If your encoder is running firmware version 8.7.2 and above, you may be able to upgrade the firmware using your encoder's local web interface.
There are two reasons to update your modem's firmware:
The modem firmware is occasionally updated to improve the reliability and performance of cellular connections.
There are carrier-specific optimisations (which are often used in North America and Asia) which can also improve your modem's performance. This is known as a PRI file, and will be included within your firmware update package.
Upgrading modems should only be performed locally!!!
There are various reasons an upgrade could fail (e.g. you select the PRI file for the wrong network). During the upgrade, your modem connection will drop temporarily until the upgrade has been successfully applied.
Should you encounter an issue, you may want to repower/reconfigure your encoder which you can't do if you are relying on a (dropped) cellular connection to connect the encoder!
Step 1 - Check if your modem has firmware available
There are several prerequisites and options for obtaining new firmware for your modem. This includes newer firmware, or updated carrier-specific optimisations for your chosen network.
If you have found a new firmware you wish to use, you should have a corresponding ZIP file that you will use in the next step.
General guidance around firmware upgrade/downgrade
The encoder will check the ZIP contains a valid firmware/PRI file and will not allow you to incorrectly apply firmware for a different Sierra Wireless modem.
The encoder does not perform any checks that the PRI file within your ZIP file matches the network/SIM you are currently using. It is possible to use a PRI file that will stop the modem from initialising a connection, or perform poorly.
Applying the wrong PRI file is reversible - just apply a new firmware with a different PRI file.
You can upgrade/downgrade to any of the firmware files currently on the Sierra Wireless Approved Firmware pages. Using older firmware is not supported or recommended and will invalidate your warranty if the update fails. Please contact support in advance if you need guidance on using a firmware not listed.
Step 2 - Upload the new firmware
At this point, you should have a ZIP file from the Sierra Wireless website that matches your model and includes the firmware and PRI file you wish to use.
Log into your encoder's local web interface, and select your modem from the Communications page. On the right-hand menu, there should be a Upload modem firmware menu option:
If the option is not present please check you meet the minimum requirements.
Selecting the option will display the current details for your modem, and allow you to select your modem file:
After selecting your file and pressing Submit the firmware will be uploaded, and if compatible, the upgrade will begin:
This will normally take between 3 and 5 minutes and will cause your modem to drop any current connection. If successful your modem should automatically return to its previous connection state, and the banner will display a success message:
What should I do if my upgrade fails?
The encoder uses the official Sierra Wireless firmware update mechanism and firmware and is tested with known modems and firmware. In our testing it has been possible to upgrade/downgrade from any of the listed approved firmware packages to any other listed however, we can not guarantee this especially when upgrading from/to older firmware.
If your encoder reports that it was unable to upgrade your modem, you can try these steps to see if they help:
Try downloading the firmware from the Sierra Wireless website
Try rebooting the encoder
Try powering off the encoder, waiting 10 seconds, then repowering the encoder
Try disabling the modem as a communication method
Try upgrading to a different firmware first
If you are still unable to update please contact support, and in addition to your encoder modem and firmware provide:
The make and model of your modem
The firmware version and PRI version currently in use
The name of the firmware you are trying to use