX) to make firmware management clearer and reduce confusion about upgrade statuses such as “stable” or “latest.”These updates aim to help users better understand the purpose of each firmware version and make more informed upgrade decisions.

Motivation Behind the Enhancement

There were three key motivations for improving the firmware upgrade user experience:

1. Clarify Firmware Version Labels

Internally, Zyxel categorizes new firmware versions as “Stable” or “Latest.”However, users often found these terms confusing—especially when receiving firmware upgrade notification emails. Many were unsure which version their device should upgrade to, or whether an upgrade was necessary.

2. Improve Understanding of “Stable” vs “Latest” Firmware

• Stable Firmware: A mature version that has undergone extended validation and is free of critical issues. It prioritizes reliability but does not include the newest features.
• Latest Firmware: Includes the newest features and improvements, but may still be under active refinement.

This update helps users easily distinguish between the two and understand the trade-off between stability and access to new functions.

3. Help Users Make Informed Upgrade Decisions

The system now clearly communicates:

• Whether an upgrade is necessary or simply optional.
• Which firmware version is required for NCC to complete device provision.

These improvements guide users to upgrade when it is essential and avoid unnecessary actions.

What Has Changed in the New NCC Version

1. Refined Firmware Notification Emails

• Before: Emails used terms like “Migrate to the latest firmware.”

• Now: The wording has been simplified to “Upgrade the firmware instantly,” removing “latest” or “stable” to avoid confusion.

2. Improved Firmware Availability Status in the Firmware management Interface

• Before: Devices running stable firmware always displayed “Upgrade Available,” which misled users into thinking an upgrade was required.

• Now: If a device runs the latest stable version, it displays “Up to Date (Stable)” instead.This clarifies that the current firmware is already suitable for long-term use.

3. Direct Link to Firmware Release Notes

Each device entry in the Applicable device list for firmware upgrade now includes a hyperlink to the corresponding Community Post where users can read detailed release notes or download the firmware directly.

4. Enhanced Device Detail Page Indicators

A new configuration status — “Up to Date (Requires Upgrade to Latest Firmware)” — has been introduced. This indicates that certain new NCC features are only available after upgrading to the latest firmware version.

This improvement applies to:

• Access Points (APs)
• Switches
• Security Appliances
• Mobile Routers

It highlights when a firmware upgrade is functionally necessary to ensure NCC features operate correctly.

5. Clearer Hover and Confirmation Messages

• Hovering over the ‘upgrade now’ from the device Configuration status now shows a tooltip explaining:“One or more new features require the latest firmware. Upgrade now to enable them.”
• When clicking “Upgrade Now,” a confirmation prompt appears to verify the action before execution.

6. Updated Columns in Device Detail Page

Three key columns—Configuration Status, Firmware Availability, and Current Version—have been revised:

Column	Previous Behavior	New Behavior
Configuration Status	“Not up to date, require firmware upgrade”	“Not up to date – requires upgrade to latest firmware” (with clear reason)
Firmware Availability	Always showed “Upgrade Available”	Now shows “Up to Date (Stable)” if already on the stable release
Current Version	Displayed “Stable” tag next to version	“Stable” tag removed to simplify and avoid redundancy

To sum up, the Firmware Upgrade UIX Enhancement in NCC version 19.20 improves transparency and communication for firmware management. By replacing ambiguous terms and introducing clearer labels like “Up to Date (Stable)” and “Requires Upgrade to Latest Firmware,” Zyxel helps users make confident, informed upgrade decisions.