Programming ME

I have Digi Connect Me that i can access by web browser or telnet with the board with power suply and rs-232 interface ive built (i have NO integration kit or development board).

I want to program the module and i wonder what role the hardware of developement kit plays and if i have Net+Works or LxNETES i could programm the module without any extra hardware than the one i have . And even i know its a not very smart question to post here i would like to ask if there is a free software to do it. Thanks a lot!

Obs.: im new to emebedded development.

Regards.

Henrique