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      How to Upgrade or Update the Test Set's Software/Firmware?

      Keeping VeEX test sets up to date, by updating their software to the latest available versions, is very important.

      A PDF version of this document can be downloaded from this link.

      Important: Older test sets, running older software versions (e.g., 2.x.x) may require their platforms to be upgraded to an intermediate version, before the platform and test modules can be upgraded to the latest formal releases available.

      Some older products may also require upgrading their original 2GB or 4GB SD card to at least 16GB capacity, before they can be updated to the latest versions available.

      Refer to the Release Notes for further details or Contact Us.

      Copies of the latest Software Release Notes can be found in product's page at www.veexinc.com, under the RESOURCES section.

      1. Update Test Platform's (System) Software

      Depending on the hardware configuration or number of test modules, the test set can have multiple software components that need to be updated. Basically, one for the Platform (System) software and one for each of the test modules (e.g., Platform: TX300sm; Modules: TX320sm, TX340sm, 100GQ, 100Gx and/or OTDR).

      There are two main ways to keep the test platform up to date:

      1.1 Using the built-in VeExpress client

      Go to >System Tools >Utilities >VeExpress. Using an Internet connection, through the Management Port or Wi-Fi, the test set connects to a centralized VeExpress (cloud) server. Then users can press the Check button to see if there is any new incremental SW update (Delta Push directly to the test set) or full upgrade (performed with a USB memory). The Software Upgrade tab shows all the applicable software versions available (if not shown, please go to section 2).

        1. Delta Update: If available, the built-in VeExpress can perform consecutive (incremental) updates directly from the test set (for example, updating from 4.0.1 to 4.0.2). The advantage is that the update packages are smaller and a lot faster to download. The test set must be connected to a LAN (using the Management port) and have access to the Internet.
        2. Full Upgrade: If the software version in the test set is much older than the current release or significant improvements are included, then a FAT32 USB Memory stick needs to be inserted into the USB port located on the left, right or top sides of the test set. Select the applicable software components using the check boxes and press Download. The test set will then download the selected install packages directly to the root of the attached memory stick. When finished, turn the test set OFF. Then:
          1. V300For TX300s, press the image-png-Dec-12-2022-11-47-19-5621-PM App, image-png-Dec-12-2022-11-46-42-3916-PM Folder and image-png-Sep-21-2022-06-10-02-41-PM Power buttons simultaneously, to power the test set ON in software upgrade mode. The three buttons can be released once the confirmation tone (beep) is heard. Wait for the upgrade process to finish.
          2. RXTFor RXT-1200, press the image-png-Sep-29-2022-10-10-38-33-PM Shift, image-png-Sep-29-2022-10-12-38-87-PM Enter and image-png-Jun-23-2022-05-04-11-85-PM Power buttons simultaneously, to power the test set ON in software upgrade mode. The three buttons can be released once the confirmation tone (beep) is heard. Wait for the upgrade process to finish.
          3. MTTplus-420For MTTplus. press the image-png-Dec-13-2022-12-04-34-0362-AM Camera and image-png-Dec-13-2022-12-05-15-9177-AM Power buttons simultaneously, to power the test set ON in software upgrade mode. The two buttons can be released once the confirmation tone (beep) is heard. Wait for the upgrade process to finish.
          4. FX180xFor the V150 series, use the USB-A to micro-B USB cable to attach the memory stick, then press the image-png-Dec-15-2022-08-29-03-2772-PM Save and image-png-Jun-23-2022-05-04-11-85-PM Power buttons simultaneously, to power the test set ON in software upgrade mode. The two buttons can be released once the confirmation tone (beep) is heard. Wait for the upgrade process to finish.

        1.2 Using a USB Memory Stick

      2. Using a web browser, go to the Related Products links listed above to find the software download section for each of the platforms and test modules (for older/retired products go to https://www.veexinc.com/support/software). Open the Resources tab, on the Software section, click on the link to get the latest SW upgrade package for the Platform (no account, registration or login required). Select the applicable test module page and download the software for each of the modules installed in platform. Uncompress the .zip file and copy its content (*.tar.gz or *.tar.gx) files to the root of a FAT32 USB memory stick and plug it into the USB port located on the left, right or top side of the test set. Turn the power OFF. Then:
        1. V300For TX300s, press the image-png-Dec-12-2022-11-47-19-5621-PM App, image-png-Dec-12-2022-11-46-42-3916-PM Folder and image-png-Sep-21-2022-06-10-02-41-PM Power buttons simultaneously, to power the test set ON in software upgrade mode. The three buttons can be released once the confirmation tone (beep) is heard. Wait for the upgrade process to finish, then install the latest test modules' software.
        2. RXTFor RXT-1200, press the image-png-Sep-29-2022-10-10-38-33-PM Shift, image-png-Sep-29-2022-10-12-38-87-PM Enter and image-png-Jun-23-2022-05-04-11-85-PM Power buttons simultaneously, to power the test set ON in software upgrade mode. The three buttons can be released once the confirmation tone (beep) is heard. Wait for the upgrade process to finish, then install the latest test modules' software.
        3. MTTplus-420For MTTplus, press the image-png-Dec-13-2022-12-04-34-0362-AM Camera and image-png-Dec-13-2022-12-05-15-9177-AM Power buttons simultaneously, to power the test set ON in software upgrade mode. The two buttons can be released once the confirmation tone (beep) is heard. Wait for the upgrade process to finish, then install the latest test modules' software.
        4. FX180xFor the V150 series, use the USB-A to micro-B USB cable to attach the memory stick, then press the image-png-Dec-15-2022-08-29-03-2772-PM Save and image-png-Jun-23-2022-05-04-11-85-PM Power buttons simultaneously, to power the test set ON in software upgrade mode. The two buttons can be released once the confirmation tone (beep) is heard. Wait for the upgrade process to finish.

      Note: Software packages and other tools can be downloaded from the RESOURCES section of the product pages at www.veexinc.com.

      The test set must be connected to its AC/DC charger at all times during the whole upgrade process. DO NOT turn it off at any time; the upgrade process will take several minutes, and the test set will reboot itself at the end. The test set may reboot multiple times during the platform upgrade process.

      To verify the current software version number installed in the unit, open the Utilities section, select Settings, and open About.

      Note: If installed in your PC (Win, Mac, Linux), some file compression agents (applications) may show the resulting *.tar.gz as a compressed file, but there is no need to expand the file anymore. Keep it as is.

      2. Updating Test Modules’ Software (via USB)

      Make sure the Test Platform is running the latest software version available. The Platform always reformats its internal SD storage card during a platform (system) upgrade, so the modules’ software may need to be reloaded after a system upgrades (even if the version has not changed). Take this opportunity to check if new versions are available for the individual interchangeable test modules or built-in hardware options (factory-installed blades, such as TX340sm, TX300s-100Gx, or OTDR modules).

      • Download the applicable test module(s) software from the web site or using the built-in VeExpress client.
      • Copy the test modules’ uncompressed firmware update package files to the root of the memory stick (both modules can be upgraded simultaneously).
      • Plug the memory stick into the USB port located on the left, right or top side of the platform.
      • Turn the test set ON and wait for the bootup process to finish.
      • The test set may display an “incompatible software version” warning message to indicate that a test module requires a firmware update. Tap the OK button to close the message.
      • Tap on the image-png-Oct-06-2022-05-11-08-52-PM or image-png-Oct-06-2022-05-11-23-07-PM System Utilities button on the top bar, open the Utilities tab on the left bar, and select M.Upgrade.
      • The platform will search the memory stick for valid update packages and show their information.
      • Use the check boxes to select the desired software updates.
      • Tap on the Upgrade button to start the firmware update process. This may take several minutes. The test set will shut itself OFF at the end.
      • Turn the test set ON, connect it to a LAN, go to >Utilities >VeExpress and press Check to update its licenses, if necessary.

      The test set must be connected to its AC/DC charger at all times during the whole upgrade process. DO NOT turn it off at any time; the update process will take a few minutes and the test set may reboot itself at the end.

      To verify the software version number installed in the current test module, turn the test set back ON, open the Utilities section, select Settings, and open About.

      3. Updating Test Set's Software via Wi-Fi or LAN

      Make sure the test set is ON and connected to a wireless LAN, set as an access point (AP) or connected to a LAN. This functionality may not be available if the product is running very old software versions.

      PCs, Mac, tablets, and smartphones can be used to perform this task, as long as they provide access to the file system and allow you to uncompress and select the software upgrade installation files.

      • Open a Web Browser and enter the IP address of the test set on the browser’s address/search field (e.g., 10.0.1.15). The test set’s IP address is usually displayed on the bottom-left corner of the screen.
      If the test set is in a remote site and/or connected to a remote network, the PC may require stablishing a VPN connection first, to get access to the network to which the test set is connected to. Leaving a test set connected to a public IP address is not recommended, due to security risks.
      • Once the test set’s Web Remote Access page loads, select Platform Upgrade from the menu on the left side of the screen.
      • Tap or click on the Select File button and point it to the Software Image file.
      • Tap or click on the Upload button to transfer the Software Image file to the test set.
      • Once the file transfer has finished, tap or click on Upgrade and let the test set go through the process, uninterrupted. This will take a few minutes.
      • The test set will reboot itself during upgrading process. In some cases, the IP connection to the test set may get lost. Need to check the status directly on the test set display.
      • Repeat the process using the Module Upgrade function.

      When upgrading test sets at remote sites (e.g., using VPN) there is a small possibility that the procedure could fail and require local attention/help. The test set does check for any errors before, during and after the upload process and verifies the final upgrade code in the test set, before it performs the software updates. This helps reduce the possibility of encountering problems during the upgrade process. 

      Note: Although downgrading software versions is not recommended, if instructed by a Customer Support agent, older software versions for RXT, TX300s and MTTplus can be downloaded by going to https://v-express.com/, accept the terms and conditions, click on the Software Download button (no password required), select the RXT, TX300s or MTTplus tab, check the box for the platform or module version required, and click on the Download button.

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