Firmware 4.5.0 upgrade question for PM8000

[Robert_MDIC]

Hello everyone,

I have a question about firmware compatibility across the different PM8000 feature sets. The PM8000 has Essential, Standard, and Advanced feature sets. The Essential and Advanced releases come with Firmware 4.5.0 already installed. How can we ensure the correct firmware file is selected before uploading it to a certain feature set? For instance, if a user mistakenly chooses the 8000_Essential_V4.5.0.0.0.fwn and attempts to upload it to a PM8240 on FWR 3.0.0 (Standard), is there a way to prevent this in ION setup? This issue may arise with future firmware versions.

Thanks!

[Robert_Lee · Accepted solution]

Later versions of ION Setup (which is feature set aware) will indicate instances where a customer might be downloading a template which doesn't match the feature set on the firmware.  If the feature set is lower (i.e. Essential template onto a Standard or Advanced device, a dialog will appear indicating they may be missing features if they proceed.

Ex.

If they attempt to do something that likely wouldn't work at all (ex. Advanced to either a Standard or Essential device), they'll just see a dialog indicating the template isn't compatible at all with the device and no option to proceed.

We give the option to proceed with the lower template due to instances where the user may have sufficient stock of more advanced devices but needs to install a lower product due to urgency (and not willing to wait the order lead time to receive the appropriate product from the factory/sales channel).

[DanL · Accepted solution]

to clarify, there is only one firmware UPX file for Essential, Standard, and Advanced.

The device will only enable appropriate features for it's model number. If you choose the framework FWN file for an unsupported feature set, ION Setup should tell you about your mistaken choice and provide the opportunity to make corrections