VDSL Vectoring on FRITZ!Box 3370

[Sven42]

Hello,
I am new to OpenWrt and thought that it would be a good Idea to use it to revive a FRITZ!Box 3370 with software that receives software updates.

In my setup the FRITZ!Box 3370 is also the DSL modem.
When using FRITZ!Os it is connecting using VDSL2 G.Vector (ITU G.993.5) and working fine.
I think the DSLAM is provided by deutsche Telekom, but my internet Provider is Drillisch.
When I use OpenWrt, it only uses G.993.2 and the speed is significantly slower (20Mbit/s upload and 1.7Mbit/s down)

What I tried so far with the help of Google and ChatGpt:

• Extract the firmware from the original FRITZ!Os image
• Configured DSL to use this firmware image

Device Information:

AVM FRITZ!Box 3370 Rev. 2 (Micron NAND)
Architecture: xRX200 rev 1.1
Target Platform: lantiq/xrx200

ubus call dsl metrics contains (I am not sure if I would Dox myself by posting all of it):

"api_version": "4.17.18.6",
"firmware_version": "5.7.5.5.1.7",
"chipset": "Lantiq-VRX200",
"driver_version": "1.5.17.6",
"state": "Showtime with TC-Layer sync",
"state_num": 7,
"up": true,
"uptime": 1397,
"annex": "B",
"standard": "G.993.2",
"profile": "17a",
"mode": "G.993.2 (VDSL2, Profile 17a)",
"upstream": {
	"vector": false, [...]}
"downstream": {
	"vector": false, [...]}

I extracted the firmware using the following commands:

7z e FRITZ.Box_WLAN_3370-06.56.image -r filesystem.image
7z e filesystem.image filesystem_core.squashfs
unsquashfs4-avm-be filesystem_core.squashfs

cd squashfs-root/lib/modules/dsp_vr9
scp -O vr9-B-dsl.bin root@192.168.1.1:/lib/firmware

I also tried it by uploading all files to /lib/firmware from the squashfs-root/lib/modules/dsp_vr9 folder.
I then configured the DSL firmware to point to /lib/firmware/vr9-B-dsl.bin and the firmware version above corresponds to a string in that file.

I think it is suspicious that the string "vec" is not included in the dsp_vr9 folder, which I would expect if it supports vectoring.

I think that I am missing some files from the Fritz!Os image or that I should use more modern hardware. I would appreciate your help.

[brada4]

netgear extracts with simple tools, avm constructs vector bin file with binary patching to load.

Lantiq xDSL firmware information

[janh]

You are not missing anything. The only thing needed for vectoring support on VR9 modems is a DSL firmware that supports it. You can also use the firmware from another device. I think the most recent Annex B DSL firmware for VR9 is 5.9.1.4.0.7-5.9.0.D.0.2, which can be extracted from Fritzbox 7430 firmware.

In some cases it is also possible that the port gets stuck in the fallback profile. In that case you need to contact your provider to reset it. However, before doing so I would try with a more recent firmware (even though the 3370 one of course also supports vectoring). Just make sure that the firmware is actually loaded (the DSL drivers don't always apply configuration changes on service restart - rebooting or reloading the kernel modules helps).

@brada4

avm constructs vector bin file with binary patching to load.

bspatch is only needed for the Annex A firmware or the also included "previous release". The Annex B firmware doesn't require patching, and supports vectoring just like any of the others.

[brada4]

Strange it did not work out...

[Sven42]

Thanks to both of you for helping me out.
Vectoring is now enabled and I have a fast connection to the DSLAM

I am now using firmware version 5.9.1.4.0.7-5.9.0.D.0.2 extracted from the FRITZ.Box_7430-07.31.image