I've ordered a new XT panel to replace my existing XT panel and tried to move the existing programmed SD card over to the replacement unit, but now my ethernet based connections don't work (showing ! error symbols for everything using that ethernet connection). This FAQ post does not apply when replacing an older XPR or XPR2 model with a newer XT model.
This loss of ethernet connectivity could be caused by normal things like a bad ethernet cable or connections, changes to the local network or switch, or even corrupted project information on the SD card, so those possibilities should not be overlooked. However, this post is specific to having an older model XT panel that was working, and simply replacing it with a newer XT panel and moving the old SD card over to the new XT panel. In theory, that should work with no issues as all of the ethernet settings and project settings are included on that SD card and if the two panels are of the same hardware level this will work as expected.
However, a limiting factor will be the vintage of the old XT panel relative to the replacement XT panel. On the rear of the XT panels, there will be a smaller secondary label near the bottom. See the pictures below as examples. There will be a rev letter that calls out the hardware level. With the Rev B hardware, there were changes to the motherboard and bios that will prevent you from simply moving an older SD card over if it was from a Rev A hardware unit.
If this is the case, it is recommended you use the 'new' SD card that ships with the XT panel and configure the 'new' XT panel for the ethernet settings you need and then transfer the Xpress project over to the 'new' SD card or to the panel directly via an ethernet connection. The programming tool Xpress Manager is used to do project transfers whether to the SD card directly using an SD card reader or via an ethernet connection.
Older "Rev A" hardware:
Newer "Rev B" hardware:
More Details
The problem stems from the existing SD card already having been set up for the older motherboard and bios and because those settings have already been saved on the card, it will not automatically recognize the LAN ports on the newer motherboard/bios design. The only way to force the old SD card to work, is basically force it to 'forget' those remembered settings.
The older SD card can be made to work, but this will require running the 4.1 flashback utility on the 'old' SD card to set it to factory default, then booting it up in the newer XT unit. Make sure the option to 'Preserve Project Folder' is unchecked so it doesn't retain anything from its old programming. Since it is factory default now, it won't have those 'remembered' settings and will recognize the new design and store the new settings on that first power up.
Since you are in the Xpress Shell on that XT screen, go ahead and configure the replacement XT for your required ethernet addressing settings. After this, you can then go back and transfer your Interact Xpress project to the SD card using Xpress Manager. This is extra work versus simply configuring the 'new' SD card for your required ethernet settings and then transferring your project down via Xpress Manager.
Note - if you are transferring your project down from Xpress Manager to the replacement XT unit then you don't need to worry about the issues reported here and any ethernet connection issues will be from more ordinary conditions, such as bad cable, network issues, or simply ethernet addressing issues ( you haven't configured the XT for its own ethernet address yet - which is not part of the project you transfer down from Xpress manager ). This only applies to cases where the existing SD card is moved over to the replacement panel.
glh Feb 2022
