Polycom has released the first major software update for the CX7000 Unified Collaboration System for Microsoft Lync.  For details on what this release brings in terms of new features and improved functionality see this article from fellow Lync MVP Adam Jacobs.

Firmware Versions

The currently available versions of software can be downloaded directly from the Polycom CX7000 Support website.

Updates are released in one of two formats: either a complete firmware file (.wim) which overwrites the entire system, or a smaller update file (.pup) which is installed on top of a previous full image.  The smaller update packages are used to deliver more frequent hotfixes and minor functionality advancements, while the full firmware image is used for major releases.

When a full firmware image is applied to the CX7000 it will not overwrite any of the configuration settings so the device does not need to be reprovisioned after any update.  The primary difference between the update types is most evident during a factory reset procedure.  If a factory reset needs to be performed the device will wipe all configuration settings and then revert to the last full firmware image, requiring the re-installation of any previously applied .pup update files.  So if a system running 1.0.2 was factory reset then it would return to the 1.0.1 image, but a system running 1.1.0 will not as when the 1.1.0 image was installed the factory default image was also updated from 1.0.1 to 1.1.0.

The following table highlights all releases for the CX7000 which were made publicly available for installation.

Prior to installing the latest version 1.1.0 package the CX7000 must already be updated to version 1.0.2.  Although the firmware packages are complete images they still require that the existing version is brought up to a specific level prior to installation.  This is due to requirements of the upgrade process on functionality sometimes provided by the previous update.  So although it may be possible to update directly from 1.0.1 to 1.1.0 this is not recommended and is not supported.

Note: All CX7000 devices were originally shipped with 1.0.1.3998 and must have a 1.0.2.x update package applied prior to installing the 1.1.0 image.

Supported Update Processes

The Software Update menu provides up to three different ways to download update files: an FTP server, a Windows Server Share, or a USB drive.

• FTP Site – Any standard FTP server can be used to store the update files on and either anonymous access or user authentication can be used.  To use this option simply select the FTP Site radio button and then enter the full path to the directory where the image files have been downloaded and copied to (e.g. ftp://ftp.schertz/local/cx7000).  By enabling the Require login to access software update package option an additional field will appear so that the username and password required to access the FTP server can be entered.

• Folder on the Network – Any standard Windows SMB network share can be used as a distribution point as well along with Active Directory user credentials to access the share.  As with the FTP option a valid UNC path to the Windows share must be entered (e.g. \\server\share\cx7000) as well as the required login credentials.

• USB Flash Drive – The simplest process is to utilize a USB flash drive to copy the image to the CX7000, but this is a manual process which cannot be used with the automatic download option.  There is actually no checkbox for this option as simply connecting a USB flash drive in the rear panel of the CX7000 while this menu is already open will automatically detect the inserted drive and then prompt to apply any updates found on the disk.

Updating the Firmware

The same process is used regardless of whether the update file is a full image (.wim) or a minor update (.pup).  The system will automatically identify the file type and perform the proper installation type.  The process shown in this article will utilize a USB flash drive but this approach as well as the FTP or Windows Share options are documented in the CX7000 Administrators Guide.

The following process covers updating a CX7000 currently running 1.0.2 with the newest 1.1.0 release but this same process can be used for any past or future firmware or update package.

• Insert a USB flash drive large enough to store the desired update file into a Windows PC and create a folder called CX7000Update at the root of the drive.

• Download the desired image file and copy it into the new CX7000Update folder.  Do not modify the name of the downloaded image file.  If the update was downloaded in a compressed .zip file make sure to save the decompressed file here so that either the .pup or .wim file is stored in the folder.

• From the CX7000 console navigate to the home screen and select Configuration from the Options menu.

• On the Polycom CX7000 Configuration menu select the Admin Settings menu.

• When prompted to enter user credentials enter either the local administrator account (admin) with the password defined during the initial provisioning process or enter the credentials of a Domain Administrator account in the domain that the CX7000 is currently a member of.

• Select Software Update from the Admin Settings screen and then insert the USB flash drive into one of the rear USB ports.  Only the bank of 3 ports in the middle of the device with the gray label should be used.  Do not plug the drive into either the USB ports adjacent to the Ethernet port labeled in orange or the ports labeled in blue (which should be blocked off with plastic covers).

• If the USB drive was successfully detected then the following window will appear.

• Deselect the Copy logs to USB device option and then select the Update software using files on USB device option.  The CX7000 will then look for the the correct CX7000Update folder and if any compatible update files are identified a drop-down menu will appear to select an update file from.

• Select the desired update file and and click OK to begin the update process.

• In the event that a complete firmware image file is used (.wim) and the CX7000 is currently connected to a Windows Domain then the system will prompt for the credentials of a Domain Admin or Account Operator user account to remove the system from the domain.

• At this point the update package will be copied to the system hard drive and can take 5 to 10 minutes for the larger firmware files.

• Once the firmware file is copied down the system will begin to apply it.  Take note that although the status is described as “CX7000 is being restored to Factory Image” this does not indicate that the software is actually being rolled back or all setting are being wiped.

• When this process completes the device will automatically reboot and continue processing the update.

• After the device has returned to the home screen select About from the Options menu and verify that the desired update’s software version is correctly reported.