ENT-AN1263-4.5Application Note Flash Configuration Design GuideReleasedJuly2018Contents1Revision History (1)2Introduction (2)2.1NOR Flash Configurations and Options for 4.5.0APPL (2)2.2NOR Flash Layout (2)2.3Flash Budget (2)2.4Flash Deployment Considerations (2)Contents1Revision HistoryRevision 1.1Revision 1.1was published in July 2018to align with the Linux application software release 4.5.The following is a summary of changes in revision 1.1of this document.•Updated the Introduction section.For more information,see Introduction on page 2.•Updated the NOR Flash Configurations and Options for 4.5.0APPL section.For more information,see NOR Flash Configurations and Options for 4.5.0APPL on page 2.•Updated the NOR Flash Layout section.For more information,see NOR Flash Layout on page 2.•Updated the Flash Budget section.For more information,see Flash Budget on page 2.•Updated the Flash Deployment Considerations section.For more information,see Flash Deployment Considerations on page2.Revision 1.0Revision 1.0was published in May 2018.It was the first publication of this document.Revision HistoryThe revision history describes the changes that were implemented in the document. The changes are listed by revision, starting with the most current publication.This application note provides guidelines for running with SPI NOR flash only(without NAND flashdeployment)on a Microsemi based Ethernet switch,including WebStaX™,SMBStaX™,IStaX™,andCEServices™software variants.This document focuses on application using64MB NOR flash.For32MBNOR flash,please refer to AN1263-4.4.Note:This document assumes that the reader is familiar with the flash configuration introducedin4.1.0or later software versions.For more information about the flash configurationon the Microsemi switch applications,see ENT-AN1144-4.00(SPI Flash Design for VCore-III).2.1NOR Flash Configurations and Options for4.5.0APPLAt least a32-MB NOR flash is required to run WebStaX™,SMBStaX™,IStaXLiteProtection™,andIStaXLiteTiming™on a Micromsemi switch without NAND flash.However,if you want to grow yourapplications or run IStaX or CEServices,a64-MB NOR flash is required.The default flash layout for a64-MBNOR flash includes:•Boot-loader•Dual-image support•Application-writable section for persistent data2.2NOR Flash LayoutThe following is the typical flash layout of a64-MB flash in a NOR-flash-only system managed by flash imagesystem(FIS)under RedBoot.RedBoot> fis listName FLASH addr Mem addr Length Entry point.FisValid 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000RedBoot 0x40000000 0x00000000 0x00040000 0x00000000conf 0x40040000 0x00000000 0x00010000 0x00000000linux 0x40050000 0x80100000 0x01400000 0x80100000linux.bk 0x41450000 0x80100000 0x01400000 0x80100000rootfs_data 0x42850000 0x00000000 0x01780000 0x00000000FIS directory 0x43FD0000 0x00000000 0x00010000 0x00000000RedBoot config 0x43FE0000 0x00000000 0x00001000 0x00000000Redundant FIS 0x43FF0000 0x00000000 0x00010000 0x00000000When customizing the application firmware image(the.MFI file),the size of the.MFI file cannot exceed20MB in a NOR-flash-only system with a64-MB NOR flash.2.3Flash BudgetAs the size of the.MFI file is limited to20MB,if you intend to grow your applications to exceed20MB,you need to use a combination of NOR flash and NAND flash.2.4Flash Deployment ConsiderationsAs the NAND flash cannot be pre-programmed by a NOR flash programmer,Microsemi provides a softwareboard bootstrapping procedure.This procedure requires a pre-programmed NOR flash that can format andupdate the NAND flash with the final production image during the first boot.Manufacturing-wise,thisprocedure may be time-consuming and inconvenient.On the other hand,NAND flash is significantly cheaperthan NOR flash,so a combined NOR/NAND-flash option reduces the BOM cost compared to a NOR-only solution.Starting from4.5.0software packages,Microsemi provides the following flash combination options.•16MB NOR flash+128MB NAND flash•32MB NOR flash+128MB NAND flash•16MB NOR flash+256MB NAND flash•32MB NOR flash+256MB NAND flash•32MB NOR flash only•64MB NOR flash onlyMicrosemi makes no warranty,representation,or guarantee regarding the information contained herein or the suitability of its products and services for any particular purpose,nor does Microsemi assume any liability whatsoever arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit.The products sold hereunder and any other products sold by Microsemi have been subject to limited testing and should not be used in conjunction with mission-critical equipment or applications.Any performance specifications are believed to be reliable but are not verified,and Buyer must conduct and complete all performance and other testing of the products,alone and together with,or installed in,any end-products.Buyer shall not rely on any data and performance specifications or parameters provided by Microsemi.It is the Buyer's responsibility to independently determine suitability of any products and to test and verify the same.The information provided by Microsemi hereunder is provided "as is,where is"and with all faults,and the entire risk associated with such information is entirely with the Buyer.Microsemi does not grant,explicitly or implicitly,to any party any patent rights,licenses,or any other IP rights,whether with regard to such information itself or anything described by such rmation provided in this document is proprietary to Microsemi,and Microsemi reserves the right to make any changes to the information in this document or to any products and services at any time withoutnotice.Microsemi HeadquartersOne Enterprise,Aliso Viejo,CA 92656USAWithin the USA:+1(800)713-4113Outside the USA:+1(949)380-6100Sales:+1(949)380-6136Fax:+1(949)215-4996Email:***************************©2019Microsemi.All rights reserved.Microsemi and the Microsemi logo aretrademarks of Microsemi Corporation.Allother trademarks and service marks are theproperty of their respective owners.Microsemi,a wholly owned subsidiary of Microchip Technology Inc.(Nasdaq:MCHP),offers a comprehensive portfolio of semiconductor and system solutions for aerospace &defense,communications,data center and 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