CM500 Firmware Upgrades

Upgrade to Version 3.12 or 4.31

Two different firmware upgrades are available for your CM500 meter, depending on the specific model and hardware upgrades that you have installed. Please review the Meter Requirements and Compatibility sections below before attempting to upgrade your CM500.

Introduction

The most popular DOCSIS Cable Modem Signal Level Meters now offer a new VoIP+™ option to verify, test and troubleshoot IP telephony services. Enable your technicians to ensure that quality of voice services exceed your subscriber’s expectations. Provide the voice quality your subscribers expect, with the safety margin that you need, by analyzing the Voice Data MOS and R-Factor on your DOCSIS network.

• DOCSIS 1.1 BPI+ & Packet Cable™ Compatible
• MOS Voice Quality Measurements on the Upstream & Downstream
• Uses DOCSIS 1.1 QoS Service Flows
• Dynamic QoS—no Provisioning
• Measures MOS, R-Factor, Lost Packets, Latency and Jitter
• Compare “best effort” to QoS performance
• Uses Actual Voice UDP/RTP VoIP Frames

See the VoIP+ datasheet for detailed information on the testing capabilities

Firmware version 4.31 adds the ability to upgrade to the VoIP+ option for upstream and downstream measurements of MOS, R-factor, latency, jitter and Lost Packets. Version 4.31 can only be used on CM500s that are DOCSIS 1.1. Version 3.12 should be used on non-DOCSIS 1.1 CM500s. The functionality is the same as 3.12, except for increased throughput capability, VoIP+ option capability and display of the added CPE IP address and CPE gateway. If your network is using DOCSIS 1.1 with BPI+ security a digital certificate must also be installed in your CM500. Digital Certificates can only be installed at the factory or service center. Digital certificates are manufacturers certificates (not self signed).

View the detailed changes in CM500 Version 4.31

Meter Requirements:
The enhancements in version 4.31 require that your meter be DOCSIS 1.1. CM500s shipped after Sept. 1 2004 are DOCSIS 1.1. Meters that have been sent to the factory Service Center since January 1, 2005 have been upgraded to DOCSIS 1.1. You cannot upgrade non-DOCSIS 1.1 CM500s to version 4.31 in the field. Digital certificates cannot be added in the field.

Contact customer service (800-297-9726) to have your meter upgraded to DOCSIS 1.1, a digital certificate installed and firmware version 4.31 upgraded in our Service Center. The DOCSIS 1.1 upgrade and digital certificate is included in the cost of calibration or repair.

Checking DOCSIS Version
To check your meter’s DOCSIS version:

1. Download and install version 5.12 PC-IP Software on your PC.
2. Connect your CM500 to the PCs RS-232 serial port and run the new PC-IP software.
3. Open the GENERAL SETUP icon and click "GET".
4. Read the second line of the SYSTEM INFO section (as highlighted in the picture to the right).
5. If your CM is DOCSIS 1.1 the "H/W Firmware" version number will be followed by a "V" and "DOCSIS 1.1". If your meter is not equipped with DOCSIS 1.1, the H/W Firmware will display the version number only. PC-IP Version 5.0 is backward compatible with older versions of CM500 and CM1000.

Download PC-IP version 5.16 to check your CM500s

My CM500 is DOCSIS 1.1, get more details on Upgrading to 4.31 and download the firmware

My CM500 is not DOCSIS 1.1, get more details on Upgrading to 3.12 and download the firmware

Note: Minor changes to the FTP server setup are also required with version 4.0.

Request Form - CM500IP Firmware

Upgrade to Version 4.31

Firmware version 4.31 adds the ability to upgrade to the VoIP+ option for upstream and downstream measurements of MOS, R-factor, latency, jitter and Lost Packets You may check the current CM500 IP firmware version simply by pressing the SHIFT and then the MENU (SETUP) button on the unit's keyboard. The Firmware Revision number is located on the third line of the display.

• Click here to view the additional Throughput FTP and HTTP Server requirements
• Click here for Flashcard Reader Upgrade (pdf, 650 KB)
• Click here for CM500 Features/Fixes: Upgrade History through 4.0 (pdf, 216KB)
• Click here to download the VoIP+ Option Manual Addendum (pdf 82KB)

Updating your CM500 will also require you to update your PC-IP PC Software to the newest version 5.12 if you have not already done so to check the DOCSIS version. To update your PC-IP software, check the box below: “Please include the PC-IP Update to Version 5.12” before you fill the request form.

• Click here for PC-IP Features/Fixes: Upgrade History through 5.12 (pdf, 250KB)

To take advantage of the dynamic service flow feature, you will also need to update your realMOS Server Software. To update your realMOS software, check the box below: “Please include the realMOS Update to Version 1.3 before you fill the request form. realMOS server software must be purchased separately, but may be used for 30 days before a license key is required.

• Click here for realMOS software upgrade information

Please complete the following form so that you can be notified when other new firmware releases become available (the survey is optional). Submitting the form will automatically start the download of a PC Installation program to your PC. Opening this program will install the software to allow you to upgrade your CM500 IP(s) via the serial port on your PC. Simply follow the "on screen" instructions to install the program and then open and use the upgrade program. Be sure to upgrade both your PCIP software and CM500 Firmware.