In system software upgrade

In system software upgrade

[Hieu Ninh]

All,

Our system requires the software upgrade feature (for both application and
kernel) during the user space application is running.  I don't know how to
go about it in Linux environment.  

If I can get an image (from USB flash) and copy it to the RAM while the
system running and some how reboot the system in U-boot (without reset the
RAM).  From there I can run the uboot script to copy the image from RAM to
flash.  Would this work? Is there any better way to do this?

Thanks

HN

Re: In system software upgrade

[Nishanth Menon]

Hieu Ninh stated on 9/22/2006 10:56 PM:
> Our system requires the software upgrade feature (for both application and
> kernel) during the user space application is running.  I don't know how to
> go about it in Linux environment.  
application upgrade: two ways: one: replace the entire filesystem (bad
idea)- u should be able to do it with uboot/the old setup itself, two:
replace the application and related binaries: it is easier if your
filesystem has some sort of package manager like rpm/apt-tools stuff
like that.

kernel up-grade:
a) as you mentioned, requires u-boot support.
b) from bootup shell prompt(using the old kernel), overwrite the
kernel's mtd partition with the new kernel. reboot, and you should have
the new kernel.
> 
> If I can get an image (from USB flash) and copy it to the RAM while the
> system running and some how reboot the system in U-boot (without reset the
> RAM).  From there I can run the uboot script to copy the image from RAM to
> flash.  Would this work? Is there any better way to do this?
uboot:
a) u can have usb mass-storage support in uboot. boot in u-boot, copy
from mas-storage to flash
b) u can use other paths such as serial/some other interface to install.

But dont download it to ram and expect a "system restart" to keep your
ram alive. it is not a productizable option.

Regards,
Nishanth Menon