SMT2200I Firmware Upgrade

[BillP]

I recently bought an SMT2200I and i wanted to upgrade it's firmware from UPS 05.0 to the most recent version: UPS 07.1

But as from this page i cant do this via USB port. I have no NMC, and i couldn't use it anyway since my UPS is listed as ID 14 (SMT Tower >= 1000VA), which means it can be upgraded to 07.1 only via serial port.

Now the problem is that none of the PCs i own has a serial port (i wonder if any PC of the last decade has a built-in serial port...). I tried to use an RJ45-to-USB from another APC UPS i own, but it obviously didn't work.

I'd like to know if there's a quick way to work this around, such as a Serial-to-USB cable to connect to the RJ45-to-Serial cable provided with the UPS, of if the only possible solution is to get a Serial PCI Card and install it into a PC.

Thanks in advance.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You can purchase a USB to Serial converter. If you search the web for USB to Serial converter you will see many options. You then connect the serial cable that came with the SMT (940-0625) to the converter and run the firmware upgrade tool.

[BillP]

On 2/12/2015 4:22 PM, Bill said:

Hi,

You can purchase a USB to Serial converter. If you search the web for USB to Serial converter you will see many options. You then connect the serial cable that came with the SMT (940-0625) to the converter and run the firmware upgrade tool.

Would it work with any Serial-to-USB adapter cable?

Also, if RJ45-to-Serial(female) + Serial(male)-to-USB really works, I'm wondering why a direct RJ45-to-USB cable doesnt work.

[BillP]

Hi,

You need a converter to switch the USB connection of the PC to Serial of the UPS. Again there are many available. here is a link to one available at Dell http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=&cs=04&sku=A1234307

As for USB to RJ45. The SMT offers standard USB A to USB B so there is no need for a special cable. The serial to RJ45 is designed for customer that have servers and want to communicate via serial instead of USB and as you wrote for firmware upgrades.

[BillP]

I use this one with APC products and it works fine. Not sure if this GigaWare one is available in your area at a local shop or if you can order it online -> http://www.radioshack.com/gigaware-usb-to-serial-cable/2603487.html

I forgot to ask too - did you verify your UPS LCD reports ID14 under the About menu? (Which you may need to put the LCD into Advanced mode) I would say also verify that for sure rather than assuming it is based on the kbase just as a double check before you purchase anything extra to get serial connectivity.

[BillP]

On 2/12/2015 5:09 PM, Angela said:

I forgot to ask too - did you verify your UPS LCD reports ID14 under the About menu? (Which you may need to put the LCD into Advanced mode) I would say also verify that for sure rather than assuming it is based on the kbase just as a double check before you purchase anything extra to get serial connectivity.

The about menu (in advanced mode) shows:

• UPS Model: Smart-UPS 2200
• UPS Part No: SMT2200I
• ...some other stuff...
• UPS Firmware 1: UPS 05.0
• UPS Firmware 2: COM 02.1
• UPS Firmware 3: UBL 05.0
• UPS Firmware 4: CBL 5.21

It doesnt really display ID 14 but the FAQ clearly says:

Update via USB:
       Units that do not support firmware update via USB and must use Serial:

            SMT units earlier than UPS 08.0

  Note: No harm will occur if you attempt to update firmware via USB port on the above units.

  A warning message will indicate that the unit does not support firmware update via this method and exit safely.

My SMT has UPS 05.0 firmware and when i attempted to update it via USBTypeB-to-USBTypeA cable (provided with UPS unit for monitoring) i got a message saying it could not connect to update the firmware. Same thing happened when i tried with RJ45-to-USB got from another APC UPS, using it in the place of RJ45-to-Serial which i could not connect to any PC. And even if it was and ID 17 which could be updated via NMC, since i dont have any NMC, the only way is to work with this serial connection.

Going to get a Serial-to-USB cable and report the result.

Thanks for the moment!

[BillP]

Ok, just got the Serial(Male)-to-USB cable (KRAUN, 1.5m, cost: 10€). Connected RJ45-to-Serial(Female) to it and connected one side to UPS and the other side to the PC. The "Prolific USB-to-Serial COMM Port" driver got immediately installed so i ran Firmware Upgrade Tool and this time it was able to connect to the UPS.

Launched the firmware upgrade process, it took really short time, it ended with an error.

Then i launched the firmware upgrade process again, it took longer this time and it ended succesfully:

• UPS Firmware 1: UPS 07.1
• UPS Firmware 2: MCU 05.0
• UPS Firmware 3: UBL 7.20
• UPS Firmware 4: CBL 05.0

So, it worked! Thanks again! 🙂

[BillP]

Awesome 

[chk1]

Have the same Problem but do not have the serial cable fitting in the APC unit.

USB does not work.

How can I get this special USB cable?

Thank Christian