Firmware Modification

[Gibert Chisholm]

FirstI 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.

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."

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?

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 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....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Most people have heard of software and hardware, but what about firmware? Although firmware may not be as familiar to people as software and hardware, it plays a critical role in the functioning of every type of digital device and gadget. As with most things related to device design, there is not a single type of firmware that works the same way in every application and in every operating condition. That is where firmware modification comes into the picture. Firmware modifications are done to ensure that your system functions as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. At Delkin, our engineers work with clients to assist them with firmware modifications that allow them to customize their flash memory in a way that is appropriate for their specific device and how it will be used.

Instead, firmware is a type of software that is programmed into a piece of hardware. Without firmware, the hardware would not do the actions that it is supposed to do. Firmware stores information about the tasks a device is supposed to perform and allows it execute those core functions. With just hardware and software, a device would be useless. Firmware bridges the gap and lets the device function as expected.

Firmware comes in different levels. Low-level firmware is usually read-only memory found in PLA and OTP/PROM components. This kind of firmware cannot usually be modified. High-level firmware is found in flash memory. Within flash memory, this kind of firmware is used for updates and can be modified. Another level of firmware is subsystems. Subsystems have their own microcode that is fixed. You can usually find subsystems in flash memory chips.

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