Firmware, Updates &
Recovery

Before performing an update, you need to know the firmware version currently installed on your Didactum device so you can download the correct update file.

Option A – via the web interface

In the web interface, navigate to:

System menu → Info → Firmware version

The version number shown indicates the current driver level.

Option B – via system statistics

Overall statistics → System info → Firmware version

This step should always be performed before an update or recovery. The reservation saves the device's current configuration as a file that can be re-imported later.

Download settings (create a backup)

1. Log in to the web interface
2. Navigate to: System menu → Firmware → Download backup settings
3. The file is downloaded to your computer as settings.zor
4. Save the file in a secure location (e.g. on a network drive or local hard disk)

What gets backed up?

• Network configuration (IP address, gateway, DNS)
• Users and passwords
• Sensor configurations and labels
• Alarm rules and notification settings
• SNMP configuration
• Email settings

What isn't backed up?

• Historical sensor data (measurement history)
• Logic schemes (must be backed up separately)

Updating via the web interface is the simplest and recommended method for updating your Didactum device's firmware.

Requirements

• Settings backed up (see chapter 2)
• Correct firmware file downloaded (see chapter 1 for the correct file naming)
• Stable network connection to the device confirmed

Step-by-step instructions

1. Log in to the web interface
2. Navigate to: System menu → Firmware → Upload source → From local file system
3. Click "Select file"
4. Select the correct firmware file (see downloads above)
5. Click "OK" to start the upload
6. Once the upload finishes, the web interface shows the message "Firmware Upload"

Update duration and behavior

• Total duration: approx. 2 minutes
• The ERR LED on the front panel blinks during the update
• Once complete: all LEDs briefly turn off, and the device restarts
• After the restart (30–60 seconds after the LEDs turn off), the web interface is reachable again

Importing a sensor configuration

You can also import a previously saved sensor configuration file (settings.zor) through the same upload dialog:

1. System menu → Firmware → Upload source → From local file system
2. Select the settings.zor file
3. Click "OK"

Updating via USB stick allows you to update the firmware even when the web interface is unreachable or there's no local network connection.

Requirements

• USB stick formatted with the FAT32 file system
• Correct firmware file downloaded
• The file name must not be changed (the processor looks for a fixed file name)

Step 1 – firmware update via USB

For devices running version 2.7.1 or later:

1. Download the firmware.zor file (web interface update)
2. Optional: also download firmware-kernel.zor for the kernel update
3. Recommendation: update the kernel first, then the web interface
4. Format the USB stick with the FAT32 file system
5. Copy one file onto the USB stick (keep the file name)
6. Plug the USB stick into the device's "HS" USB port
7. Wait until the device automatically detects the stick and starts the update process

Step 2 – resetting the IP address or user via USB

If the web interface is unreachable, service files are available for download (as tools.zip or tools-DESKTOP-2M75R26.zip):

1. Copy the desired file onto the USB stick (keep the file name)
2. Plug the USB stick into the HS USB port
3. Wait until the process is complete (LEDs turn off, device restarts)
4. Remove the USB stick while the device is restarting

Step 3 – restoring saved settings via USB

1. Format the USB stick with the FAT32 file system
2. Copy the backup file onto the USB stick and rename it to settings.zor
3. Plug the USB stick into the HS USB port
4. Wait until the process is complete

USB process – important notes

• Remove the USB stick while the device is restarting (when all LEDs turn off)
• Never manually restart the device during the process
• If an error occurs during the update, the ERR LED lights up permanently

Restoring factory settings resets the device to its original default values. This is necessary when the device is no longer working correctly or the web interface is no longer reachable.

Method A – via the web interface

1. Log in to the web interface
2. Navigate to: System menu → Firmware → Reset to factory settings
3. Confirm and start the process
4. The device restarts with factory settings

Method B – via USB stick (if the web interface is unreachable)

Download the service file settings.zor (from the tools.zip or tools-DESKTOP-2M75R26.zip archive) and follow the USB instructions in chapter 4.

After the restore, the following default credentials apply:

• IP address: 192.168.0.193 (older devices)
• IP address: 192.168.0.101 (current T-Series and PDUs)
• Username: guest
• Password: guest

Method C – hardware reset (physical button)

Some device series have a hardware reset button on the back or bottom of the device:

1. Find the button labeled "RESET"
2. Press and hold the button with a pointed object (e.g. a toothpick or pen) for 10–15 seconds
3. Release the button once the LEDs light up and go off again
4. The device restarts with factory settings

If you previously created a backup of your settings (file settings.zor), you can restore it in several ways.

Method A – restoring via the web interface

1. Log in to the web interface
2. Navigate to: System menu → Firmware → Upload source → From local file system
3. Select the saved settings.zor file
4. Click "OK"
5. The system imports the configuration and restarts if necessary

Method B – restoring via USB stick

1. Format the USB stick with the FAT32 file system
2. Copy the backup file onto the USB stick and rename it to settings.zor
3. Plug the USB stick into the HS USB port
4. The device automatically detects the file and imports the configuration
5. The ERR LED blinks during the process – all LEDs turn off during the restart
6. Remove the USB stick once the LEDs turn off

What gets restored?

• Network configuration (IP, gateway, DNS, VLAN)
• User accounts and passwords
• Sensor labels and configurations
• Alarm rules and thresholds
• Email and SNMP settings
• Notification configurations

In rare cases, it's necessary to completely rewrite the firmware of your Didactum monitoring system. Reasons for this include a malfunction or a firmware update that changes the memory layout.

Required accessories

• An SD card (SDHC < 32GB)
• An SD card reader
• The "Etcher" program (etcher.balena.io)
• The current firmware image for the system recovery

Preparing the SD card

• Insert the SD card into the card reader
• Open the Etcher program on your computer
• Select the firmware file and the target drive
• Click the "Flash!" button to start the write process

Once the write process finishes, you can restore the firmware of your Didactum monitoring system.

Performing the system recovery

1. Set your monitoring system's "N-R" DIP switch to the R (Restore) position
2. Insert the SD card with the firmware image into the SD card slot of your Didactum monitoring system
3. Restart the device. The "Error" LED will now start blinking. This means the firmware is being written to the monitoring system
4. Wait until the "ACT" LED lights up, then remove the SD card
5. Set the "N-R" DIP switch back to N
6. Now restart the device

The LEDs on the front of the device indicate the status of the update or recovery process.