Help identify lcd display on Smoothwall SWG700 [Edit: Portwell EZIO]

stephenw10

Display size might be good to use. I trued some different values and they don't seem to actually affect the EZIO display at all. There are probably some options that don't actually exist as an lb216 device either.

However my preference would be for a separate driver. That would mean making changes to the lcdproc package to have it selectable but that's relatively easy.

Steve

fmertz

Finally got around to acquiring and setting up this EZIO device. Running off of my Debian Linux ARM NAS, with a Serial/USB adapter, a couple of yost adapters, and a rollover cable. Also has to borrow a motherboard-to-DB9 ribbon cable off of an old Nokia appliances. And to think this is not even that deep into the junk pile…

IMG_20170401_131126.jpg_thumb

stephenw10

Nice. ;D

Riftcore

@stephenw10:

Ha, just read your other thread. fmertz, who rewrote the sdec driver, is completely right. Just use the mtc_s16209x driver for maximum win!

I'm sure I tried that before but probably had the wrong baud rate.

Buttons don't work. Heartbeat appears incorrectly. Backlight control not functioning as expected. Scope for improvement… ;)

Steve

Hi Steven
Don't supose you could share a screen shot of your settings in lcdproc as I can't even get my one to start! lol

edit = got it to start but it still shows only two * on the screen.

fmertz

Problem is that none of the existing lcdproc drivers have the correct initialization sequence for this EZIO device, yet. So, FOR NOW the device has to be initialized "by hand". If you read this thread again, there is a short file that has to be sent to the display. The file has the right initialization string. After that, the lb216 driver can be used with some success.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

PS: I have offered to write a proper driver for these EZIO devices as the spec is available. Let us know if you can help with the effort, like testing prototypes along the way.

Riftcore

@fmertz:

Problem is that none of the existing lcdproc drivers have the correct initialization sequence for this EZIO device, yet. So, FOR NOW the device has to be initialized "by hand". If you read this thread again, there is a short file that has to be sent to the display. The file has the right initialization string. After that, the lb216 driver can be used with some success.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

PS: I have offered to write a proper driver for these EZIO devices as the spec is available. Let us know if you can help with the effort, like testing prototypes along the way.

~~Thought Steven said use mtc_s16209x driver for maximum win! ill have a go at what you said. tho I kind of suck at this kind of thing. Here goes!~~

Okay ive reread twice which hex file ? how would I send this to the screen. This is mega confusing for an idiot like me.

fmertz

I suppose you also need to make sure the device is correct (second serial port), and the speed is also correct (2400 bps)…

Riftcore

@fmertz:

I suppose you also need to make sure the device is correct (second serial port), and the speed is also correct (2400 bps)…

when I set it too the second serial port lcd does not even start.

2017-04-05.png_thumb

stephenw10

Use the hex file from here:
https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=99320.msg690716#msg690716

Put it in /root.

Then call it using the shellcmd package (needs to be installed) using the commands in the attached screenshot.

Or run them manually to test.

Steve

Selection_209.png_thumb

Riftcore

@stephenw10:

Use the hex file from here:
https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=99320.msg690716#msg690716

Put it in /root.

Then call it using the shellcmd package (needs to be installed) using the commands in the attached screenshot.

Or run them manually to test.

Steve

The txt file Steve?
also what is the best way to put it in /root?

(Uploaded file to /tmp/pfsense.hex.txt.) this the right way using the upload part within pfense?

Cheers

stephenw10

Yeah, it's appended with .txt because the forum only allows certain file types.

You will need to move it from /tmp as that exists only in RAM so will be lost at reboot.

The best way to move files to and from the firewall, in my opinion at least, is to use SCP:
https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/HOWTO:_Access_pfSense_filesystems_remotely_with_scp

You can use WinSCP in Windows and drag and drop etc. Just enable SSH in System > Advanced > Admin Access and you will be able to connect.

Steve

Riftcore

Thanks got winscp working and the file in the right place.

I ran the first comand in putty and got this error

[2.3.3-RELEASE][root@pfSense.localdomain]/root: stty -f /dev/cuau1.inti speed 24 00
stty: /dev/cuau1.inti: No such file or directory

stephenw10

I think you just typo'd that. It should be:

stty -f /dev/cuau1.init speed 2400

Steve

Riftcore

Yea I did I found that out :)

I get this now and nothing happens

![2017-04-05 (1).png](/public/imported_attachments/1/2017-04-05 (1).png)
![2017-04-05 (1).png_thumb](/public/imported_attachments/1/2017-04-05 (1).png_thumb)

stephenw10

If you have lcdproc installed and configured already go to Status > Services and stop lcdproc. Now run the command again and the start lcdproc again.

You can't send data to the serial port while lcdproc has it open. The shellcmd package writes to it before lcdproc starts.

Steve

Riftcore

@stephenw10:

If you have lcdproc installed and configured already go to Status > Services and stop lcdproc. Now run the command again and the start lcdproc again.

You can't send data to the serial port while lcdproc has it open. The shellcmd package writes to it before lcdproc starts.

Steve

Awesome thanks the LCD now says pfSENCE Rules! is that all the steps to get it working thanks again man this helps loads

Its working!!! thanks so much looks so much better now.

stephenw10

No problem. Hopefully you can help test any drivers later.

Steve

Riftcore

@stephenw10:

No problem. Hopefully you can help test any drivers later.

Steve

Sure no problem.

fmertz

UPDATE: Well, it looks like after going around in a proverbial circle with different options, the new plan is to supplement the existing HD44780 driver. There is already support for a bunch of connection types, including serial, and adding support for these EZIO devices seems pretty straightforward. I have a prototype running, without keypad support, and it seems to run fine. This HD44780 driver is already very modular, and already has the more sophisticated screen update logic built in. As these EZIO devices run at 2400 bps, it is not exactly like we have a lot of bandwidth to work with, so an optimized update logic is a plus. At the base, the EZIO commands match up with the HD44780 commands, so it is a pretty good fit.

If someone wanted to try the existing HD44780 driver, provided the device is initialized "manually" ahead of time, it would probably already work. Just make sure the device and speed parameters are updated in the LCDd.conf file.

The code I have right now has the new initialization logic built in, I can share it later. I am working on the keypad code, which is proving to be a bit of a challenge…

I spoke with the upstream LCDproc maintainer. There is a plan to produce an official release soon. So, if we manage to get this new code added in the upstream project, it would be possible for the FreeBSD and pfSense maintainers to pull this new release from a trusted source and possibly add this to pfSense as an updated package, all "officially", for everyone to simply make use of.

Let me know of any thoughts.

stephenw10

Sounds like a fine plan. :D

From what I could see the EZIO unit is an HD44780 compatible display with a programmable board attached to it to provide an 'easier' way to talk to it. I did look at way to talk directly to the display instead but gave up. I guess it make sense the HD44780 driver would work with it.

Steve