Proposal: New Modem Firmware Upgrade Module Integration in OpenWISP

[Rahul Bhagwat]

Hello Everyone,

My Self Rahul Bhagwat, Lead Engineer at Softdel Systems Pvt. Ltd. We are working on behalf of Railhead Corporation for one of proposal of integration of new module in OpenWISP.

We are exploring the possibility of contributing a new module to the OpenWISP ecosystem, focused on firmware upgrade management for 5G modems connected to OpenWrt-based devices. The intent is to design a module similar to existing openwisp-firmware-upgrader that can handle detection, version tracking, and remote firmware upgrade of cellular modems.

The idea is to design a new module that allows OpenWISP to host 5G/LTE modem firmware binaries (from any vendor) and push them to OpenWRT-based devices, where a modem-specific script will execute the actual upgrade on the modem. The modem-specific script/tool must be installed on device by the customer, and it will differ for each modem vendor.

For the initial implementation, we are focusing on supporting the Telit FN990A modem firmware upgrade. As customers begin using this module, they can install their own vendor-specific scripts/tools and validate the upgrade process for other modem models.

To begin with, I would like to understand the recommended approach for proposing and developing new modules intended for inclusion in the core OpenWISP ecosystem. I’m looking for guidance on the preferred process such as architectural discussions, design reviews, and the expected steps before starting development to ensure the contribution aligns well with OpenWISP’s long-term direction.

Looking forward to your guidance and queries / suggestions.

Thanks and regards,

Rahul Bhagwat.