This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
firmware_basics_procedures [2021/12/26 04:22] – [Broadcom CFE miniWebserver Method]-changed FCC Regulation section to Heading2 hogwild | firmware_basics_procedures [2022/02/20 17:24] – [What is Firmware and what do all those Terms Mean?] this IS the same as imaging programs djk44883 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
- | ====== | + | ====== |
===== Basic Concepts ===== | ===== Basic Concepts ===== | ||
Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
=== What's " | === What's " | ||
- | In short, flashing is installing new firmware. On a device like a router, firmware is most of the basic programming code which runs most of the major functions on the device. This is similar to the installed operating system and programs on a PC. However, with firmware, updates are usually less frequent, and the device can usually run in a reasonably stable way even without them. | + | In short, flashing is installing new firmware. On a device like a router, firmware is most of the basic programming code which runs most of the major functions on the device. This is similar to the installed operating system and programs on a PC. Just the same, with firmware, updates are released not just to improve usability, but to increase security |
Firmware is " | Firmware is " | ||
- | === Why flash firmware? | + | === Why flash firmware? === |
Flashing firmware is usually done to fix bugs, improve stability or add new features to the device. In the case of FreshTomato, | Flashing firmware is usually done to fix bugs, improve stability or add new features to the device. In the case of FreshTomato, | ||
Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
On routers, firmware is stored in a type of non-volatile memory called Flash RAM. The contents of non-volatile memory such as Flash RAM remain after reboots or when the device is turned off. If they were erased, the device would not function. On routers, firmware is replaced or updated by uploading the entire image of the operating system installation and its programs to an EEPROM (electrically erasable and writable) chip. | On routers, firmware is stored in a type of non-volatile memory called Flash RAM. The contents of non-volatile memory such as Flash RAM remain after reboots or when the device is turned off. If they were erased, the device would not function. On routers, firmware is replaced or updated by uploading the entire image of the operating system installation and its programs to an EEPROM (electrically erasable and writable) chip. | ||
- | Again, this is vaguely similar to reformatting and reinstalling the entire operating system on a PC. However, during the firmware flashing process, files are not copied one at a time onto a filesystem. Instead, one single image file that contains the entire installation is copied to the router' | + | Again, this is vaguely similar to reformatting and reinstalling the entire operating system on a PC. However, during the firmware flashing process, files are not copied one at a time onto a filesystem. Instead, one single image file that contains the entire installation is copied to the router' |
=== What's an Image? === | === What's an Image? === |