Industrial Automation Tech Note 43 - TNIA43

Abstract

IPm RTU (Sixnet RTU) firmware 4.3.179 and 4.9.152 adds support for software error correction of FLASH. This document explains the steps required to take advantage of the new firmware features and how to downgrade firmware once upgraded.  

Products

ST-IPm-6350/ST-IPm-2350/ST-IPm-1350/VT-IPm-1410/VT-IPm-2410/VT-mIPm-245-D/VT-mIPm-241-D/VT-mIPm-135-D/VT-mIPm-131-D/VT-IPm2m-213-D/VT-IPm2m-113-D/VT-uIPm-431-H/VT-uIPm-441-H/ST-GT-1210/ET-GT-ST-3

Use Case / Problem Solved: Short Description

To upgrade to the newer firmware and take advantage of the improved error correction code available in firmware versions 4.9.152 and 4.3.179. To downgrade from 4.3.179 to 4.3.174 or 4.9.152 to 4.9.143 install the DisableAdanvedErrorCorrection.tgz first.

Required Software

Sixnet I/O Tool Kit version 3.60.118

bootloaderNov_2017.tgz - Boot loader upgrade package

Note: Once this boot loader upgrade is successful, it will not be possible to go back to firmware versions 4.3.163 or below.

DisableAdvancedErrorCorrection.tgz - Error correction downgrade package (Must be used to downgrade firmware).

EnableAdvancedErrorCorrection.tgz - Error correction upgrade package. Used to re-enable advanced error correction.

Required Firmware

4.3.179 for product listed below.

ST-IPm-6350/ST-IPm-2350/ST-IPm-1350/VT-IPm-1410/VT-IPm-2410/VT-mIPm-245-D/VT-mIPm-241-D/VT-mIPm-135-D/VT-mIPm-131-D/VT-IPm2m-213-D/VT-IPm2m-113-D/VT-uIPm-431-H/VT-uIPm-441-H/ST-GT-1210/ET-GT-ST-3

4.9.152 for product listed below.

ST-IPm-6350/VT-mIPm-245-D/VT-mIPm-135-D/VT-IPm2m-213-D/VT-IPm2m-113-D

Upgrading boot loader of an RTU in the field

This process will install the new boot loader and delete the firmware installed on the device. Firmware load via serial and IP must be performed after this operation.

1. Download the ‘boot loaderNov_2017.tgz’ installer from redlion.net, and the 4.9.152 or 4.3.179 firmware from www.redlion.net

2. To install the boot loader upgrade package highlight the RTU in the Sixnet I/O Tool Kit project file and go to Operations-->File Operations.

3. Referring to Figure 1, in the File Operations window select Install Tar Bundle next to the Load button and click the Load Select the boot loaderNov_2017.tgz file and click the Open button to begin the boot loader installation.

Figure 1.

4. Once Figure 2 completes, a "Reply from script exec: Successfully updated u-boot” message will appear in the Report Views when successful.

Figure 2.

5. Cycle power to the station. Upon boot up the RTU will install Nov 2017 bootloader and erase the firmware. The Status LED will continually blink indicating absent firmware.

6. To load the 4.3.179 or 4.9.152 firmware connect to the RTU with Serial and Ethernet. Then go to Operations-->Advanced Operations-->Upgrade Firmware. The Firmware loader wizard will open. Follow the instructions on the screen to update the firmware.

7. Verify successful firmware update by going to Operations-->Advanced Operations-->Read Firmware Version. The overall build will be 4.9.152 or 4.3.179 and the bootloader will have November 2017 date attached to it. With this combination of firmware and bootloader the RTU will use advanced error correction in the RTUs file system.

Downgrading from 4.9.152 or 4.3.179 to 4.9.143 or 4.9.174

1. There may be reasons to downgrade firmware such as troubleshooting. To downgrade the advance error correction settings must by disabled first. To do this a tar bundle package should be installed before firmware is loaded. Please download the ‘DisableAdvancedErrorCorrection.tgz’ file from redlion.net.

2. To install the boot loader upgrade package highlight the RTU in the Sixnet I/O Tool Kit project file and go to Operations-->File Operations.

3. In the File Operations window select Install Tar Bundle next to the Load button and click the Load Select the ‘DisableAdvancedErrorCorrection.tgz’ file and click the Open button. The package will install and change the RTU settings.

4. Once the package is successfully installed a “Reply from script exec: Successfully removed ECC_TYPE=BCH” message will appear in the Report Views window.

5. Cycle power to have the changes take effect.

6. Supported firmware versions below 4.9.143 and 4.3.174 may now be installed on to the RTU.

Enable Advanced Error Correction in 4.9.152 and 4.3.179 firmware versions

Only perform this Operation if the advanced error correction was previous disabled. See the downgrading instructions above.

1. First, verify the boot loader Nov 2017 version is installed on the RTU. To do this go to Operations-->Advanced Operations-->Read Firmware Version. The overall build must be 4.9.152 or above or 4.3.179 or above with boot loader with November 2017 date.

2. Please download the ‘EnableAdvancedErrorCorrection.tgz’ file from redlion.net.

3. To install the boot loader upgrade package highlight the RTU in the Sixnet I/O Tool Kit project file and go to Operations-->File Operations.

4. In the File Operations window select “Install Tar Bundle” next to the Load button and click the Load Select the ‘EnableAdvancedErrorCorrection.tgz’ file and click the Open button. The package will install and change the RTU settings.

5. Once the package is successfully installed a “Reply from script exec: Successfully added ECC_TYPE=BCH” message will appear in the Report Views window.

6. Cycle power to have the changes take effect.

Disclaimer

It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. Red Lion makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. Red Lion is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. Red Lion standard product warranty applies.

Red Lion Technical Support

If you have any questions or trouble contact Red Lion Technical Support by clicking here or calling 1-877-432-9908.

For more information: http://www.redlion.net/support/policies-statements/warranty-statement