Product specifications

Efficient Networks
®
Router family
Technical Reference Guide
Chapter 4: System Management
Efficient Networks
®
Page 4-43
Software Kernel Upgrades
You can upgrade the software kernel by downloading a new version from the LAN or
from the WAN.
What is the Software Kernel?
The software kernel is the router operating system; it handles task management,
memory management, events coordination, and configuration control. Included with
the kernel is a complete DOS-like file system using the on-board flash memory,
remote debugging support, console handling, and the software update mechanism.
Specific components include:
• Task Scheduler
• Loadable Module Services
• Event Notification Services
• Memory Management
• Buffer Management
• DOS-like Flash File System
• Inter-Process Communications (IPC)
• Power On Self Test (POST) & Boot Code
• Booting and Upgrading from the LAN
You can download a new version of the router software kernel using a TFTP server
that already exists on the LAN. The following steps demonstrate how to boot the
router software from the network and copy the image from the network into the
router’s flash memory. When it first connects to the router, the GUI backs up all the
files to a directory called Sxxxxx, where x is the router’s serial number.
Booting and Upgrading from the LAN
You can download a new version of the router software kernel using a TFTP server
that already exists on the LAN. The following steps demonstrate how to boot the
router software from the network and copy the image from the network into the
router’s flash memory. When it first connects to the router, the GUI backs up all the
files to a directory called Sxxxxx, where x is the router’s serial number.
Upgrade Instructions
Read the following steps very carefully before you perform an upgrade: