MA100 FIRMWARE UPDATE README

The MA100 consists of two internal PCB assemblies (the ACS server card and the modem). Each PCB is a proprietary computer with flash memory, which is used to store a copy of it’s operating system (firmware). The primary PCB runs the ACS firmware (IP stack, application and user interface software). The secondary PCB is our MT5634SMI-V92 Socket modem. This modem is used in a number of products and it’s firmware is developed and released independent of the ACS firmware.

The MT-Device Manager (version 1.05.06 or newer) is used to update the ACS firmware and the MT5634SMI firmware. The MT-Device Manager is software that runs in a Windows computer. The MA100 has to be in working order on your IP network for it’s firmware components to be updated. The MT-Device Manager uses Telnet and TFTP to communicate with the MA100 (TCP 23, UDP 69 and a variety of TCP and UDP ports between 1500-1512, 22##, 3072 and 3073). The firmware file name and type (.bin or .hex) and the update settings of the MT-Device Manager dictates whether the ACS firmware or the modem firmware is updated.

MA100 ACS FIRMWARE RELEASE HISTORY

Version 1.03, Dated March 9th 2007, check sum 88CD. Added support for new Day Light Savings dates starting in 2007. Added ability to ignore Day Light Savings offset. Added Auto Detect Usage feature. Prior to 1.03, the unit was to be configured for 1 of 2 specific roles (for which it was then dedicated to just that role). Now in 1.03, the unit can be configured for both roles (alleviating the need for administrator intervention when either role is needed).

Version 1.02, Dated February 9th, 2006, check sum D233. Added PPP Call Back for Local Users, with Fixed or Variable Call Back number. Fixed problem of adding users to the Local Users database.

Version 1.01, Dated July 13th, 2005, check sum F5BB. This was the first production release (new product). The MT5634SMI modem code was 1.32i.

UPDATE PROCEDURES

Install the MT-Device Manager software on a Windows PC that has full IP access to the MA100. This software can be downloaded from the following location.

http://www.multitech.com/SUPPORT/Families/MultiAccessACS/software.asp

Please Note: Always use "binary" as the transfer mode when downloading or moving files.

Once the manager software is installed, run it and configure it to manager your MultiAccess ACS. From the Edit menu select Add Device and then select the Server type, provide the IP address of the ACS and the admin credentials.

Download the MultiAccess ACS firmware file ma100_n_nn.exe (where n_nn is the version number) from:

http://www.multitech.com/SUPPORT/Families/MultiAccessACS/firmware.asp

This file is a self extracting zip file. After downloading it, run the file and it will create ma100_n_nn.bin.

To update the MA100 ACS firmware:

  1. Open the Multi-Tech Device Manager software.
  2. The main menu of the Device Manager should reflect the status of the device(s) as idle.
  3. Right click on the device you want to update and select the "update" menu item.
  4. A prompt to back up the configuration of the device will appear. Backing up is not a requirement, but it is recommended initially and after any change.
  5. Select Yes or No to perform the back up. MT-Device Manager version 1.06.08 and older requires you to restart the update process after the back up process is finished.
  6. The Update window will now appear. Select "MultiAccess ACS Firmware".
  7. Browse to the location of the .bin firmware file you wish to use. The name of the firmware file must match the device type being updated.
  8. Click the "Start Update" button.
  9. The update will take approximately two minutes. The status box of the Update window will display informational messages and progress of the procedure.
  10. When the status is "Finished - the MultiAccess ACS is ready", close the box.
  11. The main menu will reflect the new version for the device after it logs back in.

To update the MT5634SMI modem firmware, use the Multi-Tech Device Manager software in the same basic fashion as above. Download the file dwqgnnnn.exe (where nnnn is the version number) from:

http://www.multitech.com/SUPPORT/Families/MultiAccessACS/firmware.asp

This file is a self extracting zip file. After downloading it, run the file and it will create dwqgnnnn.hex.

To update the modem firmware:

  1. Open the Multi-Tech Device Manager software.
  2. The main menu of the Device Manager should reflect the status of the device(s) as idle.
  3. Right click on the device that contains the modem you want to update and select the "update" menu item.
  4. A prompt to back up the configuration of the device will appear. Select "No". Backing up the ACS configuration is not a requirement and is not related to the modem’s version or configuration.
  5. The Update window will now appear. Select "modem firmware" (POTS Modem 1) for the type of device to be updated.
  6. Browse to the location of the .hex firmware file you wish to use. The name of the firmware file must be in the correct format.
  7. Click the "Start Update" button.
  8. The update will take approximately five minutes. The status box of the Update window will display informational messages and progress of the procedure.
  9. When the status is "Finished - the MultiAccess ACS is ready", close the box.

Additionally, Appendix A of the MA100 User Guide (P/N S000351C Rev C) provides a detailed update procedure using the MT-Device Manager.

To upgrade the Multi-Tech Device Manager:

  1. Exit the Multi-Tech Device Manager
  2. Run the mt-device-manager_x_xx.exe (where x_xx is the latest version) software installation wizard.
  3. Follow the on screen instructions to complete the update.

Last Updated September 26th, 2007.