Upgrading Polycom Video Software VSX Series, V500, ViewStation ...

Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
December 2004
Edition: 3725-22505-001/A
By upgrading your Polycom software or by purchasing additional system options, your
organization continues to benefit from the latest video conferencing technology.
When you purchase a software upgrade or additional system options, you must activate
the software and options before you can use them. To do this, you first need to obtain
software and option key codes. Polycom generates the key codes for your specific system
based on the system serial number and, (in some cases) the option license number you
received when you purchased the options. Key codes are unique, and you can use them
only on the system for which they were generated.
Your key codes are valid for the software and options you purchased and also for any
patches for that release that may later become available.
Once you have your key codes, you can download the Softupdate file and prepare to install.
If your organization includes a number of systems, you can choose to use a Windows®
batch file or Polycom’s Global Management System to upgrade multiple systems at one
time.
To activate and install Polycom video conferencing software upgrades and options , you
must:
1. Collect your system option license numbers
2. Obtain key codes
3. Download the Softupdate file
4. Install the software and options
Each of these steps is described in the following sections.

Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
Collecting Option License Numbers and System Serial
Numbers
Before you can upgrade, you need to provide Polycom with your option license number
and/or system serial numbers.
❑ Option license numbers are sent to you when you purchase the options.
❑ The system serial number is found on the System Information screen and on a label on
the bottom of the system.
If your organization includes multiple systems, you may want to obtain key codes from
Polycom for all of the systems at one time. To do this, you first need to create a text file
(called a License Number-Serial Number file) that contains the license numbers and serial
numbers of the systems you are upgrading.
Use this format for each file:
license number system serial number
For example, a License Number-Serial Number file might look like this:
K1000-000-000-5001 82040903F01AB1
K1000-000-000-5003 82043604G18VR2
K1000-000-000-5008 82034064D18DAK
Obtaining Key Codes
When you have collected the license numbers and the system serial numbers , you are
ready to obtain key codes. If you are both upgrading software and installing system
options, you’ll need a key code for each.
You can obtain key codes before you install, or you can let the Softupdate application
obtain all of the key codes for you. This section describes how to get your key codes before
you install. If you decide to let Softupdate obtain your key codes, go to the next section.
❑ Software key codes for VSX Series upgrades for the version 7.5 release have already
been generated. You only need to retrieve the code.
❑ Options key codes for the VSX Series and system options key codes for ViewStation®
EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 must be generated. To do this, you need to submit
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
your system serial numbers to Polycom. Polycom then generates the numbers you
need.
❑ ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 software upgrades do not require key
codes.
Obtaining Key Codes for a Single System
To obtain your key codes before you install:
1. Using a web browser, go to www.polycom.com/videosoftware and click
Polycom Resource Center (PRC).
2. Log in to the Polycom Resource Center.
Note that you will need to set up a PRC account, if you don’t already have one.
3. Click Product Activation, and then do one of the following:
To get key codes for... Do this...
VSX software upgrade Click Retrieve Key Code and enter the serial number.
VSX system options
ViewStation system options
4. The activation key code displays on the screen. Make a note of this number.
Obtaining Key Codes for Multiple Systems
To obtain key codes for multiple systems:
1. Using a web browser, go to www.polycom.com/videosoftware and click
Polycom Resource Center.
2. Log in to the Polycom Resource Center.
Note that you will need to set up a PRC account, if you don’t already have one.
3. Click Product Activation, and then click Attach File. Sspecify the Software
License Number-Serial Number file or Options License Number-Serial
Number file you created in the section Collecting Option License Numbers and
System Serial Numbers.
4. Polycom will email you text files that contain the activation key codes for
software and options.
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Enter your serial number and license number (if you purchased options)
and then click Generate Key Code.

Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
Downloading the Software
1. Using a web browser, go to www.polycom.com/videosoftware and click
Polycom Resource Center (PRC).
2. Log in to the Polycom Resource Center.
Note that you will need to set up a PRC account, if you don’t already have one.
3. Click the Downloads tab and then click on the product family for which you
want to want to obtain an upgrade.
4. Download the software.
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
Installing the software and options
Installing a Software Upgrade and System Options on a Single System
1. From a PC, double-click the Softupdate file to start it.
2. Enter the IP address and admin password for the system you want to update,
and follow the prompts on the screen to enter this information:
Setting Description
IP Address Address of the system to update.
Admin Password Password set for the system, if any.
Update software Lets you install new software on the system.
Enable system options Lets you enable optional features, such as Polycom
People+Content IP, on the system.
Software key If you have a software key, lets you:
• Type in the software activation key
• Specify the location of an Activation Key file that contains the
software activation key for this system
If you need to get a software key, lets you:
• Get a key from the Polycom Resource Center. You need:
- Internet access
- PRC user name and password
- License number or location of a License Number file
Option key Lets you do one of the following to enter a key:
• Type in the option activation key
• Specify the location of an Activation Key file that contains the
option activation key for this system
Lets you do one of the following to get a key:
• Get a key from the Polycom Resource Center. You need:
- Internet access
- PRC user name and password
- License number or the location of a License Number file
• Retrieve a key for options purchased previously. You need:
- Internet access
- PRC user name and password
Save my Directory or Address Book
entries
Lets you save your entries for use after the update.
Save my current system settings Lets you save settings such as the color scheme.
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
Installing Software Upgrades and System Options on Multiple Systems
If your organization includes a number of systems, you may decide to use a Windows batch
file or Polycom’s Global Management System to upgrade multiple systems at one time. If
you do this, you must create a file that contains the license numbers or activation key codes.
Creating license number or activation key code files
Before you can use a command-line batch file or Global Management System’s Soft Update
function, you need to create one of these files.
❑ Activation key file: Text file that contains the software or option license numbers,
system serial numbers, and activation key codes for one or more systems. Polycom
generates this file in response to your request for activation key codes. Note that each
file contains either software licenses and key codes or option licenses and key codes,
but not both.
License Number Serial Number Activation Key
❑ License number file: Text file that contains the numbers that Polycom emails you
when you purchase updates for one or more systems. You can post this file on your
network so that users can access the license numbers. To create the file, copy the
information in the email and paste it into a text file.
License No.Command-line OptionsLicense
TypeProduct ID Order No.
Updating multiple systems using a Windows batch file
You can update multiple systems from the command line by creating a Windows batch file.
The batch file should contain a line for each system to be updated.
Use the following format for each line. Note that file paths should not contain spaces.
Softupdate_IP_address [option:argument] [option:argument] ...
Option Arguments Systems Description
-p :password All Supplies admin password (if one is set).
Example: -p:updA1T3
-f :filename All Supplies path and filename of the log file. If none is specified, the log is created
in the same directory as Softupdate.
Example: -f:c:\temp\log.txt/
-fa All Deletes the Directory or Address Book entries.
-fs All Deletes the current system settings.
-q All Runs the update in quiet mode.
-m All Runs the update in passive mode.
-d :dataport All Specifies the port to use for data transfer.
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
Software activation key codes
-ksb :SoftActivationKeyFile VSX Specifies the location of the activation key file generated by Polycom. If no path
is specified, Softupdate looks in the current working directory.
Format: LicenseNumber SerialNumber ActivationKey.
Example: -ksb:c:\temp\SWactivationkeycodes.txt
-ksc :SoftwareKey VSX Specifies the activation key generated by the PRC for a system.
Example: -ksc:U3E4-7FED-A0A0-0000-0001
Option activation key codes
-kb :OptionActivationKeyFile VSX
FX
EX
V4000
-kc :OptionActivationKey VSX
FX
EX
V4000
Option license numbers
-kf :OptionLicenseNumFile VSX
FX
EX
V4000
-kl :OptionLicense VSX
FX
EX
V4000
PRC access
-ku :PRCUserName VSX
FX
EX
V4000
-kp :PRCPassword VSX
FX
EX
V4000
ViewStation FX
Specifies the location of the option activation key file generated by Polycom. If
no path is specified, Softupdate looks in the current working directory.
Format: LicenseNumber SerialNumber ActivationKey
Example: -kb:c:\temp\activationkeycodes.txt
Specifies the option activation key generated by the PRC for a system.
Example: -kc:KDE5-F4DF-55A0-0000-0001
Specifies the location of the option license number file. If no path is specified,
Softupdate looks in the current working directory.
Format: LicenseNumber SerialNumber ActivationKey
Example: -kf:c:\temp\licenses.txt
Specifies the option license number for a system.
Example: -kl:K1000-0000-0000-5002
User name to access the Polycom Resource Center. (Requires Internet access.)
Example: -ku:jjohnson
Password to access the Polycom Resource Center. (Requires Internet access.)
Example: -kp:QRST0123
-dhcpallow FX Enables the DHCP server on the system.
-dhcpdisallow FX Disables the DHCP server on the system.
-ks FX Do not update software on the system.
-ko FX Do not update options on the system.
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
Using Global Management System to update multiple systems
If your organization uses the Polycom Global Management System to manage systems on
your network, you can use it to update multiple systems.
To update multiple systems, the Global Management System must be running version 6.11
or later software.
1. Log on to the Global Management System screen.
2. Click Software Update, and select the systems you want to update.
3. Click Configure SoftUpdate.
4. Choose the Device Type, and click Upload.
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
5. Enter the following information, and then click OK.
Setting Description
Update requires key file Specifies that the update requires an activation key for each software
and option update
SoftUpdate file to upload Specifies the software to upload
SoftUpdate key file to upload Specifies the location of the activation key file you received when
you activated your software through the Polycom Resource Center.
See the section Creating license number or activation key code files
for more information.
Description for uploaded file Optional information about the activation key files.
Important Terms
Activation Numbers
License number
6. From the main Global Management System screen, click Update to begin the
update.
Number that you receive when you purchase a system option. Option license numbers
have the following format:
Options license:K0000-0000-0000-0000-0000
Serial number
Key code
Unique number that identifies your system. You can find the serial number on the System
Information screen. The serial number also appears on a label on the bottom of the unit.
Number that activates software or options on a specific system. Polycom generates the
activation key code when you submit the license number and the system’s serial number.
Note that this number is valid only on the system for which it was generated.
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
Types of Files
License Number file
Text file that you create withlicense informatin that Polycom emails you when you
purchase updates for one or more systems. You can post this file on your network so that
users can access the license numbers. To create the file, copy the information in the email
and paste it into a text file.
License No. Command-line Options License Type
Product ID Order No.
Software License Number-Serial Number file / Option License Number-Serial
Number file
Text file that contains the list of software or option license numbers emailed to you by
Polycom matched with the serial numbers of the systems you want to update. You can
submit this file to Polycom in order to activate all software and options at one time.
License Number Serial Number
Activation Key file
Text file that contains the license numbers, system serial numbers, and activation key codes
for one or more systems. Polycom generates this file in response to your request for
activation key codes. You can post this file on your network so that users can access the
necessary activation key codes from this file. GMS can also use this file as input for
updating systems.
License Number Serial Number Activation Key
Command-line Update file
Windows batch file that you can create to update multiple systems from the command line.
You can use command-line options to customize the update for your needs.
SoftUpdate filename Command-line Options Activation Key
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
Copyright Information
© 2004 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without
the express written permission of Polycom, Inc.
LICENSE TERMS
The free distribution and use of this software in both source and binary form is allowed (with or without changes) provided that:
1. distributions of this source code include the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer;
2. distributions in binary form include the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
documentation and/or other associated materials;
3. the copyright holder's name is not used to endorse products built using this software without specific written permission.
DISCLAIMER
This software is provided 'as is' with no explicit or implied warranties in respect of its properties, including, but not limited to, correctness and
fitness for purpose.
Polycom, Inc. retains title to, and ownership of, all proprietary rights with respect to the software contained within its products. The software is
protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provision.
Trademark Information
Polycom®, the Polycom logo design, and ViewStation® are registered trademarks of Polycom, Inc. Global Management System and VSX are
trademarks of Polycom, Inc.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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Upgrading Polycom Video Software
VSX Series, V500, ViewStation FX, ViewStation EX, VS4000
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