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From here you may download the latest firmware versions for all ourproducts or read the release notes. If you know the procedure scrolldown or click on one of the links below to take you to the right place. Otherwise read on about file types and upgrade procedures.
Firmware FileTypes
There are two types of files that you may download into your computer to upgrade the firmware in the Afar devices. The two file types have extension .BZ or .BZE and .DW or .DWE. The file you need depends on the method you intend to use to upgrade the unit firmware.
- .BZ or .BZE – Binary “Zipped”
Use this file type in conjunction with the program EConsole (described below). This is the fastest way to upgrade, and lets you upgrade remote devices across RF, so it is usually the preferred method.
- .DW or .DWE – download text file (hex encoded text)
Use this file if you intend to update the firmware through the serial console in the device or remotely using Telnet. The .DW files are ASCII and larger than .BZ files and the update time is longer.
All firmware files have a three letter name identifying the application, followed by two digits of major revision number and two digits of minor revision number. For example the pmp03_26.bz file is a compressed binary file of version 3.26 of the firmware for the AR-24027 running in Point-to-Multipoint mode.
Firmware Update Methods
You can establish a command session with the Afar devices on three different interfaces. Once the command session is open you can then download new firmware, configure device parameters, or monitor the operation of the device. Each of the three interfaces has their own advantages:
- Serial Console: All Afar devices have an RS-232 console port running at a default speed of 9600 baud. To establish a command session on this port all you need is a terminal or PC directly connected to the device through an RS-232 cable. The serial console port is often used for bench testing and for setting up device parameters prior to installation. To upgrade the firmwaere through this port you need the .DW or .DWE files.
- EConsole: This is an AFAR program that runs on a PC Windows or a Linux platform (you can download it below ). With this program you can access any AFAR devices that are connected to the Local Ethernet and also networks that are bridged to it. Econsole works across multiple RF hops. However, EConsole does not cross an IP router. To upgrade the firmware using EConsole you need the .BZ or .BZE files.
- Telnet: All Afar devices support Telnet which lets you establish a command session from anywhere on the Internet. The only requirement is that the Afar device must have been pre-configured with an IP address. To upgrade the firmware using Telnet you need the .DW or .DWE files.
Econsole Software
This program runs on a Windows PC or Linux platform. For a PC, after you download and unzip the file, run the program WinPCap.exe (included in the package) which installs a DLL necessary to run the Econsole program.
Note that as of July 2011, we have released a version of ECON with an expanded command set. Check out the manual which is included in the release kit.
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