Information on New SMART-UPS Firmware Subscription Plan

[deees]

I recently received a notification of a new firmware version for the AP964x NMC. I downloaded the firmware deployment package to start testing it.

I was surprised to discover that in order to upgrade the firmware I have to enroll the NMC in a subscription plan, ($60/year.) I have ~350 UPS that I manage.

I've contacted my APC account manager to try to understand the full ramifications of this change in policy.

I also want to know what this new policy wasn't communicated to customer early enough to budget for this new cost?

I have dozens technical questions I need to have answer to.

Has anyone else obtained detail information regarding this new policy?

[dpierce4776]

We don’t subscribe to that. You can simply download it and go

[Teken · Accepted solution]

Unless something has drastically changed from APC you can simply download the required firmware and load the same either through USB, Serial, NMC. If its true firmware will be hidden behind a pay wall shame on APC and its time to move on to another hardware vendor!

Whether that be Eaton, Vertiv, Tripp Lite, CyberPower . . . 

[deees]

Thanks for responding.

>> You can simply download it and go

Could you elaborate?

Do you mean you download the version 3.x firmware and install it without a subscription?

Or do you mean you remain on version 2.x and upgrade through the previous methods?

[dpierce4776]

You should be able to download it from the web at either APC.com or SE.com. From there you can install it manually. Also APC makes data center expert which is a program that monitors all your APC devices. And will do other manufactures as well. they also have a website for getting DDF files for DCE free of charge so DCE can read and understand multiple devices. DCE also downloads and pushes out new firmware/

[deees]

Teken,

I accidently mark your response as a solution.

If you read my response to my own question, I explain that something did change:

 - The new SNS tool and firmware require a subscription.

 - Keeping the current 2.x firmware will allow customers to continue with the previous method.

[Sherminator]

We're facing the same situation. We run a bunch of Smart UPS 3000 with AP9630 (which is deprecated), so we want to upgrade to AP9640. Today I installed the first one, and now the SNS says "Activate license to update". First I would like to know: If we want to buy these licenses, which is the correct one? I found FWENMC3P-ST1Y-DIGI, but this seems to be just for Easy UPS, not for Smart UPS.

[BillP]

The Schneider Electric Network Management Card 3 Secure NMC System FAQ discusses the changes to firmware distribution and lists the subscription SKUs.

https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Doc_Ref=SPD_HEPN-BFRL57_EN&p_enDocType=Brochure&p_Fi...

[deees]

Shermintor,

Just continue to use the 2.x version: https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Doc_Ref=APC_NMC3_SU_2506_EN&p_enDocType=Firmware&p_F...

APC has promised to continue to support this code train with security and reliability updates. I couldn't find a linkable FAQ for the statement, but the text from the PDF is: "There is no impact to the features or functionality of the Network Management Card. Customers can continue to download the NMC3 firmware v2.5 from www.apc.com/secure-nmc. This firmware will remain available to support product warranty; therefore, in the event of a critical vulnerability or a defect which impacts the operation of the Network Management Card, an update addressing the vulnerability or defect will be made available."

I only care about security patches and basic stability. I'm still trying to get APC to confirm whether the computer running the SNS Tool can manage UPS NMC's that are on a different subnet/VLAN/WAN site?

[Sherminator]

Thanks so much for your support!

Upgrading to 2.5.0.8 worked, so for now we plan to stick on 2.x.

[Chris_P]

From a legal perspective you may find that if they do eventually stop you download FW unless you subscribe, you may have a case (depending on the country you are in).

If you need to update because the product is not working correctly as expected, then it is not a fully functioning product, as would be expected.

[Sherminator]

Thanks for replying!

To be honest: For the moment we're fine with AP9640 and Firmware version 2.x. But our next project will be without APC. Paying for software updates (on an already not so cheap product) is a no go for us.

[frank.virtualizen]

APC has changed. They now require subscription for firmware updates (which often are included for the first year). Alternatively, you can purchase APC's AI Management Tool EcoStruxure IT Expert which includes firmware updates among many significant value propositions. Feel free to reach out to me for more information. We're an APC Elite Partner.