How to get newer firmware

[jeremyhu]

I've got an AP8632 that is an NMC3 version (HW revision 3, 0N-1570 NMC).  I just had some issues with it that seem pretty common in this forum based on the firmware that is on the device (it has AOS version v1.5.1.1).  I have another AP8632  which has v3.0.0.12 and is working well.  I want to update my older unit to that firmware version, but:

1. SE.com seems to make it impossible to locate firmware updates on their site.

2. I cannot use ftp to transfer the firware OFF of the newer device because the firmware files are not readable!

ncftp / > ls -l
--wx-wx-wx 1 admin admin 4949996 Oct 20 2023 apc_hw21_aos_3.0.0.12.bin
--wx-wx-wx 1 admin admin 4951020 Oct 20 2023 apc_hw21_rpdu2g_3.0.0.5.bin
drwxrwxrwx 1 admin admin 0 Aug 9 00:29 certs/
-rw-rw-rw- 1 admin admin 45000 Jan 19 01:25 config.ini
drwxrwxrwx 1 admin admin 0 Aug 9 00:29 db/
drwxrwxrwx 1 admin admin 0 Aug 9 00:29 fwl/
drwxrwxrwx 1 admin admin 0 Aug 9 00:29 logs/
drwxrwxrwx 1 admin admin 0 Aug 9 00:29 pdu/
drwxrwxrwx 1 admin admin 0 Aug 9 00:29 sec/
drwxrwxrwx 1 admin admin 0 Aug 9 00:29 ssh/
drwxrwxrwx 1 admin admin 0 Aug 9 00:29 ssl/
ncftp / > get apc_hw21_aos_3.0.0.12.bin
get apc_hw21_aos_3.0.0.12.bin: server said: RETR requested action not taken.
ncftp / > get apc_hw21_rpdu2g_3.0.0.5.bin
get apc_hw21_rpdu2g_3.0.0.5.bin: server said: RETR requested action not taken.

... what are my options here short of RMAing the unit and crossing my fingers that the newer one has fixed firmware...

[Teken]

You can not extract the firmware from an existing NMC and load the same to another.

Your next step will determine what your options are and possible solutions. As you need to know if this PDU is subscribed to the APC SNS (paid subscription).

Once you know that pull out your wallet or stay on the current firmware! 🤦‍♂️

As of this writing January 20, 2025 the current firmware is v2.5.06 for a NMC 3. If your NMC 3 is running 3.XX firmware it’s likely SNS firmware regardless of if you enrolled and paid for a subscription. 

Provide a screen capture of the (About) tab for the NMC / PDU.

NOTE: The firmware read me (FAQ) will call out what version you can / can not upgrade to without a SNS paid subscription. It will also call out at what revision you (CAN NOT) roll back to! ☝️

Questions Ask . . . 👍

[jeremyhu]

We aren't paying for any support contract, but the unit I'm having trouble with is still within its 2 year warranty.

Here are three of the PDUs in my lab.  The oldest (2019, AP9538 NMC, with rpdu2g v6.8.0) and the newest (2024, 0N-1570 NMC, with rpdu2g v3.0.0.5) are both pretty reliable.  The middle one (2023, 0N-1570 NMC, with rpdu2g v1.2.0.4) is giving me problems (had filesystem corruption last week and stopped responding until I was able to factory reset it).

SE's versioning is confusing, and their support and tooling certainlg have a lot of room for improvement.  If you could help point me in the right direction for getting the latest (without support contract) firmware for these units, that would be great.  Thanks!

[Teken]

If the NMC that has v1.2.0.4 firmware is still under warranty. I suggest you contact APC Technical Support and submit a service request.

They will help you identify if this PDU is running SNS firmware vs not. If it’s not running SNS firmware than the latest is v2.5.0.6.