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Managing AP Software Upgrades

Firmware is the software programmed on devices to make sure the devices run and provide functionality to users. The firmware installed on the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal APs is the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image. When the firmware is upgraded, device performance and functionality is improved through feature enhancements and bug fixes.

ClosedUpgrading the AP Software

When an AP is deployed into the network, it joins an Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal site, which is a group of APs that are configured and managed from a single location. Upon joining the site, the AP automatically syncs its Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image with the software image version configured on the site. Each time the software image is updated on the site, all APs in the site are upgraded to the new software image version. See Scanning for Sites for more information.

ClosedAruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal Image Server

Every version of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image is uploaded and stored in a public cloud-based image server that is hosted by Aruba. The image server always contains the latest version of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software so that you can keep your system up-to-date. See Updating the Software Image on an Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal Site for more details on updating your APs to the latest version of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image.

ClosedUpdating the Software Image on an Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal Site

Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal sites perform automatic image checks on the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal image server every day at midnight (local time). If a new version of the software image is detected on the image server, the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal automatically downloads and saves the software image to your system so that it is readily available whenever you decide to upgrade your firmware. When a new firmware is available, an Update Available notification appears on the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal home page and the Alerts page. If your network loses connectivity and fails to perform an image check, the site will resume its daily image checks after the network comes back up. See Time Zone Settings for more details on setting the local time zone for your Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal site.

Before you begin, make sure the New Software is Available alert is enabled on your device so that you are always notified when a new version of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image is available.

To update to the latest version of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image, follow these steps:

1. Open the Update Available notification from the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal home page or the Alerts page. The New Software is Available alert details page opens.

ClosedVerifying Client Connectivity During Upgrade

APs are automatically rebooted with the new version of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image during a software upgrade. When an AP goes down during the reboot, the wireless clients connected to that AP are either moved to another AP in the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal site or completely dropped from the network. Though this scenario is expected, keep in mind that a firmware upgrade can cause major disruptions for the clients in your network.

ClosedUpgrade Failure

If a software upgrade fails, the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal continues to run the software image version currently installed on the APs. You can continue running the current software image version or try installing the new software image again.

ClosedAruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal Version Check

Not sure which version of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal you are using? Go to the About page in the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal application to check which version of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image is currently running on your APs. See About for more details on the About page.

ClosedIn the Web Application

In the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal web application, select About from the advanced drop-down menu on the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal header. The About page opens, displaying the current Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software version.

ClosedIn the Mobile App

In the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal mobile app, tap the advanced menu () icon on the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal home screen. Select About to open the About screen. The About screen displays the current Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software version and the current Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal mobile app version.

ClosedAruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal Mobile App Compatibility

Though the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal mobile app is backward-compatible with older versions of the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image, the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image is NOT backward-compatible with older versions of the mobile app. If the mobile app installed on your device is older than the Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal software image running on your Aruba OfficeConnect Wi-Fi Portal site, a warning message appears when you attempt to launch the app.

The mobile app can only be launched if it is updated to the latest version. To update the mobile app, click the app store icon that is available below the warning message.

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