Firmware Updates

Advanced Technical Manual for The Satoshi Terminal

Overview

Firmware updates are critical for maintaining the functionality, security, and performance of The Satoshi Terminal. This guide provides advanced technical instructions for executing firmware updates, managing configurations, troubleshooting, and ensuring backward compatibility. Firmware updates deliver essential improvements such as security patches, hardware optimization, and new feature support. Improper updates can result in system instability, so strict adherence to this guide is recommended.

Firmware Architecture

The firmware in The Satoshi Terminal operates as a low-level software layer that interacts directly with hardware components. It consists of several subsystems:

  1. Core Microcontroller Unit (MCU) Firmware: Controls hardware peripherals and I/O operations.

  2. BIOS/UEFI Layer: Manages bootloader execution and system initialization.

  3. Peripheral Firmware: Manages firmware for individual hardware components such as GPUs, network adapters, and storage controllers.

The firmware is structured to support modular updates, enabling independent patches or upgrades for specific components without disrupting the entire system.

Update Requirements

Before performing a firmware update, ensure the following:

  • Workstation Compatibility:

    • Processor: Minimum Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5.

    • RAM: 8 GB or more.

    • Storage: At least 10 GB of free disk space for temporary update files.

  • Power Supply:

    • Connect the terminal to a reliable power source. Firmware updates should never be performed on battery power to prevent bricking during a power failure.

  • Network Connection:

    • A stable, high-speed Ethernet or Wi-Fi 6 connection is required for downloading firmware packages.

  • Admin Privileges:

    • Administrative credentials are mandatory to initiate and execute firmware updates.

Step-by-Step Update Procedure

Step 1: Firmware Update Availability Check

  1. Open The Satoshi Terminal’s System Settings panel.

  2. Navigate to Firmware Management → Update Check.

  3. The system will automatically query the firmware update server over HTTPS (port 443).

  4. If updates are available, a summary will display:

    • Version number (e.g., v2.3.1).

    • Change log (security patches, performance improvements, feature additions).

    • Update size.

Step 2: Backup Current Firmware

Before proceeding, backup the current firmware version:

  1. Connect an external USB drive with at least 4 GB of free space.

  2. In the Firmware Management menu, select Backup Firmware.

  3. Save the firmware image as a .bin file to the external drive.

Command-line alternative (Linux):

dd if=/dev/mtd0 of=/mnt/usb/satoshi_firmware_backup.bin

Step 3: Download Firmware Package

Firmware packages are signed with a cryptographic key to ensure authenticity and integrity. The system will verify the signature automatically during the download.

  1. Click Download Firmware.

  2. Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded package:

    • Command-line example:

      sha256sum satoshi_firmware_update.bin

    • Compare the output with the hash provided on the update server.

Step 4: Pre-Update Validation

Run a pre-update diagnostic to ensure the system is ready for the firmware update:

  1. Navigate to Diagnostics → Pre-Update Validation.

  2. Check for the following:

    • Adequate disk space for temporary files.

    • Active and stable network connection.

    • Sufficient power supply.

    • Integrity of the downloaded firmware package.

Step 5: Apply the Firmware Update

  1. Select Apply Update in the firmware management interface.

  2. The terminal will restart into update mode (managed by the bootloader).

  3. The update process proceeds in the following phases:

    • Preparation Phase:

      • Existing firmware is copied to a temporary recovery partition.

    • Flashing Phase:

      • The new firmware is written to non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM, SPI flash).

    • Verification Phase:

      • The system validates the firmware against the cryptographic signature.

Command-line alternative:

fwupdmgr install satoshi_firmware_update.bin

Post-Update Configuration

Step 1: Firmware Version Verification

After the system restarts, confirm that the new firmware is active:

  1. Navigate to System Settings → Firmware Information.

  2. Check the version number and build date against the update log.

Command-line alternative:

fwupdmgr get-devices

Step 2: Compatibility Testing

Test the functionality of critical hardware and software components:

  • Peripheral Check:

    • Verify functionality of GPUs, network adapters, and storage devices.

  • System Stability:

    • Run system stress tests using tools like stress-ng or Prime95.

Troubleshooting

Issue: Update Failed

Cause: Corrupted firmware package or interrupted update process.

Resolution:

  1. Restart the terminal into recovery mode:

    • Hold the power button for 10 seconds while pressing the recovery key (typically F12).

  2. Reinstall the backup firmware:

    dd if=/mnt/usb/satoshi_firmware_backup.bin of=/dev/mtd0

Issue: Post-Update Instability

Cause: Incompatibility between firmware and certain hardware components.

Resolution:

  1. Check the update log for known issues.

  2. Roll back to the previous firmware version via the recovery menu.

Advanced Features

Modular Updates

The Satoshi Terminal firmware supports modular updates, enabling users to selectively update specific subsystems, such as GPU firmware or network drivers, without altering the entire firmware stack.

Command-line example for selective updates:

fwupdmgr update --component network

Scheduled Updates

To minimize downtime, schedule firmware updates during non-peak hours:

  1. Navigate to Settings → Firmware Management → Schedule Update.

  2. Set the desired time for the update process.

Security Considerations

  1. Firmware Signing: Updates must be cryptographically signed to prevent unauthorized modifications. The system rejects unsigned or tampered packages.

  2. Secure Boot: Ensure that secure boot is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings to block unauthorized firmware execution.

  3. Log Auditing: Monitor firmware logs for unusual activity:

    journalctl -u firmware-updater
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