System information

A-1
Appendix A: Upgrading Firmware via
the Serial Port
The switch contains three firmware components that can be upgraded; the
diagnostics (or Boot-ROM) code, runtime operation code and the loader code. The
runtime code can be upgraded via the switch’s RS-232 serial console port, via a
network connection to a TFTP server, or using SNMP management software. The
diagnostics and the loader code can be upgraded only via the switch’s RS-232 serial
console port.
Note: You can use the switch’s web interface to download runtime code via TFTP.
Downloading large runtime code files via TFTP is normally much faster than
downloading via the switch’s serial port.
You can upgrade switch firmware by connecting a PC directly to the serial Console
port on the switch’s front panel and using VT100 terminal emulation software that
supports the XModem protocol. (See “Required Connections” on page 1-2.)
1. Connect a PC to the switch’s Console port using a null-modem or crossover
RS-232 cable with a female DB-9 connector.
2. Configure the terminal emulation software’s communication parameters to 9600
baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, and set flow control to none.
3. Power cycle the switch.
4. When the switch initialization screen appears, enter firmware-download mode
by pressing <Ctrl><u> immediately after power on or rebooting the switch.
Screen text similar to that shown below displays:
5. Press <c> to change the baud rate of the switch’s serial connection.
File Name S/Up Type Size Create Time
--------------------------------- ---- ---- ----------
$logfile_1 0 3 64 00:00:16
$logfile_2 0 3 64 00:00:33
Factory_Default_Config.cfg 0 5 2688 00:00:14
diag1011 1 1 86944 00:00:00
mdc0115 0 2 1120008 00:00:01
mdc0121.bix 1 2 1135548 00:00:01
startup 1 5 2783 00:03:28
--------------------------------- ---- ---- ----------
[X]modem Download [D]elete File [S]et Startup File
[C]hange Baudrate [Q]uit
Select>