AOS firmware versions

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-28

Hello APC team,

I have 2 switched IPDU models;

AP7911A, which uses: Network Management Card AOS v3.7.4
(highest firmware supported version: 3.9.2)

AP7920B, which uses: Network Management Card AOS v6.4.6
(highest firmware supported version: 6.5.6)

Is it possible for me to downgrade the AP7920B to version 3.7.4? If yes, where can I download that firmware?
Is there an overview matrix of supported AOS for these two models?
Is it possible to upgrade the AP7911A (or its B equivalent) to AOS 6.4.6 or the latest AOS 6.5.6? (My guess is; No)
Where can I read the differences between all AOS firmwares? I only found separate changelogs.

Thank you for your help!

BillP · ‎2021-06-28

Hi Kevin,

I don't know if we have a single document that will answer your question but I'll explain best I can.

Basically, we have two major hardware/firmware platforms available referred to as Network Management Card 1 (NMC2) and Network Management Card 2 (NMC2). NMC1 had versions 1.X, 2.X, and 3.X over the years and has been phased out over the years as NMC2 was released almost 10 years ago now. NMC2 has had 5.X and 6.X firmware versions.

These products, like with a Rack PDU you have are embedded into the unit or with UPS's, are sometimes a SmartSlot card option you can purchase.

NMC1 and NMC2 are two totally different firmware and hardware platforms so the firmware is not interchangeable. With Rack PDUs specifically, we had AP7XXX models (some had A at the end of their SKU, like the AP7911A if a product change was made for whatever reason, maybe due to UL change. When AP7XXX models were upgraded from NMC1 to NMC2, a B was added to the end of their SKU if they weren't replaced by an AP8XXX next generation model already.

Also in general, the AOS is the APC Operating System. It contains all the specific functions for the system level of the product, such as HTTP/HTTPS, SCP, NTP, FTP, Email, etc. It is paired with an application file for whatever device you have so that the NMC can "talk" to the particular device. You can never upgrade just an AOS separately (unfortunately).

To answer your questions:

Is it possible for me to downgrade the AP7920B to version 3.7.4? If yes, where can I download that firmware?
- No, you cannot load NMC1 firmware on an NMC2 product.
Is there an overview matrix of supported AOS for these two models?
- I don't think so. It should be generally understood the differences I mentioned above so 1.X, 2.X, and 3.X firmware works with AP7XXX (or AP7XXXA) series and AP7XXXB models use 5.X or the modern 6.X firmware.
Is it possible to upgrade the AP7911A (or its B equivalent) to AOS 6.4.6 or the latest AOS 6.5.6? (My guess is; No)
- No. Unfortunately the NMC module in the AP7XXX is not field replaceable or upgradeable so you have to swap the entire Rack PDU to a different model.
Where can I read the differences between all AOS firmwares? I only found separate changelogs.
- Because of what I explained above, you'll only be able to find release notes for AOS/APP pairs, depending on what AOS is paired with a particular application version. There have been quite a few versions released but we can probably find old release notes online or through the archive.

If you're looking for general NMC1 vs. NMC2 differences, there are several. Here is what I know off the top of my head:

NMC2 has all new features like:

On-board firewall
SMTP email authentication and with SSL/TLS
multiple users of each type with simultaneous login (advanced user management in general)
faster hardware
Of course some general bug and cybersecurity updates/features.
Ability to download log files in .tar format for support

Between AOS 3.7.4 and AOS 3.9.2 for your AP7911A, we fixed and added support for TLS 1.0 and then I think there are a few other little bug fixes like with SNMP communication from what I recall.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other specific questions.

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-06-28