Which external flash partition is used for a full modem update?

RE: Which external flash partition is used for a full modem update?

Hakon — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 14:07:02 GMT

[quote user="SODAQHW"]Is it the external_flash partition?[/quote]

I believe external_flash in this case is technically considered a region and not a partition. But yes, that is where it would be stored. You can check out any of the pm_static files in the asset tracker v2 application, to see how it is done.

RE: Which external flash partition is used for a full modem update?

SODAQHW — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:58:40 GMT

I understand that the partition used for the update must be large enough to hold the update image.

However, I need clarification as to which partition is used in order to understand whether it is possible to have additional partitions on the same flash chip (for things such as the secondary MCUBoot slot).

Is it the external_flash partition?

RE: Which external flash partition is used for a full modem update?

Hakon — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 14:35:09 GMT

It needs 4MBs. So yes, that all the flash on your board.

RE: Which external flash partition is used for a full modem update?

SODAQHW — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:40:25 GMT

Hi Hakon,

Could you clarify whether it needs the whole physical flash device to be reserved or just the partition? The reason I ask is because of the secondary MCU Boot slot (mucboot_secondary) is on the same flash device.

If it is just the partition, is it correct to say that the update system uses the external_flash partition, but it will be descructive to any data which may already exist in that partition?

Separately, I need to ensure that the external_flash partition is large enough for the full update data.

RE: Which external flash partition is used for a full modem update?

Hakon — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:04:20 GMT

The firmware image is stored directly in the flash without the use of a file system.

[quote user="SODAQHW"] If so will it play nicely if other files exist in that partition (providing there is sufficient space remaining)?[/quote]

No. There is no space for having a file system on the external flash while also using it for modem firmware update. You should reserve all space for the modem update.

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/106163/firmware-update-of-nrf9160-through-uart

RE: Which external flash partition is used for a full modem update?

SODAQHW — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 15:30:39 GMT

If I understand correctly, the external_flash partition will be used for the full firmware update, and I need to make sure that it is large enough to store the update files which are downloaded?

Can you specify which file system is used? Is it LittleFS? If so will it play nicely if other files exist in that partition (providing there is sufficient space remaining)?

RE: Which external flash partition is used for a full modem update?

Hakon — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:25:54 GMT

Hello,

[quote user=""]The external_flash partition has been reduced to 1120KB which is too small for the update.
I can however, remove the ext_flash_partition and ext_flash_logs_partition if required.[/quote]

Yes, you should do that. The full modem update requires 4MB of available space, so you should free up all of that space for modem DFU.