Software types
The following software types are available:
Boot ROM image—A .bin file that contains a basic segment and an extended segment. The basic segment is the minimum code that bootstraps the system. The extended segment enables hardware initialization and provides system management menus. You can use these menus to load software and the startup configuration file or manage files when the device cannot start up correctly. For easy software compatibility management, the Boot ROM image is contained in the Boot image file. The Boot ROM image is upgraded automatically when the Boot image is upgraded.
Comware image—Includes the following image subcategories:
Boot image—A .bin file that contains the Boot ROM image and the Linux operating system kernel. It provides process management, memory management, file system management, and the emergency shell.
System image—A .bin file that contains the minimum feature modules required for device operation and some basic features, including device management, interface management, configuration management, and routing. To have advanced features, you must purchase feature images.
Feature image—A .bin file that contains advanced software features. Users purchase feature images as needed.
Patch image—A .bin file irregularly released for fixing bugs without rebooting the device. A patch image does not add new features or functions.
Comware software images that have been loaded are called current software images. Comware images specified to load at the next startup are called startup software images.
Boot image and system image are required for the system to work. These images might be released separately or as a whole in one .ipe package file. If an .ipe file is used, the system decompresses the file automatically, loads the .bin boot and system images, and sets them as startup software images.