PowerChute Network - Wrong Passphrase

[Anonymous user]

I'm getting this error on my Communicatin Settings "The security details provided do not match the settings on NMC(s): xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx"

My Hardware:

APC Network Management Card 2 9630
Smart-UPS XL 3000 RM 3U 230V (SUA3000RMXLI3U)

My Troubleshooting steps so far:

I log into my NMC and reset the pass phrase under
PowerChute > Configuration

Reinstalled the powerchute Network software - no change
upgraded to 4.3.0 - no change

I looked at this post
https://community.se.com/t5/APC-UPS-Data-Center-Enterprise/Cannot-connect-to-UPS-NMC-from-Powerchute...

But I don't have an Administration tab on my NMC web interface

Then I thought maybe I need to update the firmware to make that tab menu available.
I've downloaded the latest firmware. Tried the upgrade utility that is comes with the firmware and it cannnot find the NMC, even if I specify the IP address. 

Next attempt:

I logged into the NMC via the console cable. Despite the documentation stating I need to connect on Speed 57600 mine connects on 9600.
I've looked at the Network management Card 2 Command line interface guide. Almost none of the commands are valid with my card.

But I did discover my firmwware:
firmware is 5.1.3
may 4th 2010
bootmon v.1.0.1
aug 3 2009

Really old!

Next step I've tried is to upgrade the firmware using Xmodem following steps on this page
https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA156047/

I cannot get the BM> menu it just goes straight to username request. I am hammering the enter key repeatedly.

Next step: buy a new card?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Before upgrading be sure you are logging into the card as the root user. The default root user is apc with a password of apc. If you are not logging in as root you will not have access to the admin tab.

To reset the authentication phrase on the NMC select the UPS tab, go to shutdown, PoewrChute Shutdown Parameters. 

SMgIQyvB%2B1x9tYW8eIAz9g%3D%3D.png

Have you tried to update the card using FTP? If you can FTP to the card you can upgrade. The FTP instruction are available in  FAQ FA156047. You should upload the Bootmon first, log out of the card, wait 60 seconds, log back in, upload the AOS, logout, wait 60 seconds, log back in upload the SUMX. 

To access Bootmon you need to connect at 57000. Connect the serial cable 940-0299, open the terminal program, set the com port, set the speed to 57000, using a paper clip press the reset button the the AP9630. Most cards you need to angle the paper clip up to press the top of the opening. The LEDs should start flashing and when they do begin to press the enter key.

Zt7M6An1LxvK5%2Fj0l0Ju3w%3D%3D.png

2a5aVQyHJfvVYzEZZyLDig%3D%3D.png

[Anonymous user]

Hi Bill, 

Thank you for responding. 

You could be onto something there. i'm logging into the NMC as apc/apc but i'm wondering whether that username has been made into a user with another username being an actual admin. Originally it was installed by a third party.  Is there anyway of finding that out whether apc is not an administrator?

This is what i see when i log in as apc/apc

VZy7YrTONWHb3%2FT0Fjrcjw%3D%3D.png

i think i'm connecting properly. i didn't get anywhere with putty so i've been using Tera Term. But yes, i stick the pin in (you can feel it engaging). Soon as I see the port light flashing green/red I start pressing enter. How long should I wait...after a few minutes I usually give up. Maybe i'll try Putty again.

I just tried the FTP method, that seemed to go further. But when i input the "Put" bin file i get 

command ok
error 550 STOR requested action not taken

so maybe apc/apc is not an admin

[BillP]

Hi Graham,

Have you tried to change the authentication phrase in the screen above and then matching it PCNS?

From personal experience the NMC can be a bit  funny with some FTP clients, I recommend using WinSCP:

https://winscp.net/eng/download.php

-Gavan

[Anonymous user]

Hi Gavan, 

yes I had, several times in using all sorts of pass phrases. 

Thank you for all your help but I have managed to solve it. 

I have tracked down the person who installed the card originally back in 2010 and he had his notes on the install. As suspected the apc/apc user was changed to a user and he has given me the admin credentials. 

All this time I never thought to upgrade the card firmware and this issue only cropped up when i re-seated the card.

I have now logged on as an admin, changed the pass phrase and Powerchute can once again communicate with the card. Now i'm going to proceed with upgrading the firmware. 

Thank you to everyone for their assistance. 

[Anonymous user]

Another Quick question before I go. 

I can see plenty of forum users who have sent the incorrect firmware for their NMC and it does say in the guides not to do that. 

I've gone to https://www.apc.com/shop/uk/en/products/UPS-Network-Management-Card-2/P-AP9630 to get the firmware and it lists two firmware files:

SFSUMX688
SFSY688

I cannot work out which one is correct for my NMC and UPS. The manuals for each file seem identical. 

[BillP · Accepted solution]

SFSUMXxxx = Software Firmware SmartUPS-Matrix version number

SFSYxxx = Software Firmware Symmetra* version number *single phase Symmetra

You have a Smart-UPS so SFSUMX694 is the newest version:

https://schneider-electric.box.com/s/42v7xlug1pua1v9mkmbi7kstlpn6ko3l

Release Notes:

https://schneider-electric.box.com/s/25wvteu1ymx0wwr15uek5jjzeczt225a

-Gavan 

[Anonymous user]

Thanks Gavin, much appreciated. 

[Anonymous user]

Final Note: 

I tried FTP again. became stuck with

"150 File status okay; about to open data connection."

So I created a temporary firewall rule to allow port 21, 22 to go through then went back to the firmware update utility and changed to FTP method and off it went with no issues.