Greetings forum fans!
It’s been a long time coming, and this one is a pretty interesting release; EPIC and RIO firmware version 4.0 is ready for download.
First things first, there are two key pieces of information for Codesys users and Ignition users with PR1s — if this is you, you NEED to check out some relevant KB articles…
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PR1 Ignition: (This does NOT impact PR2) PR1 has an additional step — first update to 4.0 without Ign8, then upgrade to 4.0 with Ign8. (Plus an additional note regarding version changes.)
Note: Since every PR1 update with Ignition in it is going to require the double firmware dance (mostly due to the size of the included Java), you might find good value in upgrading your PR1 to a PR2 which comes with Ign 8 pre-installed. Contact pcs@opto22.com to see how we can help save you time now and into the future with an upgrade offer.
With that out of the way, why is 4.0 interesting? There are hardly any noticeable new features that you can actually see through groov Manage, with one technical exception.
This time there’s no new menu items, it’s mostly upgrades under the hood. Basically, the 4.0 update brings a new Linux Kernel to the EPIC and RIO. The Kernel is the core operating system, the software that runs all the applications on the groov hardware platform.
We have ensured everything runs just as it did in previous firmware versions, but this update opens the door for cool new features in future releases that were not possible on the older kernel.
Another interesting aspect of this 4.0 release is that it brings Kernel version parity to all groov platforms. In the past, the RIO and EPIC ran different versions of the Linux Kernel. From here on, both groov devices should get firmware updates dropping at the same time. Also, for shell users, you should not notice much difference when at the command line for either device.
TL;DR: New support has been added, nothing has been removed.
So what about that “technical exception” for noticeable new features?
Boot times. The groov EPIC PR1 and PR2 now boots almost twice as fast.
Every boot cycle has two parts (this is just as true for 4.0 as for versions 3.6 and older): Part 1 is when the controller and core applications are up and running, and part 2 is when the user login screen appears.
Here’s my observed EPIC 4.0 firmware boot times (vs. 3.6 times):
Part 1: Services up and running: 1 min 17 sec (vs. 2 min 8 sec)
Part 2: Log in screen up: 1 min 45 sec (vs. 3 min 9 sec)
Roughly one minute has been shaved off the bootup process. Of course, this will vary quite a bit depending on exactly what core processes you have running and how complex those processes are. Ignition EDGE, for example, still takes longer to get up and running; it’s not ready until well after the groov Manage login screen shows.
Note that boot times on the groov RIO are about the same as the previous versions due to its single-core CPU.
Another thing that is not very obvious but very important to Node-RED users is that we are now running a newer version of nodejs: 20.12.2.
This means that more current versions of Node-RED nodes can be installed. Of course, we have retained the groov Manage menu option to install different versions, but you should not need to resort to this very often going forward.
After the firmware update, all your existing nodes and flows should work the same, but updating any nodes via the ‘Manage Pallet’ menu option should be smooth.
New customers shouldn’t notice any blips in their workflow when adding new nodes since the latest version of the requested node will be installed. Thank you to all our existing customers for your patience and willingness to get around this Node-RED speed bump for so long.
If you are an Ignition Edge user, 4.0 brings a new version of Ignition 8 to the platform: 8.1.47 along with Cirrus Link version 4.0.29 modules.
Do note that if you are an Ignition 8 user on a PR1, the firmware file size is now larger, so large in fact that you can not update from 3.6 Ign8 to 4.0 Ign8. You will need to first update to 4.0 without Ign8, then install 4.0 with Ign8 next (2 step process).
If you’re one of our Wi-Fi USB adapter users, and have had trouble finding any of our approved dongles recently, this update brings relief. The new kernel drivers now offer a wider selection of more modern adapters.
Check out the user’s guide for the new extended table listing the new WiFi USB dongle part numbers. All the old Wi-Fi adapters are still supported, so again, if you were using them before the update, you should not notice any difference after you update.
Moving along with core version bumps, firmware 4.0 brings a new base version of Python. We now have version 3.10.14 as our core.
Due to CODESYS changing their licensing file location on the Linux file system, you will need to be sure to backup your EPIC / RIO CODESYS license before the upgrade (if you are using it).
That’s about it for slightly less obvious new features.
One new Shell-user feature that you’ll likely find interesting is Docker container support. If you’re comfortable with shell commands, you can install a free GROOV-LIC-SHELL license (or use your current one) and test out running a container. Note that EPIC is a 32-bit system, and only 32-bit containers are supported.
Check out our new container resource page on developer.opto22.com for tips on getting up and running with Docker. Also, I have created a new ‘Docker’ category for the forums to focus any community discussion on this new option.
Keep in mind, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Said another way, if one container is good, lots more is not always better. This is even more important when considering running any containers on RIO.
Two closing reminders:
First, even if you bought a day-zero groov system (and if so, thank you very much!), this update will work just as if you purchased your groov device just last week. We work really hard to not date-lock our firmware updates.
Second, as always, this is a free update.
Hit your MyOpto portal to download the firmware file for EPIC PR1 and PR2.
For your groov RIO, pull the new 4.0 RIO firmware from here:
https://www.opto22.com/support/resources-tools/downloads/groov-rio-module-firmware