FarSync Drivers for Linux

                FarSite Communications Ltd (www.farsite.com)

                   Release 4.0.0 b408 20th December 2023


1. Introduction
---------------

  The FarSync Drivers for Linux software support the FarSync range of PCI 
  cards, PCI Express cards and USB devices that provide connectivity with 
  synchronous serial data communications lines.

  This includes support for the following cards/devices:

    . FarSync T2U-PMC
    . FarSync TE1e
    . FarSync Flex
    . FarSync T2Ue
    . FarSync T4Ue
    . FarSync T2Ee

  The FarSync K2Ee card requires the V5 driver

  V4.0.0 is a major release with fixes and enhancements to the previous
  version (farsync-2.3.6-b307 as listed in Section 3. 
  
  Please note that as of release 4.0.0, the following support is being deprecated:
  
  . WAN-mode
  . 32-bit support
  . Network script support
  . RAW API mode

  These features will no longer be supported in the subsequent major release (5.0.0) of the FarSync Drivers for Linux. 

  The V4 drivers support Linux kernel versions <= 5.19. For later kernel versions, the V5 drivers (or later) should be used.

  Please note that FarSite can still offer maintenance and support for the Release 4.0.0 drivers for existing customers. 
  If you require support for any of these features, please contact support@farsite.com to discuss this further. 

2. Hardware and Software installation
-------------------------------------

  Please see the index.html file for installation and troubleshooting 
  procedures.  You will find the file in the /linux/doc directory in the 
  root of the product image, and then it is installed to <instDir>/farsync-4.0.0/doc 
  when the software is installed.  


3. Changes
----------

28Sep23: farsync-4.0.0-b408  Release candidate for el9.2

21Sep23: farsync-4.0.0-b407  Test candidate for el9.2

14Sep23: farsync-4.0.0-b406  Improved uninstall cleanup plus error handling RE: network script support not being available

15Aug23: farsync-4.0.0-b405: (WAN-mode) Enhance PPP loading error handling

28Jul23: farsync-4.0.0-b404: (WAN-mode) Correct error case when using ifconfig with the port using its default configuration

03Jul23: farsync-4.0.0-b403: (WAN-mode) Removed dependency on OS network-script support
                                        e.g. as deprecated in RHEL8.4 and removed in 9.1

05Jun23: farsync-4.0.0-b402: Consolidated full release based on b401b

25May23: farsync-4.0.0-b401a to farsync-4.0.0-b401b

  The following bugs have been fixed:

    1) Re-enable support for monitoring/farmon/fsmon use in OEM mode


24May23: farsync-4.0.0-b401 to farsync-4.0.0-b401a

  The following bugs have been fixed:

    1) Use chkconfig (if available) on SUSE during install


15May23: farsync-4.0.0-b400c to farsync-4.0.0-b401

  The following bugs have been fixed:

    1) OEM and WAN driver changes for kernels <= 5.19

     
03May23: farsync-4.0.0-b400b to farsync-4.0.0-b400c

  The following bugs have been fixed:

    1) WAN driver changes for kernels <= 5.14

    2) Installation script enhancements for openSUSE 15.4
     

21Apr23: farsync-4.0.0-b400a to farsync-4.0.0-b400b

  The following bugs have been fixed:

    1) Resolve potential startup condition where the formware download to a T-Series 
       card fails and need to be repeated after booting is complete.

    2) Installation script enhancements for openSUSE 15.3
     

12Oct22: farsync-4.0.0-b400 to farsync-4.0.0-b400a

  The following new features have been introduced.

    1) The drivers will build with kernel versions from 2.6.9 onwards
       They have been tested successfully with kernel versions up to 5.14

  The following bugs have been fixed:

    1) Fixes for the build and installation on Debian 8: 3.18.48
     

07Jan22: farsync-2.3.6-b307 to farsync-4.0.0-b400:

  The following new features have been introduced.

    1) Updated kernel APIs.

    2) The drivers will build with kernel versions from 2.6.9 onwards
       They have been tested successfully with kernel versions up to 5.11

  The following bugs have been fixed:

    1) Fixes for the build and installation on openSUSE 5.3

    2) Fixes to correctly handle removal and reinsertion of a Flex device without the 
       need for an interim restart
	   
    3) Fix to support the update script in OEM mode.


4. Known Issues

  It has been found that on RHEL 6.2 the NetworkManager daemon processes
  finds the ifcfg-hdlcX and ifcfg-sync0 files and tries to apply the 
  configuration to the eth0 interface.  

  This results in a misconfigured eth0 and a farsync interface that isn't
  configured at all.

  This problem can be avoided by either not running the NetworkManager daemon,
  or by adding the following line to the ifcfg-hdlcX/ifcfg-syncX file:

  NM_CONTROLLED="no"

  This will prevent the NetworkManager daemon from processing the config file.

  Custom Clock rates are not supported on Kernel versions less than 2.6.14.

  In async mode, the maximum receive rates on ports B, C and D of a T4Ee
  is 9600 bps.  Port A may recieve at the maximum async rate of 115200. 


4. Support contacts
-------------------

  Support information and updates can be found on the FarSite web site at
  http://www.farsite.com

  For general support enquiries:
  
  UK Office: email <support@farsite.com> or telephone +44 (0)1256 330461 
  during normal UK office hours.
  
  Comments or queries specifically about this Linux product should be directed
  to <linux@farsite.com>.