AMC Flash Image Update XE

This article describes how to install a new flash image on the AMC-IP board, using the AlphaImageUpgradeXE tool. Note that there are two versions of PC tool for image upgrade:

AlphaImageUpgradeXE is used for:

• Upgrading the image file on AMC boards running software version 11
• Upgrading an AMC board from version 10 to version 11
• Downgrade from version 11 to version 10

The image files has the extension .aimg.

AlphaImageUpgrade is used for upgrading image file on AMC boards running software version 10. The image files has the extension .bin. This application is described in a separate article.

The AlphaImageUpgradeXE application and the image files are available at the download site

Setup for Flash Image update

Preparations

The image upgrade will erase all current configurations and settings, including the licenses.

1. Before the image upgrade can be performed, make sure the software on the AMC-IP board is version 11
2. Any software licenses will be deleted. If there are licenses on the board, make sure you have a copy of the license key before starting the image upgrade. The license key has to be re-entered after the image upgrade.
3. Backup customer data by doing a GetAll from AlphaPro

Image update procedure

Connected to AMC-IP and Image File selected. Ready to "Start Image Upgrade"

1. Download the PC software "AlphaImageUpgradeSetupXE.msi " from the download page
2. Install the software by double-clicking file AlphaImageUpgradeSetupXE.msi
3. The software requires that "Microsoft .NET Framework" is installed on the PC. The installation program will check if Microsoft .NET Framework is already installed. If not, you are notified and a link to Microsoft's download site is displayed. Follow this link and install .NET Framework (freeware). Then run the installation file AlphaImageUpgradeSetupXE.msi again
4. Download the AMC IP Flash Image file "axeu_bxxxx_ayyyyyyy.aimg" ((xxxx = Board Support version number, yyyyyy = AMC software version) from the download page
5. Start the AlphaCom Flash Image Upgrade software. Insert the AlphaCom IP address, and press Connect to Target
6. Press Select Image File and browse to the axeu_bxxxx_ayyyyyyy.aimg file.
7. Press Start Image Upgrade. The upgrade process is fully automated, and it will tell you when the process is finished.

Finalizing the AMC-IP board

When installing the image file some settings will automatically be restored after the installation. During the upgrade process the configuration file "amc_ip_config.xml" is temporarily stored in NVRAM, and is restored after the upgrade process. This means that the following information is automatically restored after the upgrade:

• IP addresses
• IP routing
• Filter settings
• Log configuration (the actual log files are erased)

The following information needs to be reconfigured from AlphaWeb:

• License key
• Time settings
• If logging was enabled, the logging feature needs to be reactivated. Go to System Configuration -> Logging, and press "Apply"
• Upgrade to latest AMC software version.

The intercom configuration must be restored by doing a SendAll from AlphaPro.

How to upgrade AMC from version 10 to version 11

AMC-IP boards running software version 10 (AMC-IP boards with the RED color) can be upgraded to version 11:

• Before starting the image upgrade process, the AMC must be updated to software version 10.52 or higher
• Use the AlphaImageUpgradeXE application and install the image file image axeu_b2200_a1100300.aimg
• The image upgrade includes AMC software 11.0.3.0. Upgrade the AMC software to the latest version according to this procedure.

Troubleshouting

Error messages in the "AlphaImageUpgradeXE" software:

• Server Status: Could not Start HTTP File Server: The upgrade software is using a web server application during the upgrade proccess. If there is another web server application running on the computer, it must be shut down before the Image Upgrade can be executed. (The command 'netstat -a' on the Windows command line will show which application is using port 80 (i.e. the http port))
• Image Load Timeout: A firewall is probably blocking port 80. If the PC is connected directly to the AMC-IP, disable the firewall of the PC.