Version 1.00 How to Upgrade AXIS Print Servers ================================== Products With Flash Memory -------------------------- Axis provides two methods of upgrading the print server software over the network and one complementary method over the parallel port. 1. Use the File Transfer Protocol(FTP) which is included in the TCP/IP suite of protocols. 2. The AXIS NetPilot version 1.30 or higher which uses the IPX protocol (used in NetWare). An Upgrade Wizard helps You through the necessary steps. 3. Through the parallel port. Use the "Axis Flash Loading Kit" with a special cable and a Centronics adapter. Contact Your local reseller or distributor if You need further assistance. The kit can also be ordered from Axis. Products With EPROM Memory -------------------------- Products with EPROM cannot be updated without opening the box. 4. The EPROM chip(s) must be physically removed and changed according to the method described below. Which Method to Use ------------------- Depending on which print server and software version Your current print server is using, different methods can be used. Please look in the table below and find the suitable method for Your product and software version. Product Current Version Method ======================================================== AXIS 150/152 4.24, 4.25 3 5.20 or higher 1,2 or 3 -------------------------------------------------------- AXIS 540/540+ 5.16 or higher 1,2 or 3 AXIS 542/542+ AXIS 640/642 -------------------------------------------------------- AXIS 560 5.10-5.15 1 or 3 5.20 or higher 1,2 or 3 -------------------------------------------------------- AXIS 660 5.10-5.12 1 or 3 5.20 or higher 1,2 or 3 -------------------------------------------------------- AXIS 570 5.14 1 or 3 AXIS 670 -------------------------------------------------------- NPS 630/632 All versions 3 -------------------------------------------------------- NPS 550/550R All versions 4 NPS 650 NPS 530/532 -------------------------------------------------------- 1. Upgrading Using Method 1: FTP ================================= FTP is a standard protocol to move files in a TCP/IP network and it is the same procedure to load new program files into a print server. The procedure to upgrade the print server software is as follows: 1) ftp to print server 2) login as root 3) change to binary mode transfer 4) "put" the upgrade file to the flash location. Example: put flash 5) Wait 30 seconds... 6) Done! the print server will reset in five seconds running the new software. A typical flash load sequence looks like this when using PCTCP from FTP Software. The unit has IP number 192.168.4.56 C:\>ftp 192.168.4.56 FTP Software File Transfer Program 3.10 01/24/95 02:40 Copyright (c) 1986-1995 by FTP Software, Inc. All rights reserved. FTP Trying...Open 220 AXIS 560 FTP Printer Server V5.10 Nov 24 1995 ready. Userid for logging in on 192.168.4.56 (anderso)? root 331 User name ok, need password Password for logging in as root on 192.168.4.56? 230 User logged in ftp:192.168.4.56> binary 200 TYPE set to I. ftp:192.168.4.56> put 560.bin flash 150 Opening data connection for FLASH (192,168,4,52,30,215) (0 bytes), (mode binary). Transferred 1177062 bytes in 35 seconds (269042 bits/sec, 33630 bytes/sec) 421-Transfer complete, flash programming finished OK. Starting new software... 421 Reset, closing connection. ftp:192.168.4.56> quit net_read: Connection reset Only one print server can be upgraded at the time. However, there is no obstacle for writing a script taking care of multiple loading. If the same or older version of software is to be loaded the FLASH (with capitol letters) command together with put must be used instead of flash (with small letters). After a successful flash load the print server automatically re-starts and the parameter settings are left unchanged. 2. Upgrading Using Method 2: AXIS NetPilot ========================================== The AXIS NetPilot version 1.30 or higher includes an "Upgrade Wizard" which helps You through the necessary steps of choosing the correct upgrade file to Your print server. This is done through a step by step procedure and several prints servers can be upgraded simultaneously. Please follow the instructions given in the Wizard. The requirements is that your PC has an NetWare client and that the NetPilot version is 1.30 or higher. 3. Upgrading Using Method 3: Through the Parallel Port ===================================================== The procedure for loading new software via the parallel port is described in a separate document (part no. 13887 R1C). Below is a copy of the text. This method is only required if, for some reason, the upgrade according to methods 1 and 2 have not been successful. When upgrading the NPS 630/32 and version 4.25 or lower of the AXIS 150/152 (see table above) are to be upgraded. Equipment needed ----------------- * Compatible PC 286 - 486 640 kbyte memory, DOS ver. 3.3 or newer * Flash load adapter set Flash loading cable (13816) and DSUB to Centronics adapter (13815) Loading software, loader.bin (needed for firmware revisions < 5.10) and npsload.exe 1 Power supply * Flash prom based print server product including power supply * File(s) with firmware to be loaded Depending on the firmware revision to be loaded different descriptions has to be followed: How to load firmware (revision < 5.10) -------------------------------------- The loading software consists of two parts, one bootstrap loader (loader.bin) and one program loader (npsload.exe) which should be placed in a directory together with the firmware files. Step by step description: * Attach the flash loading cable to the PC. * Attach the power supply to the flash loading cable at the PC end. * Plug in the print server (LPT1) to the flash loading cable. * Attach the NPS power supply to the print server. * Start the loading sequence "npsload -x binary file" (x = lpt port). * For help run "npsload -h". How to monitor the loading procedure * When the loading is started, the network LED will start flashing with a rate of 2 Hz (loading time between 30 sec and 4 min). * The loader will consider itself completed and the led will flash with a rate of 0.5 Hz. * In case of error, the flashing rate will be 1 Hz (with the on period much longer than the off period). There will also be a message on the PC screen telling you if the loading was successful or not. How to load firmware revision 5.10 and later --------------------------------------------- Software revisions 5.10 and later are distributed as one single file with built in loading capabilities. This file is designed to be possible to load over the network. The parallel port load described here is only required if the network load has failed. Step by step description: * Attach the flash loading cable to the PC. * Attach the power supply to the flash loading cable at the PC end. * Plug in the print server (LPT1) to the flash loading cable. * Attach the power supply to the print server. * Start the loading sequence with the DOS command: npsload -x -n "firmware file" (x = LPT port no.) Note! Do not forget the -n switch indicating that the firmware file has a built-in loader. It is also possible to load the print server with the standard DOS copy command: copy /b "firmware file" LPTx (x = LPT port no.) Note! Do not forget the /b (for binary) switch in the copy command. There should be no printer definitions for the LPT port used. How to monitor the loading procedure * When the loading is started, the network LED will start flashing with a rate of 2 Hz (loading time between 30 sec and 4 min). * After a successful down load, the print server will automatically restart with the new firmware. If the NPSLOAD method is used there will also be a message on the PC screen telling you if the loading was successful or not. * In case of an error, the flashing rate will be 1 Hz (with the on period much longer than the off period). Note! The 5.10 firmware will, when used with NPSLOAD, give an incorrect error message (The error has been corrected in firmware versions > 5.10). To verify a correct download check the indicated number of downloaded bytes with the actual size of the file. 4. Upgrading by Changing EPROM ============================== The NPS 530/532, NPS 550, NPS 550R and NPS 650 print servers are using Erasable Programable Read Only Memories (EPROM) for storing the print server software. You can only upgrade these models if You have a "EPROM-Burner" equipment and empty EPROM chips. If this is not the case please contact one of Axis resellers or distributers and they will assist You. A list of Axis distributors and Axis offices can be found on Axis WWW site (http://www.axis.se/sales/distrib.htm). If You have the proper equipment Your Axis print server can be upgraded according to the following procedure: 1. Open the cover of the print server by unloosen the screws on the front panel. Take out the circuit board. 2. Carefully, take out the EPROM(s) from the socket on the PCB and either erase them or use new EPROM(s) of the same type. The release document attached with the EPROM file describes what type of EPROM needed if You are not sure. 3. Follow the instructions according to Your specific equipment to down- load the EPROM file into the new or erased EPROM(s). 4. Re-mount the EPROM(s) and assemble the print server. 5. Connect the print server to the network and power supply according to the User's Manual. 6. Print a test page (see instructions in the User's Manual) and verify that the new software version is written on the page. 7. All the old settings are remained unchanged and the print server should start to work exactly as before but with the new software running instead. There is thus no need to perform factory default. If You have any questions please contact Axis Technical support, Your local reseller or distributor.