``` Product: FRITZ!Repeater 600 Version: FRITZ!OS 7.21 Language: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish Release Date: 29.10.2020 ``` **New Features in FRITZ!OS:** - **NEW** Support for encryption according to the WPA3 standard (SAE) - **NEW** Support for "WPA3/WPA2 Transition Mode" for configuring the user interface **Improvements in FRITZ!OS 7.21** - **Improved** Better stability - **Improved** When the repeater is integrated into the Mesh by first pressing the button on the FRITZ!Box and then the button on the repeater, successful integration is signaled by the LED on the repeater flashing briefly **Additional improvements in FRITZ!OS** - **Improved** Automatic completion of connection for FRITZ!Repeater with dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) when only one band is connected - **Improved** Simplified login with the FRITZ!Repeater user interface (drop-down menu and pre-assigned user name) - **Improved** messages added for WPA3 - **Improved** Better compatibility with Sonos multi-room systems - **Improved** Improved messages on Wi-Fi ("System / Event Log")- **Improved** FRITZ!Box support page now includes option to send support data directly to AVM - **Changed** FRITZ!Repeater enabled for Mesh without a locally set password request user name and FRITZ!Box password when the user interface is accessed - **Changed** FRITZ!Repeater not enabled for Mesh without a locally set password prompt assignment of a password for access to the user interface - **Changed** Option for saving and restoring settings removed - **Changed** Outdated WPA/TKIP encryption removed **New features and improvements when using a FRITZ!Box with FRITZ!OS 7.20** - **NEW** Performance Mesh Steering improves Wi-Fi connections for terminal devices that are used from on the go - **NEW** Mesh auto-channel: Accounts for the wireless environment of the Mesh Repeater in selecting the best Wi-Fi channel for the entire Mesh - **Improved** Better detection of terminal devices that cannot be rerouted via Mesh steering - **Improved** Mesh steering evaluates and accounts for the connection type and speed of various paths to decide on steering - **Improved** Notification in FRITZ!Box log when a network loop is created (for instance, simultaneous LAN and wireless connection to the same device) - **Improved** Automatic upgrade of Mesh uplink encryption ------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Support for WPA3 If "WPA2 + WPA3" Wi-Fi encryption is selected on the FRITZ!Box, this setting is automatically adopted by the FRITZ!Repeater, as long as Mesh is enabled on the FRITZ!Repeater (see below) Notes: To use WPA3 in conjunction with Microsoft Windows 10, three components are required: - Windows 10 version 1903 or later - a compatible wireless device ("client") - support for WPA3 for the respective wireless device (device driver support) For the FRITZ!Box to automatically offer a WPA3 connection to corresponding wireless devices, "WPA2 + WPA3" setting must be selected as the WPA mode on the "Wireless / Security" page. A successful negotiation can be verified in FRITZ!Box on the "Wireless / Radio Network" page. Some wireless devices further require a new connection profile in order to be able to use WPA3. Delete any connection profile created for WPA2 connections in the the Wi-Fi client software of the wireless devices, and create a new profile after the FRITZ!Box WPA mode setting has been changed to "WPA2 + WPA3". For some wireless devices or hardware there is unfortunately no longer any suitable driver available. Among these are all AVM WLAN Sticks. Support for WPA3 includes the latest generation from the "INTEL AX200" product series. The "Windows Update" Build 1903 (or later) can be installed manually in Windows 10 if it was not already installed automatically by the Windows Update. Connections secured with WPA3 require activation of "Protected Management Frames" (PMF; 802.11w). This also applies to parallel WPA2/3 connections in WPA mode "WPA2 + WPA3" ("transition mode"). Note for users of older Apple devices: WPA3 is supported on Apple device starting with iOS 13 or iPadOS 13. (2) Advanced Mesh steering improves the Wi-Fi performance of mobile devices FRITZ!OS always provides for the best connections between all wireless devices (for instance, smartphone, tablet, or notebook) and between the FRITZ! products in the Mesh. Wireless devices are supported in making better decisions about where they will connect to. In the Mesh, FRITZ!OS can also intervene with Mesh steering and steers wireless devices to other connections: either between the 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless bands ("band steering") or between several FRITZ!Box products, for example from a FRITZ!Box to a FRITZ!Repeater. The requirement for this is that the same name (SSID) is used for both radio bands for the wireless network (default setting) and the wireless device supports the steering. With this Lab version, Mesh steering has been expanded and now intervenes more often to improve the wireless LAN performance of the connected end devices. Even with wireless devices that have a good connection, the system regularly checks whether even better wireless LAN performance is possible. If so, the devices are automatically rerouted to the better wireless connection, for instance, if the device has been moved away from the FRITZ!Box or back again. A further innovation is the consideration of alternative "paths" for Mesh steering. If a terminal device can be steered to either a FRITZ!Repeater or a FRITZ!Powerline adapter with Wi-Fi functionality, the path into the internet (via Wi-Fi or powerline) is also assessed and taken into account in the steering decision. In addition, the robustness in handling wireless devices, which do not completely control the rerouting, has been improved. (3) Improved Wi-Fi auto channel in the Mesh If a Mesh Repeater (FRITZ!Repeater, FRITZ!Powerline adapter with Wi-Fi or another FRITZ!Box) detects local Wi-Fi interference in the Mesh, it reports this interference to the FRITZ!Box (Mesh Master). The Master then takes this report into consideration to make a new determination of the optimum Wi-Fi channel. ------------------------------------------------ Enabling the Mesh Function To check whether a FRITZ! product is enabled for Mesh, see the "Mesh Overview" of the FRITZ!Box (the Mesh Master) under "fritz.box / Home Network / Mesh". Here the products in the Mesh are designated with a corresponding "Mesh active" icon. A FRITZ!Repeater or FRITZ!Powerline adapter can be enabled for Mesh in various ways: - If the FRITZ!Repeater or FRITZ!Powerline adapter has the factory settings configured and is being connected with the FRITZ!Box via WPS for the first time, it will be automatically enabled for Mesh. - If the FRITZ!Repeater or FRITZ!Powerline adapter is already connected, but not enabled for Mesh, it is added to the Mesh by pressing a button on the product to be integrated and a button on the FRITZ!Box. On the FRITZ!Box, use the button that initiates WPS: depending on the model, press the "Connect" or "WPS" button briefly, or the "WLAN/WPS" button for 6 seconds Detailed instructions, additional information and the answers to frequently asked questions about Mesh are presented at en.avm.de/mesh-faq. ----------------------------------------------- **Set factory default** For restoring the repeater to factory defaults, press the "Connect" button for 15 seconds ----------------------------------------------- We recommend to always keep all your FRITZ!-Products up to date as every update also improves security features of FRITZ!Box and FRITZ!Repeater KSH 10-29-2020