Update AP9631 Communication Card Firmware

[BillP]

This question was originally posted by Héctor on APC forums on 1/17/2017

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The AP9631 communication card manual says Modbus TCP support for Integration with 3rd party Building Management System. But I can not establish modbus communication. I also want to update your firmware. If I update the firmware should I reboot the UPS? Thanks and best regards.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 1/17/2017

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Hi Hector,

For starters, what UPS model/type is the AP9631 installed in currently? Let's determine that if you need help getting Modbus TCP going.

Secondly, which firmware is currently loaded on the NMC? You need at least AOS 6.4.0+ and a compatible UPS application for this to work. AOS 6.4.6 is the latest for Smart-UPS and Symmetra single phase models like LX.

Assuming you meet all of the requirements, you should just need to enable Modbus TCP which may require a reboot of the AP9631 itself but NOT the UPS. The UPS itself won't need to be rebooted to use Modbus on the AP9631.

To upgrade the AP9631 firmware also, only the AP9631 itself reboots during the file transfer and upgrade. The UPS does not need to reboot and nor should it reboot during the process.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Héctor on APC forums on 1/17/2017

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Thanks Angela for responding.

The UPS is: Smart VT

The firmware version of the NMC card is: 5.1.7

Tomorrow I will change the firmware for 6.4 and I will comment on how the change happened.

This UPS works in conjunction with two others in parallel and the idea is that when updating the firmware, the UPS does not change its previously configured parameters.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 1/17/2017

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Hi Hector - OK, thanks for sharing.

Yes, I recommend you upgrade to download part number SFSUMX646 (or you will find it through Data Center Expert if you use that tool) from http://www.apc.com/us/en/tools/download/ which is the latest version for Smart-UPS VT. I suggest to upgrade all units in your parallel configuration of course.

This upgrade will be significant in the sense that the UI will change. Please take a look here as to what to expect upon upgrading the NMC firmware -> http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA167693  .. beyond this, existing settings (except what is mentioned in the article) will stay or remain. UPS will not turn off or be interrupted.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Héctor on APC forums on 1/18/2017

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Hi Angela

I made the firmware update to version 6.4.6 to three UPS and it was a success, did not lose configuration parameters nor parallelism. The NMC automatically restarts 3 times when you load the firmware with the Upgrade Utility v2.20 software and does not cause changes to the UPS.

Thank you very much for your help, your information was very useful.