MA420 MA820 FIRMWARE UPDATE README

The MA420 and MA820 consist of five or nine internal PCB assemblies (the ACS server card and four or eight modems, respectively). 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). There is a specific ACS firmware build (file) for each model (MA420 and MA820). The modems are the 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 MA420/820 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 MA420/820 (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 MT5634SMI firmware is updated.

MA420/820 ACS FIRMWARE RELEASE HISTORY

Version 1.03, March 8th 2007, Added support for new Day Light Savings dates starting in 2007. Added Non Pool TCP socket number to Modem Sharing. Added the ability to Auto Detect the role (usage) the unit should play. If there is NOT a Telnet session connected to the POTS port, an incoming call will be handled by the MA420/820 as a RAS call. When there IS an active Telnet session connected to the POTS port, the modem’s configuration and behavior is then controlled by the application that opened the Telnet session (be it for outbound or inbound calls). Fixed a Call History issue related to calls with a duration of 30 minutes or longer. Fixed a Local Authentication issue with Modem Sharing. Fixed a Current Status issue regarding the "state" of the POTS modem not reflecting Modem Sharing.

Version 1.02, New Product June 2006. First production release, included MT5634SMI modem code 1.32i.

UPDATE PROCEDURES

Install the MT-Device Manager software on a Windows PC that has full IP access to the MA420/820. 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 appropriate MultiAccess ACS firmware file for your unit (either ma420_n_nn.exe or ma8420_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 ma4/820_n_nn.bin.

To update the MA420/820 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 MA420/820 User Guide (P/N S000404C 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 April 18th, 2007.