Video: How do I upgrade the firmware on an APC Network Management Card (NMC) or NMC embedded device (Rack PDU, etc)?

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• You wish to upgrade your Network Management Card's (NMC) firmware or have been instructed to.
• You have a device such as a Rack PDU, AV unit, or environmental monitoring unit with an embedded NMC that you wish to upgrade.
• You had a problem with a previous upgrade attempt and need the instructions in order to correct it.
• Your device came pre-loaded with the wrong application and you need to load the correct application.

Product Line

• Web/SNMP Card - AP9606
  Devices with an embedded Web/SNMP Card include (but are not limited to): Environmental Monitoring Unit 1 (AP9312TH).
• Network Management Card 1 - AP9617, AP9618, AP9619
  Devices with an embedded Network Management Card 1 include (but are not limited to): Metered/Switched Rack PDUs (AP78XX, AP79XX), Rack Automatic Transfer Switches (AP77XX), Environmental Monitoring Units (AP9320, AP9340, NetBotz 200).
• Network Management Card 2 - AP9630/30CH, AP9631/31CH, AP9635/35CH, AP9537SUM
  Devices with an embedded Network Management Card 2 include (but are not limited to): 2G Metered/Switched Rack PDUs (AP84XX, AP86XX, AP88XX, AP89XX), Rack Automatic Transfer Switches (AP44XX), Certain Audio/Video Network Management Enabled products, Smart-UPS Online (SRT).
• Network Management Card 3 - AP9640, AP9641

Environment

• All serial numbers
• All firmware versions (unless otherwise noted)

Cause

Users may wish to upgrade their firmware to take advantage of enhancements, bug fixes, or new features. Also, sometimes a firmware upgrade can be interrupted or unsuccessful and these instructions can be followed to remedy the problem.

Typically, these upgrades do not require the device the Network Management Card is installed in to be powered down or cause unnecessary downtime.

Lastly, downgrades are not typically recommended but the manual methods can also be used to do those in certain circumstances.

NOTE: For users upgrading (or downgrading) their Network Management Card 2 device from v5.X.X to v6.X.X, please review Knowledge Base article FA167693 to understand several important considerations.


Resolution

When upgrading the firmware on your Network Management Card (NMC), you will need to determine which files pertain to your application. Begin by determining what model of NMC you have.

• AP9606 - Web SNMP Management Card
• AP9617, AP9618, AP9619 - Network Management Card
• AP9630, AP9631, AP9635 - Network Management Card 2
• AP9641, AP9641 - Network Management Card 3
• AP9603, AP9605 - Token Ring Adapter, SNMP adapter - no updates available

NOTE: These instructions can also be used in devices that have embedded (mini) versions of the above Network Management Cards.


NOTE: If you are interested in upgrading multiple devices at a time, refer to knowledge base FA156117.

NOTE: If you have an AP9635 installed in a Symmetra PX 250/500, you have a Network Management Card 2 but MUST contact APC Technical Support in order to obtain the correct firmware and special instructions.

Next, determine which device you have the Web SNMP/Network Management Card installed in.
For example, if you have the Network Management Card installed in a UPS, you need to determine which UPS you have. APC offers several different UPS families. Some of these families include:

• Smart UPS
• Matrix
• Symmetra 1 phase (Symmetra, Symmetra Rackmount, Symmetra LX)
• Symmetra 3 phase (Symmetra PX)
• Symmetra PX 250/500kVA
• Silcon*

*Not supported on the NMC2 platform.

Select the correct UPS or device type. Visit https://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/tools/software-firmware and select UPS Network Management Cards from the Filter by > Software / Firmware list of checkboxes.

For example, if you have a Smart UPS 750 (SUA750), then you will choose:

UPS Network Management Card v3.X.X Firmware for Smart-UPS and Matrix w/AP9617/8/9 installed
or
UPS Network Management Card v6.X.X Firmware for Smart-UPS & Galaxy 3500 with AP9630/31/35

NOTE: Network Management Cards with the SKU of AP9617, AP9618, or AP9619 use firmware 3.X and Network Management Card 2 units with the SKU of AP9630, AP9631 use version 5.X or 6.X firmware. The correct firmware for each platform must be used and they are not interchangeable.

• Click on the download link on the right-hand side of the page. Proceed through the menus and download the firmware executable. Once you have the firmware downloaded, then you can proceed with the upgrade.
  • NOTE: AP9606 has been discontinued for some time and firmware for this device is located here. You will need to download the AOS file and then the appropriate application for your type of device.

There are different ways that you can upload the firmware for each device. Please choose a method that works best for you.


NOTE: For users upgrading (or downgrading) their Network Management Card 2 device from v5.X.X to v6.X.X, please review Knowledge Base article FA167693 to understand several important considerations prior to beginning any of these steps.

• Universal Serial Bus (USB) 1.1 - Select Network Management Card 2 devices (Currently AP9631, AP9635, and Rack PDU 2G)
• Firmware Upgrade Utility - Network Management Card 1 and 2
• XMODEM - Web/SNMP Card, Network Management Card 1 and 2
• Manual (FTP prompt) - Web/SNMP Card, Network Management Card 1 and 2
• Manual - Secure CoPy (SCP) - Network Management Card 1 and 2

Universal Serial Bus (USB) 1.1 - Network Management Card 2*devices with USB


NOTE: *If you have an AP9635 installed in a Symmetra PX 250/500, you have a Network Management Card 2 but MUST contact APC Technical Support in order to obtain the correct firmware and special instructions, PRIOR to following the steps below. Failure to do so may result in unexpected operation of your AP9635 Network Management Card 2.


NOTE: Some USB flash drives are not compatible with the NMC2 devices. Secondly, the flash drive's file system must be FAT, FAT16, or FAT32. (NTFS will not work).

1. Obtain the latest firmware files from apc.com and extract them to a folder. Please note, USB may not allow for a firmware downgrade. You must use a manual method to accomplish a downgrade.

2. Create a folder on your USB flash drive called apcfirm .

3. From the latest firmware files that you downloaded, add to the apcfirm folder the binary files for the firmware modules that you would like to upgrade. Some examples of the binary files for the three firmware modules follow:

Firmware Module	Binary File
APC Boot Monitor	apc_hw05_bootmon_108.bin
APC Operating System (AOS)	apc_hw05_aos_621.bin
Application Module	apc_hw05_sumx_621.bin
Language Pack*	sumx_620_frFrdeDeruRuitItesEs.lpk

4. Use a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad to create a file called upload.rcf. NOTE: (Ensure that file extensions are visible so that your file does not get named upload.rcf.txt. In Windows, this option can be edited in Folder Options->View->Hide extensions for known file types within Control Panel. Make sure that option is unselected.) Add to the file a line for each firmware module that you want to upgrade as shown below (replace "XXX" with the version of firmware you will be upgrading to):


5. Add the upload.rcf file to the apcfirm folder on the flash drive.

6. Insert the flash drive into the USB port on the NMC2.

7. Press and release the pinhole Reset button on the NMC2 for the USB upgrade process to begin. (This will only reboot the management interface of the NMC2 and not reboot your device/load.) The NMC2 status LED, located on the RJ-45 Ethernet jack, will begin to blink amber during this procedure and rotate through a few color flashing patterns while transferring the different files. NOTE: If you have an AP9631 or AP9635 removable NMC2 UPS SmartSlot card, you can also remove and re-insert the card into the UPS SmartSlot, effectively rebooting the NMC2 and beginning the USB upgrade process this way.

8. Wait for 2-5 minutes for the upgrade to complete. Remove the flash drive from the USB port and check your firmware version. On a Rack PDU specifically, the LCD display will show the firmware version for three seconds and then will resume normal operation, at which time you can also remove the flash drive.


Universal Serial Bus (USB) 1.1 - Network Management Card 3 devices with USB

This feature is available in bootloader version v1.3.3.1 and higher. Before starting the transfer, make sure the USB drive is formatted in FAT, FAT16 or FAT32.

1. Download the firmware upgrade file.
2. Create a folder named apcfirm on the USB flash drive.
3. Place the .nmc3 file in the apcfirm directory.
4. Use a text editor to create a file named nmc3.rcf. (The file extension must be .rcf, not .txt for example.)
5. In nmc3.rcf, add a line for the firmware package to be upgraded. For example, to upgrade Smart-UPS application version v1.5.0.6, type: NMC3=apc_hw21_su_1-5-0-6.nmc3
6. Place nmc3.rcf in the apcfirm folder on the flash drive.
7. Insert the flash drive into a USB port on your NMC, see “Front Panel (AP9641)” and “Front Panel (AP9643)”. 8. Reboot the NMC and wait for the card to reboot fully.

Firmware Upgrade Utility - Network Management Card 1 and 2*
If you have a Windows computer, you can use the Firmware Upgrade Utility to upgrade the firmware.

If you have any other type of computer, then you will need to manually upload each firmware file to the Web SNMP/Network Management Card. Go to the XMODEM or Manual sections below for additional instructions.

NOTE: For any firmware downgrades, which are not typically recommended, you will need to choose a new method. The Wizard will block any downgrades. Unfortunately, loading applications for different devices may also have encounter this block if AOS versions are not the same.


NOTE: *If you have an AP9635 installed in a Symmetra PX 250/500, you have a Network Management Card 2 but MUST contact APC Technical Support in order to obtain the correct firmware and special instructions, PRIOR to following the steps below. Failure to do so may result in unexpected operation of your AP9635 Network Management Card 2.

1. Click on the firmware executable once the download is complete. The executable will proceed to unzip firmware files and extract them. You can specify the location where you want the firmware to download to.
2. Once the firmware has been saved, the executable will prompt you for the IP address of the Web SNMP/Network Management Card that you want to upgrade.
3. Once you enter the IP address, click enter.
4. You will be prompted for a username and password.
   • NMC1 - This must be the Administrator user account on NMC1. By default, the Administrator username and password is apc. Press enter.
   • NMC2 - This must be the Super User Account or an Administrator account. By default, the Super User username and password is apc. Press enter.
5. If using the NMC1 executable, You will then be prompted to either 1) Continue with upgrade 2) Re-enter Parameters 3) Quit. Choose option 1 then enter. NOTE: In NMC1 Upgrade Utility v1.2 or higher, a username or password longer than 11 characters will be truncated. Thus, you will need to change the password to 11 characters or less or choose another firmware upgrade method. Reference the picture below on how to check your NMC Upgrade tool version.

6. If using the NMC2 firmware upgrade utility/wizard, seen below, you will be prompted to enter the IP address and username and password. You can enter those and press Upgrade Now.

7. The firmware executable will then begin the upgrade process. This process may take as long as 5-7 minutes to finish. Once finished, close the executable.
8. Verify that the firmware upgrade was successful.
   • NMC1 - Log into the Web UI and navigate to Administration -> General -> About. The updated firmware should be listed on this page. Alternatively, verify via Telnet, SSH, or local console connection on the main page after log in.
   • NMC2 - Log into the Web UI and navigate to About -> Network. The updated firmware should be listed on this page. Alternatively, verify via Telnet, SSH, or local console connection on the main page after log in.

XMODEM - Web/SNMP Card (AP9606)
The Local Control Console allows you to use TFTP, FTP, and XMODEM.

1. Use the Settings option to define the file name.

2. Select TFTP, FTP, or XMODEM from the menu and follow the onscreen instructions.


XMODEM - Network Management Card 1 (AP9617, AP9618, AP9619)

***NOTE: For AP9617/18/19 cards that have AOS 1.2.0 firmware and below, you will need to first upgrade to AOS 2.0.2 before upgrading to the latest firmware. AOS 2.0.2 should be included as part of the firmware executable located on the firmware download page.***

1. Connect the Management Card to an available serial port on the host computer with the supplied cable (part number 940-0024).

2. If PowerChute is running, then stop that service.

3. Open a terminal session. Configure the terminal session to 2400bps, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no flow control. If you are using HyperTerminal, select Call->Disconnect and then Call->Connect to apply the changes to the serial port. NOTE: Certain terminal emulation programs, such as PuTTy, do not support the XMODEM protocol.

4. Press the <Enter> key several times. You should see a User Name prompt. If you do not see the prompt,  ensure that you have the proper cable connected and that the communication settings are correct.

5. Enter the Administrator account User Name and Password. The default for both is apc. If you have changed the Administrator User Name and Password, use the new settings to log in. The main Control Console menu will appear.

6. Start an XMODEM transfer.

7. Select option 3 - System.

8. Select option 4 - Tools

9. Select option 6 - File Transfer.

10. Select option 1 - XMODEM.

11. Enter "YES" at the prompt to continue with the transfer.

12. Select the appropriate baud rate. The higher the baud rate, the faster the firmware upgrade.

13. You then need to change the terminal program's baud rate to match the one you selected in step 12. If you are using HyperTerminal select Call ->Disconnect and go to File->Properties->Configure and choose the correct speed. Accept the changes and then to reestablish the connection choose the Call menu->Connect to apply changes made to the serial port. Press <ENTER> to  continue.

14. From the terminal program's Transfer menu, select the appropriate firmware .bin firmware file to transfer via XMODEM-CRC. To do this within HyperTerminal, go to Transfer ->Send File. On the dialog box that pops up, browse the computer for the appropriate firmware .bin file. Once you do that, ensure the selected protocol is XMODEM and then press Send to begin the file transfer. For AP9617/18/19 based devices, the AOS should be transferred first and then the procedure should be repeated for the application file.

15. After the XMODEM file transfer is complete, set the baud rate back to 2400 within the terminal program's settings. The Management Card will automatically reboot itself . (Please note that a reboot of the NMC does not affect the output of the device.)


XMODEM - Network Management Card 2 (AP9630, AP9631, AP9635)*


NOTE: If you have an AP9635 installed in a Symmetra PX 250/500, you have a Network Management Card 2 but MUST contact APC Technical Support in order to obtain the correct firmware and special instructions, PRIOR to following the steps below. Failure to do so may result in unexpected operation of your AP9635 Network Management Card 2.
NOTE: If you wish to downgrade from v6.X.X to v5.1.X firmware on NMC2, please make sure you review Knowledge Base Article FA167693 prior.

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1. Select a serial port at the local computer and disable any service that uses the port.

2. Connect the provided serial configuration cable (APC part number 940-0299) to the selected 2.5mm Tip-Ring-Sleeve Console port on the Management Card itself.

3. Run a terminal program such as HyperTerminal, and configure the selected port for 57600 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control. NOTE: certain terminal emulation programs, such as PuTTy, do not support the XMODEM protocol.

4. Press the Reset button on the Management Card or reseat the Network Management Card in the SmartSlot, then immediately start pressing the <enter> key repeatedly until the Boot Monitor prompt displays: BM> . Also, once you have entered Boot Monitor mode correctly, the Network Management Card's status LED will flicker amber in color. (BootMonitor mode is required on NMC2 for an XMODEM upgrade in any situation.)

5. Type XMODEM, then press ENTER. You will begin to see CCCCC scroll across the screen to indicate the Network Management Card is ready to receive a file.

6. From the terminal program’s menu, select XMODEM, then select the binary bootmonitor firmware file to transfer using XMODEM. After the XMODEM transfer is complete, the Boot Monitor prompt returns.

NOTE: If the boot monitor module must be updated, a boot monitor module is included in the firmware release. Otherwise, the boot monitor module that is installed on the card is compatible with the firmware update. If there is no included bootmonitor file, upgrade the AOS binary first.

7. To install the application module, repeat step 5 and step 6. In step 6, use the application module file name.

8. Type reset or press the Reset button to restart the Management Card.

If the Management Card is installed in an Expansion Chassis or Triple Expansion Chassis, connect the provided configuration cable (APC part number 940-0299) to the serial port at the Management Card, or connect an RS-232 configuration cable (APC part number 940-0024) to the DB-9 serial port at the expansion chassis.If you connect an RS-232 configuration cable (APC part number 940-0024) to the DB-9 serial port of the expansion chassis, select 115200 bps.

XMODEM - Network Management Card 3 (AP9640, AP9641)

1. Select a serial port at the local computer and disable any service that uses the port.

2. To connect to a NMC3, use the provided micro-USB cable (APC part number 960-0603).

3. Run a terminal program such as HyperTerminal, and configure the selected port for 57600 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control. NOTE: Certain terminal emulation programs, such as PuTTy, do not support the XMODEM protocol.

4. Press the Reset button on the Management Card or reseat the Network Management Card in the SmartSlot, then immediately start pressing the <enter> key repeatedly until the Boot Monitor prompt displays: BM>. Once you have entered Boot Monitor mode correctly, the Network Management Card 3's status LED will be solid orange in color. (Boot Monitor mode is required on NMC3 for an XMODEM upgrade in any situation.)

5. Type XMODEM, then press ENTER. You will begin to see CCCCC scroll across the screen to indicate the Network Management Card is ready to receive a file.

6. From the terminal program’s menu, select XMODEM and select the .nmc3 file to transfer. After the XMODEM transfer is complete, the Boot Monitor prompt returns.

7. Type reset or press the Reset button to restart the Management Card.

If the Management Card is installed in an Expansion Chassis or Triple Expansion Chassis, connect the provided configuration cable (APC part number 940-0299) to the serial port at the Management Card, or connect an RS-232 configuration cable (APC part number 940-0024) to the DB-9 serial port at the expansion chassis. If you connect an RS-232 configuration cable (APC part number 940-0024) to the DB-9 serial port of the expansion chassis, select 115200 bps.


Manual (via FTP) - Web/SNMP Card (AP9606) & Network Management Card 1 and 2*
NOTE: If you have an AP9635 installed in a Symmetra PX 250/500, you have a Network Management Card 2 but MUST contact APC Technical Support in order to obtain the correct firmware and special instructions, PRIOR to following the steps below. Failure to do so may result in unexpected operation of your AP9635 Network Management Card 2.


NOTE: ***For AP9617/18/19 cards that have AOS 1.2.0 firmware and below, you will need to first upgrade to AOS 2.0.2 before upgrading to the latest firmware. AOS 2.0.2 should be included as part of the firmware executable located on the firmware download page.***

NOTE: If you wish to downgrade from v6.0.X to v5.1.X firmware on NMC2 devices, please make sure you review Knowledge Base Article FA167693 prior.


1. To perform a firmware flash with this method the Management Card must have been previously configured with a System IP, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway and attached to the network. In addition, FTP Server must be enabled. 3. Open an FTP client session. 4. Log in.

• NMC1 - This must be the Administrator user account on NMC1. By default, the Administrator username and password is apc. Press enter.
• NMC2 - This must be the Super User Account or an Administrator account. By default, the Super User username and password is apc. Press enter.

Typically, the password will appear on the screen as *** or not at all as you type.

8. Repeat Steps 3 - 8 again for the application module (sumx for Smart UPS/Matrix, sy for Symmetra, etc). In Step 6, substitute the sumx module file name, in place of the AOS module file name. Or the sy prefix for the Symmetra.

NOTE: To upgrade multiple Management Cards using an FTP client or using SCP, write a script which automatically performs the procedure.


NOTE: If using MacOSX, the full filepath of the destination folder will need to be included in the "put" command. An example command would read:

ftp> put /Users/Admin/Downloads/aosXXX.bin /aosXXX.bin

Manual (via FTP) - Network Management Card 3

1. To perform a firmware flash with this method the Management Card must have been previously configured with a System IP, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway and attached to the network. In addition, FTP Server must be enabled.

2. Open an MS-DOS command prompt window on a PC which is connected to the network. Change to the directory which contains the firmware upgrade files. Some example commands which need to be entered are shown in bold in order to change directories. Please note, this is just an example. You may need to enter a full path to a directory which requires different syntax.
C:\> cd apc
C:\apc>

3. Open an FTP client session.

C:\apc> ftp 192.168.1.100 (192.168.1.100 being the IP address of the web card)


4. Log in as Administrator (apc is the default user name and password).

5. Upgrade the firmware:

ftp> bin (specifies binary transfer mode which is required)
ftp> hash (optional - enables hash mark printing as a way of monitoring file transfer progress)
ftp> put apc_hw21_SU_XXXX.nmc3 (XXX being the version number downloaded)
6. When FTP confirms the transfer, type quit to close the session.

7. Wait about 20 - 30 seconds.

NOTE: To upgrade multiple Management Cards using an FTP client or using SCP, write a script which automatically performs the procedure.


Manual (via Secure CoPy) - Network Management Card 1, 2, and 3*
NOTE: If you have an AP9635 installed in a Symmetra PX 250/500, you have a Network Management Card 2 but MUST contact APC Technical Support in order to obtain the correct firmware and special instructions, PRIOR to following the steps below. Failure to do so may result in unexpected operation of your AP9635 Network Management Card 2.

NOTE: If you wish to downgrade from v6.X.X to v5.1.X firmware on NMC2, please make sure you review Knowledge Base Article FA167693 prior.


NOTE: For NMC1, SCP is supported and available as of AOS 2.0.0. If you have version 1.X.X, please upgrade to at least 2.X.X or the latest firmware version.
1. Identify and locate the firmware modules described in the preceding instructions for FTP.

2. Use an SCP command line to transfer the AOS firmware module to the Management Card. The following example uses xxx to represent the version number of the AOS module:

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