The Defend-O-Tron will periodically update via the Debian package manager as shown on the administration interface under Software Updates. This utility is only required if you want to flash a new device or fix a disk failure.
¶ Imaging Utility
You'll require an SD card imaging utility to start and a microSD card.
¶ Download Etcher
You can download the Etcher utility from here https://etcher.balena.io and install it.
¶ Firmware Downloads
¶ E-Flasher and Images
The E-Flasher and firmware images for the Defend-O-Tron can be downloaded from here https://firmware.awesome-o.cloud
E-Flashers:
- RK3568-flasher* files are for the Defend-O-Tron v100 units
- Others TBD
Firmware:
- defend-o-tron-latest.img* files are the most up to date firmware for v100 units
- Others TBD
¶ Preparing to flash
Download the E-Flasher image and burn it to the microSD card (at least 8G) with Etcher.
Once Etcher is complete flashing the SD card, Windows will display 9 disks and give a popup window saying each disk is un-recognized, click cancel.
If you accidentally click format disk you will have to re-flash the SD card again with Etcher.
Only one of the disks will be accessible, this is the one with the FAT32 partition where the Defend-O-Tron firmware image can be copied to.
The drive letter and name may vary on your system.
Now download the defend-o-tron-latest.img.gz and copy it to the FAT32 partition on the SD card under the folder images. Don’t unzip it first.
¶ eMMC MASK ROM
The MASK ROM button allows the device to bypass booting from the internal eMMC disk and look for a bootable SD card instead.
This serves a few purposes:
- It allows you to flash the device from the SD card when there's already an operating system loaded on the internal eMMC.
- It allows you to recover from a disk failure, more specifically if the NVME data disk gets corrupted.
- It makes the Defend-O-Tron almost completely "brick" proof as you'll always be able to boot from the SD card, even if the internal eMMC gets corrupted.
The Mask ROM feature is meant to be protected physically. Keep the device secured and away from any unauthorized personnel who could access it with this method. Gaining physical access to any device, not just the Defend-O-Tron can allow bad actors to penetrate or exploit your security equipment.
¶ Steps for flashing
You have to mask boot the device with the SD card inserted correctly in the slot, which is located on the side of the unit. This is best done with a monitor, keyboard and mouse attached.
The E-flasher also has DHCP enabled just in case you need SSH access, remember to have the MGMT0 port connected to your LAN first.
The eMMC MASK button is located on the side for revision 1 of the unit.
The eMMC MASK button is located on the front for revision 2 of the unit.
- Power off the device, the power cord has a switch.
- Insert the prepared SD card into the slot on the side of the unit
- Hold the MASK button down and power on, an unbent paperclip works well.
- Wait for at least 3 seconds before releasing the MASK button.
- The screen should show the icon/button of the Defend-O-Trom firmware on the main screen.
- Click that button and wait for it to finish.
- When it's completed click the shutdown button.
- Remove the SD card from the slot.
- Power the device back on.
¶ Progress and completion
You should see the following while the image is being flashed, be patient as it can take a couple minutes to complete. Do not cancel the process or it will leave your Defend-O-Tron in an unstable and/or unusable state.
