from the original thread, it "sounds" like a few got this working server side by using a send packet, 33 bytes in length. The goal is to send a packet that will have high rate of success to the server, which will send you a success packet back that will also contain your character name information.
Biggest clue i can see was given thats on page 11 or 12 of zhoe's post is this.
-send packet (up to +3)
21 00 07 11 00 8B 00 11 00 75 00 00 00 6D 00 00 04 00 73 00 09 00 74 00 E0.....
to +5 the 75 changes to 8E, the E0 changes to 60...
now, its logical to think that since zhoe first talks about 8 bytes to change, that +6, and +7 each have different values here as well.. and they may be different depending on the item being upgraded and the talic used as well. You can see that 75 to 8E is not sequential in any way. Even if you are horrible with math and computers.
My next question, ONLY question LOL, where the hell can i find a copy of the server files for 2.1.6, hehehe
edit : highlighted the 8B instead of 75, though i typed in 75 in the text... more beers please