firmware upgrade issues on SMT1500

[Anonymous user]

Angela,

I am one confused dude!

We have one of our SMT1500 towers that we are trying to upgrade the firmware. Just trying to be proactive. I have read all the FAQ's and articles.

Current firmware is 02.0 (ID14). We have a 9630 card with 6.0.6 OS and app.

First, I tried using the upgrade wizard using a 940-0127E cable and then a straight USB cable (yes, we removed NMC 2). I wasn't sure if we should use the USB or the console port (APC Telco support said the console port - RJ45). With USB and the 4.0 Upgrade wizard, all I got was something to the affect that there was no compatible upgrade available (the driver did install completely and properly). When I tried the 940-0127E on the console port, we only got a warning that no port could be found (I assume the wizard only looks for COM ports below a certain number?). Tried on 3 machines all with Windows 7 Ultimate. Also tried safe mode and with pretty much everything that I could disable, disabled..... No luck.

Next, I tried a different approach and used FTP to place the firmware file suggested in FA164737 onto the UPSFW directory on the NMC2. That worked fine, but I keep getting "incompatible with this UPS" warnings. The file suggested is SMT4UPS_07-1_Le_NOT750.enc. I tried a few others with the same results. I was just guessing.....

I am standing down until I get some guidance. I am confused as to what the current firmware revision should be anyway. Looks like the wizard is pushing 7.1, but in other places I have seen references to > 8.0.

Thanks for any and all advice!

Charlie

[voidstar_apc]

Well, "SMT4UPS_07-1_Le_NOT750.enc" is an ID4 file so it won't go into an ID14 UPS. Odd that the FAQ states otherwise. I don't see any ID14 firmware update images available for download so I'd guess the UPS is already at the latest firmware revision.

[BillP]

I am still researching. ID4 and ID14 are related somehow. ID4 marked items like that firmware 7.1. that says NOT 750, is intended for ID14 units in certain circumstances.

I am trying to find out if there is an intermediate upgrade that is required. I am also not sure, and maybe voidstar, you could confirm, that ID14 supports UPS Firmware Upgrades via the NMC assuming the right file is placed in the /upsfw directory? And did this change from 6.0.6 (which Charlie has) to 6.2.0?

Furthermore, what I can say for sure is that a valid method with the Firmware Upgrade Wizard has not been tried yet since this UPS won't support USB upgrades and 940-0625 is the required cable (which you have on order).

Also, I was expecting a longer firmware string to be displayed but what I expected in my head applied to the command line output in v6.2.0 NMC firmware. I apologize for that Charlie, my mistake.

940-0625 is the right serial cable, as mentioned, and I do believe this should still work with a USB to serial adapter. I know I update the NMC all the time via serial XMODEM using a USB to serial adapter and see no issues, I would think it is the same concept.

[Anonymous user]

How exciting! Looks like we are breaking new ground here  with the upgrade  to the 2.0 firmware . It also looks like FA164737 needs some updating.......

If I have time today, I will attempt to upgrade the NMC2 card to the 6.2.0 firmware. Maybe that will display more information, etc. Let me know if that is not a good idea.

Good news about the serial to USB converter. I will power down my Heathkit H89 and put it back in the museum.

I should have my RJ45>DB9 #0940-0525 cable by Tuesday.....

Thanks.

Charlie

[BillP]

I think upgrading to 6.2.0 is a good idea. It has a lot of bug fixes and also, the way the upgrades are done to the UPS is a little different so we could see if anything different happens but hopefully by then I can find out what other steps or intermediate upgrades need to be done first.

[Anonymous user]

All upgraded to 6.2.0. Talk about being easy!!!

I was able to see on the local LCD display ABOUT> UPS additional firmware info. "UPS Firmware 2    COM 01.1". Hope that helps.

With 6.2.0 on the NMC there is a new option to do file transfers under the firmware upgrade. Used the SMT4UPS_07-1_Le_NOT750.ENC file as you suggested and the FAQ suggests. Allows transfer IMG of file without using FTP. I tried it and the UPS responds under "Last Result" with "Refused due to invalid state". Yes, the UPS output was turned off. Tried the transfer several times.

I then tried the ftp transfer again by putting the file in the UPSFW folder. I got a "Last Result" of "REFUSED".

I am thinking voidstar is correct. SMT4UPS_07-1_Le_NOT750.ENC may not be the correct file for my UPS with the existing 2.0 firmware etc. It seems that every which way we move the file over.... it still wont install....

Charlie

[BillP]

Yeah I agree. I am seeing about trying an older image which may need to go on the UPS first, then to the 7.1. I will report back ASAP on what I find.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Angela,

Any word yet from the powers to be on how to get the new firmware into this UPS?

[BillP]

We need to use the serial cable I think. I was trying to dig up an older firmware image but haven't found one yet. I have an old version of the Firmware Upgrade Wizard, which is where I usually get the images from, but it does not have the firmware images folder like the newer versions do. I will see what I can find out still as I was asking yesterday afternoon but when do you expect the serial cable? I can also try to give you the old version of the Firmware Upgrade Wizard I obtained to see what it says when you try via the serial cable.

Someone also told me they weren't sure this UPS supported upgrade via NMC which may explain the behavior up until now.

[Anonymous user]

Hmmmm. You are the expert! I am disappointed that the documentation is so lacking.

I should have the correct serial cable today at my office. As soon as it shows up I will let you know. I guess it makes sense that the UPS will support update via serial, but not USB. Just kind of odd since I will be suing a serial to USB converter.

Thanks for all the help.

[BillP]

OK. Sounds good.

[Anonymous user]

Yes. Had we not been trying to update the firmware using the NMC2, per FA164737, ... and instead, tried using the 0940-0525 serial cable, we surely would have removed the NMC.

[BillP]

Due to the way this particular UPS is designed communication port-wise, you do not/should not have to uninstall any SmartSlot accessory to upgrade the UPS via the serial cable. We can remove it just because and if you feel more comfortable but I can't provide a reason or a problem that would occur if we didn't, based on my experience.

Attached is the old copy of the wizard I had if you want to try using it to upgrade your UPS versus the one in FA164737.

Edit - Just to comment, I did find it on Page 3 of the user's manual for the Firmware Upgrade Wizard that it does say to remove the SmartSlot device which is more of a precaution "just in case" but I don't think it is technically required and most likely will be fine. We can go with the recommendation though.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for the file!

I was just responding to Battman, who was wondering if we removed the NMC while trying the transfer of new firmware. He must of read the thread again....'cause he deleted his question.

Still waiting on USPS for the cable 😞

[BillP]

Oh, ok LOL

I'll wait to hear your results. I say try the "older" wizard I gave you first. See if it finds the UPS and what you get. Then we can compare it to what the "new" one says that you got from the knowledge base last week.

[Anonymous user]

Ahhhhh, Angela, I should have never doubted the Obi Wan Kenobi of all APC UPS devices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got the 940-0625A cable, hooked it to a USB/SERIAL converter and loaded up the latest wizard. VOILA!!!!!  NOT A SINGLE HITCH. First time, every time! I did NOT remove the NMC2. I didn't even need to pick the upgrade file... the wizard did! It even turned the outlets off, etc. It selected the NOT750 file as the FAQ suggested it should. Firmware level now shows as 07.1(ID14).

On to upgrading the next SMT..... hopefully this one will work with the NMC2... it is an SMT750.

Thanks for sticking with this issue!!!

Charlie

[BillP]

And would you believe supporting UPSs is not my day job LOL

I am glad you got it working. Thus, the conclusion that I can come to is that this UPS since it is older, does not support accepting the files through the NMC for some reason. Maybe the older firmware itself could not accept the upgrade via SmartSlot versus serial cable.

[Anonymous user]

NO..... I do NOT believe that.... unless you design them too!!

We will know about the NMC firmware updating as soon as there is something newer than 7.1. Actually, we have 6 other SMT's and they are all at 7.1 now.

Thanks again!!

[voidstar_apc]

I am glad you got it working. Thus, the conclusion that I can come to is that this UPS since it is older, does not support accepting the files through the NMC for some reason. Maybe the older firmware itself could not accept the upgrade via SmartSlot versus serial cable.

From my recollection the first few 5G units needed user interaction on the front panel display to kick them into the bootloader, so they were only supported by the wizard which walks the customer through this process. Later UPSes supported commanding an update directly from the NMC.

[Anonymous user]

Angela,

I am one confused dude!

We have one of our SMT1500 towers that we are trying to upgrade the firmware. Just trying to be proactive. I have read all the FAQ's and articles.

Current firmware is 02.0 (ID14). We have a 9630 card with 6.0.6 OS and app.

First, I tried using the upgrade wizard using a 940-0127E cable and then a straight USB cable (yes, we removed NMC 2). I wasn't sure if we should use the USB or the console port (APC Telco support said the console port - RJ45). With USB and the 4.0 Upgrade wizard, all I got was something to the affect that there was no compatible upgrade available (the driver did install completely and properly). When I tried the 940-0127E on the console port, we only got a warning that no port could be found (I assume the wizard only looks for COM ports below a certain number?). Tried on 3 machines all with Windows 7 Ultimate. Also tried safe mode and with pretty much everything that I could disable, disabled..... No luck.

Next, I tried a different approach and used FTP to place the firmware file suggested in FA164737 onto the UPSFW directory on the NMC2. That worked fine, but I keep getting "incompatible with this UPS" warnings. The file suggested is SMT4UPS_07-1_Le_NOT750.enc. I tried a few others with the same results. I was just guessing.....

I am standing down until I get some guidance. I am confused as to what the current firmware revision should be anyway. Looks like the wizard is pushing 7.1, but in other places I have seen references to > 8.0.

Thanks for any and all advice!

Charlie

[BillP · Accepted solution]

So I am talking to Andrew because he mentioned you to me then I saw this.

He said you guys did talk about this.

In summary, some pieces of hardware, while they have the same SKU i.e. SMT1500, have different hardware. The ID you see, 14, identifies the hardware to me. The different hardware versions support different firmware to support their different internal hardware. Functionality is the same.

So, according to How do I update the firmware of my SMT, SMX, SMC, or SRT series Smart-UPS? | FAQs | Schneider Electr..., ID14's newest firmware version I can see available is indeed SMT4UPS_07-1_Le_NOT750.enc. >8.0 would be for different SMT1500 "IDs."

Can you give me the full detail under About->UPS from the AP9630? There should be four different firmware versions where it also calls out ID14 and I need to see that whole string of numbers.

Also, this UPS has USB port then "UPS Monitoring Port (Serial). USB appears to be a standard A to B and the RJ-45 is part number 940-0625A (or 940-1525A would be fine too). The 940-0127 cable is for use with Back-UPS and some older Smart-UPS. You wouldn't use it with anything SMT/SMX related for sure. Do you have 940-0625 handy if we need it?

Once I see the details on the full firmware string, I should know more.