Iq Panel 2 Plus Firmware

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Bonny Battaglino

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Aug 3, 2024, 4:54:14 PM8/3/24

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Qolsys now infrequently releases firmware updates for the IQ Panel 2 plus panels. Updates improve features to ensure that the panel continues to operate smoothly. On this page, you will find information about the latest firmware update for the IQ Panel 2 Plus.

Qolsys has not provided the firmware update file for version 2.8.1 on their site. For that reason, we are unable to host it here. That means, if you have an IQ Panel 2 that absolutely cannot connect to WIFI, there is no way to perform this update. You might try using a cell phone as a hot spot. This tricks the panel and the server into thinking the panel has a connection to WIFI, so it will download the software. If you can get the panel connected in this way, then follow the steps below for updating via patch tag.

An IQ Panel 2 Plus must be on software version 2.0.1 or higher and connected to WIFI to install this update over WIFI. Panels running version 2.5.0 and 2.5.1 must be updated to 2.5.3 first, then they can be updated to 2.8.1. The installation files for available prior firmware versions are listed below. This update can also be pushed manually from Alarm.com as long as the panel has a connection to WIFI. There will be no charge for the update when pushed in this way. Alarm.com will not allow the firmware to be downloaded using Cellular Data.

For Qolsys IQ Panel 2/2 Plus users with an older AT&T LTE communicator who need to update their communicator's firmware prior to 02/22/22, you can download the file needed to do so here. Remember, in order to install this communicator firmware update, the panel must first be on Firmware Version 2.3.1 or higher. To check the panel version, go to Menu > Settings > Advanced Settings > Enter Installer or Master Code > About > Software, Software Version is listed at the top of this section. Once the panel has been updated with the latest desired firmware version, follow the same instructions for updating via MicroSD card to install this AT&T Communicator patch.

To wirelessly install this software, no download is required, simply follow these instructions after making sure your panel is on version 2.0.1 or higher, or if the panel is on 2.5.0 or 2.5.1, that the user first updates to 2.5.3 before running the update for 2.7.1 (see note above). Also, the panel will need to be connected to WIFI:

Qolsys IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus users will be pleased to learn that a new firmware update is available! Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Firmware Version 2.6.1 can be downloaded via patch tag right now. Alarm Grid recommends that IQ2 and IQ2+ users download the update at their earliest convenience.

Important Note: For those looking for the 2.6.1 Firmware File needed to update the panel using an SD Card, we will make that file available as soon as possible. Qolsys has not yet posted it. However, when the SD Card method is used, the panel will still need a WIFI connection, and active monitoring in order to be sure the panel updates properly. For this reason, unmonitored systems should not attempt this update method unless the user is absolutely sure the "Firmware2" update is not needed on the system. For those who need the "Firmware2" update, it is recommended that the Patchtag method of updating discussed below be used.

Before we get into how to download Firmware Version 2.6.1, we would like to discuss what the new update includes. This isn't a particularly loaded update, but it still includes some new features, plus some important fixes and general system improvements. For those reasons, updating at your earliest convenience is advised.

There is a new Sensor Group for motion sensors, that being Sensor Group (45) - Away/Stay Instant Non-Follower. This is just like Sensor Group (15) - Stay Instant, except that the new Sensor Group (45) will still have the system go into alarm if the sensor is faulted while the system is armed away or armed stay, even if an Entry/Exit Zone is faulted first. With the old Sensor Group (15), the system will not go into alarm if the sensor is faulted after (following) an Entry/Exit Zone. In other words, if you fault a sensor with Sensor Group (45) while the system is in its Entry Delay countdown, an alarm will occur, but if you do the same with Sensor Group (15) when the system is in its Entry Delay countdown, no alarm occurs.

For SD Card upgrades, there will be an auto-push of the "Firmware2" Patch from Alarm.com, assuming that the patch hasn't already been applied. This patch prevents certain IQ2 Panels from automatically rebooting at times. You can see more information about the Firmware2 fix from this prior blog post. The only other new feature release from the 2.6.1 release is that the IQ2 is now compliant with BS-8243 Standards in the United Kingdom.

With that out of the way, let's explain how to apply the update! Like all of the other recent updates, users on Firmware Version 2.5.0 or 2.5.1 will need to stage upgrade to 2.5.3 first before upgrading to 2.6.1. But if you are on 2.5.3 or higher or on less than 2.5.0, then you can go right to 2.6.1. And as always, your system must be on at least 2.0.1 for any firmware update to be applied.

To get started applying the update, make sure your IQ2 or IQ2+ is plugged in and that its battery is charged. Your system must be connected to WIFI and actively monitored so that Alarm.com can determine if the Firmware2 update is required, and then send it to the panel via WIFI if it is. Begin from the main screen of the system. Press the small grey bar at the top. Pick Settings > Advanced Settings > enter the Installer Code if prompted (default 1111) > Upgrade Software > Patch Tag > enter iqpanel2.6.1 (must be entered exactly as shown) > OK > Upgrade Using Network. The update should then go through. Once it begins, do not touch the panel screen.

Remember, it will usually take about five (5) minutes for the update to be completed. You can then check the Software Version in the About Menu under the Software tab. This is good for confirming that the 2.6.1 Firmware Update went through as intended.

Please leave a comment down below with your thoughts on Qolsys IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus Firmware Version 2.6.1. Don't hesitate to let us know about your experience with the panel or the firmware update. We want to hear your honest opinion and assist with any issues. Like always, stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more news and updates coming soon!

Hello everyone, I need help with a problem in a machine I'm currently working on. It has a PanelView Plus 600 HMI and SLC 5/04 PLC. The HMI is non responsive and I've been tasked to determine if it's better to substitute that HMI with a Wecon Levi702E HMI which has a free programming software, or buy a new PanelView Plus 600 and buy the software and cables required to extract the program from the old hmi and upload it to the new one.

I have no experience with Allen Bradley since in my country it's very expensive and not very common and I've only worked with Siemens and Direct Logic Plc. I need to know what Licence i need to buy so i can download the program from the old HMI, then upload it into the new one and if i would need to buy the licence for the plc.

You need FactoryTalk ME (Machine Edition) for the PanelView 600. You will not need to buy RS500 for the PLC, and you will not have to license the PanelViews individually. Once you have FT ME, you will use its "Transfer Utility" to upload from the existing HMI, and then download to the new HMI. (I don't think Transfer Utility is available to be purchased as stand-alone application).

When you say the current HMI is "non responsive", is it just the touch screen that is worn out? If so and the processor is OK, you shouldn't have any trouble recovering the existing project from the PanelView.

FactoryTalk is a pretty expensive programming tool to purchase for a one-time use, and then to use it only to move a project from one HMI to another. You might considering installing more PanelView 600 and 700s to get more out of the investment. You might also look into the less expensive PanelView 800s, for which the programming tool (Connected Components Workbench) is free. Free software is usually not as user friendly as it could be and though I haven't used the graphics tools in CCW, the Logix editor is not as intuitive as it is other Allen Bradley products. But the CCW PowerFlex drives tool is really easy to use, and free is a powerful word.

This is IMPORTANT...for this method to WORK, the destination panel view must have the same FIRMWARE as the SOURCE. In my example, my PV is firmware 11.0. So I am going to take the MER file from a firmware 11.0 and put it on another Panel View with firmware 11.0. I can not take a MER from a firmware 11 to a firmware 10.0 panel view for example..it won't load.