Firmware Update

 
Zebra RFID reader supports three different methods of updating the firmware.

.        FTP / FTPS / SCP Server Based.

.    FTP/FTPS/SCP Server - This tells the reader where to get the Current Updates for the Reader software and the response file containing the names of the partitions to be updated, as well as the partitions themselves. Note: the IP address (not domain name) must be used in this link, beginning with ftp:// (or ftps:// or scp://).

.    User Name User Name must be provided for appropriate access to the FTP/FTPS/SCP server.

.    User Password The password for the above FTP/FTPS/SCP User Name.

After the "Start Update" button is clicked, the reader will fetch all required files to start firmware update. The firmware update process is then started; the files mentioned in the Response.txt file are downloaded, validated, and then programmed into flash. The reader then reboots on its own. If all the files are not downloaded or are corrupted during the download for any reason, they will not be programmed into flash, and the old firmware will remain. If the check box “Update All Partitions” are selected, then firmware update process shall force update all partitions irrespective of their present version

In case of any failure during the firmware upgrade process, the firmware update process gets terminated and error is displayed in the web console.

Note: Downloading all the partitions and programming onto flash takes about 15 minutes. The reader should not be rebooted or powered off while the Power LED is blinking.

.        File Based Upload.

This method of firmware upgrade allows the user to update the reader without having to configure an FTP/FTPS server. User can have the firmware files in a local/shared machine and use the browse button to select the response.txt from the local/shared drive. All partition files along with the OSUpdate must be present in the same folder. After the start update button is pressed, reader will fetch all required partition files from the local/shared folder and upload the same to reader. The OSUpdate process will be then started and progress will be shown in the same page. The boot LED will be blinking during update operation.

.    Firmware Directory - Click the 'Choose Files' button to select the directory that contains the firmware update files.

In all of the above methods the current firmware update progress is shown in the same page. Once the necessary partitions have been upgraded the reader reboots with a message "Reader is Rebooting" to indicate that the firmware upgrade is complete.