Firmware upgrade failed - can't login :(

[Anonymous user]

Any help is much appreciated!

Never used a PDU before - got a AP7901. Used windows app to configure IP and then tried to upgrade firmware to the latest, 3.73, from what I think was on there of 2006, maybe 2.71. I had disabled FTP and telnet before this for security purposes. The firmware finished with one error - FTP disabled.

I can't login now. Web interface says "There was a problem loading the application. Please login to the device via telnet for more details." I can't telnet. 😞 I don't have a console cable.

I downloaded the oldest firmware to try to put that back - it fails with bad login, even though I know what I set it. I tried to press the reset button twice - but login apc/pac doesn't work either.

Please - any help? Thank you.

[BillP]

ok well the firmware upgrade executable that APC has works on FTP.

are you able to connect via telnet and re-enable FTP temporarily so we can fix this? to telnet you just need network access, not local access.

use the windows command prompt and type telnet IPAddress and you should be prompted for a username and password.

within there, push 2 for system and somewhere in the Network menu should be where you can enable/disable FTP access. I believe option 4 is for FTP server. it may require you to log out which will force a reboot to turn FTP back on.

if you can't or won't turn FTP back on, the only other options are performing an update via SCP which will require SSH to be configured or getting local to the PDU and finding a console cable. i think just turning FTP back on is the easiest option.

once you turn FTP back on, it also be helpful to go ahead and go to the System menu, off the main menu, and go to About system and tell me what you see in there.

i think we can fix this though 🙂

[Anonymous user]

Thank you! Unfortunately FTP nor telnet available. I turned them off for security. 😞

I can't find any of the dumb connectors for console but might try to make one from an old null modem db cable. Not hopeful though.

Need by Friday and I know I can't by in the sticks I live in. 😞

[BillP]

oh sorry. i missed the disable telnet thing, just saw FTP.

yes, at this point, we need local access. this PDU uses a specific APC cable - RJ12->DB9 that has a special pinout (part # 940-0144). you cant just use any ol cable unfortunately. i know that makes matters worse 😞

the only solution i see is getting one of the console cables to restore access to the PDU to fix the firmware. there is no way around this in this situation that i see at this time.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

i picKed a winna,

Thanks for your help. Thanks to the good folks at APC I have a console. Monday I was able to login and then perform the steps you suggested for a new download and all is well. Thanks again.