L Series: Firmware Update Via FTP
INTRODUCTION
For the purposes of this document, we will show all examples from the following perspective:
• vSpace Pro 10 is NComputing's current supported platform.
• FileZilla is used here only as an example. You may use any FTP you are familiar with.
• If you are using File Zilla, you may need to get familiar with their current configuration in case there are changes to the software after the publication of this document.
This article assumes that you have experience with FTP technology. Otherwise, you may need to consider obtaining the advice of an IT in order to set up your FTP Folder / Server correctly.
Firmware Versions.
Every version of vSpace has a matching firmware version for the thin clients that connect to it. It is quite important to always have the right matching firmware belonging to your vSpace version in order to ensure that all features do work as intended. Here are some examples of it:
vSpace Version | Matching firmware Version |
vSpace 4 (discontinued) | 1.4 |
vSpace 6 (discontinued) | 1.6 |
vSpace 7 (discontinued) | 1.7, 1.8 |
vSpace 8 (discontinued) | 1.12 |
vSpace Pro 10 (current version) | 1.13 |
If your terminal shows version 0.x. this is an original firmware which requires a special procedure to update to 1.x version. You can visit this article to get your device updated.
Location of Firmware
When vSpace installs on your PC, the firmware is always stored within the vSpace software files under C:\Program Files.
Here are the locations fo the firmware files by vSpace version:
• vSpace 4:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\NComputer
• vSpace 6:
C:\Program Files\NComputing\NComputing vSpace\Bootsrv
• vSpace 8:
C:\Program Files\NComputing\NComputing vSpace Server for Windows\Bootsrv
• vSpace Pro 10: C:\Program Files\NComputing\vSpace Server Software\Bootsrv
Also, on the latest versions of vSpace, the firmware files are offered to you when you download our software from our website. they are located in the .zip folder containing the vSpace installer.
What's inside the downloaded compressed folder.
1. You have the MSI installer package. (This is the software installer)
2. Release Notes.
3. index2.txt and L300 firmware file (usually named: "L300_FW_ver..."). These two are needed for firmware update for L Series devices.
4. catalog.txt and M300 firmware file (usually named: "M300_FW_ver..."). These two are needed for firmware update for M Series devices.
5. rx-update.txt and rx300 firmware file (usually named: "rx300-..."). These two are needed for firmware update for RX300 devices
Where to see what version do I have.
Go to your L Series device and on it's firmware menu, click on Device Info. You should be able to see the information window bearing the firmware version on the top.
You can also see that through the vSpace Console in your PC. Go to Manage Devices and look closely at the column that reads Versions.
Standard update methods.
If you do not need FTP, for conventional update methods, please refer to these articles:
Common scenarios of FTP update
Some of this scenarios, could be when you need to have control of available firmware files for your thin client devices or when our tech support asks you to perform an FTP update as part of a troubleshooting process. However, the most common scenario is to have your L Series device migrate to a specific firmware version. Such is the case, when a terminal needs to be moved to a version that has a numeric value of that is lesser than the one currently installed. (i.e. If the device has version 1.13 installed and needs to be downgraded to version 1.6). So here we will list the steps to get this done.
PROCEDURE
1. Setting up the FTP
1.1 Create the FTP folder. Create a new folder in a location at hand and name it. As an example, you may choose to create your FTP folder in the C:\Users
\Administrator\Documents and name it FileZilla_FTP
1.2 Copy the firmware files of the target vSpace version you want to update to. As we mentioned earlier in this document in the section Location of Firmware, you will find the matching firmware files within your NComputing folder or in the software download folder. For your L Series device, you will only
need to copy two files to your FTP folder:
• index2.txt
• L300_FW_ver_x_x_x_x.tar.gz. (Here, the “x” represents the numeric value of the desired firmware version)
1.3 Configure your local security as your FTP software requires. Make sure that your firewall and security protocols are configured to allow access to ports that your FTP software of your choice demands. For this example, we will assume that there is only a local Windows Firewall, and that it is turned off in order to allow free access to the FTP location.
1.4 Setup your FTP Server software. For the purpose of this document, we will use FileZilla as an example. (If you have a preference on FTP software that you may be more familiar with, feel welcome to skip over to the next section.)
If you choose to use FileZilla as this example suggests, go to the website (https://filezilla-project.org) and make sure to install the FileZilla Server version. Do not install the client.
FileZilla can be configured leaving all defaults as they are if you have a simple and
isolated lab environment. Otherwise, you will need to supply configurations according to the needs of your local environment.
1.5 Create your user in the FTP server software. In the FileZilla Window, click the user icon located right under the Edit menu [1] or go to Edit > Users. Then choose General and click on the button Add [2]. When choosing a user name for this account, we suggest keeping it simple by
adding no spaces and no special characters. Also, a password must be set on the user account. Still, under the General page, click on the Password checkbox and add a password [3]. There is not need to save or click OK, the password should be stored.
Right below General page click on Shared Folders [1]. Click Add [2]. Browse for your FTP folder [3]. Once you click OK, the path of your FTP location will be clearly displayed in the Shared
Folders section of this window.
2. Setting up the NComputing Access Terminal
If you are on versions 1.7 or 1.8 of the L-Series Terminal, you may need to do these extra steps:
• Isolate the terminal from any vSpace servers. Be sure that your access terminal is out of reach from any vSpace Servers in
your network. This will eliminate the possibility of having a set pre-configured profile pushed to the device by accident.
• Reset the device to factory settings. (vSpace 7 firmware only) In the specific case of the 1.8 firmware, this step will help the terminal release the current management zone configuration.
Here is how to do the mentioned hard reset:
• Set a password on the device. Device Info>Password
• Once the terminal returns to the main menu, click on Device Setup. A dialog window will appear asking for the password. At that point, enter the key combo: CTL+SHIFT+END.
• Another dialog window will confirm the factory settings command.
• Your device will take about a minute to reboot.The terminal will reboot and may display a dialog window that reads: Scanning Local Network for Management Servers. This is a good thing, since it indicates that the terminal successfully let go of the management zone configuration.
For now, click cancel.
2.1 Set up the FTP folder location at the device firmware.
Go to Device Setup > Update Tab and click on the radio button next to "Update from a
specified firmware file on an FTP server".
2.2 Enter the URL of the Server. You will need the IP address and target firmware
filename.
You can obtain the IP address of your host computer using Command prompt.
Here is how to obtain your IP form a Windows OS computer:
• Go to the Start Menu
• On the query box to search programs and files, type CMD • Click on CMD.exe
• Once you see the Command Prompt window, Type ipconfig • The information you need is the number at the right of the listed IPV4 Address.
2.3 Configure the firmware. At the L-300 terminal, back in the Device tab, choose the radio button next to Search and update from an FTP directory.
The full URL is composed of the host IP and target filename separated by a
forward slash. Per the image above, a good example of this would be the following:
• User name: [username for your FTP server account]
• Password: [password for your FTP server account]
NOTE: Be careful on how you enter The FTP URL as the filename is case sensitive.
Once all fields are set, click on Update Now
A dialog will appear confirming: All settings will be saved and the firmware
will be updated. Click OK.
At this point, the device should report progress downloading the firmware files.
Eventually, the terminal will show only one more dialog window before rebooting: Updating firmware.
During the process of writing the latest firmware to the device, DO NOT TURN POWER OFF. This is a sensitive operation and can render your terminal inoperable.
(vSpace 7 firmware only) In case you get a secondary window insisting to scan for management servers. You do not have to click Cancel. This message should not interrupt the firmware burn.
2.4 Finishing the process. Once the process is done, the device will restart by itself. The screen may not show an image for several seconds.
Once you see the main menu, if you click on Device Info, the firmware version should be at the desired target value.
Article ID: 1003
REV 12/17
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