Embedded Linux – mechanism for deploying firmware updates?

I am considering developing on the Yocto project for an embedded Linux project (an industrial application) and I have a few questions for those with experience with embedded Linux in general -- Yocto experience a bonus. Just need to get an idea of what is being commonly done in firmware updates.
I have a few requirements, that being authentication, a secure communications protocol, some type of rollback if the update failed. Also, if there is a way to gradually release the patch across the fleet of devices then that would also be interesting as I want to avoid bricked devices in the field.
How do you deploy updates/patches to field devices today – and how long did it take to develop it? Are there any other considerations I am missing?

Yocto embedded distributions can upgrade just like any other Linux distro, and probably in a few ways more than that. Your question doesn't really apply to Yocto in particular.
Simplest is to use the package mechanism and have devices upgrade themselves. From there, you can take it further, e.g. using signed packages, dual-boot systems, etc.
You'll have to be way more specific if you want to get specific solutions to your specific problem.

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Formating flash drive for tv firmware update

How do I format an 8GB flashdrive to FAT/FAT16 format on my MacBook, so that I can use it for a firmware update on my TV?

Howard Davis4 wrote:
How do I format an 8GB flashdrive to FAT/FAT16 format on my MacBook, so that I can use it for a firmware update on my TV?
"FAT" means FAT32, which is MSDOS in Apple Disk Utility
You need a MBR partition map too, so make sure to use the Partition tab and click the big box, options> MBR format MSDOS and click Apply.
You can use all 8GB, but the file size is limited to 4GB sized files.
Traditionally USB's come from the store already formatted FAT32 with a MBR, you shouldn't really need to do anything unless you changed it.
You may need to use a PC to erase the USB and install the TV firmware update, because Apple places a lot of extra crap on drives, ds store files, hidden trash etc that may be interfering with the firmware update.
And another thing, I think Microsoft stopped the autorun ability that one could hook up a flash drive to a pc and it would just start a program, so if the firmware depends upon that you'll need to find a alternate method.
Use a PC, format the USB again, call the the TV maker or consult thier web page.

Suggestion for next firmware update - Nokia 5800

If anyone from nokia is reading this in the next firmware update for the Nokia 5800 XM can we have the facility of have the name of the title track of a song scroll from left to right whilst the song is playing, as at the moment it scrolls once and then stops so if its a song with a long title all you can see is just half the title after its scrolled once, and also maybe a way as the song is playing of seeing the details of the song playing (like the tags for artist, Kbps, song title, album name) by clicking the onscreen softkey/options button. And also this can be extended to the contacts list where the name will scroll from left to right to show the full contact name when you press on it, at the moment it doesn't do that.

Unfortunately the care centres are the only people that can help you.
Any other methods that you may read about on other forums will void your warranty and cannot be discussed here.

I receive a software update for Thunderbolt firmware update 1.2 daily

I'm receiving a Software Update daily. It is the same one. Thunderbolt Firmware Update 1.2. I've updated the MacAir while plugged in and continue to get it.

J.T.Holloway wrote:
I don't love it, but I don't dislike it either. Between the two, at least initially, I think I prefer the previous interface.
I know that will be the case for me.
J.T.Holloway wrote:
The new one is a little more Apple-like with icons instead of lists, but I liked having everything right on the screen before and now I have to scroll down to get to the icons below the tv screen view.
The old interface wasn't perfect but logical - as you say the icons are for the iPhone and iPad crowd, and as i see it will entail more scrolling and button hopping on the remote.
J.T.Holloway wrote:
I do like the icon look as it is more like the iPad, iPhone, Dashboard, etc.
Quelle surprise......
It's a bit like the redesign of these discussion fora - the new layouts are designed for the younger generation but far too much scrolling and hard work to find what you want compared to the old format.
I HATE SCROLLINGTO FIND THINGS
Sorry, rant over.

No chance for a Firmware Update for my AirPort Express 802.11n (1st Generation) with The AirPort app in my ipad 4. can anybody help me?

Hi Folks,
I wanted to re-activate my First Generation AirPort Express to Stream Music in another room. Unfortunatelly i cant Update The Firmware of the first gen airport express with my AirPort App on The ipad 4.
For my online Access i use The AirPort Express newset Generation Woche Works pretty well.
What can i do to use The Old AirPort Express for AirTunes purposes only?
Thanks in advance for your advices,
Daniel

when im searchin for available wifi connections in my house, there is a "AirPort Express e55137" Hardware. When i click on it it sais, i cant configure the Base Station with the Software on the ipad
This tells me that you do not have a 1st Gen AirPort Express. If you did, you would be able to configure the Express with the iPad.
If you have AirPort Utility 5.6 or AirPort Utility 5.6.1 on your MacBook, you can configure the Express using the MacBook.
If you have AirPort Utility 6.x on your MacBook, then you will not be able to configure the Express unless you try a workaround to install an older version of AirPort Utility on your MacBook.

TV 23EL933G - Two things for nex firmware update

My girlfriend offered me this television as a birthday present and I really like that but I have two things that maybe Toshiba can give us in the next firmaware update.
These two things are:
- DTS sound: The quality of 1080p mkv files is amazing but without DTS sound loose some of the fun;
- Subtitles: I think the size of subtitles is too small and I dont like the yellow color so I hope that in the next firmware we can choose the subtitles color and size.
Best regards

I would like to add a few other observation about this TV:
# the *Channel Skip* function should +HIDE+ the removed channel from the *Channel Sort* list as well, and the remaining channel should be renumbered accordingly *automatically*: I would like to see a *Delete* function too.
# there should be some _huge improvements_ on the *Channel Sort* functions: it's a real pain to have the channels moved to a specific position with the only option available (+Swap+) as you have to spend a lot of time reordering the list, and navigate through all the skipped channels as well that are not marked and separated from the active ones. A *Move* function should be available here. Again the Auto-Renumber for the channels would be most welcomed and handy.
# I would also like to have the *Return* button to swap between the last seen channels: I use this function a lot with another decoder I use and it's handy when you like to monitor two numeric distant channels.
# since a timer function is already working, I would also appreciate to have the possibility to *Record a video* to the USB!
I hope the Toshiba Devs can read these feed backs and implement them in the next Firmware!
Thanks for reading

Suggestion to Apple for future firmware update

Can I make a suggestion or two here of some features if there's an upgrade to the firmware of the iPod Video?
-It would be mighty cool to have one more option for Backlight...maybe one where every time it switches tracks, it would light up for 5 or 10 seconds.
-I WISH the timed sleep function could be put on the main menu rather than having to go into the Clock settings first.
-A display option added that would show just the artwork.

The first one is a really good one with an option to set your iPod to light up for a couple seconds when it switches tracks. So many times in the car I won't recognize the track (especially if it is something new I added to iTunes) and I have to touch the iPod to force the backlight on so I can see what it is.
Another one I would love to see, and have send the idea to Apple years ago, is to allow the screen color to be changed rather than being white. One very useful application of this would be to use a dark red screen so when using the iPod at night when you want to look at the iPod the blinding white screen ruins your night vision, so having the option to change the screen color, while cool in its own right, would be great to have a "night" setting using a dark red screen.
Patrick

WHY DOESNT NOKIE POST MORE FIRMWARE UPDATES FOR OT...

I AM NEW TO THIS BOARD AND HAVE FOUND THAT NO MATTER WHAT I DO TO UPDATE MY NOKIA 6230i (FIRMWARE AND RADIO SOFTWARE)I MEET A BRICK WALL.
IT SEEMS NOKIA ARENT INTERESTED IN GIVING YOU SUPPORT ONCE YOURE PHONE IS ANY MORE THAN A YEAR OLD.
THIS TO ME IS VERY UNFAIR AS I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF CASH ON THIS PHONE TRYING TO UPDATE VISUAL RADIO USING THE DIRECTIONS PROVIDED WITH NO SUCCESS AS THESE DIRECTIONS DO NOT WORK AS I CANT FIND ANYWHERE TO DOWNLOAD THE THE NEW VISUAL RADIO WHILEST ON WAP.
THIS TO DATE HAS COST ME £75 TRYING TO FIND THE LINK.
ALSO I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THE FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR THE 6230i AS I SEE THIS AS BEING FAIR AS EVERY OTHER MOBILE THAT IS BEING POSTED CAN BE UPDATED OVER THE AIR AND THROUGH SOFTWARE UPDATE.
WHY CANT MINE AND MANY OTHERS.
EVEN IF NOKIA POSTED THE LAST RELEASED FOR EVERY MOBILE EVEN FOR THE OLD ONES I WOULD BE VERY GREATFUL .
MY NOKIA HAS A VERY OLD FIRMWARE V3.40 THIS NOKIA KNOWS IS FULL OF BUGS AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR POSTING THE FIXES UNTILL THERE ARE NO BUGS TO SORT WITHOUT EXCESS COST OR HAVING TO VISIT A RECOMMENDED REPAIR DEALER.
I WANT IT FREE JUST LIKE THE NEXT GUY SO NOKIA POST THE FIRMWARES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS I AM COMPLETELY FED UP WITH THIS FONE AND ITS BUGS.
YOURS SINCERELY
AN UNHAPPY CUSTOMER

First of all, please locate the Caps Lock key of your keyboard; all upper case text is hard to read, and traditionally considered as shouting. Of course, you may already know that, and intended to shout.
Anyway, most phones do not have the built-in support for do-it-yourself firmware updates.
For such phones your options are (if you think you need a firmware update):
- Take/send the phone to an authorized Nokia service/repair center, where the update can be done.
- Buy relativelt expensive flashing equipment and locate illegally distributed firmware files and try it on your own with that.
My advise is to go for the former rather than the latter option. The former should cost you anything (at least not for as long as the phone is under warranty & excluding what it takes for you to go there).
As to downloading "THE NEW VISUAL RADIO WHILEST ON WAP", I don't know what you mean by that. I don't know a 6230i, but either it comes with Visual Radio built-in or not. Any updates/fixes to it would come with a firmware update, but not over WAP.
Note also that you don't need the Visual Radio service to listen to FM radio channels, and most radion stations do not support the "Visual" bit at all (if they do, the support is indicated in the station directory in the radio app on the phone).

Firmware update 1308.0001 for lumia 620 rollout

i would like to know what the regional distribution order is for lumia firmware updates. I have a lumia 620 from hongkong and i live in australia. no update so far . and i make sure to check like twice a day
has anyone in australia or in any other region received the 1308.001, or the latest ones for the 820 and 920 that are supposed to come in the same rollout ? they have all been anounced mid-march.
an official statement about this would be great as well.

What was announced was that the now shipping (from manufacturing) devices have the new firmware and an OTA update would start at a future date. Since there have been no further announcements it would be safe to assume the OTA update has not started yet.
There is no need to 'check multiple times a day' you will get a notification on the phone when the update becomes available to you.
Click on the blue Star Icon below if my advice has helped you or press the 'Accept As Solution' link if I solved your problem..

Firmware update for wrt54g2

I go into the dowload section, click the link for the firmware update and it gives me the option of savin or using an online program to open it? Doesn't it self install?

It won't install itself...You need to save it to your desktop...Once it is saved do not try to open the file...
Follow these steps to upgrade the firmware on the device: - Open
an Internet Explorer browser page.In the address bar type - 192.168.1.1
Leave username blank & in password use admin in lower case...
Click on the 'Administration' tab- Then click on the 'Firmware Upgrade' sub tab- Here click on 'Browse' and browse the .bin file and click on "Upgrade"-Wait for few seconds until it shows that "Upgrade is successful" After the firmware upgrade, click on "Reboot" and you will be returned back to the same page OR it will say "Page cannot be displayed".
Reset the router for few seconds and then re-configure it...

Firmware update for Proteus 2000

Anybody know where I can get hold of the firmware update for the Proteus 2000? It seems all information about those devices has been surgically removed from the emu microsite... doesn't bode well for other products... frankie

Hi,
You might want to write to Customer Support and request for the firmware update.

Will the Creative Zen Xtra have a firmware update for "driverless" operati

Is it even possible? I contacted Creative Labs and they said they would put the suggestion on the possibility for a future implemented feature. I just bought the 30GB model for $79 off of Outpost.com [the cheapest I've seen online] without any rebates. It is awesome--sound quality, menu, and design. It is a bit large, but I don't care. This is my first mp3 player that actually has a hard dri've. I've wanted to get this one since last January, but kept putting it off.
Anyway, is it possible for a firmware update for a driverless operation so you can add songs on any Windows XP/2000 PC without having to install the Nomad Explorer program? Thanks!

Driverless support is supposedly coming for Windows Media Player 0.
The reasons behind all this are discussed in the Zen FAQ at Nomadness.net http://www.nomadness.net/modules.php...Jukebox+Zen#34

Firmware Update for E71s from E-Plus Germany

Dear all,
I was wondering why the firmware update for the Nokia E71 has been out and about for quite some time, but there is still no update available for my E71 which I have bought from the German provider E-Plus. It has no branding nor any visible other customizations for E-Plus. It's product code: 0569284.
Any date for the firmware update?
Thanks.
-Franz

No it isn´t a fraud, the product code only tells you about the software branding (not all software brandings are equally aggressive) and doesn´t automatically means that is has to have operator logos all over the place...
For more information on that have a look at this.
Probably the phone you bought was bought from e-plus in some way. Did it come with a e-plus contract?
By clicking the "Kudos!" or the "Solution?" button on the right you can say "Thank You" and you´ll show the author and others that the post is useful.
The day we stop improving is the day we stop being good.

Push firmware update through BES 4.17 SP7 - help please

Hi,
I've been asked to update the firmware on all my companies devices from our BES 4 SP7. From reading, I'm not sure whether this means the device software (version 5 the latest I think) or the OS (version 7 the latest I think). is required to be updated? What is the difference between these?
I was wondering where I get the software from, how I can add it to the BES and how I can deploy it wirelessly?
I imagine there are many old devices which the new firmware is not compatible. How can I find out which are compatible and which are not?
Thank for any help.

You other post is answered here:
http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/Device-software-for-BlackBerry/Firmware-update-via-BES-help-p...
No need to double post, one will do.
1. If any post helps you please click the below the post(s) that helped you.
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Programmer's button and firmware update

This issue is of more general nature, at least B&Ws use similar procedure, maybe all newer Macs. An OS 9 program (firmware updater), a separate firmware image, shutting down, pressing programmer's button... I would really like to understand the mechanism.
What happens when I push the programmers button? Is it just for opening the flash for writing?
Why did my iMac G3 SL chime after the beep and before the progress bar?
Where does the firmware updater place itself and the firmware image and how does open firmware find them? Would it be possible to place them there on another computer? Why is there a requirement that the boot disk is writable? I guess this makes it impossible to build a bootable CD that could make the update?
Is it really the firmware updater that writes the new firmware into the flash? Not some ROM routine?
How does the firmware updater decide its behaviour? When first run inside the OS it initiates the upgrade, then after pushing the programmer's button it does the real job, and when rebooting again it shows the result.
Why did Apple not make a version for OS X?

Have you tried connecting an external monitor to the computer with the black screen? That will sometimes work. Some people have managed to run the firmware update, even with a black screen, by being in a completely darkened room and being able to see just enough on the screen to run the update.
There are lots of tricks for getting firmware installed here.
Below is an excerpt regarding dealing with the blank screen issue:
39. If your iMac is booting up but you can't get a screen display then you have a few options to consider:
40. Some people have managed to do a "blind" firmware update. First of all it will be necessary to update the iMac's OS to 9.1 (unless you already have this or a later version of OS 9 installed) and get the firmware updater onto the HD.
41. There are different ways of doing this - e.g. take the HD out and put it into another Mac (Donna's note- to avoid a common confusion, please be aware that firmware does not "reside" on the HD at all, even though it needs to be run from the HD. For example, once your firmware has been updated, you can put a new hard drive into that iMac without needing to update the firmware again. However, this drive swapping may be a way to get the updater onto the drive and then put the drive back into the iMac and try to install the update - if that makes any sense); or if file sharing is on then you might be able to access the iMac's HD remotely for updating the OS and copying the firmware updater over; or you could try starting the problematic iMac in "FireWire target disk" mode. This allows you to connect to another Mac using a FireWire cable and have the iMac's HD appear as an external disk on the other Mac, allowing you to install OS 9.1 and copy the firmware updater over. You may also find this article helpful: Macintosh: Computer Does Not Enter Into FireWire Target Disk Mode.
42. If you have access to software such as Timbuktu for remotely controlling another machine then this would be a convenient way of seeing the screen of and controlling the problematic iMac.
43. If you really have no way of getting a screen display, then try putting the unpacked firmware updater in the Startup Items folder (contrary to the advice above in para. 35). Then when you boot OS 9.1 (or higher), the updater will automatically start. You will need to dismiss 2 (?) dialogs by pressing <Return>: the first is a licence agreement, and the second is the dialog to shut the iMac down. You will have to use your skill and judgement in determining when the iMac is ready for you to press Enter each time! Once the iMac has shut itself down in preparation for the firmware update you can proceed as per the published instructions.

Embedded Linux – mechanism for deploying firmware updates?

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