Real Latest Firmware For 9641 (Secure NMC Subscription Question)

[IESSysAdmin]

I have a number of AP9641 on my system. My system is offline so it doesn't connect to the Internet. The "latest" version on the AP9641 is 2.5.3.3. When you load this version it literally says "This is not the latest firmware". After calling support I found out the REAL latest firmware is 3.2.0.8 but it is behind they pay wall of the subscription service. What benefit would it be to me to get the subscription if I can't update my offline devices since the new Secure NMC requires cloud access? Does it let you offload the files to a USB drive so I can update my NMCs? If not this may be the time I will need to start replacing all our APC products because we will not connect our devices to the Internet. It would not be worth spending the capital if I can't support updating my offline devices.

[Teken]

There are three firmware branches that work on the AP9640 / 9641 NMC 3. They are the legacy 7.XX which is still on the AP9630 / 9631 NMC 2.

The current 2.XX firmware branch is the original firmware release for the AP9640 / 9641 NMC 3. 

The 3.XX firmware branch is the SNS which requires a paid subscription. If your organization must adhere to all relevant ISO and insurance standards the 3.XX firmware branch is the only option. 🤦‍♂️👎

Both the 2.XX & 3.XX firmware receive security updates. Only the 3.XX SNS firmware will receive feature enhancement and development.

Both are supported as it relates to technical support. There is no reliance on the cloud if you so choose besides the obvious of not being able to bulk update the NMC over the WAN in a simple manner.

As of this writing there is no real difference in security updates whether 2.XX vs 3.XX as the company has committed to keep both at parity.

I haven’t seen any feature enhancements on the 3.XX firmware branch over the 2.XX that would make me switch over.

Questions Ask . . . 👍

[IESSysAdmin]

Is there a way to offload the firmwares from the SMS to move them to my offline system to update them?

[Teken]

I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking?!? 🤔 So will provide a general reply as to what I think you’re asking.

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

The NMC can be updated via LAN, WAN, USB and Serial. The recommended way to update the NMC is to use the update wizard locally over the LAN.

You can not take a SNS enabled NMC and port it over to another NMC system. All NMC that run the SNS firmware must be enrolled using the SNS Tool and receive the necessary information for the subscription.

NOTE: Please fully understand the (Read Me) notice as it relates to rolling back from 2.XX vs 3.XX SNS firmware and the limitations. As you don’t want to find out you’re locked in to a specific revision!

Questions Ask . . . 👍