For a while now, I have been playing with the Soekris SingleBoard Computers (SBCs), they are compact, low-power, low-cost, advanced communication computers based on an up to 500 Mhz 586 class processor. In this particular model 5501, I installed ubunuty JeOS, and it has been my always on computer for a while.
Boot the Soekris while connected via serial. I am using my Macbook Air and needed to get the following drives for my usb-serial cable:
http://prolificusa.com/pl-2303hx-drivers/
Install the drivers and reboot.
Once you plug in your device you will see it under /dev
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// Driver $sudo dmesg | grep -i "PL-2303" Password: PL-2303/X V1.5.0 start, Prolific |
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// Device $ls -lrt /dev/tty.usbserial crw-rw-rw- 1 root wheel 33, 4 Apr 21 15:53 /dev/tty.usbserial |
I had previously configured my soekris to have console speed of 57600 (default baud rate is 19200)
When connecting via console to a device, I usually prefer to use minicom, but you alternatives:
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$ screen /dev/tty.usbserial 57600 |
But in this case, because I will be using XMODEM to transfer the bios image I downloaded from Soekris I will use ‘cu’
Download the latest BIOS from soekris’ website:
http://soekris.com/downloads.html
Connect to the serial using ‘cu’
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$ sudo cu -l /dev/tty.usbserial -s 57600 |
// It will show you the BIOS version, in this case 1.32
// If the below does not show, it is very likely that you need to set ConMute=Disabled, after pressing Ctrl+P to get to the Menu
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... > set ConMute=Disabled > reboot ... comBIOS ver. 1.32 20080626 Copyright (C) 2000-2008 Soekris Engineering. net5501 0512 Mbyte Memory CPU Geode LX 500 Mhz Pri Sla WDC WD800BEVT-60ZCT1 LBA Xlt 1024-255-63 78 Gbyte Slot Vend Dev ClassRev Cmd Stat CL LT HT Base1 Base2 Int ------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:01:2 1022 2082 10100000 0006 0220 08 00 00 A0000000 00000000 10 0:06:0 1106 3053 02000096 0117 0210 08 40 00 0000E101 A0004000 11 0:07:0 1106 3053 02000096 0117 0210 08 40 00 0000E201 A0004100 05 0:08:0 1106 3053 02000096 0117 0210 08 40 00 0000E301 A0004200 09 0:09:0 1106 3053 02000096 0117 0210 08 40 00 0000E401 A0004300 12 0:20:0 1022 2090 06010003 0009 02A0 08 40 80 00006001 00006101 0:20:2 1022 209A 01018001 0005 02A0 08 00 00 00000000 00000000 0:21:0 1022 2094 0C031002 0006 0230 08 00 80 A0005000 00000000 15 0:21:1 1022 2095 0C032002 0006 0230 08 00 00 A0006000 00000000 15 |
// Enter Ctrl+P to get to the menu
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> // Download the image (In my mac I downloaded to /tmp/b5501_133c.bin > download - // Enter/paste ~+lsz -X /tmp/b5501_133c.bin Start sending file using XMODEM/CRC protocol. <span style="color: #ff0000;">~+lsz -X /tmp/b5501_133c.bin</span> Sending /tmp/b5501_133c.bin, 784 blocks: Give your local XMODEM receive command now. Bytes Sent: 100352 BPS:5198 Transfer complete |
// Now update the flash with the downloaded image:
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> flashupdate Updating BIOS Flash ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..,,,,.... Done. |
// That’s it not reboot and you will see the new version
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> reboot ... comBIOS ver. 1.33c 20080626 Copyright (C) 2000-2008 Soekris Engineering. net5501 0512 Mbyte Memory CPU Geode LX 500 Mhz ... |
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