UltraMatrix firmware upgrade instructions
The UltraMatrix has flash programmable memory. This means
its firmware may be reloaded, to support new features or fix
any problems in its operation. This is the procedure to install
new firmware in the UltraMatrix.
You will need the following items to complete the new firmware
installation:
- A computer with a terminal emulator program. This computer
must not be attached to the UltraMatrix that is being upgraded,
because while the upgrade is in progress the UltraMatrix
does not provide KVM signals. You can use a laptop or temporarily
disconnect a computer from the switch and connect a keyboard,
monitor, and mouse directly to the computer.
- The serial cable that came with the UltraMatrix. Hopefully
you haven't discarded it in the UltraMatrix packing materials.
- The upgrade files retrieved from the Rose web site loaded
on the computer. Read more in step 1 below.
The example below is given for Windows using the HyperTerminal
terminal emulator that comes with Windows. However you may
use any terminal emulator on any platform to get the same
results.
You can download them from the UltraMatrix
firmware download page. There are two program files, one
a program (the UltraMatrix application) and the other a kernel
(the UltraMatrix BIOS).
To check if you have the latest firmware You can read
it from the top line of the UltraMatrix configuration menu
accessed by using Left Control-F12. To read the kernel version
you have to turn the switch off and back on and look at the
power on diagnostics splash page from a monitor attached to
the switch. The same information on the splash page is also
sent to the serial port on power up. See Figure 1 below which
shows a kernel version of KX19C and a program version of MX21A,
these correspond to the file name MXK19C.HEX and MXP21A.HEX.
We recommend upgrading to the latest versions of both the
kernel and program. You can upgrade one or both in the same
session. When upgrading both files it is recommended to load
the kernel file first and the program file second, but it
really doesn't matter. That is the example given here. You
don't ever have to reload the same version of the kernel or
program when changing the other.
Figure 1. Power-on diagnostics from serial port
Each card on the UltraMatrix has several small RJ-style
serial ports on the rear connector panel of any UltraMatrix.
The picture on the left shows one of the serial ports
with a red circle around it. Your UltraMatrix model may
look different. Connect the serial cable provided to any
one of the RJ connectors and the DB9 female to the serial
port on your PC. Observe if it is COM1 or COM2 because
you will need to know in the next step. |
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Figure 2. Identifying the serial port
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If you are not familiar with HyperTerminal, it is usually
located in Program-Accessories-Communications. Run it and
set the baud rate to 9600,N,8,1. Use the direct to COM1 or
COM2 setting.
If you know how to use HyperTerminal go to step 4. Otherwise
a quick refresher on HyperTerminal here may save you a little
time. You can not configure HyperTerminal if a connection
session is active, therefore you must first disconnect by
using Call-Disconnect or the icon on the tool bar.
To set the baud rate use File-Properties and the Connect
To tab. Set Connect using: to Direct to COM1
or Direct to COM2. Then use Configure and set the bits
per second: (baud rate) to 9600, Data bits:
to 8, Parity: to None, Stop bits:
to 1, and Flow control: to None. In order
to activate the setting you must reconnect using Call-Connect
or the icon the tool bar. Other settings such as emulation
are don't care.
To do this power off the switch and back on and hit the space
bar within five seconds. The screen should look like figure
3 below. The UltraMatrix serial options menu is a straightforward
simple menu to choose 8 possible options.
Figure 3. Accessing the serial options menu
5. Optional step - increase the baud rate
The serial options menu has two possible speeds of operation
9600 and 57600. If you don't like to wait while sending files
then you should increase the baud rate. Choose 2) Change
the serial port baud rate, and you will get the following
message.
Enter choice --> 2
Baud rate changed to 57600
Set baud rate of your terminal to 57600 and press return
Now reconfigure HyperTerminal to 57600 baud by doing: Call-Disconnect-File-Properties-Configure-57600-OK-OK-Call-Call.
Then hit the enter key and you will back to the serial options
menu at the new 57600 baud rate. Now file loading to the UltraMatrix
will be six times faster. If you want to you can save this
option with option 7 and the next time you access the options
menu it will be at 57600 baud.
6. Send the file to the UltraMatrix
Finally we are ready to actually send the file to the
UltraMatrix. We will be using option 3) Receive new
main program or kernel from serial port to load the file
to the UltraMatrix. Press 3 and you will see the following:
Enter choice --> 3
Flash download requested
Waiting for file
The switch is now waiting for the file and we must send the
file from HyperTerminal. Go to Transfer-Send Text File. Change
the Files of type: to All files (*.*) because
the file name has a .hex extension and not a .txt extension.
Browse for the file (wherever you put it) and click on it.
In this example we are using the kernel file. As HyperTerminal
sends the file the UltraMatrix sends progress indicator dots.
The number of dots is representative of the file size. The
kernel file is shorter and is less dots
Waiting for file ...............
The UltraMatrix is checking each line of the hex file for
proper formatting and checksum errors. If it gets any it will
report them, but this is rare. If you got errors, the most
likely problem is a cable problem. Otherwise when the file
is fully received the UltraMatrix reports what is received
(kernel or program), programs the flash memory, reports the
result, and returns to the Serial options menu.
Waiting for file ........................................
Receive successful
Downloaded kernel code
Flash programming ..............
Flash programming successful
7. Copy the file to the other cards
In this example we have just loaded a new kernel to the
card to which the serial cable is attached. Now we are ready
to load the new kernel from this card to all the other cards
in the system including the cards in the unit's own box. We
assume that the system had been functioning and all the other
boxes are turned on. We use option 5) Send this unit's
kernel to other units. Enter 5 and you will see the following
message:
Enter choice --> 5
Boards to update = 7
You are about to copy the firmware from this board
to all the other boards in the system.
Are you sure ? Y/N
The card is identifying how many other cards are installed
in the system and asking you to verify if this is the correct
number of cards. This is the total number of cards minus 1.
If the number is not correct say N for no and troubleshoot
why the number is incorrect. Make sure all units are powered
on. The flash load procedure should only be done on one card
at a time. If the number is correct enter Y for Yes
and you will get the following message:
Sending flash program code to other units .......
You are returned to the serial options menu. All other cards
now are shut down for the flash procedure, If they have KVMs
attached you can follow the progress as you see the message
on the screen in Figure 4. The other cards are then rebooted.
Figure 4. The other cards receive the new flash
data
8. Flash the other file if needed
You have successfully loaded a new kernel file. If you
need to load the program file, you need to repeat steps 6
and 7. Of course it could have been that you just loaded a
new program file and the kernel remained the same in which
case the flash procedure is complete. Enter option 8 to exit.
You should verify that the new firmware has been loaded successfully.
To do so, go to the System Status page from the Left Control-F12
menu. Look in the rev column and you should see the new firmware
listed for all cards. Enjoy the new operation of the switch
and let us know what other features you would like to see
in the switch.
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