How To: Upgrade the CBOX or V2 FPGA firmware on an MXnet System Configured for High Availability.

This article provides guidance on performing system updates on both AC-MXNET-CBOX-HAs when configured for High Availability Mode on an MXnet platform (Instructions for High Availability configuration are provided here), as well as for preparing a system for updates via the MXnet 1G V2 FPGA Batch Updater program.

Note: It is not necessary to prepare a High Availability environment in the manners described below, when updating MXnet 1G or 10G endpoint MCU firmware (firmware that is packaged in a .FWM format). MCU updates to MXnet endpoints must be done on the Primary-Configured CBOX-HA.

Obtaining the Necessary Firmware Files

The first requirement is obtaining the respective CBOX firmware files necessary to update the MXnet platform being used. 

• If the CBOX-HAs are configured for MXnet 1G (Controlling MXnet V1, MXnet V2 devices), the latest firmware files can be obtained here: AC-MXNET-1G-CBOX-HA Firmware Files
• If the CBOX-HAs are configured for MXnet 10G (Controlling MXnet 10G TCVR devices), the latest firmware files can be obtained here: AC-MXNET-10G-CBOX-HA Firmware Files
• If it is desired to upgrade the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) of an MXnet V2 system, the latest firmware files + FPGA Batch Updater Program can be obtained here: MXnet 1G V2 Batch Updater Files

Preparing the High Availability Environment for System Updates

The next step is to prepare both CBOX-HAs for system updates. Begin by entering the IP address of the Backup-Configured CBOX-HA into a web browser, accessing the MENTOR web GUI of the Backup CBOX.

Once the System Utilities page populates, locate the High Availability section and click the Configure button. Locate the toggle switch for Enable High Availability and click the toggle switch to disable High Availability mode.

Once the Backup CBOX’s High Availability mode has been disabled, repeat the above process for the Primary-Configured CBOX-HA. If a third-party control system is in use for this MXnet installation, it is recommended to suspend communication from the control system to the Primary CBOX-HA at this point, to prevent errors occurring in control system feedback. 

Performing System Updates

CBOX Firmware Updates

Once both the Primary and Backup CBOX-HAs have High Availability mode disabled, it is now safe to perform updates to the MXnet system.

For applying updates to the MXnet CBOX-HAs, begin by accessing the IP address of the Backup-Configured CBOX. Once the System Utilites page populates, locate the section labeled MXnet System Updates. Click Browse for Update File, select the desired CBOX firmware file, and click Open to upload the firmware to the CBOX-HA. Firmware files for the 1G and 10G CBOX-HA can be downloaded within the links below if needed:

• MXnet 1G CBOX-HA Firmware
• MXnet 10G CBOX-HA Firmware

Once the desired firmware has been uploaded, Click on the Update Now button and choose OK to confirm, to start the CBOX-HA update process.

Once the progress bar reaches 100% and the Backup-Configured CBOX-HA reboots, repeat the above process for the Primary-Configured CBOX-HA.

FPGA Batch Updater

When using the FPGA Batch Updater Program to update the FPGA of V2 endpoints, it is important to input the IPV4 Address of the Primary-Configured CBOX-HA’s AV/NETWORK Port into the Batch Updater. Failure to do so may lead to abnormal behaviors occurring during the update process.

Provided that the IPV4 Address of the Primary-Configured CBOX-HA’s AV/NETWORK Port is entered into the MXnet V2 Batch Updater Program, and the MXnet system has been prepared following the instructions provided in the previous section, the instructions to update the FPGA of an MXnet V2 system will be identical to the MXnet V2 FPGA Batch Updater guide.

Preparing the MXnet System Post-Updates

Once the update process has been completed, whether the updates were performed on the CBOX-HAs or via the FPGA Batch Updater, the CBOX-HAs can then be re-configured for High Availability mode.

Begin by entering the IP address of the Primary-Configured CBOX-HA into a web browser, accessing the MENTOR web GUI. 

Once the System Utilities page populates, locate the High Availability section and click the Configure button. Locate the toggle switch for Enable High Availability and click the toggle switch to enable High Availability mode.

After High Availability mode has been re-enabled for the Primary-Configured CBOX-HA, repeat the above process for the Backup-Configured CBOX-HA.

Once both CBOX-HAs are re-configured for High Availability mode, the MXnet system is now back to normal operation, and third-party control processors can re-establish communication.