How to ID cRIO Firmware Version?

[Mark McLeod]

Is there a way to determine and verify the firmware version running on a cRIO?
Similar to the version ID displayed on the DS LCD screen.

I've encountered teams with the wrong firmware loaded, but only determined that in retrospect by reloading the firmware I knew to be correct.

I'm looking for a method that can be employed at an event to insure that the cRIO is setup correctly, with the latest patches, to operate with the Field Management System.

[jross]

If you watch the serial port while booting, there are a few things you can use. Nothing directly identifies the name, but you can look at the FPGA Hardware and software revision, as well as the SVN revision of FRC_NetworkCommunication.

[Mark McLeod]

Well with Update 2 the only change was:
FRC_NetworkCommunication...SVN revision 1510

Update 1 had:
FRC_NetworkCommunication...SVN revision 1324

I think we'll need to come up with something more declarative and definitive, otherwise, we'll have to reflash every robot that comes through inspection.

[Joe Hershberger]

I had requested that update 2 include a file in the image that identified it. Unfortunately that addition was overlooked. I should hope that update 3 will have the file included. For now the FRC_NetworkCommunication version and the FPGA Revision are sufficient to identify the image.

[mprikril]

Where are updates to cRIO firmware located? On the usfirst.org control system page, there are only updates for DS firmware updates

[jross]

Where are updates to cRIO firmware located? On the usfirst.org control system page, there are only updates for DS firmware updates

They are included with the LabVIEW updates and (I believe) will be included with the C++ updates.

[Joe Hershberger]

Well with Update 2 the only change was:
FRC_NetworkCommunication...SVN revision 1510

Update 1 had:
FRC_NetworkCommunication...SVN revision 1324

I think we'll need to come up with something more declarative and definitive, otherwise, we'll have to reflash every robot that comes through inspection.

As of C++ update 1.2, FRCComm.h contains a new function definition:

void getVersionString(char *version);

You can pass this a string pointer (good idea to be 32 characters or so), and it will return the SNV version of the FRC_NetworkCommunication in the image.

Obviously this entry point didn't exist before LabVIEW update 2 (image v7) so if you try to link against it with an older version of the image, you will be an error when you try to load your application.

-Joe

[jross]

I had requested that update 2 include a file in the image that identified it. Unfortunately that addition was overlooked. I should hope that update 3 will have the file included. For now the FRC_NetworkCommunication version and the FPGA Revision are sufficient to identify the image.

This is included in the v11 image in update 3. You can look at it by FTPing to the cRIO.

[Joe Hershberger]

Also, in update 3 (image v11) the entry point in FRC_NetworkCommunication.out changed to "FRC_NetworkCommunication_getVersionString". :/

[Mark McLeod]

The latest version ID's for Update 3 are:

FRC_NetworkCommunication...SVN revision 1712

FPGA Software Revision 1.0.0