Overview

This document describes how to get started using Indigo-1.0 releases. There are significant differences between different versions of the software, different versions of the hardware, and different methods of loading the software. This document covers the common aspects of using the Indigo software, but you will need to refer to the specific platform page for more information. If you're having problems, make sure that you're referring to documentation targeted to the platform and setup you're using.

Your feedback in helping to clarify these differences is appreciated.

Platforms

The following platforms have active Indigo-1.0 support.

Quanta LB9A/Pronto 3290
Quanta LB4G/Pronto 3240
Quanta LB8/Pronto 3780
Netgear GSM7328S
Netgear GSM7352S
Selected XGS-based Broadcom Reference

LB9A/3290

This is a 48 x GE + 4 x 10GE system. In this document, we will refer to this as the 3290. See (TBD) for more specifics.

LB4G/3240

This is a 48 x GE + 4 x 10GE system. It has somewhat less capabilities than the 3290. In this document, we will refer to this as the 3240. See (TBD) for more specifics.

LB8/3780

Not supported yet, but coming soon. This is a 48 x 10GE system with SFP+ interfaces. See (TBD) for more specifics.

Netgear GSM7328S and GSM7352S

These platforms run Netgear specific Indigo Firmware. Contact Netgear for more information about these platforms. (Need contact). See (TBD) for more specifics.

Broadcom Reference Designs

Indigo has been ported to a few Broadcom Reference Designs. Contact dan.talayco@bigswitch.com if you have access to one of these platforms and are interested in receiving this software. Approval from Broadcom may be required.

Components

uImage
uInitrd2m
u-boot.bin
dtb file
mtd0image

Methods of Loading Images

There are several methods that the software can become active on the switch.

Using the CF Card

The 3290 and 3780 both come with Compact Flash cards that can be used to boot the software. For these platforms, this is the preferred method.

Write to Flash

All Indigo platforms boot from flash. From u-boot on Quanta/Pronto based designs, here are the directions for writing a new image to flash.

NFS

This allows multiple systems to boot from the same root file system. However, this requires more network and system configuration; it also requires per-system differentiation by some mechanism.

TFTP to Memory

The boot images may be copied from a TFTP server over the network directly into memory. This is probably the fastest way to boot.

Configuration Mechanisms

Through Indigo-1.0-beta-4

Indigo-1.0-ui

With the release of Indigo-1.0-ui, many changes in the configuration of the system were implemented. These are meant to simplify the process and add support for better user interface tools.

The first difference is that the variables used to determine the configuration have been clarified. These are saved in a file sysenv which is normally loaded from a place where it can be saved to persistent memory.

On the 3240, this is usually in the SFS file system.

On the 3290 using the Compact Flash card, a directory on the Compact Flash is linked to the root file system with the same name used for the 3240.

Differences in Releases

See the Indigo Release notes at http://www.openflowswitch.org/wk/index.php/IndigoReleaseNotes for details of releases on the 3240 and 3290 up through beta-4.