Upgrading Firmware with C3 CMS (Windows)

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Affected Roles:  Administrator, User

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps:  C3™ CMS

Complexity:  Low

Last Edit:  July 29, 2024

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Upgrade Remotely with C3 CMS

With C3™ CMS, firmware can be easily upgraded from your Windows computer, rather than having to physically go to your recording unit to perform the process.

This article will outline how to use the C3 CMS program to remotely upgrade the firmware of a standalone DVR or NVR.

 

**NOTE:  The remote firmware upgrade process is not available for the MacOS version of C3 CMS.

 

Related KB Articles:

• Clean Reinstalling C3 CMS (Windows)
• Installing C3 CMS (Macintosh)
• Adding A Site to C3 CMS

 

Supported/Affected Devices

• VMAX A1 Series (2.1 MP)
• VMAX A1 Plus Series (5 MP)
• VMAX IP Plus Series
• VMAX® IP G4™ Series
• VMAX® A1 G4™ Series

 

Downloading the Firmware File

To upgrade firmware using C3 CMS, download the new firmware file for uploading.

To download firmware files:

1. Open a web browser and visit the DW Resource Library.

 

2. Use the Resource Library and search for your DW product model:
   1. Product Category – click in the drop-down and select the product type, then enter the Part Number of the DW product into the search box. Select your product from the results.
   2. Free Search – enter the product or model number of your product into the search box. Select your product from the results.

 

 

3. After selecting the Part Number, click the Search button.

In the Results, scroll down and locate the “Firmware” section.

 

4. Identify the correct firmware version for your product and download the correct Version of firmware for your DW product.

 

**NOTE:  When upgrading firmware for a VMAX IP Plus, make sure that you are using the correct firmware version for the hardware generation of your NVR.

 

Upgrading with C3EventServer

To upgrade your standalone DVR or NVR through C3 CMS:

1. Launch the C3EventServer application.

 

**NOTE:  The C3EventServer program is included when initially installing the C3 CMS application to a Windows computer.

 

2. The C3 CMS Agent will display.

Click on Health Check.

 

3. The Event Server window will open, then display the Health Check tab.

Select your Site from the Site List or double-click on the site in the Status Window.

 

4. Scroll down and locate the Remote Management section, then click on F/W Upgrade.

 

5. Click on the ellipses (…) button, then select the new firmware file.

Click the Upgrade button to start the backup.

 

6. The DVR or NVR will reboot once the firmware upgrade has been completed.

 

**NOTE:  C3 CMS will not notify you when the upgrade has been completed.  Use the Health Check tool to confirm the currently applied firmware version (FW Version).