Upgrade the TrippLite SNMPWEBCARD firmware

This post was from my previous blog that I no longer have. Some links may or may not work. Check the comment section for new links.
Tripp Lite firmware page:
https://www.tripplite.com/main/search?q=snmpwebcard%20firmware

Update 13 August 2013 : New firmware released February 2013: 12.06.61 Revision “E” updated Revision “C” from November 2012. Changes in Revision “E”:
[MC-534] – Reporting current output incorrectly.
[MC-554] – Memory leak in SNMP implementation.

Standard disclaimer: I’m not liable for any damages caused to you or your equipment by following these, or any other instructions, on my site. Anything you do with equipment under you control using information found here or obtained from me at any time, is at your sole discretion and I won’t be held liable for any damages or problems arising these, or any other, instructions.

Now that you know I won’t buy you a $219.00 SNMPWEBCARD if you break it:

For those of you who, like myself at one time, wanted to update their TrippLite SNMPWEBCARD firmware but had no clue in which direction to go because of TrippLite’s awful documentation, hopefully this posting will shed some light on a few important items and help you get the most current firmware on your device.

Before you begin updating firmware and walking a fine line between a successful upgrade and an expensive paperweight, you have to determine which SNMPWEBCARD version you’re working with.

SNMPWEBCARD Gen 1

From what I can tell there is two, maybe three, generations of TrippLite SNMPWEBCARDs on the market. I’m making this assumption based strictly on SNMPWEBCARD appearance only. If you count the owner’s manuals available for the SNMPWEBCARD then there is seven different versions. If you find a changelog in one of the archives then there is two versions and five or six revisions.

Generation 2?

Heck, I have no idea. It isn’t like it is cleary spelled out. If two generations, then one model has no environment sensor, serial port, and DIP switches and a newer version of generation one eliminated the DIP switches while the second generation has a serial, environment, and ethernet port with no DIP switches.
If three generations, then generation one has no enivironment sensor and DIP switches, generation two has an added environment sensor, no DIP switches, and is relatively bulky in regards to PCB components, and generation three cards are slimlined with fewer hardware on the PCB board with the same connectivity as generation two cards (serial, environment, ethernet).

Regardless of how many generations exist, whether it be two or three, there is one MAJOR distinction between ALL of the cards: The “slimlined” card, that is the model with fewer hardware components on the printed circuit board, can be updated with firmware past 12.04.0048 but CANNOT, according to README documentation, be downgraded to anything below x.0048 even though the extracted firmware archive lists in the title “gen3″.

Generation 3

I was successful in upgrading all the way to 0061 on my cards and I have no idea what revision I’m running (I’m not clueless, I just can’t find it printed on the card). The bulkier card cannot, according to README documentation, CANNOT, be updated with firmware higher 12.04.0047. I stress the “CANNOT” because I confirmed this by bricking a $150.00 “generation 2″ eBay-special by attempting to push 12.04.0052 firmware to it. $150.00 in the toilet. Console session dead, it actually causes my TrippLite UPS to shut down when it tries to boot. PITA.

Confused yet? I was (hence my $150.00 brick).

To sum up the versions, I created this list based on my observations with the README documentation and some guessing. Files in italicized font I have no installer/firmware for (if you have one please send it to me):

Generation 1 – 12.03.0022 – 01 September 2005 (preinstalled on cards)
Generation 1 – 12.03.0024 – 12 October 2005
Generation 1 – 12.04.0019 – 24 April 2006
Generation ? – 12.04.0030 – 05 January 2007
Generation ? – 12.04.0040 – 08 January 2008
Generation 2 – 12.04.0045 – 03 December 2008
Generation 2 – 10.04.0047 – ? (preinstalled on cards), possible revision change
Generation 3 – 12.04.0048 – 07 October 2009 – New generation first release (preinstalled on cards)
Generation 3 – 12.04.0049 – 25 March 2010 – Gen 3 revision change, this and future firmware not compatible with preinstalled 0047 and prior hardware
Generation 3 – 12.04.0051 – 25 June 2010
Generation 3 – 12.04.0052 – 23 August 2010
Generation 3 – 12.04.0055 – 17 November 2011
Generation 3 – 12.06.0060 – 21 March 2012
Generation 3 – 12.06.0061 – 16 November 2012 – Revision change?

Determine which version you have and follow along using the steps in the instructions.txt document contained within the archive folder. I wanted to include step-by-step instructions with pictures for this post but each firmware version has different and unique instructions. It would have made this more complicated than what I set it out to be. These steps are slightly different for EACH firmware version so read them completely.

Other notable items which would have saved me a lot of headache:

  • TrippLite’s website for obtaining firmware: https://www.tripplite.com/en/search.cfm?Q=SNMPWEBCARD. If the firmware you are looking for isn’t there, send me an email and I’ll provide you with my copy.
  • If you card comes with 0047, you CANNOT upgrade past version 0047.
  • A lot of changes can be made from a console session (or telnet, SSH, not using the web interface). I found it easier to make changes using a console session. If you bork a password or IP setting, you have a default of 5 seconds in a console session using the serial cable to press any key when the card reboots. To reboot the card, simply pull it out while the UPS is running and plug it back in (hotplug/hotswap the card, TrippLite’s instructions, I didn’t make that up).
  • If you are in a console session and you are prompted with “Do you want to erase the software on this card” or a similar message it is asking you if you want to delete the .bin file and start with NO .bin file on the card. I did this when I first started upgrading the firmware to eliminate any bugs the previous owner might have included in their dealings with card.
  • Upgrade the firmware IN ORDER! If you don’t do this, you WILL brick your card. If you want version 0061, upgrade to 0052, then to 0055, then 0060, then 0061. DO NOT skip versions, you WILL kill your card. IF you don’t believe me send me your mailing address and I’ll send you my brick.
  • If you send the “bye” command and reboot your card after uploading the firmware while it is booting from a previous reboot, you’ll get stuck in a boot loop. You’ll see pings go through then drop, go through, then drop. Simple console back in, reset to defaults, delete configuration data, and start over.
  • Open and connect to the card via the SERIAL port using Hyper Terminal (2003/XP) and/or PUTTY.exe (any flavor of Windows) prior to starting ANY upgrades. Standard 9600-N-1-N settings. Once you connect on your COM port, press enter once to bring up the login screen. You don’t necessarily have to log in, but leave the console session connected while you upgrade the firmware so you can monitor the card’s boot status and other log messages.
  • The upgrade method changes between 12.04.0055 and 12.06.0060. Previously both the .rom and .bin file were uploaded then the card rebooted. Starting with 0060, the card is rebooted after each file upload in the firmware process.
  • Set your DHCP server to assign an IP address based on your card’s MAC address to something you can find easily (static DHCP aka DHCP reservation). Once you have an IP address assigned from your DHCP server, open an unending ping session (ping -t xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx in Windows) to your card’s IP address. Leave the session open during the whole process, along with the serial/console session, to monitor your card’s status.
  • I found it super easy to use the FTP client in Windows from a command prompt for uploading the firmware. Run a CMD as an administrator, type “ftp (your IP) xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx”. Go from there.
  • Default passwords. If prompted for a “root” password, it is TrippLite (case sensitive). If you bought a card from me, try a root password of “root” if TrippLite doesn’t work.If prompted for an “admin” password, it is admin. If prompted for a “localadmin” password, it is localadmin. If you try to log in as admin and get denied, tried localadmin. Denied again, try root. Denied again you probably broke something.

Good luck and enjoy your SNMPWEBCARD.

15 thoughts on “Upgrade the TrippLite SNMPWEBCARD firmware”

    1. I can’t recall if I managed to locate and download any others and I only remember flashing the firmware once. I have checked the backups I can locate and I’ve only found 12.4.45. I can report that my card successfully flashed directly from 12.04.0034 to the firmware I just posted. I don’t recall which client software works with 12.4.45, but I’m fairly certain it worked on Win7 and Win10. I can post that as well next time I install it.

  1. I need to upgrade a 12.04.0034 card to work with the Network Shutdown Agent. I believe that requires 12.04.0040 or newer. I have a console cable and the card appears to work fine aside from misidentifying my Smart750XLA as a SMART1000RM1U (apparently a known bug in the UPS firmware). Can anyone help or am I screwed?

      1. I’ve been able to find firmware 12.04.0045 but not 12.04.0040. Don’t I have to load 12.04.0040 before 12.04.0045?

        1. I just walked the download URL of 0045 but can’t find 0040. I have a request in to TrippLite to see if I can get my hands on all versions of their firmware to rebuild my cache of firmware files.

          I’m not sure about the upgrade skip. I’ve always done them in order. YMMV.

        2. This came back from TrippLite support when I requested downloads to old firmware versions. Not sure it helps either of us.

          Here is a link to the available firmware versions for the network cards:

          https://www.tripplite.com/support/downloads/type/9/tab/2
          Make sure to click on the “By Download Type” tab.

          Select Software, Firmware and Drivers for “Type”.
          Select Firmware for “Subtype”.
          Select Management Hardware for “Product Category”.

          1. Hi John, I need the 12.04.0045 firmware but it´s no longer available at the link above. Can you send it or post it. Thanks, Jorge

          2. It has been a LONG time since I had any of the firmware files in stock. But, hope is not lost (yet). I’ve opened an enterprise support ticket with TrippLite to see if somebody on their end can provide me with all of their SNMPWEBCARD firmware files. I’ll let you know what they say.

            BAM: This is what I have for you so far. Included is the 12.04.45 firmware: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/djhceh1d5mi8kjp/AABkAqgCzczksAZLRO4WX5BNa?dl=0

  2. Hey John, this was very helpful. I wanted to ask if I can upgrade from v.12.4.3 to 12.4.55 or even 12.4.65? Thanks again for the much needed info.

    1. I haven’t tried in a while but, if memory serves me correctly, I would play it safe and do the minor upgrades in order to prevent potential problems.

    2. Let us know how it goes even if it goes all horribly wrong. It’ll help somebody else along the way.

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