Turbine Stations - Image recovery

This article describes how to flash a new image on a Zenitel Turbine device ("Compact" and "Extended" versions based on iMX28 processor).

Requirements

• Download and install VS-Tools.msi. The PC application VS-ProductUpgrade is a part of this package. This software runs both a TFTP server, and USB boot of target.
• A DHCP server handing out TFTP address to Turbine board using DHCP Option 66 (TFTP server address)
• A USB Mini B plug cable.
• Access to the physical circuit board.

USB cable with Mini B plug

Optional

The process can be run without these, but it helps monitoring the process.

• A terminal emulator program. PuTTY is recommended
• A USB to Serial cable for serial connection from the PC to the Turbine Compact board

Preparation of the optional USB to Serial converter cable

The Turbine station has a TTL level serial interface to which we can connect during the upgrade process. For this purpose a USB to Serial converter cable can be used. Recommended cable is TTL-232R-3V3, available from Farnell.

This cable needs to be slightly modified as per photo below:

• Pin 1 = Black (GND)
• Pin 2 = Orange (Turbine RX)
• Pin 3 = Yellow (Turbine TX)

Original cable

Modified cable

Insert the USB connector in the PC. The unit will now install itself. Make a note of which COM port number it is assigned to. You will also find it in the Device Manager. Baud rate: 115200.

USB Serial Port in the Device Manager

Setup and connections

Prepare the "VS-ProductUpgrade" application

• Make sure no other TFTP server is running on the PC.
• Launch VS-ProductUpgrade application from Windows start menu (Start > Vingtor-Stentofon > VS-ProductUpgrade).

1. Download the software image for Zenitel Devices based on iMX28. Image: vsft-prod-8.2.3.1.zip
2. Load the software image using the Open Software Image Archive button.
3. Activate tab Production Programming
4. Insert input fields Operator Name, Programming Device and Serial Number.

Your application should look something like below programming a TCIS-1 Station:

The VS-ProductUpgrade application

The Operator Name can be anything (only used in production) Take care to select the correct Programming Device from drop down To reselect Programming Device double click in the label "Programming Device" If not in factory production you can disregard the mac address (only programmed once) Serial number needs to be 4-6 digits/characters and you need to press tab key on your keyboard after entering the serial to get the USB Boot Target button turn green

Prepare the DHCP server

You can use any DHCP server, but you need to be able to configure DHCP option 66/Nextserver (TFTP server address) to point to the IP of the PC running VS-ProductUpgrade.

Example using "DHCP Server for Windows"

This is a simple and easy to use server that works good for this setup. Note! make sure you are not connected to other networks while doing this.

• Download and install from: http://www.dhcpserver.de/cms/
• Configure your computer with static ip 10.0.1.10.
• Configure the DHCP config file

Example of config file dhcpsrv.ini

[SETTINGS]
IPPOOL_1=10.0.1.100-120
IPBIND_1=10.0.1.10
AssociateBindsToPools=1
Trace=1
DeleteOnRelease=0
ExpiredLeaseTimeout=3600
 
[GENERAL]
LEASETIME=86400
NODETYPE=8
SUBNETMASK=255.255.255.0
NEXTSERVER=10.0.1.10
ROUTER_0=10.0.1.1
 
[DNS-SETTINGS]
EnableDNS=0
 
[TFTP-SETTINGS]
EnableTFTP=0
ROOT=C:\Programs\dhcpsrv2.5.2\wwwroot
WritePermission=1

[HTTP-SETTINGS]
EnableHTTP=0
ROOT=C:\Programs\dhcpsrv2.5.2\wwwroot

Notice that parameter NEXTSERVER is set to 10.0.1.10 which in this example is the computer running the VS-ProductUpgrade application. Configure the ROOT path as required

• Start the DHCP Server by running the dhcpsrv.exe

Prepare USB boot from PC

Use the USB Mini B plug cable.

• Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the station (you might leave USB to Serial converter cable connected, so you can view progress on PuTTY)
• Connect one end of the USB cable to the PC
• Push and hold the "Recovery button" on the station (switch S200), and keep it pressed for 5 sec while connecting the USB cable to the station (connector J2 on "Compact, J3 on "Extended")
• The PC should indicate new USB Device

New USB device discovered

• Connect the Ethernet cable to the Turbine station. Now you have the following setup: (The usb-to-serial cable is optional)

Setup - ready to boot from PC

Run USB recovery programming of device(s)

When all above is prepared all is set to start the full clean programming of the device(s).

Phase one - Program the bootloader prepared for auto IP/tftp upgrade

• In the prepared VS-ProductUpgrade Tool press the big green button USB Boot Target
• Watch the progress in the "TFTP Log/Output Console" window in the VS-ProductUpgrade Tool

Output on "TFTP Log/Output Console"

• If serial cable is connected you can also observe the progress and see status in the terminal program
• This programming will finish after just a couple of seconds. You might get a warning message - if so, ignore this message.
• Remove USB and Ethernet cable.

Phase two - Run full tftp image upgrade

• Have the prepared VS-ProductUpgrade running
• Connect the "phase one prepared" board to the PoE switch (do not connect the USB cable)
• The upgrade should now start automatically. Observe the progress in the "TFTP Log/Output Console" window. This process takes a while (typically approx. 4 minutes), so be patient.

Progress shown in the "TFTP Log/Output Console"

• The process is finished when recovery successfully written to flash is displayed.

The board will now reboot, and start in normal operational mode. The board can be accessed through its web interface.