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Conference netcad::hub_mgnt

Title:DEChub/HUBwatch/PROBEwatch CONFERENCE
Notice:Firmware -2, Doc -3, Power -4, HW kits -5, firm load -6&7
Moderator:NETCAD::COLELLADT
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4455
Total number of notes:16761

2669.0. "Internet Firmware & DCFFILES.DAT" by DPDMAI::auodial1_port2.auo.dec.com::Korns (Like you get on your feet, except with a "K") Wed Aug 23 1995 21:25

I think we've made a mistake in the way we are distributing
firmware on the Internet. We are migrating to the use of HUBloader 
which depends on a DCFFILES.DAT file, but we don't put that file
on the Internet. At least I didn't see it ftp.digital.com.

The situation I'm currently working is a customer evaluating
DH900MS and DC900MX. They were given a complete HUBwatch 4.0 kit
that did not include the DCF portion (came to me on automatic distribution
and was not included, I received DCF about 3 weeks later). Anyway,
customer has the tools, but not the microcode. They are happy they
can pull it over the network and are doing that now.

HOWEVER, I know they will stumble next with HUBloader without
the proper DCFFILES.DAT file. I look around and notice that a 
DCFFILES.DAT is installed along with HUBwatch in the HUBLOAD 
directory. Great, I see that it can simply be copied into the 
HUBWATCH_LOAD directory.

HOWEVER, I see that the filename and version numbers of the files
on the Internet and in the DCFFILES.DAT shipped with HUBwatch don't
match. Now I suspect we'll have to manually edit the DCFFILES.DAT
to match the files pulled from the Internet

What's up? Was there a prelimnary DCF V4.0 that was superceded shortly
thereafter?

Shouldn't we be putting the DCFFILES.DAT in the Internet /firmware
directory that matches up with the /firmware directory? Or does
HUBloader see that the files in /FIRMWARE are newer than DCFFILES.DAT
has?
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
2669.1and what about SDDF.STPDPDMAI::auodial1_port2.auo.dec.com::KornsLike you get on your feet, except with a "K"Wed Aug 23 1995 21:292
And ... are they going to need a newer SDDF.STP file as well
or is the one shipped with HW 4.0 good enough?
2669.2a good idea - provide latest dcffiles.datNETCAD::GABISMon Aug 28 1995 19:2123
    Hi,
    
    That is a good idea.  Thanks for bringing my attention to the situation
    and for providing the solution.
    
    HUBloader uses the DCFFILES.DAT file which contains the versions and 
    image names of the Hub products firmware.  The DCFFILES.DAT is updated 
    with each release of the DEChub Consolidated Firmware Kit and is provided 
    in each release of Hubwatch.  However, the file can become out of sync
    when a new consolidated kit is released between Hubwatch releases.
    
    I will request to have the latest DCFFILES.DAT file added to the 
    /pub/DEC/hub900/firmware directory on ftp.digital.com and kept up-to-date 
    with each release of the DEChub Consolidated Firmware Kit.
    
    In regards to your next question, a newer SDDF.STP file is not needed.
    The SDDF.STP file is an internal file used by HUBloader and is generally 
    not updated, therefore the one in the release of HUBloader and HUBwatch 
    is the correct one.
    
    - Christine
2669.3It's a common problemDPDMAI::KORNSThu Sep 14 1995 16:404
    I've had my second occurance of this same problem. Customer pulls
    image from internal and has to hack the DCFILES.DAT file.
    
    Dave
2669.4CSC32::D_PERRINMon Oct 16 1995 19:313
    the dcffiles.dat is not on gatekeeper for the 4.1-1 firmware
2669.5Please help us be efficient!CSC32::RA_HALLTue Nov 07 1995 16:2313
    	Obviously I do not understand the process or bureaucracy necessary
    to get a file placed on the public node GATEKEEPER. The thing that is
    tangible is the continued increase in the call flow experienced here at
    the CSC because the DCFFILES.DAT is not available with the firmware. It
    is now November and we continue spending our time doing BUSY calls such as
    this while customers with real time issues have to wait.
    	Could someone please enlighten me? It is getting old having to
    replace the proverbial shoes because we continue to shoot ourselves
    in the foot.
    
    Ray Hall
    CSC/CS Network Support
2669.6DCFFILES.DAT on FTP.DIGITAL.COM nowNETCAD::GABISTue Nov 07 1995 17:3527
    
    
     I apologize the dcffiles.dat was not included on the ftp gatekeeper.
     This was definitely an oversight and the importance of the file is 
     understood.

     The dcffiles.dat file is NOW on ftp.digital.com in the 
     /pub/DEC/hub900/firmware directory.  

     The dcffiles.dat file, as well as, the firmware images and release notes 
     can also be, (and could have been - see note 2.0 for DCF V4.1.1 Kit 
     Release Announcement) found on the WEB at:

     http://www.networks.digital.com [for outside Digital]

     (explicitly see:
	  http://www.networks.digital.com/npb/dr/hubs/firmware/index.html)
	 
     and also, this file can also be accessed on the BBS or extracted 
     from the kit.

     Regards,
     Christine Gabis
     
     Thanks to Paul for phoning me on this and the gatekeeper's immediate 
     response.