Image Control Modes of Operation

Handling FPGA Images

Platform
Napatech SmartNIC
Content Type
User Guide
Capture Software Version
Link™ Capture Software 12.11

In this chapter

This chapter explains three different modes in which the Napatech image control tool can work.

Query mode

This mode is used for inquiring the SmartNIC(s) about which FPGA revision is currently running, what flash bank is the primary bank, version number of the support chip and other useful information.

The --query command (see Syntax for the imgctrl Tool) is probe-only. It does not perform any changes to the SmartNICs.

Switch mode

This mode is used for switching the FPGA image on the SmartNIC to another bank and for manipulating which bank is considered the current primary image, that is the image used for booting the SmartNIC in a power cycle event.

To select which SmartNIC to switch image on, an --adapter argument is required to the --switch command (see Syntax for the imgctrl Tool). The number identifying the SmartNIC can be retrieved by the --query command.

Program mode

This mode is used for upgrading or downgrading NT SmartNICs.

To select which SmartNIC to program, an --adapter argument is required to the --program command (see Syntax for the imgctrl Tool). The number identifying the SmartNIC can be retrieved by the --query command.