In order to take advantage of all the new features introduced in newer versions, we generally recommend you upgrade your Davicom unit firmware to the latest version compatible with your hardware. Please visit the Software & Firmware page regularly for the latest DavLink software and Davicom firmware downloads.
Software and Firmware numbering follows the A.BC.D format. A change in the first field (A) indicates a new major release. A change in the second field (B) indicates that a new field has been added to the MIP proprietary protocol, while a change in the third field (C) indicates that an existing field has been modified in the MIP protocol. The fourth field (D) indicates that minor enhancements and/or bug fixes have been carried out. Any change in the first 3 fields (A, B or C) will require that you up-convert your Davicom unit configuration to the latest version with the DavicomConfigManager utility software.
Warning: Remote firmware upgrading is NOT recommended because of the risk of disrupting site controls. Communications with the Davicom unit may also be lost.
Note: Davicom users with Operator access levels are not authorized to perform Davicom firmware upgrades.
Note: This section only applies to newer Davicom units. Older Davicom units with a firmware version below 5.00.0 do not support firmware upgrade to version 5.00.0 or higher.
Once the Davicom Firmware and Utilities installation file (DavFWandUtil5XXX.exe) has been downloaded and saved on your PC, double-click it in order to run the Davicom Firmware and Utilities installation program and follow the instructions on the screen. If you are using a Davicom installation CD, insert the CD and click the Davicom Firmware and Utilities icon (
) to start the installation.
Important: Upgrading the Davicom unit firmware erases the unit’s configuration setup. You must therefore have saved your current configuration file (.cfg) beforehand on your computer using DavLink if you wish to keep it. Click the Unit Utility icon (
), select Configuration Transfer and then Download (Unit to PC).
Warning: The connection between DavLink and the Davicom unit must remain intact until the configuration transfer (upload or download) is completed, as indicated by the status bar. Otherwise, all communications with the Davicom unit may be lost for up to one hour.
Warning: Your Davicom configuration file must be compatible with the new firmware version you are installing (3 first digits must match). If they do not match, you will need to convert your configuration file to the same version as your new firmware.
In order to convert the configuration file downloaded on your PC, use the DavicomConfigManager utility. The version of the configuration manager must be the same, or higher, than the version of your new firmware. If you do not have the proper configuration manager utility, download it from the Software & Firmware page .
To upgrade your Davicom firmware, connect your computer directly to the Davicom front panel using a USB or serial cable.
Install the new firmware using DavLink. Click the Unit Utility icon, select Firmware Upgrade and then select the appropriate file for your Davicom unit.
After a successful firmware upgrade, the unit resets and restarts (this may take several minutes). After the start-up timeout (when the Activity LED resumes to its normal blinking mode), reconnect to the unit using DavLink.
Re-install the (up-converted, if necessary) configuration file using DavLink. Click the Unit Utility icon (), select Configuration Transfer and then Upload (PC to Unit).
Previously, after installing new firmware, it was necessary to re-calibrate the Davicom metering inputs. This is no longer required since version 5.44 firmware because the factory calibration is stored in Davicom protected memory. However, if desired or necessary, it can still be done by removing all the 25-pair cable connectors from the rear panel and replacing them with the factory-supplied calibration connectors. Refer to the next chapter for the detailed procedure.
