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Appendix C
FirstAid Agent for Emergency
Firmware Upgrade
A software utility called FirstAid Agent is included with this router on the
Installation CD. This program is designed for the rare circumstance
where the router is unable to function because it contains an
incomplete or corrupted version of its operating software, and you are
unable to resolve the problem by performing a standard upgrade
procedure.
This problem can result from a failure during a software upgrade
procedure. During the upgrade process, the router’s flash memory is
erased and then rewritten with the new operating software. If a power
failure occurs while the flash is being overwritten, the router will fail to
boot normally because the firmware upgrade was not completed. In this
situation, the router will be unable to function and, as a result, you will
not be able to repeat the upgrade procedure.
The FirstAid Agent allows you to resolve this problem by turning the PC
where the utility is installed into both a BOOTP server and TFTP server.
To use the utility, you must disconnect all devices from the router except
for the PC containing the utility. You start the utility, specify the filename
of the router’s operating software, and then power on the router. As part
of its normal boot up procedure, the router will send out a BOOTP
request prior to loading its operating software. Upon receiving the
request, the FirstAid Agent on the PC will respond by instructing the
router to download a new version of its operating software.
The current configuration settings of a gateway are maintained when
the gateway’s software is restored. If you want to return the settings to
the factory default values, use the FirstAid utility and the PARAM.INI file,
as explained later in this appendix. Returning the unit to its default
settings can be useful if you forget the unit’s IP address and cannot
connect to it for administrative purposes.
