Blue Iguana Upgrades iA Hardware Remotely

By Bernard Cole
iApplianceWeb
(04/17/02, 02:42:06 PM EDT)

SAN JOSE, CA --- In a move to bring the same degree of remote upgradability to hardware that embedded and small footprint iAppliances have with software, Blue Iguana Networks, Inc. has begun delivery on its BGN62100 Developer's System.

This kit is the first offering from the 18-month-old company and is intended to help designers quickly complete proof of concept where reconfiguration of embedded chips (such as Flash memory, FPGAs, CPLDs, microcontrollers, and SOCs over the Internet is required for next-generation performance.

The BGN 62100 Developer's System features a system board and a small suite of Web services (the Developer's Domain) that demonstrate its remote hardware configurability capabilities. It contains a Blue Iguana Chip and three reconfigurable target devices. The Blue Iguana Chip consists of the Blue Iguana In-System Programming Gateway instantiated in an Atmel ATMega128 self-programming flash microcontroller, which can reprogram its integrated flash memory block with no additional logic. Other popular industry-standard microcontrollers and programmable logic devices will also be available in the coming months, allowing customers to acquire the technology through their vendor/device of choice.

According to Melissa Jones, VP of Marketing & Sales, the aim of the new remote hardware reconfiguration tool suite is to offer designers a complete lifecycle management system for designs incorporating programmable devices. To support the operation of the device level reconfiguration tools, Blue Iguana, she said, has also developed a package of scalable server software to allow companies to track and manages millions of chips over a network.

In conjunction with the server side software, the Blue Iguana device is capable, she said of a number of functions important for remote management. It listens for incoming requests for services; initiates a session with the server-side Secure Service Hub; authenticates and registers the session; receives, decrypts, and stores incoming payloads; moves the payload into non-volatile memory; allows verification and rollback procedures to ensure proper device operation after payload delivery; and generates reports of payload and device activity that are archived in the Secure Service Hub's databases.

The Blue Iguana Chip communicates via TCP/IP and interfaces to Flash memory for payload storage and delivery. The sample JTAG target is an Atmel ATF1502AS EEPROM CPLD, and the serial programmable target is an Atmel AT90S8515. The Developer's Domain software environment can be used to demonstrate board registration; user authentication; file uploading and installation monitoring; and reporting through a simple UI (user interface) viewed on a standard Web browser.

The Developer's System includes the board, power supply, cables, and a Developer's Domain software CD with an annual license. The all-inclusive price is $1,295. It may be purchased through Ambitech/Hunter or directly from Blue Iguana. Go to http://www.blueiguana.com/documents.shtml, for more information.