HTTP webserver for firmware upgrade

[tom12sg]

Hi All,

I am using freeRTOS with lwIP TCPIP stack.
I saw in market product they are able to do firmware upgrade through network cable with web-browser, i.e select the file and then click upload.
I would like to do similar thing but has zero knowledge.

1) how is the file transfer done over the network cable
As there is no sufficient ram to store the whole image, how is the mcu to instruct the browser to send part by part after the mcu has finish flashing a part into storage? (something like xmodem handshaking).
I saw there is POST and Get request, which to use.

2) any available example to shows similar things that i can learn from it.

3) what other language is needed. e.g. PHP, CGI?


Thanks!

Tom

 

[Kripton2035]

it's called ethernet bootloader
it depends on the microcontroler you use, there is no need for php or cgi.
there are examples on the net for microchip pic and avr too just google for "open source ethernet bootloader"

 

[tom12sg]

it's called ethernet bootloader
it depends on the microcontroler you use, there is no need for php or cgi.
there are examples on the net for microchip pic and avr too just google for "open source ethernet bootloader"

I have do a search but they don't seem to do what i am looking for.
Anybody can advice?
Thanks.

 

[Kripton2035]

as I said it's mainly for pic or avr
but you have the source code and can adapt to your system
I've never seen any ethernet bootlaoder for freertos

 

[tom12sg]

Hi Kripton2035,

Thanks for your reply.
I was looking to understand how the webserver firmware upgrade work and how they are tie to work with a webpage at http level.
Are you able to explain them, maybe with an example from the web.

So far, all seem to shows powerup and then download through a TCP/IP connection.

Thanks!

Tom

 

[Kripton2035]

what is the microcontroller on your board ?

 

[FvM]

Updating a flash firmware image while the application is running is only possible if the firmware is excuted in RAM. Otherwise you'll switch to a bootloader residing in a separate, possibly write protected flash segment. The bootloader application implements a reduced functionality required for the firmware update. It typically uses a simple file transfer protocol like TFTP or a custom UDP or TCP protocol. Examples can be found from many microprocessors vendors.

 

[tom12sg]

Hi,

I am using STM32, and the firmware is updating to a separate flash bank during upgrade. So, there is no issue and the application can still be run from its own flash. Yes, i see most of the available example are using TFTP with bootloader. However, i see product use web-browser for firmware upgrade. I was wondering what is the underlying mechanism to do it. Since ST application example come with a webserver using lwIP, i wish to know how an upgrade file can be transfer part over to the MCU, program and instruct it to transfer another portion and repeat till complete.
Thanks!

Tom