ServSwitch User's Manual

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CHAPTER 7: Using the Serial Ports
7.2.3 O PTION 3. R ECEIVE N EW K ERNEL OR M AIN P ROGRAM (U PGRADE F IRMWARE )
NOTE
You must be using a computer rather than a terminal to perform this
function.
Occasionally we might release upgrades to the Matrix ServSwitch’s firmware: either
its kernel (the “operating system,” so to speak) or its main program, or both. If we
do, you will be able to get the upgrade from us and download the new firmware to
your Switch(es). To check which versions of the kernel and main program your
Switch is using, look at “Kernel version” and “Program version” on the diagnostics
screen displayed when you power up the Switch (see Section 3.5.1). You should be
able to get the most recent available versions of these on our Web site at
www.blackbox.com; if you can’t find them, or if you have questions about them,
contact Black Box Tech Support.
To download a flash-upgrade file from the computer to the Matrix ServSwitch
port board you’re communicating with, press 3 at the serial options menu. This
message will appear:
Waiting for file.........................
Send your file using a simple ASCII text-file protocol. While the file is being sent,
the board sends ASCII period characters back to the computer, as shown above, to
indicate copy progress. Once the file has been sent, you should see the message:
Receive successful
Downloaded kernel code [or] Downloaded main code
The new program will now be downloaded from the port board’s receive memory
into its flash memory, and the flash will be reprogrammed. You should see these
messages:
Flash programming.........................
Flash programming successful
Serial options menu