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Conference netcad::hub_mgnt

Title:DEChub/HUBwatch/PROBEwatch CONFERENCE
Notice:Firmware -2, Doc -3, Power -4, HW kits -5, firm load -6&7
Moderator:NETCAD::COLELLADT
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4455
Total number of notes:16761

4272.0. "Boot Block Image?" by OSLLAV::BJORN (Bj�rn Olav Haugom) Thu Mar 13 1997 03:19

What is the Boot Block Image in the vnswitch firmware location?

http://www.networks.digital.com/dr/vnswitch/firmwaredvnbb155.bin    

VNswitch 900 Boot Block Image Version, 1.5.5

When do we use it?

Bj�rn Olav Haugom
NPBU Norway
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4272.1Yeah, what *IS* it - I have no clue eitherPTOJJD::DANZAKPittsburgher �Thu Mar 13 1997 07:543
    *I* have the same question...what in the *$(#*(# is it and what do we
    do with it? 
    j
4272.2NETCAD::DOODYMichael DoodyWed Mar 19 1997 09:1713
VNswitch specific questions such as this are best asked in 
irocz::common_brouters. 

In general, a boot block is a little bit of code that knows
only enough about the hardware to load the main firmware
image, and in the absence of firmware can load a new image
from the network.

For this particular boot block, you'd need to ask the
VNswitch people if you need to upgrade it.


-mike
4272.3Boot blocks used for primitive/bootp image loads....NETCAD::BATTERSBYWed Mar 19 1997 09:3811
    This is the little piece of code used to do what some people
    refer to as a "primitive load". For example in the DECswitch
    products, it's used to perform image loads when the main
    image is seen as being corrupt for whatever reason.
    I would imagine that it serves the same purpose in the
    VNswitch products. Best to check with the VNswitch developers
    in the irocz::common_brouters conference as Mike suggestde though
    to be sure you get the answer in the level of detail you may be
    looking for.
    
    Bob
4272.4I know but why....arughPTOJJD::DANZAKPittsburgher �Thu Mar 20 1997 07:365
    (sigh) I know what the boot block does....per se...but why is it out
    there on the FIRMWARE page with the rest of it?  
    
    Duuh..and how do I upgrade it or reblast it?
    
4272.5NETCAD::FLOWERSHigh Performance Networking; DanMon Mar 24 1997 11:3015
>    (sigh) I know what the boot block does....per se...but why is it out
>    there on the FIRMWARE page with the rest of it?  

V1.5.5 is on the VNswitch web pages because it is required for V1.5 of the
VNswitch EA (which is stated in the EA release notes).  The field test units
of the EA only have version 1.5.4, so we felt it necessary to post the new
boot block image.
    
>    Duuh..and how do I upgrade it or reblast it?
 
Again, it's in the release notes of the V1.5 VNswitch EA.  (Short answer: the
same way you reload an operational image.)

Dan   

4272.6Where is it documented?STKHLM::KLARSSONKrister Larsson @LNK, NPB SEThu Mar 27 1997 05:426
    Re: .-1
    
    I can't see any information about the boot block upgrade in the release
    notes of the V1.5 VNswitch 900EA!
    
    KL
4272.7It's there...in the Addendum :-)NETCAD::BATTERSBYThu Mar 27 1997 09:045
    It's mentioned in the Release Notes Addendum link titled Updatem15
    located on the same section of this web page under the bold title
    "VNswitch 900EA Release Notes".
    
    Bob