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Upgrading the Soekris BIOS

Introduction

I strongly recommend upgrading the BIOS whenever an update is available: https://www.soekris.com/downloads.htm

Since it's not necessarily obvious how to do it, I'll explain the process.

Installation

A small package will be needed:

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apt-get install lrzsz

Upgrading

  • Connect to your BIOS monitor using minicom and run the download command:
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> download

Or try this if it doesn't work:

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> download -
  • We'll send the file using sx:
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$ sx -X ~/b5501_133.bin > /dev/ttyUSB0 < /dev/ttyUSB0
Sending b5501_133c.bin, 784 blocks: Give your local XMODEM receive command now.
Xmodem sectors/kbytes sent:  96/12kRetry 0: NAK on sector
Xmodem sectors/kbytes sent:  97/12kRetry 0: NAK on sector
Xmodem sectors/kbytes sent: 131/16kRetry 0: NAK on sector
Xmodem sectors/kbytes sent: 132/16kRetry 0: NAK on sector
Xmodem sectors/kbytes sent: 528/66kRetry 0: NAK on sector
Xmodem sectors/kbytes sent: 529/66kRetry 0: NAK on sector
Xmodem sectors/kbytes sent: 578/72kRetry 0: NAK on sector
Xmodem sectors/kbytes sent: 579/72kRetry 0: NAK on sector
Bytes Sent: 100352   BPS:1519

Transfer complete

Once completed, flash and reboot:

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> flashupdate
?Updating BIOS Flash ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..,,,,.... Done.

> reboot

Reference