Has anyone tried adding an AES module to one of those "alpha" series XTS5000 radios?
The radio I'd like to try this on currently has a DES-XL/DES-OFB module in it, and works great. Initial firmware of the radio was R02.somthing. The firmware has since been updated to R04.something. I don't have the radio in front of me, but if I remember right, the UCM version of the XL/OFB module was R05.something.
Has anyone tried ordering an NNTN4197 (AES) or NNTN4198 (AES/DES-XL/OFB) module from Motorola Online, and installing it in one of these XTS5000's?
Is there anything else I'd need for AES operation besides one of the above modules? Will I need to update the radio's firmware to something newer than R04?
I've added secure modules to XTS3000's and Astro Sabers before with no problems, but this is my first attempt at doing the same to an XTS5000.
I'd like to know if this will work before I spend the big $$$ on the module, as I don't want to deal with trying to return it or sell it...
Adding AES to a 123ABC1234 XTS5000
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I believe it'll work just fine, but since you're buying the UCM direct from Motorola, it wouldn't hurt to call them directly & ask. They don't need to know your serial number. Just give them your firmware versions & they'll tell you whether it'll work or not.
Todd
Todd
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Welcome to the /\/\achine.
Welcome to the /\/\achine.
Thanks for the advice. I went for it, and ordered the AES/DES module. It installed with no problems at all. The package came with everything necessary: the module, illustrated installation instructions, and foam rubber pads.
I initially overlooked the fact that this 123ABC1234 radio did not have the multikey option, so I was worried I wouldn't be able to use the second and third algorithim on the module. But this apparently isn't a problem with the 5000 series...
The new module is NNTN4198A
UCM R05.05.00
KG1: DES-OFB
KG2: DES-XL
KG3: AES-256
Basically, if you load a DES key in the radio, it uses DES. If you load an AES-256 key, it uses AES. There's even a little "AES" indicator that appears next to the secure symbol on the radio's display when AES is used. Either the ASTRO 25 or ASN mode can be used on the KVL3000+ to keyload this radio.
I initially overlooked the fact that this 123ABC1234 radio did not have the multikey option, so I was worried I wouldn't be able to use the second and third algorithim on the module. But this apparently isn't a problem with the 5000 series...
The new module is NNTN4198A
UCM R05.05.00
KG1: DES-OFB
KG2: DES-XL
KG3: AES-256
Basically, if you load a DES key in the radio, it uses DES. If you load an AES-256 key, it uses AES. There's even a little "AES" indicator that appears next to the secure symbol on the radio's display when AES is used. Either the ASTRO 25 or ASN mode can be used on the KVL3000+ to keyload this radio.
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Re: Adding AES to a 123ABC1234 XTS5000
How did you manage to get the radio upgraded? I am asking because I also have one 123abc1234 sitting here, and it could need an upgrade :-)515 wrote:The radio I'd like to try this on currently has a DES-XL/DES-OFB module in it, and works great. Initial firmware of the radio was R02.somthing. The firmware has since been updated to R04.something.
regards - Ralph, dk5ras
--
Ralph A. Schmid http://www.bclog.de [email protected]
Tel./SMS +49-171-3631223
--
Ralph A. Schmid http://www.bclog.de [email protected]
Tel./SMS +49-171-3631223
Interesting. If you listen to Motorola, you need the multikey option in the radio to properly use more than one encyption.
I recently had a radio that would not properly function with a dual mode chip (lacked multikey).
Got the multikey option for it, works great now.
Fluke maybe?
From the pricebook:
I recently had a radio that would not properly function with a dual mode chip (lacked multikey).
Got the multikey option for it, works great now.
Fluke maybe?
From the pricebook:
W969 ADD: MULTIPLE KEY ENCRYPTION OPERATION $280.50
REQUIRED when using more than one encryption algorithm or encryption key.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
Basically, the 123ABC1234 XTS5000's firmware can be updated the same way a normal XTS5000 can with a "Firmware Refresh I-Button" from Motorola.
It appears Motorola is having to give quite a few of these out to owners of "normal XTS5000's" to give them features they need that were not available in the early versions of this radio (like MDC1200 and hot keypad DTMF). There also seem to be several bugs in the radio that firmware updates correct.
The I-Button firmware upgrade process is similar to a Flashport upgrade, but at least the one I used didn't seem to care about the XTS5000's serial number or flashcode. The I-buttons are set up to allow a limited number of upgrades, and the built in counter decrements after each one. Also, when the radio is upgraded, the serial number of the I-button used will be forever visible in the "Radio Information" screen of the radio's codeplug. So it's easy for anyone to tell who's I-button was used to upgrade someone's radio.
If you want to try to upgrade the firmware on a 123ABC1234 XTS5000, I'd recommend contacting anyone you know who has a fleet of these radios purchased directly from Motorola, and see if they can ask for a firmware refresh. They may need to give a reason for wanting one, so hopefully their radios either lack MDC1200 or something, or have a known bug. Hopefully they'll let you have one of the firmware refreshes, especially if they really don't need MDC1200 or whatever...
Just remember that the I-button's serial number will be stored in the radio, so that may cause problems if the radio is ever sent to the depot. But chances are, if you bought a 123ABC1234 radio, you were never planning on sending it to the depot anyway.
It appears Motorola is having to give quite a few of these out to owners of "normal XTS5000's" to give them features they need that were not available in the early versions of this radio (like MDC1200 and hot keypad DTMF). There also seem to be several bugs in the radio that firmware updates correct.
The I-Button firmware upgrade process is similar to a Flashport upgrade, but at least the one I used didn't seem to care about the XTS5000's serial number or flashcode. The I-buttons are set up to allow a limited number of upgrades, and the built in counter decrements after each one. Also, when the radio is upgraded, the serial number of the I-button used will be forever visible in the "Radio Information" screen of the radio's codeplug. So it's easy for anyone to tell who's I-button was used to upgrade someone's radio.
If you want to try to upgrade the firmware on a 123ABC1234 XTS5000, I'd recommend contacting anyone you know who has a fleet of these radios purchased directly from Motorola, and see if they can ask for a firmware refresh. They may need to give a reason for wanting one, so hopefully their radios either lack MDC1200 or something, or have a known bug. Hopefully they'll let you have one of the firmware refreshes, especially if they really don't need MDC1200 or whatever...
Just remember that the I-button's serial number will be stored in the radio, so that may cause problems if the radio is ever sent to the depot. But chances are, if you bought a 123ABC1234 radio, you were never planning on sending it to the depot anyway.