Pros and Cons - Automating Firmware Updates
Author: Ethan Ace, Published on Jul 01, 2015
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Comments (9)
Paul Curran
Updating firmware is a good idea, but you are best sandboxing some camera first as a trial. Also factor in you may / will need to update the VMS in some cases. :)
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Scott Sheldrake
Typical scenario : Problem with Axis camera and Exacq VMS
Step 1. Call Axis tech support who immediately insists you must upgrade the camera firmware. Upgrading firmware does not solve issue (has it ever?)
Step 2. Hang up with Axis, call Exacq tech support who immediately blames the camera firmware which is newer than what they have tested and officially support.
Step 3. Upgrade Exacq client/server out of sheer frustration. Recording breaks completely, or other problems appear.
Step 4. Submit trouble tickets to everyone.
Step 5. Wait 6 months, other companies submit similar tickets. Both companies fix bugs with updates. Upgrade furiously.
Step 6. Take note of magical combination of working camera firmware and VMS software. NEVER LOSE THIS INFORMATION. HOLD ON TO IT FOR DEAR LIFE.
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Michael Miller
For most of our large customers the system is off line with no WAN access so automatic updates from the web don't work out so well. Automatic firmware updates on the other hand are a huge time saver.
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Glynn Thomas
I have noticed some cameras when firmware update revert to default settings.
Particually annoying as then have to go through the camera settings and readjust
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Irina Manea
I consider that software update is a must. However i would have some of the following conditions met:
- posibility of programing this automated update. for example in the morning when there is no activity
- not using the newest software (on version older)
- update only 1/3 of the system. monitor for 1-2 month and than update all
- make sure you can downgrade easily
- save all config from the old setup (cameras and VMS)
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Andrew Thomas
When Juniper issued automatic updates to routers in the past, It all but killed Blackberry for several days. A well designed an secure camera network, isolated from internal and external networks should only need firmware updates to address a measurable issue, or to gain a feature, or improve reliability. I do think keeping firmware current is important, but an uncontrolled update makes no sense. Imagine your best client with 100 cameras that factory reset to the same default IP address. Upgrading firmware, software upgrades, feature enhancements, can all be sold as part of a maintenance support plan.
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