B&B Electronics Multi-Interface Ethernet Serial Servers Upgrading the Serial Server Firmware

Upgrade Mode

Chapter 8: UPGRADING THE SERIAL SERVER FIRMWARE

New Serial Server firmware updates may become available through the B&B Electronics website for installation into the server. The firmware can be uploaded using either a virtual COM port connection or hardware COM port connection.

Downloading the Firmware

Make a folder to receive the firmware file. Download the compressed software file from the B&B Electronics website. Unzip or expand the file into the (.hex) format so it will be ready to upload to the Serial Server.

Upgrading Via ESP Manager

The ESP Manager software can upload new firmware to the server using a direct PC connection via the ESP901 serial port, ESP902 Port 1, or using a virtual COM port.

Note:

If connecting directly to a computer serial port, use a null modem cable between the Computer RS-232 port and the ESP901 serial port or ESP902 Port 1.

Preparing the Software

Step 1: In the ESP Manager Serial Server List window, double click the server to be upgraded. The Server Properties window will appear.

Step 2: If using a direct connection to upload the firmware to the Serial Server, set the baud rate to 115200 for the fastest possible upload.

Step 3: Set the Serial Port field to upgrade and click the Update button. (Ensure that the DIP switches on the ESP901 or ESP902 are all in the OFF position.)

Upgrade Mode

Step 4: Click Yes on the vcomui dialogue to restart the Serial Server.

Upgrading the Firmware

Step 5: Double-click the Firmware Upgrade icon (or click the Server menu and Firmware Upgrade)

Step 6: In the Upgrade window, click Browse. The Open dialogue box will appear. Locate the folder on your PC that contains the firmware .hex file. Select the file and click Open. The Open dialogue box will disappear.

Step 7: In the Upgrade window select the serial port to be used in transferring the firmware.

a.If connected directly from the PC to a Serial Server port it will typically be COM1 or COM2

b.If using a virtual COM port to upgrade via the network, identify the virtual COM number and address mapped to Port 1 on the Serial Server.

Step 8: Click Upgrade

Step 9: In the Port Settings window set the Bits per second, Data bits, Parity and Stop bits to the same values as set up in the Server Properties window. Click OK.

Figure 49. The Port Settings Window

Step 10: Upgrade progress will be shown until the Upgrade finished! message is shown. Click OK.