Yes, the web interface for automatic updates (where the router is responsible for downloading the firmware) is very poor at updates. However, who uses that in the first place?
The only method I have ever used is dropping the .npk packages into the root of the filesystem via sftp or ftp, and rebooting. No Netinstall required.
I've done this something like 50 times, on multiple models covering multiple architectures (Mips, PPC, x86, Arm), and never once had any issues.
Uploading them one-by-one via the web interface or Winbox (via the Files section) and rebooting also works just fine, but why bother when you can do them in one shot as above?
And if you have to upgrade a large number of routers, best of all is write your own script that pulls firmware from your own private repository on your management VLAN, and reboots. And seriously, anyone who is managing a large number of routers and is not bothering to test image upgrades in a testing environment before deploying to live deserves any trouble they get.
The only method I have ever used is dropping the .npk packages into the root of the filesystem via sftp or ftp, and rebooting. No Netinstall required.
I've done this something like 50 times, on multiple models covering multiple architectures (Mips, PPC, x86, Arm), and never once had any issues.
Uploading them one-by-one via the web interface or Winbox (via the Files section) and rebooting also works just fine, but why bother when you can do them in one shot as above?
And if you have to upgrade a large number of routers, best of all is write your own script that pulls firmware from your own private repository on your management VLAN, and reboots. And seriously, anyone who is managing a large number of routers and is not bothering to test image upgrades in a testing environment before deploying to live deserves any trouble they get.