[ECOS] Updating application in the field via Redboot

[ECOS] Updating application in the field via Redboot

[Ali Sina]

Hello,

is anyone using Redboot (installed as a bootloader) to update their 
applications in the field?

The idea would be to have a host based application or script that initiates 
communication with Redboot via serial or otherwise. The script triggers 
actions on the redboot end: load the new app image and write it to flash.

Does this seem reasonable, or are there more elegant ways to do this?

Any ideas and suggestions are very welcome.
Thank you for your time.


Ali

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Re: [ECOS] Updating application in the field via Redboot

[Dirk Eibach]

Hi,

> The idea would be to have a host based application or script that initiates 
> communication with Redboot via serial or otherwise. The script triggers 
> actions on the redboot end: load the new app image and write it to flash.

We we do it exactly this way using a multi platform Qt solution. Works 
dead reliable. If you don't need the graphical front-end, maybe "expect" 
is the tool for you. A sample script has been posted to this list before.

> Does this seem reasonable, or are there more elegant ways to do this?

When the application loaded by Redboot is up and running, we provide an 
alternative way to update. You can connect with a client via network and 
then upload an image that is flashed as it comes in. If something goes 
wrong there you still have the opportunity to repair the system via Reboot.

Regards,
Dirk


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Re: [ECOS] Updating application in the field via Redboot

[Ali Sina]

Hi Dirk,

thanks a lot for your reply This helps a lot.

I have taken a look at EXPECT and it looks good from what I can tell so far. 
A very useful pointer. I understand you can use TclApp to package everything 
into a standalone application (I do not want to assume that Tcl is installed 
on the update host). That application can easily be started by the end user 
and will execute the update by talking to Redboot on the target. Exactly 
what I am looking for. Also your script from November 2004 looks very 
useful.

By the way, which Qt package are you using? Does it work in a way similar to 
EXPECT? Right now the update application does not necessarily require a GUI, 
as it should work as "fire and forget" - well maybe with a return phrase 
like "success" or "fail". But just in case..

Thanks again for the great help,

Ali


>From: Dirk Eibach <eibach@gdsys.de>
>To: replay688@hotmail.com
>CC: ecos-discuss@ecos.sourceware.org
>Subject: Re: [ECOS] Updating application in the field via Redboot
>Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 08:08:01 +0200
>
>Hi,
>
>>The idea would be to have a host based application or script that 
>>initiates communication with Redboot via serial or otherwise. The script 
>>triggers actions on the redboot end: load the new app image and write it 
>>to flash.
>
>We we do it exactly this way using a multi platform Qt solution. Works dead 
>reliable. If you don't need the graphical front-end, maybe "expect" is the 
>tool for you. A sample script has been posted to this list before.
>
>>Does this seem reasonable, or are there more elegant ways to do this?
>
>When the application loaded by Redboot is up and running, we provide an 
>alternative way to update. You can connect with a client via network and 
>then upload an image that is flashed as it comes in. If something goes 
>wrong there you still have the opportunity to repair the system via Reboot.
>
>Regards,
>Dirk
>

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