5-1 
5  Loading Software 
Introduction 
The 3Com Baseline Switch 2900 Family does not provide independent Boot ROM program but 
integrates it with the application program in host software package with the extension name of .bin.  
z  Loading application files: Download the host software package to the flash memory on the switch 
and set the attribute (main, backup, or none) of the application files.  
z  Upgrading the Boot ROM program: Use Boot ROM files in the host software package to upgrade 
the Boot ROM program of the switch. 
 
 
The entire Boot ROM program consists of the basic segment and extended segment.  
z  The basic segment is used for basic initialization of the system. 
z  The extended segment provides abundant human-computer interaction (HCI) functions and 
available network interfaces. It can be used to upgrade the applications and boot the system. 
Boot ROM program (stored together with application programs in the host software package with an 
extension name of .bin) used for upgrade are complete Boot ROM program. 
 
Approaches for Loading Application and Configuration Files 
You can load application files through the Boot ROM menu, command line interface (CLI), and Web 
interface. For application upgrade through the CLI and Web interface, refer to the software upgrade 
section in the 3Com Baseline Switch 2900 Family  User Guide. Boot ROM upgrade through the Boot 
ROM menu is introduced in this manual.  
Table 5-1 Approaches for loading application and configuration files of the switch 
Approach  Section 
Loading Files Using XMODEM Through Console Port 
Loading Files Using TFTP Through Ethernet Port 
Loading files through the Boot ROM 
menu 
Loading Files Using FTP Through Ethernet Port 
 
Loading Files Through the Boot ROM Menu 
To load the Boot ROM and application files through the Boot ROM menu, you need to correctly connect 
a user terminal to the switch using a console cable.