NXP UG10219 LinkServer Integration with MCUXpresso IDE
Rev. 1 — 8 April 2025
Document information
| Information | Content |
| Keywords | MCUXpresso, MCUXpresso IDE, LinkServer |
| Abstract | This document explains how to configure the MCUXpresso IDE to use a new LinkServer version. |
Introduction
LinkServer is a debug solution supporting diferent IDE’s, including the MCUXpresso IDE.
LinkServer contains all the necessary device data, scripts, drivers, and supporting software to allow debug and flash operations through CMSIS-DAP debug probes like MCU-Link, LPC-Link2, DAPLink, OpenSDA, and also other NXP legacy probes.
Recent MCUXpresso IDE versions integrate LinkServer as a stand-alone product installed in a folder located at the same level as the IDE product, rather than being a built-in component of the IDE. This makes it possible to release new versions of LinkServer to be used in conjunction with existing IDE installations, without requiring a full MCUXpresso IDE release. Going forward, it is expected to release stand-alone LinkServer versions to incorporate support for new devices and bug fixes, while new MCUXpresso IDE releases will be less frequent and intended for broader changes like adopting a new Eclipse version or including a new GNU toolchain.
Using a new LinkServer version with existing MCUXpresso IDE installations
When installing a new LinkServer package, the installer offers the possibility to detect and automatically associate with existing MCUXpresso IDE products (versions 24.9 or newer).
The installer presents the compatible MCUXpresso IDE installations detected on the system, and can automatically configure them to use the LinkServer version being installed.
Windows and macOS
- Detected MCUXpresso IDE Installations: select the desired version(s) from the list of compatible MCUXpresso IDE products detected on the system.
- Click Associate with selected IDE(s) button and wait for the operation to complete. This might take several seconds the first time.
- The log section shows details of the association operation. Wait until “DONE” message appears and close the dialog to finish LinkServer installation.
Ubuntu Linux
The same functionality is offered by the command line mode LinkServer installer under Ubuntu Linux.
Reverting MCUXpresso IDE installations to use the original LinkServer version
In case you ever need to restore an MCUXpresso IDE installation to use the original LinkServer version that was shipped with the IDE (thus reverting an association with a newer LinkServer version configured as in the above section) follow the procedure as below:
- Open a terminal window (Commad Prompt / Terminal) and navigate to the folder where the new LinkServer is installed
- Execute command:
./LinkServer maint ide restore <path_to_MCUXpressoIDE_installation_folder>
where path_to_MCUXpressoIDE_installation_folder is the folder where the MCUXpresso IDE is installed.
Example:
Overriding LinkServer setting in MCUXpresso IDE for the current workspace only
The instructions in the sections above configure the default LinkServer path.
The MCUXpresso IDE has a workspace-level user preference that can be used to override the default LinkServer version by pointing to a custom installation path.
Note: This preference needs to be configured for any new workspace.
- Open the MCUXpresso IDE.
- Go to
- MCUXpresso IDE -> Window -> Preferences… for Windows/Linux
- MCUXpresso IDE -> Settings… for macOS
- Expand MCUXpresso IDE -> Debug Options -> LinkServer Options category.
- Enable Custom Path inside the LinkServer path configuration section.
- Browse to the new/specific LinkServer installation folder.
Example (Windows):
Revision history
Table 1. Revision history
| Document ID | Release date | Description |
| UG10219 v.1 | 8 April 2025 | Initial version. |
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Date of release: 8 April 2025 Document identifier: UG10219
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Documents / Resources
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NXP UG10219 LinkServer Integration with MCUXpresso IDE [pdf] User Guide MCU-Link, LPC-Link2, DAPLink, UG10219 LinkServer Integration with MCUXpresso IDE, UG10219, LinkServer Integration with MCUXpresso IDE, Integration with MCUXpresso IDE, MCUXpresso IDE, IDE |