3Com Megahertz
Access Point User Guide
Auto Upgrade all APs Via Messaging 

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Auto Upgrade all APs Via Messaging

The Update ALL Access Points feature upgrades or downgrades the firmware of all associated APs with the same WLAN Service Area on the same subnet and includes all recognized hardware platforms regardless of firmware version. The initiating AP sends the correct file name for each 3Com platform. The initiating AP does not send update commands to non-3Com platforms.

You can find the specific APs that have firmware upgraded or downgraded in the Known APs window. There is a 2-second time interval between the WNMP update firmware commands for updating each AP. This interval prevents more than one AP from accessing the TFTP server at once and causing network congestion.

The Ethernet TFTP upgrade method requires a connection between the AP and PC on the same Ethernet segment. Verify the PC has a TFTP server running on it. Running the server requires third party software such as FTP PC/TCP for DOS or OnNet™ for Windows. The wireless TFTP upgrade method requires a connection between the AP and a TFTP server. The TFTP server can be running on a 3Com AirConnect device.

Updating the firmware requires that a TFTP server be running in the background. To update the AP firmware:

  1. Copy the firmware files UAP_FW.BIN and UAP_HTML.BIN to the terminal or PC hard disk.
  2. Telnet to the AP using its IP address.
  3. Type the case-sensitive password at the prompt (see Changing the Access to the UI for more details). The AP generates the Main Menu.
  4. Select Special Functions from the Main Menu.
  5. Select Alter Filename(s)/HELP URL/TFTP Server and press Enter.
  6. Type the firmware file name in the Download Filename field.
  7.  

     

    NOTE: Only change this file name if you are required to do so. The default file names are uap_fw.bin and uap_html.bin. Verify that the path to the files is accurate. (See step one)

  8. Enter the TFTP Server IP address in the TFTP Server field.
  9. Press Enter.
  10. Select Save Configuration to save settings.
  11. Select Special Functions from the Main Menu.
  12. Select Use TFTP to Update All Access Points and press Enter, which generates the following prompt: "Are you sure (Y/N)?"
  13. Type y. the Telnet session ends at this point. The AP resets when the file transfer and flash programming complete.
  14. Telnet to the AP using its IP address.
  15. Type the case-sensitive password at the password prompt, which generates the Main Menu.
  16. Verify the accuracy of the version number in the System Summary window.
  17. Press Ctrl+D to end the Telnet session.