Upgrading Firmware for a VMAX IP Plus

How to Upgrade Firmware for a VMAX® IP Plus

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Affected Roles:  Administrator

Complexity:  Low to Medium

Last Edit:  October 13, 2022

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Firmware Upgrades

Firmware is a type of computing software that is used in the management and operation of nearly all electronics.  The VMAX® IP Plus™ Series NVR firmware is programmed to allow users to manage camera communication, user interface controls, display, and recording settings for the NVR.

Periodically, the firmware version may need to be upgraded to apply new features, improvements, and other content to the NVR.

This article will outline the process for upgrading firmware for the VMAX IP Plus Series NVR by using File Transfer Protocol (FTP), uploading with a USB stick, or uploading using the Web Admin.

Supported/Affected Devices

• VMAX® IP Plus Series

Upgrading the Recorder Firmware

Firmware upgrades for the VMAX IP Plus Series can be performed directly at the NVR or through the Web Admin with a browser.

Upgrade Using the FTP Function

The FTP upgrade option permits users to upgrade NVR firmware by communicating with an external FTP server over the Internet.  New firmware versions can be downloaded and installed by communicating with the FTP server.

**NOTE:  The FTP function requires a stable network and Internet connection.  If you have not set up the NVR Network settings, please read Network Setup For The VMAX IP Plus.

To upgrade using FTP:

1. Log in as the Admin or as a user with Administrator privileges.

2. Right-click with the mouse and select Menu.  Navigate to the System Information menu.

3. Click the Upgrade button, located next to the current firmware Version.

4. Set the Method to FTP and confirm the following:

• FTP Address:  ftp.dwcc.tv
• User/Password: vmaxipplus (both boxes)

Click the Check button to check for available updates.

5. If a new firmware version has been detected, click the Start button.  The upgrade progress will display in the Progress bar.  Allow the NVR to download and install the update.  Once the upgrade is complete, the NVR will automatically reboot and begin using the new firmware.

Downloading the Recorder Firmware File for USB Upgrade

If you are upgrading the NVR firmware using a USB stick, you must first prepare the new firmware file for uploading.

To download the latest NVR firmware file:

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

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

**NOTE:  The NVR’s part number is located on the sticker located on top of the NVR.

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 the generation of your NVR model. 

You can determine which Version to download with:

• • the first three (3) letters of the serial number (S/N), located on the sticker that is on top of the NVR.
  • the Version number of the firmware that is currently installed. This detail can be found in the System Information menu of the NVR.
  • the first part of the firmware filename (HN-62xx, HN65-xx, DW-VPx vx.x.x.x, etc.)

Model	S/N			Firmware Filename
	1st gen	2nd gen	3rd gen	1st gen	2nd gen	3rd gen
DW-VP9-4P	VP****	NPK09****	FPK09-	HN-6209_dw_v1.xxx	HN-6509_DW_v1.x.x.x	DW-VP09 vx.x.x.x
DW-VP12-8P	VP****	NPK12****	FPK12-	HN-6212_dw_v1.xxx	HN6512_DW_v1.x.x.x	DW-VP12 vx.x.x.x
DW-VP16-8P	VP****	N/A	N/A	HN-6216_dw_v1.xxx	N/A	N/A
DW-VP16-16P	VP****	NPE16****	FPE16-	HN-6316_dw_v1.xxx	HN-6616_DW_v1.x.x.x	DW-VP16 vx.x.x.x

5. Download the correct Version of firmware for your NVR.

If you are performing a USB upgrade, copy the firmware file to a blank USB stick, formatted to either FAT format or FAT32 format.

**NOTE:  DO NOT store the firmware file in a folder. If the new firmware is in a folder, on the USB at the time of upgrade, the NVR will not be able detect the upgrade file.

Upgrade Using a USB Stick

The USB upgrade option permits users to upgrade the NVR firmware by inserting a USB stick and uploading the new firmware file directly to the system.

To upgrade the firmware using a USB stick:

1. Insert the prepared USB stick to the NVR.  There is a USB port located in the front panel and in the rear panel of the NVR.

2. Login to the NVR as the Admin user and right-click with the mouse. Select “Menu” and navigate to the System Information menu.

3. Click the Upgrade button, located next to the current firmware Version.

4. Set the Method to USB, then click on the Scan button.  The NVR will scan for the connected USB and will display its model information in the Device box once detected.

5. Click the Start button.  The upgrade progress will display in the Progress bar.  Allow the NVR to download and install the update.  Once the upgrade is complete, the NVR will automatically reboot and begin using the new firmware.

6. Remove the USB stick once the unit is done rebooting.

Upgrade Using the Web Client

To upgrade the firmware through the web client:

1. Open a web browser and enter the NVR’s IP Address or DDNS address into the address bar.  If the NVR is using a custom Web Port number, you must include the value with the IP address.

For example:  http://192.168.1.80:81

2. Once connected with the NVR’s web client, enter the VMAX IP Plus Administrator User ID and Password to login to the system as the Admin user.

3. After logging in, the web client will likely request to install an ActiveX plugin.  Unless a browser that supports ActiveX is used, video streams will not display through the web client.  Internet Explorer is an example of an approved web browser.

Otherwise, to update the VMAX IP Plus firmware, click the “Setup” button.

4. Once in the web client Setup menu, under the System menu category, select the “Upgrade” tab.

Next, click the “Choose File” button and select the firmware update file.

Click the “Upgrade” button to begin the firmware update.

5. The VMAX IP Plus will then begin to download, then install the firmware update.  Do not disconnect power to the unit or interrupt the update process.  Once complete, the unit will automatically restart.