3Com Megahertz
Access Point User Guide
Manually Updating AP Firmware 

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Manually Updating AP Firmware

You have two options for manually updating the AP firmware. You can use either of the following:

The files required for firmware updates are 3CAP_FW.BIN and UAP_HTML.BIN.

Update using TFTP

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 using TFTP, do the following:

  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, which generates the Main Menu.
  4. Select Special Functions from the Main Menu.
  5. Select Alter Filename(s)/HELP URL/TFTP and press Enter.
  6. Type the firmware file name in the Download Filename field..

     

     

    NOTE: The remainder of this procedure uses Windows 98 as an example.

  7. 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.
  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 Access Points and press Enter., which generates the following prompt: " Are you sure (Y/N)?"
  13. Type y. The Telnet session ends when you type y at the prompt. The WIRED LAN ACTIVITY indicator on the AP does not flash. 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 on the System Summary window.
  17. Press Ctrl+D to end the Telnet session.
  18. Repeat this process for other APs in the network.

Updating using Xmodem

The Xmodem upgrade method requires a direct connection between the AP and PC using a null-modem serial cable and software such as HyperTerminal for Windows 95. Xmodem supports file transfers between terminal emulation programs and the AP UI. Xmodem transfers require more time than TFTP transfers.

To update the AP firmware using Xmodem, follow the procedure below.

  1. Copy the firmware files UAP_FW.BIN and UAP_HTML.BIN to the PC hard disk that runs a terminal emulation program.
  2. Attach a null-modem serial cable from the AP to the PC serial port.
  3. Start the communication program on the PC.
  4. Name the session "AirConnect AP" and select OK.

     

     

    NOTE: The remainder of this procedure uses Windows 98 as an example.

  5. Select the correct communication port, typically Direct to Com1, along with the following parameters:
  6. Emulation--ANSI
  7. Baud rate--19200 bps
  8. Data bits--8
  9. Stop bits--1
  10. Parity--none
  11. Flow control--none
  12. Select OK.
  13. Press Enter to display the Main Menu.
  14. Select Enter Admin Mode and type the case-sensitive password.
  15. Open the Special Functions window.
  16. Select Firmware, HTML, or Both under the function heading, Use XMODEM to Update Access Points.
  17. Both downloads the UAP_FW.bin and HTML.bin files separately. Make sure both files are located in the same directory before the download begins.
  18. Press Enter.
  19. Type y at the confirmation prompt, which generates the following message:
  20. Downloading firmware using XMODEM.
    Send firmware with XMODEM now ...
    UAP_FW.BIN or UAP_HTML.BIN are the firmware files..

     

     

    NOTE: When you use Xmodem, verify the accuracy of the file name before a send. An incorrect file can render the AP inoperable.

  21. Select Transfer from the emulation program menu bar.
  22. Select Send File.
  23. Click Browse to locate the file(s), UAP_FW.BIN or UAP_HTML.BIN.
  24. Select the XModem protocol from the drop down list.
  25. Click Send. The terminal or PC displays the transfer process through a progress bar. If you are downloading both the firmware and HTML files, the following message is generated:
  26. Downloading HTML file using XMODEM.
    Send HTML file with XMODEM now ...
  27. Repeat Select Transfer from the emulation program menu bar. through Click Send. The terminal or PC displays the transfer process through a progress bar. If you are downloading both the firmware and HTML files, the following message is generated: to download the next file and avoid a transfer time-out error if you are downloading both the firmware and HTML files.
  28. The download is complete when the UI displays:
    Download Successful
    Updating AP
    Update Successful
    If the firmware update fails, the UI displays an error code indicating the cause. The AP automatically resets after all file transfers are completed.
  29. Exit the communication program to terminate the session.
  30. Repeat this process for other APs in the network.