Z3 Technology, LLC
♦
100 N 8
th
ST, STE 250
♦
Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 U.S.A.
♦
+1.402.323.0702
7
4 Overview of the Process
All Z3-DM8168-MOD modules contain a NAND flash chip for storage of firmware and data, including sections
necessary for the board to boot. The Flash also stores the Linux kernel and filesystem. In order to allow the
module to boot, the Flash needs to contain at least the u-boot code and its environment variables.
The Flash chip is initially blank. The various software components that are to be loaded into the flash are
stored in a server on the network. The module can be configured to boot from the network using BOOTP
protocol so that the initial load is provided from the server. This initial load will cause the subsequent blocks of
data to be loaded into the Flash. When the load process is complete a status message will be printed to the
console. If the software load was performed without errors, the message will be “NAND update SUCCESS”.
After the flash content is successfully programmed, the manufacturing tests must be performed. When the
functional test completes without issues, the module will display a success message on the serial console port.
Note that the same process can be used to recover a module that had the content of its Flash compromised
and no longer boots.
Once the flash is programmed, the module can be subject to further functional tests. Such tests can be run
from a USB memory stick plugged into one of the module’s USB ports or by connecting the manufacturing
jumper option.
In summary, the following steps are used to program the Flash and verify the assembly process:
1. Plug the module under test with a blank flash into a known good Z3-DM8168-APP-41 board.
2. Connect the cables according to the setup instructions. Make sure that the power switch is in the “OFF”
position before connecting the power plug.
3. Power up the system.
This will automatically start the Flash programming step procedure described in section 6.
Since the Flash is initially empty, the module retrieves its IPL code from the BOOTP server.
The IPL code runs and retrieves various other portions of software from the TFTP server.
a. Get the file “
u-boot-uartboot.bin.scr
” from the server and write to Flash.
b. Get the file “
u-boot-env.scr'
” from the server and write to Flash.
c. Get the file “
u-boot.bin.img
” from the server and write to Flash.
d. Get the file “
uImage
” from the server and write to Flash.
