SRT3000RMXLI with NMC Card 2 Firmware Upgrade Problems

[Effi_home]

We have several SRT3000RMXLI with Network Management Card 2 installed in our locations.

NMC is on Version 7.1.2. UPS FW is on Version 5.3 . We planned to update the UPS FW via Web Management to 15.5 (SRT1010UPS_15-5.enc).

After upgrading our test environment the complete UPS failed. We had to replace the inner battery to bring it back to life.

We then decided to update the FW to Version 8.3 (SRT1010UPS_08-3.enc). After updating to this version the UPS also fails and gets several error Messages (see attachted files).

Can someone tell me how we could update the firmware of our UPS without having to replace them afterwards?

Regards 

Chris

[Teken]

I would strongly suggest you reach out to APC Technical Support to walk you through the UPS Firmware process! ☝️

Firmware should only be updated on a device where it resolves a bug, security, or offers a feature enhancement. 

Arbitrarily trying to update any APC UPS without fully understanding and having met all criteria relating to a firmware upgrade will result in a bricked system.

Based on your reply that has been the outcome. 🤦‍♂️

Please read and fully understand the requirements as outlined in this APC FAQ:

https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA164737/

Based on your image captures its clear you didn’t meet the most basic requirements such as having a healthy battery?!?

You'll need to clear all active faults / error codes before you even begin.

As the (FUW) Firmware Update Wizard will not allow you to proceed with active faults. 

Lastly, if any of the hardware is out of warranty - Stop! Until you receive written permission and guidance from senior management. Otherwise you’ll be looking for a job and figuring out how to come up with thousands of dollars in hardware you just bricked! 🤢

[MorneMeintjes]

Good Morning

I haver had an issue if I select to keep the old logs, the FW upgrade just does not start. Thy removing the tick for saving the log.

Hope this helps

[Effi_home]

Thank you for your reply Teken. 

I know the instructions for the firmware update from the FAQs and therefore I also know the requirements. It is also not the first FW update that we have to carry out on the UPS systems.

We are using NMC 2 with SW version v7.1.2.
We deactivated the outlet groups before the update.

The UPS had no alarm before the FW update. The messages from the attached images appeared after the update.

We currently have a bug in the firmware that is described as fixed in the release notes of version 8.2:

"Addressed erroneous 'Battery Pack Disconnected' and 'Battery Pack Disconnected Cleared' events in the NMC log"

I have some replacement devices in storage on which I can perform a FW upgrade via the serial console without any problems. However, our UPS systems are distributed throughout Germany and console access is not possible everywhere without any problems.

Therefore a FW update via NMC card would have made sense.

The question is whether there is a way to do this - possibly with intermediate steps - without killing the UPS. An alternative for us would be to replace the devices piece by piece.

I will contact APC Support at the same time. However, I haven't even received an answer to my last few inquiries and I don't have high hopes for that.

Regards 

Chris

[Teken]

From personal experience with millions of devices in service spanning 55 countries. Trying to update any APC UPS over the WAN has a better than 75% failure rate. 🤢

Attempting the same over the LAN has a better than 60% failure rate. 🤦‍♂️

Doing the same directly over serial connection depending upon model / firmware level / age of machine.

Ranges from 10-50% failure rate that span from reloading to a completely bricked system! 👎

It may initially seem more expensive to have someone go onsite to upgrade the firmware.

But after you brick more than three units taking down the entire network the onsite costs pencil out. ☝️

Having a hot spare is extremely important along with being familiar with using the CLI / X Modem during the recovery process. 

Good luck, and let us know how everything turns out good or bad.