TFTP Server Setup

The NetSight TFTP service provides the ability to download firmware and boot PROM images to network devices, and save and restore device configurations. You can enable and start this TFTP service during installation, and specify the path to the TFTP root directory, if necessary. After you've installed Inventory Manager, you can use the Suite-Wide Options window Services for NetSight Server view to configure TFTP server properties. If you are using a TFTP server other than the one provided with Inventory Manager, you can use the Options window to configure the correct server properties.

Inventory Manager uses the default tftpboot\firmware\images directory for storing your firmware. Once you have placed your firmware images in this directory, you must perform a firmware discovery to display them in the left-panel Firmware Mgmt tab. If you are using a different directory for storing firmware, you must specify the directory in the Options window TFTP Transfer Settings view.

  NOTE: Refer to How to Set Up Alternate Firmware Download Servers for information on configuring alternate TFTP servers to perform remote firmware downloads.

Instructions on:

Configuring the NetSight TFTP Service

When you install Inventory Manager, TFTP server properties are configured with the default settings for the NetSight TFTP service. Use the following instructions to verify these settings and make any desired changes.

  1. Select Tools > Options in the menu bar. The Options window opens.
  2. In the left-panel tree, expand the Suite folder, and select Services for NetSight Server.
  3. Specify the Root Directory Path. The root directory is the base directory to which the TFTP server is allowed access. The TFTP server will be allowed to create files to or read files from this directory and any of its sub-directories. The default root directory is the tftpboot directory that Inventory Manager automatically creates when it is installed. If you would like to use a different root directory, enter a path to that directory in this field, or use the Browse button to navigate to the directory.
     NOTE:Changing the TFTP root directory requires restarting the TFTP server.
  4. If your system is configured with multiple IP addresses, enter the appropriate IP address in the TFTP Server IP Address field.
  5. Click Apply to set the options and leave the window open.
  6. In the left-panel tree, expand the Inventory Manager folder and the File Transfer Settings folder, and select TFTP Transfer Settings.
  7. Specify the Firmware Directory Path. The default firmware directory is tftpboot\firmware\images. If you would like to use a different firmware directory, enter a path to that directory in this field, or use the Browse button to navigate to the directory. The firmware directory must be a subdirectory of the root directory. (The firmware images stored in the firmware directory are added to the left-panel Firmware Mgmt tree when you perform a firmware discovery.)
  8. Click OK to set the options and close the window.

Using a Different TFTP Server

If you are using a TFTP server other than the NetSight TFTP service, use the following instructions to configure your TFTP server properties.

  1. Select Tools > Options in the menu bar. The Options window opens.
  2. In the left-panel tree, expand the Suite folder, and select Services for NetSight Server.
  3. If necessary, disable the NetSight TFTP service by deselecting the Automatic Launch checkbox for the NetSight TFTP service.
  4. Configure your TFTP settings.
    1. Specify the Root Directory Path. The root directory is the base directory to which the TFTP server is allowed access. The TFTP server will be allowed to create files to or read files from this directory and any of its sub-directories. The default root directory is the tftpboot directory that Inventory Manager automatically creates when it is installed. If you would like to use a different root directory, enter a path to that directory in this field, or use the Browse button to navigate to the directory. Changing the TFTP root directory requires restarting the TFTP server.

       NOTE:Keep in mind the following requirements when setting the path to your root directory:
           -- If your TFTP server is configured with a TFTP root directory, it must match the root directory entered here.
           -- If your TFTP server is not configured with a TFTP root directory, change the TFTP root directory here to the root of the drive (e.g. C:\ or D:\).
           -- If you are using a TFTP server on a remote system,use the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) when specifying the root directory path. The UNC convention uses two slashes // (UNIX or Linux systems) or backslashes \\ (Windows systems) to indicate the name of the system, and one slash or backslash to indicate the path within the computer. For example, on a Windows system, instead of using
         h:\ (where h:\ is mapped to the tftpboot directory on the remote drive)
          use
         \\yourservername\tftpboot\
    2. If the TFTP server resides on a remote system, or if the local system is configured with multiple IP addresses, enter the IP address for the TFTP service in the TFTP Server IP Address field.
  5. Click Apply to set the options and leave the window open.
  6. In the left-panel tree, expand the Inventory Manager folder and the File Transfer Settings folder, and select TFTP Transfer Settings.
  7. Specify the Firmware Directory Path. The default firmware directory is tftpboot\firmware\images. If you would like to use a different firmware directory, enter a path to that directory in this field, or use the Browse button to navigate to the directory. The firmware directory must be a sub-directory of the root directory. (The firmware images stored in the firmware directory are added to the left-panel Firmware Mgmt tree when you perform a firmware discovery.) If you are using a TFTP server on a remote system, be sure to use the UNC standard described in the Note above when specifying the path.
  8. Click OK to set the options and close the window.

Changing Your Firmware Directory

The default firmware directory is tftpboot\firmware\images. If you want to change the directory for storing your firmware, you must change the TFTP server properties using the TFTP Transfer Settings view in the Options window. The firmware images stored in the firmware directory are added to the left-panel Firmware Mgmt tree when you perform a firmware discovery.

  1. Select Tools > Options in the menu bar. The Options window opens.
  2. In the left-panel tree, expand the Inventory Manager folder and the File Transfer Settings folder, and select TFTP Transfer Settings.
  3. Enter the path to the new directory in the Firmware Directory Path field, or use the Browse button to navigate to the directory. The firmware directory must be a sub-directory of the root directory.  If you are using a TFTP server on a remote system, be sure to use the UNC standard described in the Note above when specifying the path.
  4. Click OK to set options and close the window.

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