Cannot Update Firmware in AP9630 NMC2

[bimmerdriver]

I'm trying to update the firmware in my AP9630 NMC2, which is Hardware Revision 05. I've updated the firmware previously without any difficulties. FTP is enabled and I can connect to the unit using WinSCP.

The unit currently has the following firmware installed:

Application Module
Name sumx
Version v7.1.2
Date Mar 21 2023
Time 17:44:20
APC OS (AOS)
Name aos
Version v7.1.2
Date Mar 21 2023
Time 17:34:00
APC Boot Monitor
Name bootmon
Version v1.0.9
Date Mar 27 2019
Time 16:23:06

The update I'm trying to install is: apc_hw05_aos718_sumx718_bootmon109.

The updater generates two files:

update.txt:

[04/18/2025 13:34:02] NMC Firmware Update Utility v1.0.4 initialized.
[04/18/2025 13:35:10] Downloading and verifying configuration file from 10.28.92.150, please wait...
[04/18/2025 13:35:11] Firmware distribution does not match target device platform; this could be due to a corrupt distribution.
[04/18/2025 13:35:11] Uploading firmware file 1 of 3: Boot Monitor to 10.28.92.150, please wait...
[04/18/2025 13:35:11] Unable to update device 10.28.92.150 with Boot Monitor; stopping all further processing of this device!

error.txt:

[04/18/2025 13:35:11] Firmware distribution does not match target device platform; this could be due to a corrupt distribution.
[04/18/2025 13:35:11] Unable to update device 10.28.92.150 with Boot Monitor; stopping all further processing of this device!

The files unzip without error, so I doubt there could be any corruption unless they were corrupted before the zip file was created.

The unit is the supported type and hardware revision, so I also doubt there is an incompatibility.

I tried using SCP and FTP. There was no difference.

The aos and sumx files from the previous update are in /root.

apc_hw05_aos_712.bin

apc_hw05_sumx_712.bin

I did not try to update the firmware using FTP. I don't want to brick it.

Has anyone else encountered this problem? If so, what is the work-around?

Thank you.

[Teken]

What specific model APC UPS (SKU) is the NMC installed on?!? Provide a screen capture of the About tab for both UPS / NMC here.

Are you using the NMC firmware wizard vs trying to upload the individual files via CLI??? You should be using the guided wizard and once the credentials / IP Address have been entered select FTP and do (NOT) save logs than proceed. 

NOTE: Validate on the (LCD Menu) that communications have not been disabled: Serial, Modbus, NMC. This normally affects the ability to load UPS Firmware vs NMC Firmware.

Questions Ask . . . 👍

[bimmerdriver]

Thank you for your reply.

Here is a screen capture the UPS from the NMC:

Here is a screen capture of the NMC from the NMC:

I have PCNS V5.1 installed.

Here is a screen capture of /root on the NMC:

As you can see, there is not a copy of the bootmon file in /root (or anywhere else that I could see).

I tried installing the firmware using apc_hw05_aos718_sumx718_bootmon109. I have tried both SCP and FTP. It fails the same way in both cases. Backup log files prior to update is disabled.

I have updated both the UPS and the NMC firmware previously with no problems.

[Teken]

Please refer to this APC FAQ as it relates to alternative methods of upgrading the NMC:

https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA156047/

Before doing so have you tried different web browsers and computers?!?

Also, if you had a AP9631 you could have used the USB port to upgrade the hardware. ☹️ 

Lastly, as a sanity check you may consider formatting the NMC to a default state. Disconnect the Ethernet cable, press and hold the reset button until you see the orange LED flash (approximately 20+ seconds), than release.

Reconnect the Ethernet cable . . . 

It will take approximately 1-2 minutes for the NMC to format the system. Once complete the system will be in a OEM / default state and DHCP will be enabled.

Formatting the NMC has no impact on the UPS. This suggestion is to bring the NMC to a known state in case it’s in a unknown state.

Questions Ask . . . 👍

[bimmerdriver]

Thank you for your reply.

Since the AP9630 doesn't have a USB port and I don't have a serial cable, I will try ftp next. Before I do so, I have a couple of questions.

First, regarding contents of the /root directory on the unit, as you can see from the screen capture, only the aos and sumx binaries are present. They are the same versions that are installed. Is there a reason why the bootmon binary is not also in present in /root? It seems inconsistent if the aos and sumx binaries remain in /root but not the bootmon binary.

Second, even though the latest firmware update does not change the version of the bootmon binary, should I try reinstalling bootmon first?

[Teken]

Personally I would see what happens on another computer / web browser first. Followed by formatting the NMC as outlined earlier than try to update the NMC using the software upgrade utility.

If both fail to update the NMC you can proceed to use FTP. So you can follow the APC FAQ and reload the bootmon first followed by the remaining two files as outlined by the FAQ.

Lastly, to be clear the user credentials being used is indeed a Super User?!?! 🤔

Questions Ask . . . 👍

[bimmerdriver · Accepted solution]

I thought I would check one last time for a new version of firmware before I tried reformatting the NMC. To my surprise, there was a new version. I downloaded it and the release notes. I was hoping to see some reference to upgrade failures similar to what I encountered, but there weren't any. I tried again, using SCP, and it failed in the same manner as the previous version. I tried again using FTP and it worked. I suspect there is a problem in the firmware update utility. Anyway, I now have the latest firmware in the NMC.

Thank you for your help.

[Teken]

That’s great to hear and please do mark the reply I suggested as a solution. So it may help the next person asking the same. 👍