Hi all,
I've recently acquired a used Dell PowerConnect 5324. The switch was in good working order but I figured it would be best to update to the latest firmware on it. Well, I've managed to brick it (by not updating both the firmware and the boot code).
I've read Dell's support article on this situation. I have tried using Xmodem to upload the newest as well as older boot codes/firmware versions but I have had no success. Here is what the switch outputs to the serial port when it boots:
------ Performing the Power-On Self Test (POST) ------
UART Channel Loopback Test........................PASS
Testing the System SDRAM..........................PASS
Boot1 Checksum Test...............................PASS
Boot2 Checksum Test...............................PASS
Flash Image Validation Test.......................PASS
BOOT Software Version 1.0.2.02 Built 23-Jul-2006 16:45:47
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PowerConnect 5324 board based on FireFox 88E6218 ARM946E-S processor
64 MByte SDRAM. I-Cache 8 KB. D-Cache 8 KB. Cache Enabled.
Autoboot in 2 seconds - press RETURN or Esc. to abort and enter prom.
Startup Menu
[1] Download Software
[2] Erase Flash File
[3] Password Recovery Procedure
[4] Enter Diagnostic Mode
[5] Set Terminal Baud-Rate
Back
Enter your choice or press 'ESC' to exit:
Exit from boot menu. Continue with flow.
Preparing to decompress...
The flash code is NOT valid!
Image in address: 0x500000 - Check Sum error!
Switching to the second image ...
Preparing to decompress...
The flash code is NOT valid!
Image in address: 0x0 - Check Sum error!
Both images are not valid ...
Please download a new image.
Downloading code using XMODEM.
### Send (x) PowerConnect_5324-2014.ros: 3449088 bytes, 1:30:59 elapsed, 631 cps
, 65%
-- Download complete --
Wrong file format. Writing aborted.
Perform WARM BOOT ...
The "wrong file format. Writing aborted." happens every time, regardless of what I try sending it. I've tried:
PowerConnect_5324-2014.ros
PowerConnect_5324_boot-10202.rfb
PowerConnect_5324-20039.ros
5324-10047.ros
5324_boot-10021.rfb
All of which were downloaded from various places on the Dell website (the Drivers page for the switch, their FTP site, or the support article on this issue, respectively).
I am using OS X 10.6 with ZTerm as an Xmodem client.
Anyone have any suggestions? The switch is out of warranty (expired last year)... would it even be possible to have Dell fix it if I wanted and would that be any less expensive than just buying a new one on eBay (~$200)?
Normally I'm a Cisco guy, but I wanted gigabit and VLANs without breaking the bank and thought Dell might be a way to do that. Have to say I haven't been impressed so far.
Thanks in advance for your help.