Main Menu and Toolbar Utilities

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A toolbar (menu) is provided with the tools or utilities required to perform the firmware update..



A browse button allows the user to select the firmware binary file. The firmware binary filename must be NTPClock.bin

Ping/Config

 

Ping Specific IP initiates a ping command to an IP address that the user enters manually. The ping response status is reported in the status window and in log files. Ping may be used to validate if a clock can be accessed on the network.

Sets advanced parameters for ping utility and number of download retries. Also allows for using short UDP packets for instances when packet sizes are limited by network. Allows function to fill in missing MAC addresses for devices

Log

Log utility for reviewing the status of updates. Creates a .log file in the directory were the application was installed. Opened automatically by default upon application startup.May be disabled. Log file may be cleared.

Search Utility
A search utility which discovers Series II clocks on the network. This utlity is similar to WinDiscovery except it will only detect Series II network clocks. It uses a broadcast method and response on port 2000. Search is initiated automatically upon application startup and 30 seconds after each clock update (allowing time for the clock to restart). May also be initiated manually to search for clocks.

Password
The clock(s) current password is required to be verified before a firmware update can occur. The password must be tested for the selected clock(s). Note: The factory default password for all clocks is: public.

Download
One or more clocks may be selected for a firmware update from the search list. The "Download" command updates the selected clock(s) using the currently selected firmware binary file. Clocks are updated one at a time, even if multiple clocks are selected for the update. Each clock receives the firmware file and if the download (update) is successful a "Successful" status is indicated. The clock is then rebooted. After a 30 second time out, which allows for the clock to reboot, an automatic search is applied and the clock must be discovered on the network as a valid clock type. If the clock is not found with an automatic search, the update is aborted for all remaining clocks.


Abort
Aborts the update process for remaining selections, after completion of the current update.
If initated manually, the current clock update will continue to completion. However, additionally selected clocks will not be updated. An Abort will be initiated automatically if the firmware update (download) is successful, however, the clock does not respond to an automatic search after the restart timeout period of 30 seconds. An automatic abort is used to avoid orphaning a large number of clocks if the update process fails. If initiated automatically, an abort notice will be displayed in the status window.

Due to the nature of UDP messaging, it is possible that the firmware file, which is intended to update the clock, will instead re-write the devices configuration and orphan the clock making it unusable until it is configured manually as a network clock. If multiple clocks are to be updated, it is recommended to first update only one clock, as a trial run , to ensure the application will work on your network. If the update is successful, then update the remaining clocks one at a time, or in small groups.




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