How to update firmware for multiple PQMs

[Miyai]

Hello,

Normally, when updating the firmware of one PQM (ION9000, PM8000), it is handled using a PC and IONsetup.

However, updating the firmware for multiple PQMs takes time.

Therefore, I would like some advice on how to update the firmware for multiple PQMs at once.

A customer has asked if there is a way to update the firmware of multiple PQMs in operation at once.

Regards,

Miyai

[Mehran_Mehrnia · Accepted solution]

Hi @Miyai 

ON Setup does not support simultaneous firmware updates. To update multiple meters, either use multiple PCs for parallel updates or use ION Setup’s Device Updater wizard(Tools -> Device Updater), which automates sequential one-by-one updates.

Best Regards,

-Mehran

L3 Expert Advanced metering

[Tomohiro-Okada]

Hi @Mehran_Mehrnia 

Thank you for your reply.

I wasn’t aware of ION Setup’s Device Updater. Do you have any manuals or documentation for the Device Updater?

Is it possible to run the Device Updater with multiple different models specified?
For example, the first device is a PM8240 and the second is an ION9000.

I launched the Device Updater as a trial, and a pop-up indicated that I can use a properly formatted CSV file instead of entering devices manually. Do you have an example CSV file?

Regards,
Okada

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @Tomohiro-Okada ,

No there are no official manuals or documentation for the Device Updater. The interface is very simple and not many options available. 

1.) Go to device Updater --> Read pop-up --> Click Next,

2.) Select the checkbox of the specific devices which need to be FW upgraded,

3.) Select the upgrade file individually for the selected devices.

4.) Select device by clicking on row, set the password.

5.) Click Verify

As for the CSV file, the easiest way to get a file is to make a system with 2-3 devices that match how the system is setup, then select File ->export. Same the file as CSV file. Open the file with either text editor or excel.

Use the format in csv file to build out your system.

Regards,

Charles

[Tomohiro-Okada]

Hi @Charles_Murison 

Thank you for your reply.

I used device updater as trial and it works well.

I exported the csv file of the configuration and understand how to describe the file.

I have one more question.

When I update the PM8000(example) from ver.2.1.0 to ver.4.5.0, I think I have to run two-step update.

In this case, can I use device updater?

and if I can use device updater, password setting must be standard security?

Regards,

Okada

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @Tomohiro-Okada,

PM8000 meters with V2.1.0 firmware can be upgraded to the latest version in  single step. Meters with firmware versions V1.X.X must first be upgraded to V1.4.x then do a 2 stage upgrade to V2.1.0. Contact technical support if you need V1.4.3 as this version is not available online.

Regards,

Charles

[Robert_Lee]

The Device Updater in ION Setup still performs the upgrades in a serial manner (FIFO) and does not perform the upgrade in parallel (simultaneously).

In certain situations, this can not be performed in parallel (ex. serial devices connected to a gateway) but for TCP connected devices, there have been separate applications (such as JDX) which launches multiple instances of ION Setup to perform upgrades/template pastes in parallel.

For a small number of upgrades, the ION Setup device upgrader makes sense (and will give an estimate on how long those upgrades might take so you can manage them smartly).  For very large # of upgrades, you might need to contact the US solutions group to see if JDX might be a better solution as ION Setup was not designed for fleet management of devices.

As for multi stage upgrades, the ION Setup Device Updater does not support the ZIP method of upgrades as this requires user input to select which files may or may not be needed on a per device basis.

[Miyai]

Hello @Robert_Lee , @Charles_Murison , @Mehran_Mehrnia 

When running Device Updater, does anyone know if there is a way to disable RMP?

I installed the latest IONsetup(v3.2.25317.02) and updated firmware, but I encountered an RMP problem. I've run it several times with the same result.

Best regards,

Miyai

[Mehran_Mehrnia]

Hi @Miyai 

This error may occur when one or more modules are offline, or when the entire process is affected by an error, resulting in an unsuccessful template upload.

If the correct firmware is already installed but the meter is still missing its template, there are two ways to load the template:

Rapid Meter Programming (RMP) – faster method
Non-RMP method

In the single upgrade method, it is possible to disable RMP by holding down the <ALT> key and clicking the 'Select' button to send the template file to the meter. However, using the Device Updater method, I am unsure if this option is still available and works.

Best Regards,

-Mehran

L3 Expert Advanced metering

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @Miyai ,

If you  program the meter without using the Device Updater do you get the same error? I do not know of a way to make the device updater not use RMP to program the meter. I would suggest trying to troubleshoot the .dcf file to understand why the error occurs.

Regards,

Charles

[Miyai]

Hello @Charles_Murison , @Mehran_Mehrnia 

PQM that had RMP issue with Device Updater also had same RMP issue with a regular single update.

As a result, I decided to reinstall the old IONsetup and wait for the issue to be resolved.

Best regards,

Miyai

[Mehran_Mehrnia]

Hi @Miyai 

As always, it is recommended to use the latest version of ION Setup. If the Template (DCF) file contains any errors, it will interrupt the template upload, even when using older versions of ION Setup.

As mentioned previously, when performing a single upgrade, you can hold the ALT key and click the Send button to disable RMP downloading on the meter, which helps prevent interruptions during template uploading., however, it is recommended to troubleshoot the .DCF file to identify errors such as offline modules and other related issues.

Best Regards,

-Mehran

L3 Expert Advanced metering