When the Bootloader is running, it is possible to perform systematic diagnostic testing by downloading and executing a variety of small programs, called “applets”. A collection of applets can be found in the toolkit Applets folder. Applet manpages describe the purpose of each one. Some applets are more useful than others. Start by reading the applets manpage.

Program int6ktest can be used to sequentially download and execute a series of applets. Applets have evolved over time and some are more useful or informative than others. Newer applets report progress and errors on the console. Older applets report progress or errors by flashing the onboard LEDs. This means of testing cannot be used after the flash memory has been programmed unless you erase, corrupt or remove the flash.

# int6ktest -i eth4 connection.nvm memctl.nvm marchloop.nvm
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Write Memory (00000000:32)
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Wrote connection.nvm
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Start connection.nvm (0)
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Write Memory (00001000:664)
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Wrote connection.nvm
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Start connection.nvm (1)
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Write Memory (00000040:6076)
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Wrote memctl.nvm
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Start memctl.nvm (0)
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Write Memory (00001000:2212)
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Wrote marchloop.nvm
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 Start marchloop.nvm (0)
eth4 00:B0:52:00:00:01 0x00 March2 test - Pass

This example uses program int6ktest to download and execute applets connection.nvm, memctl.nvm and marchloop.nvm to the powerline device on host interface “eth4”. The first applet checks circuit board connections to memory and reports progress and errors by flashing onboard LEDs. The second configures the SDRAM controller and exits without any indication. The third performs a systematic test of SDRAM and reports progress and errors on the console. In this case the test passed.

See programs amptest and plctest for updated versions of this program for use with AR7400™ and QCA7420™ chipsets.