Hardware Documentation

Uploading Firmware

This document explains how to upload firmware to CommandFusion hardware, using the CommandFusion System Commander software.

You can watch a video of the process here: Firmware Uploading Tutorial

There are 2 communication methods available for uploading firmware to CommandFusion devices, via Ethernet and via a Serial port.

For the purposes of this documentation, we will assume you are uploading via Ethernet, using the CF LANBridge. But uploading via Serial Port is much the same.

Connect Hardware

When using Ethernet to upload firmware to devices, you will need to first connect a LANBridge to the same network your PC is running on, and the network much have a DHCP Server to assign an IP Address to the LANBridge automatically on first startup.

Once the LANBridge is powered up, watch the "IP Address" LED on it's information panel - as soon as it goes solid, this means it has obtained an IP Address and you can continue.
This process can take some time, depending on your network configuration. Allow at least 1 minute for the device to obtain an IP Address.

Select Communication Method

The first step is to open up CF System Commander software on your PC.
Then select "Network > Settings" and ensure Ethernet and UDP are selected and press OK.
Now go online by pressing the "Offline" status button, which will toggle the status to Online. Make sure any windows firewall exception is allowed at this stage.

Scanning for Devices

Once System Commander is in Online Mode, press the "Scan Devices" button.
You will see the tree on the left fill with any CFLink devices that are found on the network, attached to your LANBridge. If a device does not have a valid firmware loaded (It's Power LED is flashing) then it will not show up on this list.

Uploading the Firmware

Now select "Network > Upload Firmware (Single)..." from the main menu.
Then browse for the firmware file you want to upload.
The firmware type and version should automatically be detected. If not, make sure you selected a valid .cfx file.

The Device ID to upload to should be automatically selected if you have previously scanned for devices.
If it does not show up because the device you are wanting to update currently does not have a valid firmware file, then please wait for the device to announe itself again over the network.
This can take up to a minute or so, so please wait. Once it has announced itself, the ID should automatically be filled in, and you can go ahead and select "Start Uploading".

The log area will tell you what is happening. But here is a quick rundown of the process:

  1. The device will be asked to prepare itself for firmware loading (should take just a few seconds).
  2. Any existing firmware on the device will then be erased.
  3. The new firmware data will be transferred. This process can take a few minutes. The progress bar will show you actual upload progress.
  4. The device will then reboot, validate it's firmware, then announce itself over the network. Once this is complete, "DONE" will show in the log.
  5. Next load additional firmware files if you need, or close the window.