Flowire Software Upgrade Procedure

This article describes how to upgrade the software in Flowire devices.

There are different ways, depending on how old the current software is:

• If the current software is 4.x.x.x, the upgrade can be done from the web page of the Flowire unit, or by using the VS-IMT tool
• If the current software is 1.2.1, the upgrade must be done via the serial interface of the Flowire unit

Upgrading from software version 4.x.x.x

Upgrade via the Flowire wWeb Interface

Flowire units with software version 4.x.x.x can be upgraded through the web interface of the Flowire.

The Flowire units are automatically assigned an IP address from the network if there is a DHCP server present.

If there is no DHCP server on the network, the Flowire units will by default have a static IP address 169.254.1.10. In this case there will be mutiple Flowire units wth the same 169.254.1.10 IP address on the network, and you need to isolate the Flowire units one by one in order to access the web interface.

Although it is not necessary for the Flowire to perform its function, it is good practice to change the static IP to something unique at the same time, for easier maintenance in the future.

Prerequisites

• TFTP Server: This upgrade method require that an TFTP Server is available. A TFTP Server program can be downloaded from http://tftpd32.jounin.net.
• Software package: The latest software package must be downloaded from the download site. Unzip the files to a folder.

Physical Setup

• Connect the PC to the switch using an ethernet cable
• Connect the Flowire to the switch using an ethernet cable
• Connect the power supply to the Flowire unit

Physical setup

TFTP Server Setup

• Start the TFTP server and Browse to the folder where the software files are stored. Choose the PC LAN port as the server interface:

TFTP server setup

Upgrade through web interface

Use a standard web browser and enter the IP address of the Flowire (e.g. 169.254.1.10) in the address field.

Flowire upgrade - enter TFTP server address

Enter the TFTP server IP address and select Upgrade.

Upgrade: Upgrades the software and keeps all custom settings
Full Upgrade: Upgrades the software and performs a reset to factory settings

Upgrade using IMT

Content will come..

Upgrade from software version 1.2.1

Flowire units running software version 1.2.1 must be upgraded via its serial interface.

Requirements

The following equipment is required to perform the upgrade:

• TFTP server, for example Tftpd32 or Tftpd64 by Ph. Jounin (http://tftpd32.jounin.net)
• Telnet software, for example PuTTY by Simon Tatham (http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/)
• A network switch
• USB-Serial cable with JTAG connector*
• Flowire unit with power supply
• Software for the Flowire. Download the software here.

USB-Serial cable

A special USB to Serial cable has to be used for the software upgrade. The cable can be made out of two items:

• An USB to RS232 cable with 3,3V TTL level. For example: http://au.element14.com/ftdi/ttl-232r-3v3/connector-type-a/dp/1329311
• A ribbon cable. Suggested type: http://no.farnell.com/harwin/m50-9011042/receptacle-to-dip-150mm-20way/dp/2289813

With these two items, make an adapter cable which connects the debug connector of the Flowire to the USB port of the PC:

Flowire cable

• On the Flowire, connect to these pins:
  • Pin 7: GND
  • Pin 8: TX (Transmit) – Connect this to Rx on the serial cable
  • Pin 16: RX (Receive) – Connect this to Tx on the serial cable

Flowire pinning

PC setup

• Set the IP address of your computer to 169.254.1.2, subnet mask 255.255.255.0:

Set static IP address 169.254.1.2 on your PC

• Connect the USB-Serial cable to the USB port of the PC
• In the Control Panel, open the Device Manager to see which serial port has been assigned. It will be listed under Ports (COM & LPT) as USB Serial COM port #x, where x represents the COM port number. Double click it and change the port settings from 9600 baud to 115200 baud.

TFTP server setup

• Start the Tftpd program on the PC
• From the main window browse to the folder where the software files are stored. Choose the PC LAN port as the server interface:

TFTP server setup

Physical setup

• Do not connect the power supply to the Flowire unit yet
• Take of the top lid of the Flowire by unscrewing the two screws
• Locate the JTAG and connect the cable, cable pointing away from the PCB
• Connect the PC to the switch using an ethernet cable
• Connect the Flowire to the switch using an ethernet cable

Physical setup

Upgrade through Telnet

Telnet Setup

• Open PuTTY
• Choose Connection Type Serial, change Speed to 115200 and make sure it has the right COM port number:

Telnet setup

When all settings are correct press the Open button. A new command window will open.

Version check

By running this command you can see the current software version:

cat /proc/net/plc/version

Upgrade

• While holding down the space bar (or actually any key), power up the Flowire. You should see data in the command window. Once you see data, release the space bar.

• Enter these commands, one at a time, and press [Enter] after each command:
  • setenv serverip 169.254.1.2
  • setenv ipaddr 169.254.1.10
  • protect off all
  • tftp 0x40100000 u-boot218.bin
  • erase 0x30000000 0x3002FFFF
  • cp.b 0x40100000 0x30000000 0x30000
  • tftp 0x40100000 jffs2-spc
  • erase 0x30040000 0x3013FFFF
  • cp.b 0x40100000 0x30040000 0x100000
  • tftp 0x40100000 linux-spc
  • erase 0x30140000 0x3049FFFF
  • cp.b 0x40100000 0x30140000 0x360000
  • reset

Example:

TIP! Mark the text line and copy it (right click > copy, or Ctrl+C). In the PuTTY window right click with the mouse and the text is instantly pasted. Hit [enter]. Copy/paste one line at a time.

• When the Flowire is back online you can login with root.
• By running this command you can see the new software version:
  • cat /proc/net/plc/version
• The procedure is now finished. The Flowire can be disconnected and the next unit can be upgraded.