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Ch04_fwupdate, Chapter 4. updating firmware – Comtech EF Data SLM-5650A User Manual

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Chapter 4. UPDATING FIRMWARE

4.1 Updating Firmware via Internet

To ensure optimal performance, it is important to operate the SLM-5650A with its latest

available firmware.

The SLM-5650A Satellite Modem stores its firmware internally in flash memory, which

simplifies the firmware updating process. The firmware update, once acquired, can be transferred

from an external user PC once Ethernet connectivity has been established with the modem.

This chapter outlines the complete firmware updating process as follows:

Perform the update, without opening the SLM-5650A, by connecting the unit to the

Ethernet port of the user PC.

Download the firmware update via the Internet to the user PC.

Transfer the firmware update, via File Transfer Protocol (FTP), from the user PC to the

SLM-5650A manually from the Windows command prompt, or automatically if using the

optional Network Processor (NP) or TRANSEC modules’ Web Server Interfaces.

4.2 About Firmware Files, Naming, Versions, and Archive Formats

The SLM-5650A is factory-shipped with the latest version of operating firmware. If a firmware

update is needed, it can be acquired by download from Comtech EF Data’s Web site (Figure 4-1)

or from Comtech EF Data Customer Support during normal business hours via e-mail or on CD

by standard mail delivery.

Comtech EF Data’s Web site catalogues its firmware update

files by product type (e.g., modem, converter, etc.) and

specific model/optional configuration. The hyperlinks appear

as per the example to the right. In this example, the

F0000030X_V### base modem firmware download hyperlink

is shown, where ‘X’ denotes the revision letter and ###

represents the firmware version. If applicable, one version

prior to the current release is also available for download.