Software update from Bootloader

Software update from the Bootloader menu applies to the following STB models: MAG-250/254/270.

• USB Bootstrap - update files (Bootstrap and imageupdate) should be previously placed to a USB drive connected to the STB. Description - below.
• MC Upgrade - update files (Bootstrap and imageupdate) are transferred to the STB from a PC by Multicast streaming. Description - below.

Update files

To update STB software from the Bootloader menu, two files are used:

• imageupdate - contains a Public image of STB software created on the basis of a specific STB software release. Public image from the Manufacturer is included with each STB release. Users (Operators) are also provided with the Instructions for building their own versions of Public image, based on a particular release.

• Bootstrap - boot file that is used to load software images into RAM memory. Provided in each release of STB with name Bootstrap_<model>, where <model> is the basic model number (250, 254, 270). For use in the update procedure, it must be renamed to Bootstrap.

Bootstrap and imageupdate files used in the update procedure must belong to the same release. For example, if you want to install Public image of manufacturer, version 0.2.18-r19 for STB MAG254, you need to download these files from the next resource: http://soft.infomir.com/mag254/release/0.2.18-r19/

Update from Bootloader menu by USB

Update procedure

At PC (USB drive preparing)

1. Make sure that your USB drive meets requirements.
2. Create the directory mag<model> in the root directory on the USB-drive (for example, for MAG254 the name of the directory is mag254);
3. Download the required files (imageupdate and Bootstrap_ <model>).
4. Rename file from Bootstrap_ <model> to Bootstrap;
5. Write imageupdate and Bootstrap files to the mag<model> directory. For example, for MAG254:

At STB (update launch)

1. Insert prepared USB-drive in STB slot (if there are two USB connectors, use the rear one!);.
2. Open up the Bootloader menu.
3. Select UpgradeTools ⇒ USB Bootstrap (use Right on RC).
4. After info message "Please insert USB flash-drive and press "OK" appeared, press OK on RC.
5. Updating starts. Information about the different stages of the update is displayed on the TV screen;
6. Wait until the update process is complete. After completing the update, STB automatically reboots.

USB drive requirements and troubleshooting

Requirements to USB drive

The USB drive that is intended to perform the STB software update must comply with the next requirements:

1. FAT32 file system format.
2. If there is more than one partition on the USB drive, it should use the first one.

Troubleshooting of update from System Recovery by USB

1. The STB does not start updating or does not detect folder or update files on USB-drive - USB-drive is not initialized ("Internal error" message, etc.):

• Recheck folder name, update files, file sources. Folder name and imageupdate file must contain only small letters (lowercase). Folder and file names should not contain characters added: examples of the wrong names are mag_254, imageupdate (1), Bootstrap_254, and so on.
• If you are not sure about the source of update files (imageupdate and Bootstrap), re-download them.
• Check extension of the update files - set view mode of the folder with files "Show extension". Files should not have extensions (like txt, etc.).
• There may be a problem with the USB drive. Check the requirements for the USB-drive again: file system is FAT32, the first partition is used.
• If you update from the Bootloader menu - try another USB socket of STB.
• If you can not resolve the problem with USB-drive, please note the following:
  • if you have problems with starting files from USB (especially if you know that the USB drive was used as a boot disk or was handled by a utility like "Partition", etc.), format USB drive (file system should be used FAT-32) and repeat updating procedure;
  • it is recommended to use STB software (provided by drive manufacturer) formatting utilities;
  • it is recommended to use USB dongle of well-known brands (Transcend, Sandisk, Kingston, etc.).
• Try another USB drive.

2. When upgrading from Bootloader menu, STB starts bootstrap file, but does not start receiving the imageupdate file or downloading did not end successfully:

• Check the name of imageupdate file. You may need to replace the imageupdate file and try the update again.
• Probably, problems with USB-drive - see item 1.

3.'Wrong signature', 'Unsupported architecture' - Probably, you use not the appropriate type of image.

• Make sure that the imageupdate file matches your STB model.
• If you are not sure about the source of update files, re-download it, replace the file on USB-drive, and then try to update again.
• Make sure that the imageupdate file contains a Public image. If needed replace the file on the USB drive, and then try to update again.

Update from Bootloader menu by Multicast

Update by multicast is performed from the Bootloader menu. This update method can only be used to install Public image versions of the required STB model, those are located in the STB software releases or created by the user independently according to the Instructions of the STB manufacturer.
The following utilities can be used as a means in order to stream update files by multicast:

• for Linux OS - mcsend utility. This utility is part of the Operators Utilities for building STB software image. Description of the utility is given in the document Operator_Guide_MAG200.pdf.
• for Windows OS- Mcast utility. The below description is concerned with the Mcast utility.

Preparing

1. Download imageupdate and Bootstrap files, which will be streaming from PC to STB by multicast, similarly to described update with USB drive.
2. Download and unzip MCAST-V2.0. (zip) application on PC.
3. To ensure IGMP and multicast traffic pass through, it is necessary that PC and STB are in the same broadcast domain. Otherwise, it is necessary to provide routing for multicast flows on the required network section from PC to STB. It is usually sufficient to use a direct cable network connection between STB and PC or they both must be connected to the same switch/router (in the last case, the STB and the PC must be connected to the switch/router with wire connection).

Update procedure

• Enter Bootloader menu;
• Select Upgrade Tools ⇒ MC Upgrade. STB goes into the state of receiving and activating the Bootstrap file:
  • The multicast IP-address and port on which STB expects to receive data will be displayed on the TV screen;
  • A download indicator (progress bar) starts moving as soon as data starts to be received on STB from the multicast IP-address displayed on the screen.
• At PC run Mcast application and start multicasting two streams: stream 1 — Bootstrap file, stream 2 — imageupdate file;
• If Bootstrap file is successfully received then appropriate message will display and STB automatically switches to receiving and activating the imageupdate file;
• In case of successful receipt of both files, the update procedure will be successfully completed and updated STB software will be run.

Multicast streaming from PC with Mcast utility

• Run Mcast utility (mcast_v2.0.exe). This opens the QueryUserForNetworkInterface window;
• Select the required network interface (network card) through which the broadcast will be made;
• In the main window Multicast file streamer v2.0 for each of the two streams (Bootstrap and imageupdate), you must specify:
  • File name - the location of the file on the PC (the files must be downloaded to a specific folder of the PC in the preparation phase);
  • IP-address, port - IP-address and port to which stream the data. These values depend on the STB model. For more information, see Multicast stream addresses.
• Click the Start button for stream1 and stream2.

Multicast stream addresses

The address for multicasting of Bootstrap and imageupdate streams in Mcast depends on the STB model.

Multicast update example

An example of Multicast updating for STB MAG250 is below.

  Open to view. Example of using MCAST utility

Example:

Select the network interface (active network interface);

Specify parameters for each of streams: "File name", IP-adress, port. Stream 1 - Bootstrap, Stream 2 - Imageupdate.

Compare Bootstrap address in MCAST and Boot loader: for various STB it may differ.

Run streams 1 and 2.

Wait till the update is completed. The updating state is displayed on the TV screen. After the update completed the STB automatically reboots.

Possible problems during updating using Multicast

• interface (network card) is incorrectly chosen:
  • Check up the selected interface in the mcast utility. In case of difficulty on this question, address for the help to network/system administrator.
• there is a barrier that blocks multicast traffic from the computer (on which running MCAST):
  • If PC and STB are connected through external network equipment it is necessary to make sure, that the used network does not exist barrier on the way of multicast and IGMP traffic.
  • Check up PC local network settings. Network filters, anti-virus soft as well as another soft can influence transfer multicast traffic;
  • Connect your STB directly to PC (Exclude switches, routers, etc.) and start update process again;
  • If PC and STB are connected directly through UTP cable, check-up the connection and make sure that the cable not to be damaged;

• If loading of Bootstrap file is successful, and imageupdate download does not end
  

  • Try to reduce the data rate for imageupdate stream to 500 000 bytes/s and start the update process from the beginning.