KVM Firmware Updates/ upgrade for Video Boards

This firmware procedure is for the video board(s) firmware upgrade only. 

Upgrade Tools List :

  • Windows 7 or 10 computer w/ USB-A port or RS-232 serial port (A 9-pin “D” type, DB-9 port)
  • HyperTerminal, TeraTerm or other serial console programs
  • 16-bit Flash Programmer.exe utility software for the main board
  • Video board firmware utility software for the video board(s)
  • Firmware upgrade cable (an RJ-45-to-DB9 cable, included with each KVM switch)

KVM switch setting to be firmware upgrade ready:

  • Set the hotkey select on the front panel of the KVM switch to <Ctrl> as the default/selected hotkey.

Making the Serial Connection

Step 1: Connect the Cables

Use an RJ45 to DB9 cable to connect the Serial/Control port on the back of the KVM switch to your computer.Firmware Update CableKVM port for serial/control cable

If your computer lacks a serial port, you can use a USB to DB9 active converter cable. 

The active USB-to-serial converter can create a virtual COM port for the computer.

USB-Serial

USB to RS-232 com port converter

Step 2: Find the COM Port

Access Device Manager on your computer, and under “Ports (COM &LPT)” you should find the serial connection to the KVM. In this image, it is the device “Serial On USB Port (COM3)”. Keep track of which COM number the KVM is connected to, and move on to the next step.

 

Device manager

Step 3: Use a Terminal to Confirm Connection and Firmware Version

Any terminal program should work, but for this guide, we will be using Tera Term. Once you have downloaded and installed Tera Term you can use it to send and receive commands with the KVM switch.

Tera Term New Connection Screenshot

Start by selecting Serial and then using the drop-down to select the COM port your KVM is connected to.

Terminal Setup Screenshot

Once you are in the terminal, press the Setup drop-down and select Terminal, make sure Local echo is checked.

Serial Port Setup Screenshot

Press the Setup drop-down again and select Serial port. Change the Baud rate to 115200. Press OK to leave the menu, and then press the reset button on the KVM switch. The terminal should print out the firmware version of the KVM switch.

Now you must close Tera Term to update the firmware.

Updating the Video Firmware

Step 1 : Prepare the video firmware file and video upgrade utility program

Follow the detail procedures on Firmware_upgrade_procedure_VideoPCB_UDP2-12AP_V3.pdf, (The procedure use the 2-port bin file as an example, but the procedure will be the same for 4-port)

  • Download DP12APISPusa.exe  (the ISP programming utility program)
  • The video firmware file  named  UDP_xxx_xxx.bin (in a binary code format)  will be sent
    • via email or
    • via remote download site folder for download.

 

Step 2 : Run Video Upgrade Utility Program

Make sure the COM port of the computer system is not used by other programs or software in the background 

  • RUN DP12APISPusa.exe  (the ISP programming utility program) 
  • Change the connection Interface option from “USB” to “UART”, from “Scan Port” to “COMx”
  • The video firmware file  named  UDP_xxx_xxx.bin (in a binary code format)   to ARPOM file name link
  • Click “Connect” on the top of the program before you physically push the <button 1> and <reset> on the KVM switch
  • push the <button 1> and <reset> , then release the <reset> first , then the <button 1> : The LED of <button 1> will be flashing, 
  • Click the “RUN” on the program to do the firmware update. 
  • When the firmware update completed to 100%, click OK and <disconnect> on the top of the program, 
  • push the <reset> button on the KVM switch to finish the first video board firmware upgrade procedure.
    vide firmware utility

    video firmware utility

    Check the reference video : 

  • video upgrade screens capture link: https://i.imgur.com/BKUezuc.gif  

  • video upgrade procedure :  

 

Check the Video Firmware Version(s)

Check firmware(s) for the 2-port DisplayPort KVM switches

While you have the Tera Term connected to the KVM switch:     For UDP-12AP and UDP2-12AP models. 

  • Push the “reset” button on the front of KVM switch to get the mainboard firmware info. 
  • Push the “reset” button and the <button1> , then release to show video firmware info of video PCB #1
  • Push the “reset” button and the <button2> , then release to show video firmware info of video PCB #2 (for the multi-monitor model only). 
Check firmware(s) for the 4-port DisplayPort KVM switches

While you have the Tera Term connected and a keyboard plug-in to USB DDM port on  the KVM switch:   

 For UDP-14AP and UDP4-12AP models. 

  • Push the “reset” button on the front of KVM switch to get the mainboard firmware info. 

  • using following hotkey to check the firmware version you had loaded to each video board.

    <hotkey><hotkey><u><1> for the video board #1 reading

    <hotkey><hotkey><u><2> for the video board #2 reading

    video firmware info

    video firmware info for UDP-14AP or UDP2-14AP