ModuleUpdate.exe
This document describes ModuleUpdate.exe, a program intended for use with the:
•	Agilent 8163A / 8163B Multimeter, 
•	Agilent 8164A / 8164B Lightwave Measurement System, and 
•	Agilent 8166A / 8166B Lightwave Multichannel System.
 
Table of Contents
1. Purpose of the program
2. Prerequisites
2.1 Prerequisites for an update via GPIB
2.2 Prerequisites for an update via LAN
2.3 Prerequisites for an update via a serial link
3. Module update
3.1 Module update using GPIB
3.2 Module update using LAN
3.3 Module update using a serial link
4. Notes
5. Known issues
 
1. Purpose of the program
The program allows you to update one, or several, modules of the same type via GPIB, LAN, or a serial link. 
 
2. Prerequisites
Before you update a module, make sure the following prerequisites are met:
•	The Agilent IO Libraries Suite must be installed on the PC. (Tested with version 15.5.12824.0) 
•	The mainframe must be added to the PC’s VISA database using the Agilent Connection Expert, which is part of the Agilent IO Libraries suite.
2.1 Prerequisites for an update via GPIB
•	A GPIB-interface card must be installed on the PC. 
•	The PC and the mainframe must be connected via GPIB.
Make sure the connection is functioning correctly by sending some commands using a tool such as VISA Assistant.
2.2 Prerequisites for an update via LAN
•	The PC and the mainframe must be connected to the LAN and setup correctly.
Make sure the connection is functioning correctly by sending some commands using a tool such as VISA Assistant.
2.3 Prerequisites for an update via a serial link
•	At least firmware revision V2.53 must be installed on the mainframe. 
•	The PC and the mainframe must be connected using a serial cable. (Null-modem cable!) 
•	In mainframes without LAN interface select “Module Update” in the “Config” menu.
•	Make sure the PC serial port is configured correctly using the Agilent Connection Expert. The serial link configuration should be:
- 8 Data bits
- 1 Stop bit
- No parity bit
- RTS/CTS hardware handshake
- Identical baud rate settings for the PC serial port and the mainframe serial port
•	KNOWN ISSUE: If the National Instruments VISA driver is, or has been, installed on the PC, the program may not be able to detect the serial interfaces correctly. 
Make sure the connection is functioning correctly by sending some commands using a tool such as VISA Assistant.
 
3. Module update
3.1 Module update using GPIB
1.	Connect the PC and the mainframe with a GPIB cable.
2.	Set up the instrument
1.	Plug in the modules to be updated
2.	Boot the mainframe
NOTE: Do NOT select the “Module Update” entry in the configuration menu of the mainframe. This setting applies only to module update via a serial link in mainframes without LAN interface.
3.	Start the module update program.
4.	Click [OK] in the message box telling you not to select the Module Update entry in the configuration menu of the mainframe.
NOTE: You can suppress this message by executing the program on the command line using the switch /NoGPIBWarning, for example:
C:\> ModuleUpdate /NoGPIBWarning
5.	In the connection dialog, select the GPIB connection to your mainframe, then click [OK].
6.	In the Connection, Modules, and Software Images dialog:
1.	Mark each module that you want to update by clicking the box to its left.
2.	Click [Browse], and then select the appropriate software image.
7.	Click [Update]
8.	Click [OK] in the message box telling you not to switch off the instrument during the module update.
9.	Wait while the module update is executed. The status of the update is indicated by the status bar, and the progress bar. When the update is finished, the mainframe reboots.
10.	Click [OK] in the message box telling you that the module update has finished. 
11.	Click [OK] in the message box that summarizes the module update. The program terminates.
NOTE: The contents of the summary dialog are written to the file ModUpRep.log in the %TMP% directory of the PC.
 To check the firmware version of the updated modules:
1.	When the mainframe has completed its reboot, press the [Config] hardkey.
2.	Select "About modules" from the Configuration menu, then press [OK]
3.	Select the appropriate slot from the About modules dialog, then press [OK]

The About modules dialog displays the version number of the module firmware.
3.2	 Module update using LAN
1.	Connect the PC and the mainframe to the LAN.
2.	Set up the instrument
1.	Plug in the modules to be updated
2.	Boot the mainframe
3.	Start the module update program.
4.	Click [OK] in the message box telling you not to select the Module Update entry in the configuration menu of the mainframe.
NOTE: You can suppress this message by executing the program on the command line using the switch /NoGPIBWarning, for example:
C:\> ModuleUpdate /NoGPIBWarning
5.	In the connection dialog, select the LAN connection to your mainframe, then click [OK].
6.	In the Connection, Modules, and Software Images dialog:
1.	Mark each module that you want to update by clicking the box to its left.
2.	Click [Browse], then select the appropriate software image
7.	Click [Update]
8.	Click [OK] in the message box telling you not to switch off the instrument during the module update.
9.	Wait while the module update is executed. The status of the update is indicated by the status bar, and the progress bar. When the update is finished, the mainframe reboots.
10.	Click [OK] in the message box telling you that the module update has finished. 
11.	Click [OK] in the message box that summarizes the module update. The program terminates.
NOTE: The contents of the summary dialog are written to the file ModUpRep.log in the %TMP% directory of the PC.
 To check the firmware version of the updated modules: … cf. “Module update using GPIB” above.
3.3 Module update using a serial link
1.	Connect the PC and the instrument with a suitable serial cable. (see 3.2 Prerequisites for an update via serial link)
2.	Make sure the serial port of your PC is configured correctly. (see 3.2 Prerequisites for an update via serial link)
3.	Set up your mainframe
1.	Plug in the modules to be updated
2.	Boot the mainframe
3.	Press the [Config] hardkey. 
4.	Select the Serial Interface option, and make sure that the baud rate of the serial port of your PC is identical to the baud rate of the mainframe.
5.	Select the Module Update option. The mainframe user interface is disabled during module update.
NOTE: The user interface is enabled when the mainframe is rebooted.
4.	Open a command prompt on your PC and select the directory where the module update program is located.
5.	Start the module update program with the command line switch /Serial, for example:
C:\> ModuleUpdate /Serial
6.	In the GPIB connection dialog, select the connection to your mainframe, and then click [OK].
7.	In the Connection, Modules, and Software Images dialog:
1.	Mark each module that you want to update by clicking the box to its left.
2.	Click [Browse], and then select the appropriate software image.
8.	Click [Update]
9.	Click [OK] in the message box telling you not to switch off the instrument during the module update.
10.	Wait while the module update is executed. The status of the update is indicated by the status bar, and the progress bar. When the update is finished, the mainframe reboots.
11.	Click [OK] in the message box telling you that the module update has finished. 
12.	Click [OK] in the message box that summarizes the module update. The program terminates.
NOTE: The contents of the summary dialog are written to the file ModUpRep.log in the %TMP% directory of the PC.
 
To check the firmware version of the updated modules:
1.	When the mainframe has completed its reboot, press the Config hardkey.
2.	Select "About modules" from the Configuration menu, then press [OK]
3.	Select the appropriate slot from the About modules dialog, then press [OK]

The About modules dialog displays the version number of the module firmware.
 
4. Notes
•	Modules from the HP 8153 series need not to be updated, since their code is within the mainframe firmware. 
•	It is recommended to switch the instrument off and on again after a module update. 
 
5. Known issues
•	If the National Instruments VISA driver is, or has been, installed on the PC, the program may not be able to detect the serial interfaces correctly.
•	When updating via the serial line, the initialization of the program fails if there are too many modules installed. Remove some modules, and then try again.
•	ModuleUpdate version 2.4.0 may time out with an error when modules are installed in the older 8163A, 8164A or 8166A mainframes. In this case you can update the modules by temporarily installing in a newer 8163B, 8164B or 8166B mainframe if available. Otherwise contact Agilent Support for an earlier ModuleUpdate version, such as 2.2.5.6.
If an error occurs, the log file ModUpRep.log contains detailed information about the error and the internal state of the program when the error occurred. When you contact the Agilent Technologies Support, please send the log file ModUpRep.log and a detailed description of circumstances that lead the error.