SnIP Downloads

Current Downloads are organized into 3 categories. Software, Software Aids and Test Aids:

SnIP Update Software

=> The lastest kernel image is build #404 dated 9 May 2008.
=> The lastest filesystem image is build 0.5.34 dated 1 June 2008.
** Installation recommended - many new items.

There are multiple methods for updating the software in the SnIP interface card. The SnIP runs Linux (currently 2.6.15) with an included bootloader. Since most customers are running Windows on a computer that they might be updating from, most of the update facilities provided here are designed to run in Windows.

Kernel and Root Filesystem Images. These are the basic image files that the bootloader loads to run Linux itself. The kernel can only be updated as a single image file ("uImage"), while the Root Filesystem can be updated via three methods:

	Update the entire Root Filesystem image ("jffs2.img"). In most cases of Filesystem versions prior to 0.5.29 this is the recommended method, since it will essentially install an entire new file system with all the pieces required.
	Update individual files using a program like WinSCP, tftpd32, Pumpkin or PuTTY for Windows computers and scp, rsysnc, wget or tftp for Linux computers.
	Install or update "packages" which are complete applications including supporting files. Up through Filesystem version 0.5.29 the "ipkg" package management system was not enabled. Currently all available packages are also already installed in the SnIP, so this option is not usable yet.

SnIP software files are maintained in two locations on the web. This page has links to allow you to directly download the files into a directory on your computer. We also maintain an ftp/wget protected download only location at snip.datum-direct.com which will be used by the SnIP itself in the future to download images and packages.

Note that the term "software" is used in contrast the the use of "firmware" for the modem. All of the code within the SnIP is real software unlike the modem which contains a significant amount of FPGA configuration and firmware code.

First Check your current SnIP Kernel and Root Filesystem versions:

From a SnIP Console or Telnet terminal prompt type the command "config". The first two lines of the response will show the Kernel version and the Root Filesystem build version. Older systems will not display the Kernel version. If you already have the latest versions shown in the image file download links below then there is no need to update.

When you should download new software:

	If you need new capabilities as provided by a later version than that installed. For example, you may need to update the software in an older SnIP to support new "ebtables" network processing.
	If you are experiencing some problem that may be associated with a particular application. Occasionally some hardware issue arises that requires later software to resolve.

When Not to download new software:

	If your SnIP is working fine in an existing application there is no need to update the software - most updates target very specific areas of operation.
	If you are not properly equipped to load the software to the SnIP . You must have a PC type computer with an available serial port (COM1 or COM2) and for kernel or Root Filesystem replacement you need a male to female serial cable to connect between the computer's serial port and the SnIP 's console port.

Download Links - Image files include the kernel uImage" and the Root Filesystem "jffs2.img" Some other files may be in tar.gz format usable by the Linux tar programs within the SnIP. Yet a third category may be in "ZIP" format usable by Windows PC computers and will require WinZip or Windows XP/Vista to un-compress. Click on the appropriate link below and choose the "Save" option to save the file on your computer. Before downloading it is recommended that you read the SnIP Update Instructions first.

SnIP Image Files

Updating the SnIP images requires a Linux or Windows OS PC (2000, XP or Vista) with COM port support and a standard DB9 serial male to female cable. You will also need to install one of several freely available TFTP server programs - see the update instructions for recommendations. The MD5 checksums can be used to verify integrity and can be calculated directly in Linux or using a Windows program (see Software Aids below).

SnIP Linux kernel image - "uImage" - Currently 2.6.15, build #404 dated 2008-05-09

    uImage - kernel image file (785 kBytes) In some browsers you may have to right click on the link and "Save as".



    uImage - zipped kernel image file (785 kBytes) Use this zipped version if the browser does not handle the uImage file correctly - i.e. thinks it is a text file.

    MD5 Checksum for kernel image (33 Bytes)

SnIP Root Filesystem image - "jffs2.img" - Current version 0.5.34 dated 2008-06-01.

    jffs2.img - Root Filesystem Image Version 0.5.34 (8,900 kBytes)

    MD5 Checksum for Root filesystem image (33 Bytes)

SnIP Flash Update Scripts - "burnk" and "burna" are required to burn the images above into the SnIP's flash memory. It is recommended to simply get the single ZIP file with both scripts to avoid possible corruption in transfer.

    Bootloader burn_script.zip Both below scripts in ZIP format (808 Bytes)

    Bootloader burna script Version 1.00 (727 Bytes)

    Bootloader burnk script Version 1.00 (491 Bytes)

Software Aids

Windows Open Source and GPL or Freeware programs for working with the SnIP. Since the SnIP runs Linux you will need some Windows programs to help in updates, file transfers and communications. We have used these programs and highly recommend them. Current links to the author's web sites are provided.

Windows Program Links

TFTP Server - We, and other companies, recommend "tftpd32" by Philippe Jounin that may be downloaded from the main web page at http://tftpd32.jounin.net/.

WinSCP - A very capable program for Windows that can do secure copy (scp) plus many other functions in graphical windows. Probably better than the Linux programs it is designed to emulate. WinSCP may be downloaded from its web page at http://winscp.net/eng/download.php

PuTTY can be used for many things including telnet, SSH and also makes a good terminal emulator that in many cases works better than Hyperterminal. You can download it from the web site: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

MD5 Checksum - The MD5 checksum for the image files are provided at the download location with an .md5 extension. A good Windows MD5 checksum calculator can be found at http://nullriver.net/index/products/winmd5sum .

Test Aids

Not published yet

Send mail to Mike (at) datumsystems.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: September 04, 2008