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Does Immutable bootloader supports the nRFConnect SDK updates?

Prashant Humbre

Currently, we are using nRF5340 and nRF Connect SDK v2.4.1 for our development. We have implemented the DFU-OTA over SMP-BLE and it is working fine. 

We are using the Single-stage Immutable Bootloader.

Now as the new SDK is released NCS v2.6.0, we want to migrate our product to this latest released SDK.

There are a few products which are already deployed on different sites and we are updating those using our custom Mobile app which has the capability of DFU-OTA over BLE-SMP.

We observed that there is a major update happened in MCUBoot:

NCS v2.4.1 --> MCUBoot version: v1.10.0

NCS v2.6.0 --> MCUBoot version: v2.0.0

So the questions are:

1. Now if we migrate our application to support SDK v2.6.0 and if we provide an update using DFU-OTA to our on-site device which has the applications developed on SDK 2.4.1, will this update work?

2. Does the bootloader used in SDK 2.4.1 will support the application developed in SDK 2.6.1?

3. Also in future, will this Immutable Bootloader be compatible with New SDK releases?

4. If this Immutable Bootloader is not supportive, then using a second-stage bootloader is the only option ?

Regards,

Prashant Humbre.

  • +1

    Hi, 

    1. Now if we migrate our application to support SDK v2.6.0 and if we provide an update using DFU-OTA to our on-site device which has the applications developed on SDK 2.4.1, will this update work?

    It should work, and it also requires using the same static partition. See Static partition requirement for DFU.

    2. Does the bootloader used in SDK 2.4.1 will support the application developed in SDK 2.6.1?

    The same answer as Q1, but I would suggest you upgrade the bootloader for bug fixing. 

    3. Also in future, will this Immutable Bootloader be compatible with New SDK releases?

    It's supposed to. 

    4. If this Immutable Bootloader is not supportive, then using a second-stage bootloader is the only option ?
    Using the second-stage upgradable bootloader is one option if the immutable bootloader does not support the necessary features or updates. See the Second-stage upgradable bootloader doc.
    However, it's important to note that adding a second-stage bootloader should only be done when necessary by the design or firmware upgrade needs. Adding the second stage bootloader for no reason can lead to a degradation of the system’s overall security, as attackers can exploit bugs that may exist in either bootloader.

    Regards,
    Amanda H.

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