Kontron NetBootLoader - Manual (Page 9)

ID 1022-8317, Rev. 2.0
Introduction NetBootLoader
Page 1
1. Introduction
The NetBootLoader is a proprietary software utility for Kontron’s families of PowerPC products
– E²Brains, AMC CPUs, CPCI CPUs, VME CPUs – which is designed to initialize and configure
these modules for operation before turning control over to either an application or to an opera-
tor. This software also provides the capability to monitor and control the operation of the Net-
BootLoader itself, display system status information, to program executable code and data to
the NBL Flash memory, and to load and start application software.
Depending on the product type, there are either one or two NOR Flash memories (NBL-Flash0,
NBL-Flash1) available which are used to store the NetBootLoader itself as well as providing
memory space for bootable images or other data. Where two NOR-Flashes are available, these
memories are identical and are redundant of one another. Only one of these Flash memories
can be in use at any given time. The other is redundantly available, and, if required, it can be
swapped with the currently used memory.
All CPU modules are delivered with the NetBootLoader (NBL) software already programmed
into their NOR Flash memory chip(s) (NBL Flash).
1.1 Basic Operation
Upon power on or a system reset, the NetBootLoader is started. The CPU module is configured
for operation and control is passed either to an application or an operator. In the event a valid
image has been programmed into the NBL Flash memory and no operator or SCRIPT com-
mand intervention takes place, a specified image is copied into the CPU module’s data buffer
and control is passed to the image which can either be an operating system or a customized
application. If the NetBootLoader does not find a valid image or operator intervention has oc-
curred, control is passed to the operator. The operator now has control to determine the system
status, make configuration changes, read or program the NBL Flash memory, invoke the RUN
command, or to restart or power down the system.
The operator command interfacing with the NetBootLoader is accomplished either through a
serial or Ethernet port. During the boot operation a command interpreter is started which allows
the operator to input commands to the NetBootLoader. Prior to interfacing using an Ethernet
port, the port must be configured either via the serial port or a DHCP/BOOTP server.
1.2 NetBootLoader Interfacing
There are three possibilities to interface with the NetBootLoader:
• Via the primary serial interface
• Via the secondary serial interface
• Via an Ethernet port interface
During the boot wait time, which is a time frame provided by the NetBootLoader during the boot
process for operator intervention, interfacing is done directly using the primary serial interface
or remotely by either performing a telnet login or using the Serial Over LAN feature via an Ether-
net port. If the operator does not intervene, the boot operation is continued after the boot wait
time has elapsed.
The secondary serial port is used to provide the NetBootLoader with the ability to access Mo-
torola S-Records for programming an image to NBL Flash memory. A command interpreter is
not available for this interface.