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WD15 dock servicing stack - firmware and drivers
Got new Latitude 5580 with WD15 dock.
Had an issue with network connectivity.
Went to the Dell site and followed http://www.dell.com/support/article/ie/en/iebsdt1/sln305979/wd15-dock-systems-docked-and-re-docked-may-lose-usb-functionality-with-older-realtek-driver?lang=en
The attempt to upgrade firmware in the dock via DellDockingStationFwUp_1.0.0.8_20161220_WD15.exe did not do anything, probably rightly, as firmware the WD15 had newer version - 1.0.0.10
The Realtek drivers install went fine Docks_Stands_Driver_J5P2D_WN32_2.43.2017.1123_A09.EXE
The attempt to install "Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Firmware Utility" FW_UPGRADE_UTILITY_WD15_V1_2_0_3_ZPE.exe bricked the LAN port on the dock, the drivers will not recognize the Relatek LAN device properly anymore, it was number of restarts/plug in/out /power cycles for both Latitude and the dock.
Forced reflash of the dock to the version 1.0.8 by running DellDockingStationFwUp_1.0.0.8_20161220_WD15.exe with command line switch and LAN port was back.
Running "Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Firmware Utility" on the WD15 with fw 1.0.0.8 does not harm the dock, however it is unclear if the update was applied - log say so but no visible effect.
The servicing stack for WD15 dock is rather disappointing:
- the latest available version of the Dell Command Update for Latitude 5580 (2.3.1) does not detect that Realtek LAN drivers are out of date
Dock was plugged in. Drivers were at version 10.5.919.2015 - two years old.
- the last firmware version WD15 are manufactured with at the moment - namely 1.0.0.10 is not available for download from Dell support site
- latest available "Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Firmware Utility" applied to the WD15 with FW 1.0.0.10 kills LAN port until device is force reflashed.
This post is created to warn other users and get feedback and fixes from Dell on the issues raised.
Update:
Dell released new firmware for WD5 dock in June 2018, file name is DellDockingStationFwUp_1.0.4_IE_03222018.exe
The file contains the 1.0.0.10 firmware version for WD15 dock, same as was factory flashed in my dock initially.
Not sure if it is just coincidence or someone listened, but anyway, Dell staff, thank you.
P.S.: This exe accepts /componentsvers command line switch as well as previous FW update.
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The /componentsvers working for me, the exact command line is: DellDockingStationFwUp_1.0.0.8_20161220_WD15.exe /componentsvers
I initially determined FW version of WD15 dock by looking at the "system information" in the Dell Update Utility after I scanned the system in it while dock was connected.
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Posted June 27th, 2018 13:00
Curious how you determined the currently installed WD15 firmware version. The method on Dell's site (fwupdatexxx.exe /componentsvers) doesn't work - command line parameter isn't valid. The Device Manager method is sketchy because it's a Hardware Ids tag for the Realtek GigE controller - as no dock shows up in Device Manager.