Configuration of embedded Images

An embedded image is developed on a development machine and distributed subsequently to several identical targets. To do so an Image (Master-Image) of the operating system is created which afterwards is deployed to other targetsystems.

Problem:

Every targeted system contains the same Computername and Computer Security Identifier (SID). If you run several computers with the same image in a network, every computername and SID has to be changed manually. Changing of these Parameters on every device is very time-consuming.

Former process:

To reduce the time needed for the configuration of an embedded image, changes can be applied with the CxCloningTool to adjust the parameters after the next reboot of your operating system automatically.

The text below describes an image preparation scenario for mass rollout using the cloning technology and the CxCloningTool for automatic changes to the computer name and SID settings.

Step 1: Initial situation

This scenario is based on the Windows Embedded operating system for Beckhoff Embedded-PCs, Version 1.35 or higher which has the CX-Cloning-Tool, Version 3.1.0.14 included.

If you have to update the Windows Embedded operating system on your station, please read the article "Update of Images" for the necessary installation steps.

Step 2: additional settings

HINT: please ensure that the any Write Filters (EWF, FBWF) on the development station are disabled! Otherwise your setting won't be saved on the media.

If you plan to install other applications on the target stations or add additional registry settings, you can do that by creating a run.cmd file in the "C:\Data" directory of your development station (master-image). This script ("C:\Data\run.cmd") can be called from the the CX-Cloning-Tool.

If you finished the customizing procedure of your development station (master-image), call the CX-Cloning-Tool from the Command Prompt (start --> run ... type: "cmd", press enter button)

Call the CX-Cloning-Tool from the Command Prompt with this command:

cxcloningtool -ro
 

HINT: The CX-Cloning-Tool checks the system for an active Write Filter on the media of your development system. It won't perform any operation if an active Write Filter has been detected by the CX-Cloning-Tool

Step 3: create the master-image and deploy it on the target stations

After the call of the CX-Cloning-Tool with the "-ro" parameter you can create the image. It does not matter what kind of image / backup technology you use for.

HINT: Do not activate any Write Filter in the Master-Image. Read the section "CX-Cloning-Tool behavior with Write Filter protected operating systems" in the CX-Cloning-Tool function description article.

After deploying the image on the target station, the CXCloning-Tool will change the computer name and SID and it calls the run.cmd automatically.

HINT: You can activate the Write Filter after the CX-Cloning-Tool has finished it's changing action. The CX-Cloning-Tool will initiate a restart of the operating system.