Prior to AOS release v 5.1.1, the Network Management Card 2 devices support IPv4 only and implement a single TCP/IP stack. AOS v 5.1.1 or higher introduces support for IPv6 as well as maintaining support for IPv4. Because of this new support, the Network Management Card 2 devices now utilize dual TCP/IP stacks. These stacks are completely independent of each other.
Resolution
Because of this new dual IP stack support, as well as some other firmware differences in AOS v5.1.1 and greater, a downgrade to AOS 5.0.x from AOS v5.1.1 or greater will completely erase the TCP/IP network settings on the Network Management Card 2. A user must terminal in via the local console connection in order to correct these settings and finish the upgrade via the network.
APC does not recommend a user downgrade their firmware unless specifically instructed by APC tech support for a certain reason. Even so, a user must be aware of this situation.