From 5264c8a72052536f64cd961d80f060760cf7083a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: BuildTools Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2018 06:44:22 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] readme update --- README.md | 21 +++++++++++++++++---- 1 file changed, 17 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index db339fe..be381f4 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,10 +1,23 @@ -# quanta-brocade -Documentation for flashing Brocade firmware to Quanta LB6M -The raw markdown source in this repo is intended to be built using [MkDocs](http://www.mkdocs.org/) - not displayed on GitHub. Please keep this in mind when submitting PR's :) +# quanta-brocade +Documentation for flashing Brocade TurboIron firmware to Quanta LB6M +(or flashing LB6M Fastpath firmware to a Brocade TurboIron using the revert guide) + +The raw markdown source in this repo is intended to be built using [MkDocs](http://www.mkdocs.org/) - not displayed on GitHub. Guide: [brokeaid.com](http://brokeaid.com/) STH Discussion Thread - [ServeTheHome](https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/turbocharge-your-quanta-lb6m-flash-to-brocade-turboiron.17971/) -Open to PR's! \ No newline at end of file +Q. Why does this work without modifying the firmware? + +A. When Broadcom introduced the BCM56820 switch ASIC, they released a reference design - a suggested switch design implementing said ASIC. Several companies including Brocade and Quanta took this reference design, built it, added their own branding, and sold it as a product. Therefore the switches are nearly identical, aside from small differences like LED configuration. They both have: + + - MPC8541 PowerPC Management CPU + - BCM56820 10gbE Switching ASIC + - BCM5482 Management Port PHY + - BCM5464 Copper Ports PHY + + Because of this, firmware written for one platform will have no issue running on the other - it's the same hardware. + +Open to PR's! If you know of any other switch pairs that are the same underlying hardware and would like to cross-flash, let us know! We're mainly seeking firmware candidates for the LB4M - so far we can't find any other switches with the same hardware configuration. We need to find a switch that uses a MPC8541 management CPU + BCM56514 ASIC) \ No newline at end of file