Contents

About software upgrade· 1

Software types· 1

BootWare image· 1

Startup software images· 1

Software upgrade types· 2

About software upgrade

Software types

Software types include the BootWare image and startup software images. They are required for the device to start and run and provide support, management, and other services.

BootWare image

This image contains a basic segment and an extended segment. The basic segment is the minimum code that bootstraps the system. The extended segment enables hardware initialization and provides system management menus. When the device cannot start up correctly, you can use the menus to load software and the startup configuration file or manage files.

Startup software images

Startup software image subcategories

Startup software images include the following image subcategories:

·     Boot image—A .bin file that contains the Linux operating system kernel. It provides process management, memory management, file system management, and the emergency shell.

·     System image—A .bin file that contains the Comware kernel and standard features, including device management, interface management, configuration management, and routing.

·     Feature image—A .bin file that contains advanced or customized software features.

·     Patch image—A .bin file that is released for fixing bugs without rebooting the device. A patch image does not add or remove features.

The boot image and system image are required for the device to operate and cannot be uninstalled. A feature or patch image can be uninstalled.

Software release forms

Software images are released in one of the following forms:

·     Separate .bin files. You must verify compatibility between software images.

·     All startup software images except patch images are released as a whole in one .ipe package file. The images in an .ipe package file are compatible. The system decompresses the file automatically, loads the .bin images and sets them as startup software images.

Main and backup startup software images

To upgrade software, you must specify the upgrade files as the startup software images for the device to load at next startup. You can specify two lists of software images: one main and one backup. The device first loads the main startup software images. If the main startup software images are not available, the device loads the backup startup software images.

Software upgrade types

Software upgrade types include BootWare upgrade, startup software upgrade, and feature and patch installation.