Before web pages can be uploaded, they have to be compiled to a File System Image
(*.img) file. A File System Image is a single file that contains all web pages.
The File System Image can be uploaded to the target Ethernet Board by one of the following
methods:
- Modtronix Network Bootloader: The simplest method is to use the built in FTP server of the
Modtronix Network Bootloader. Simply click on the "Upload Webpages" button, and the selected
File System Image is uploaded to the board at the given IP address or NetBIOS name. The
default NetBIOS name for Modtronix Ethernet boards is MXBOARD, and the default IP address (if DHCP
is disabled) is "10.1.0.1". For some versions of Windows, this process might take a couple of second
if the "NetBIOS over TCP/IP" options for your network connection is enabled. To speed up the process,
disable "NetBIOS over TCP/IP" for your active network connection.
- FTP Client: A FTP client can be used to connect to the target board and upload the File System
Image. The default user name is admin and the password is pw. After connecting to the
target board, simply upload the entire File System Image file. After doing this, the target will
contain the new Web pages.
- Xmodem Protocol: A Terminal program capable of sending files via the Xmodem protocol can be used
to send the File System Image file to the target. For this to work, the target has to be connected
to the PC running the Terminal program (HyperTerminal on Windows for example) via it's RS232 port. After
powering up the target board, enter RS232 configuration mode by following the instructions displayed on the
Terminal program. Then select "Download File System Image" from the menu, and send the created "File System
Image" file via the Xmodem protocol. In HyperTerminal, this can be done by selecting the "Send File..."
menu item in the "Transfer" menu. This will open the "Send File" dialog box. Select Xmodem protocol, and send
the "File System Image" file created with the Modtronix Network Bootloader program. After doing this, the
target will contain the new Web pages.
All web page files have to be comiled to a
File System Image file. This file contains the entire
file system that is present on the target board. This includes the
File System Header,
FAT entries and
File Data. This
File System Image is then uploaded to the target
Ethernet board. Compiling and uploading web pages is a simple two stage process, and is done on
the "Webpage Creation" tab of the Modtronix Network Bootloader program. Simply select all standard web
page files that have to be uploaded, like HTML, JavaScript, Image files..., and then click the "Compile"
and "Upload Webpages" buttons.
Currently only two types of File Systems are supported, but there are plans to add more in
the future. The currenly supported File Systems are:
- FSEE: This is the default file system for the modtronix SBC65EC and SBC68EC Ethernet enabled
boards. This file system allows for a total size of 16 MBytes and a maximum file size of 64 KBytes. All
files have to be located in the same directory, and file names have to be in 8.3 format (max 8 character
name and max 3 character extension).
This file system supports compressed HTML files.
- FSEE16M: This is a variation of the default FSEE file system. This file system allows for a
total size of 16 MBytes and a maximum file size of 16 MBytes. All files have to be located in the same
directory, and file names have to be in 8.3 format (max 8 character name and max 3 character extension).
To use this file system, the firmware running on the target has to be compiled for this File System.
This file system supports compressed HTML files.
The ../src/webpages/default folder in the source code available for most Modtronix Ethernet
enabled boards will contain the default web pages that are present on the board. These web pages are in
standard HTML format, and can be modified by the user. To create a File System Image that can
be downloaded to the target board, do the following:
- Start the Modtronix Network Bootloader program, and select the "Update Web Pages" tab.
- Select the folder that contains the Web pages you want to upload to the target board. Click on the
"Change" button next to the "Web Page Folder" text field to do this.
- Ensure the output file is correct. The default is to place the compiled File System Image
in the same folder as the source Web pages in a file called "image.img"
- In the list of Web Page Files select all files that should be included in the created
File System Image. Some files will have Compress check boxes that can be checked. By
checking this box, the selected file will be compressed with GZIP, and it's file extension changed to
indicate to the HTTP server on the target board that it is a compressed file. The HTTP server will send
all compressed files using HTTP compression. All modern browsers support this feature. It is recommended
that all files that support HTTP compression (has the check box) be compressed. HTTP compression is
transparent to the user, and no changes have to be made to the Web pages.
- Ensure the Reserved Block has the correct size for the firmware used. All Modtronix Ethernet
enabled boards use a Reserved Block size of 64. Ensure this value is 64 unless the firmware has
been recompiled with a different value!
- Click on the Compile button. This will compile the Web pages, and place the File System Image
in the given file. The message window should state that the file was created.
- Click on the Upload Web Page button. This will upload the File System Image file to
the target Ethernet Board via FTP.