Convert an Established 2G JADConfig System to AMP

May 28, 2025

Overview

JADConfig - released in 2011 and deprecated in 2022 - has assisted countless Installers with configuring Just Add Power systems. Starting with a group of unconfigured hardware, an Installer can build a fully-functional Just Add Power AV over IP matrix switching system in about 30 minutes.

JADConfig systems are still supported and we encourage systems built with JADConfig to remain that way. However, end-of-life or unavailability of switch replacements may make it necessary to convert to Advanced Matrix Programmer (AMP) for the system to remain functioning.

This article provides the instructions for 2G legacy JADConfig installations to transition to AMP.

Requirements

System contains one or more 2G devices on any firmware version
- The system may contain Omega/Ultra devices running in a compatibility-mode with the 2G devices
System is currently built using JADConfig standards. If JADConfig built the system, it meets all of these standards.
The system has one or more switches that have failed, and a replacement switch of the same model CANNOT be acquired. If a replacement switch of the same model can be acquired, the system can continue to function in its current form with no changes needed.
New switch(es) need(s) to be added to the system, and they must be selected from this list (except for Ruckus)
One Omega/Ultra Decoder will be added to the system as Decoder 1 to act as the System Controller. This device will be only a controller, and will not receive AV signals from the rest of the system.

Disclaimer

The process to convert a 2G JADConfig system to AMP will involve a significant investment of time and labor. The required labor involves:

Taking an inventory of the current JADConfig system, including number of switches, number of devices, physical port connections, current IP addresses, and current MAC addresses. It is important to start from a point where all variables are known.
Labeling all devices and wires, disconnecting them from the current defective switch, and reconnecting them to the new switch in an exact order.
Running both JADConfig and AMP softwares in unconventional manners. The conversion process has been tested by Just Add Power Technical Support and we are confident in the procedure when followed exactly as written.
Updating the control system drivers and programming

We estimate an average of 1.5 to 2 days of labor to perform this conversion.

The type of system that is eligible for this conversion was built between 2011 and 2017, and has a maximum resolution of 1080p. It is worth comparing the value of (1) performing this conversion process, or (2) updating the system with new Just Add Power hardware to offer the customer 4K options.

Preparation

Before going to the jobsite to perform the transition, do this:

Download the Convert JADConfig to AMP form and fill out the sections for the switch(es) and devices present in the installation. Performing this inventory will save time on the jobsite during the reconfiguration.
Acquire replacement switch(es) from this list (except for Ruckus)
Acquire one Omega/Ultra Decoder. The lowest cost device able to act as a System Controller is the ST1, but any Omega or Ultra Decoder can be the System Controller.

Fillable Form

This PDF assists with inventory of the current JADConfig system before converting to AMP. The more entered here, the easier the conversion will be.

This Excel spreadsheet assists with inventory like the above form, but has calculations that automatically determine where to move devices to in the AMP system.

Reconfiguration Instructions

It is important to follow these steps carefully, as converting from 2G JADConfig to AMP requires device labeling, cables disconnecting, wires moving, cables reconnecting, control system drivers updating, and IPs changing.

Get an initial inventory of the system with the Convert JADConfig to AMP form
- System-wide details
  - Replacement switch model
  - Switch IP address
  - Network subnet mask
  - Router IP
- Going one port at a time, identify the device connected to each port:
  - Encoder or Decoder
  - MAC address - available in the webUI of the device under the Information tab. We either need the MAC address OR the current IP address of the device. This is necessary for identifying the devices later.
  - Current IP address - available through JADConfig --> Test System --> Test Static Route. We either need the MAC address OR the current IP address of the device. This is necessary for identifying the devices later.
  - Input/Output number - available through the control system driver. This enables us to map the current JADConfig physical connections to the future AMP physical connections.
  - Name of the source or display it is connected to - to assist with identifying the device. Optional.
- Decide if you want to add extra ports for future Encoders or Decoders, and write down how many of each. It is much easier to add a device if the port on the switch is already configured.
  - We are already adding one new Omega/Ultra Decoder as Decoder 1 to act as the System Controller.
Label the network cables connected to the switch according to Data connection, Encoder Number, or Decoder Number
- Before the conversion
  - Port 1 is connected to the data network. Label this cable "Network Uplink"
  - Encoder 1 is connected to port 2. Label this cable "Encoder 1".
  - Continue labeling all Encoders.
  - Decoder 1 port connection depends on the number of Encoders. Once you identify it, label the cable "Decoder 1.
  - Continue labeling all Decoders.
  - Change the label on "Decoder 1" to become the last Decoder in the system. (For example, if there are 10 2G Decoders in the system, Decoder 1 becomes Decoder 11)
    - This Decoder must move to a new location to make room for the new Omega/Ultra Decoder to become Decoder 1.
  - HDMI cables can remain connected throughout this process. Only the network cables will be moved.
Move the Network Uplink from port 1 of the old switch to the last port of the new switch
Connect your Windows PC to the same network as the new switch(es)
Run AMP. Select Build & Expand --> Build New.
- Enter the project name and select your wired network adapter. Move to the next page.
- Enter the new switch manufacturer and model, and assign IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. Move to the next page.
- Assign Decoder ports and Encoder ports for each switch according to the inventory performed earlier. Add one port for the Omega/Ultra System Controller, plus any expansion ports you decided to add. Move to the next page.
- Download the discovery configuration - the file that begins with dc - from AMP, and go to the webUI of each switch to upload the discovery configuration (instructions here). Move to the next page.
- Patch all Decoders and Encoders except the System Controller to the new switch using the diagram in AMP. The Convert JADConfig to AMP form will be integral to success on this step.
  - Port 1 is open, because we are NOT connecting the System Controller yet. We will connect it later.
  - Decoder 2 on the form connects to port 2 on the switch in the diagram. Decoder 3 connects to port 3, et cetera.
  - Encoder 1 on the form connects to the first Encoder port on the switch in the diagram. This port is variable, as it depends on the number of Decoder ports. Continue with Encoder 2 and beyond in the same way.
On the AMP top-left menu, select File --> Open Projects Folder
- File Explorer will open to the Project folder
- Navigate to the folder with the project name you entered
- Navigate to the Switch Configs folder
- Copy each final configuration file - beginning with the name jp - to your desktop. There will be one file per switch in the system. We will use these later. Example file name: jp_1_4248p_192-168-0-11.txt
Close AMP while on the Patching page by clicking the X in the top-right corner. It is important that you DO NOT move forward to Discover.
Run JADConfig. Select Firmware Update Only --> Standalone.
- Select the wired network adapter for your PC
- Allow JADConfig to discover devices and update firmware
- Close JADConfig
Connect the Omega/Ultra System Controller to Port 1 on the switch
Run AMP again. Select Build & Expand --> Add Device --> Off-Site
- Select the wired network adapter for your PC and click Go!
- All 2G devices and the System Controller will be discovered. 2G devices are at their JADConfig IP addresses. The Omega/Ultra System Controller will probably be at 169.254.x.x.
- DO NOT UPDATE FIRMWARE on any devices. The Omega/Ultra System Controller most likely needs a firmware update, but it will be done later.
Using the Convert JADConfig to AMP form, use Set New IP to apply the AMP-compatible IPs to every Just Add Power device
- In AMP, look for the IP address or MAC address of a device. Match that IP/MAC to a device on the form along with its new connection and IP
- Once the device is identified, select Set New IP and ensure the Just Add Power Subnet for all devices is set to 172.27.0.0/16.
  - For a Decoder, select the Switch and Port the device is connected to
  - For an Encoder, select the Encoder Number
- Once all devices have their new IP assigned, click Configure. On the popup, click Finish to return to the main menu.
Close AMP when all devices have been configured.
Login to the webUI of each switch and upload the final configuration - the file that begins with jp from earlier - to the startup-config. Reboot the switch afterwards. (instructions here).
Login to the webUI of the router in the system and apply a Static Route to the router to be able to reach the Just Add Power devices at their new settings. The static route settings are:
- Destination IP: 172.27.0.0
- Netmask: 255.255.0.0
- Gateway: IP address of the switch (in this example, the switch IP is 192.168.0.11)
Login to the webUI of the System Controller to update it to the latest firmware version.
- Navigate to the firmware update section
- Browse through your PC to C:\Program Files (x86)\Just Add Power\Advanced Matrix Programmer\resources\firmware and then to the folder that begins with B. That is firmware for the System Controller.
- Select the firmware file that matches the model of Omega/Ultra device you are using.
- Wait for the firmware update to finish.
This marks the end of the AMP conversion, and the Just Add Power system is ready to go.
Continue on to update the control system drivers as needed.