Checking and Updating NK823x Firmware and Kernel

This section covers how to check whether the firmware and kernel versions of an NK823x are compatible and update them if needed.

 

Check the NK823x Firmware and Kernel

  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x].
  1. Select the NK8000 tab.
  1. Open the Status expander to show the NK823x status information:
  • Product ID: NK8232 or NK8235
  • Hardware version: mainboard version
  • Firmware version
  • Date/Time: date and time read from the NK823x
  • Available RAM (kB)
  • Hardware config: hardware configuration
  • Kernel version
  • Last refresh: date and time of the last refresh
  1. Click Refresh.
  • The NK823x status information is updated.
  1. Check that the Firmware and Kernel versions are compatible. For more information, see NK823x Hardware and NK8000 Versions, System Limits and Compatibility.
    If not, proceed to update them as described in the following procedures:
  1. If the firmware needs to be updated, see Update NK823x Firmware, below.
  1. If the kernel also needs to be updated, see Update NK823x Kernel, below.

NOTE: If both need to be updated, update the firmware first, and then the kernel.

A list of all NK823x, with information about Ethernet IP addresses, firmware version, and reachability of the device, is available in the NK8000 tab of Project > Field Networks.

 

Update the NK823x Firmware

You want to download a firmware file to the NK823x.

  • The firmware file to download is available in
    [Installation Drive]:\[Installation Folder]\[Project Name]\shared\firmware\NK823X_fw\
    on the server station. From a client station the path is:
    [Project Name]\shared\firmware\NK823x_FW
    NOTE: if you have a new firmware file, copy it to this location. You need the write permission that you can set as described in NK823x Download Problems.
  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x].
  1. Click the NK8000 tab.
  1. Open the Firmware download expander.
  1. Click the Browse button.
  • The Open window displays.
  1. Browse to the location of the firmware files.
  • From the server station:
    [Installation Drive]:\[Installation Folder]\[Project Name]\shared\firmware\NK823X_fw\
  • From a client station:
    [Project Name]\shared\firmware\NK823x_FW
  1. Select the firmware file and click Open.
  1. (Optional) Open the Configuration expander, and configure the download mode as follows:
    a. From the Download mode drop-down list, select an option:
    - FTP passive mode: FTP mode needed if a firewall is active on the computer.
    - FTP active mode: standard FTP mode.
    - Secure download: encrypted data transmission (default).
    b. Click Save .
  1. In the Firmware download expander, click Download firmware.
  • The firmware download starts and may take several minutes to complete, depending on the download mode and network conditions. A progress bar displays at the bottom of the screen.
    During the download, the NK823x stops any communication with subsystems.
  • The NK823x restarts.
  • A communication fault appears in the Event List and indicates that the NK823x unit needs the configuration download.

 

NOTICE
Security Vulnerabilities

The use of the FTP mode on public or unsecure networks creates serious security vulnerabilities. For more information, refer to the NK823x Security section.

 

NOTE 1:
In case of a distributed, multi-servers system (refer to the SMC documentation), the download can only be performed for NK823x units connected to the local system.
NOTE 2:
The firmware download is not allowed from web-based clients.
NOTE 3:
You can download the firmware to multiple NK823x devices in the list of the Available NK823x expander (Project > Field Networks, NK8000 tab).

 

Update the NK823x Kernel

The NK823x Kernel is the main component of the operating system, which acts as a bridge between the application and the hardware level.
In certain conditions, it may be necessary to update the Kernel, following specific instructions of the technical support.
In such cases, you can use the NK8000 Kernel Update tool.
NOTE: The NK8000 Kernel Update tool is not provided with the Desigo CC software. You can use the latest version in DMS8000 MP4.81 deliverables or contact technical support to get it.

  • The firmware of the NK8000 unit has been successfully updated.
  • The NK8000 Kernel Update tool is installed on the computer which can connect to the NK823x Ethernet Port.
  1. Start the NK8000 Kernel Update tool.
  1. Enter the IP address of the NK823x to update.
  1. Set the FTP Mode to Active (default) or Passive (needed if a firewall is active on the computer).
  1. Click Update Kernel.
  • The tool performs a number of preliminary checks.
    - It verifies whether the NK823x firmware is compatible with the new Kernel. If not, a message will instruct you to download a new firmware and try updating the Kernel again.
    - It verifies whether the existing Kernel is older, the same, or newer than the new Kernel and prompts you to confirm the update.
    - It verifies whether there is enough free memory space to install the new Kernel. If not, the NK823x configuration will be temporarily removed to free memory space.
    You will be prompted to choose whether to restore the configuration at the end of the Kernel upgrade (not restoring the configuration can be useful to save time if you are upgrading the system and downloading a new configuration.)
    - It verifies if an SD card is inserted into the NK823x.
  1. Confirm the download options.
  • The Kernel update starts.
    NOTE: Click About to show the Kernel version. Note that two Kernel versions are presented which are automatically selected for the NKM8001-A1 or the NKM8001-A2 mainboard, respectively.

The Kernel update may take several minutes. Make sure not to power off the NK823x Ethernet Port or the management station during the updating procedure.