Automatic Run-Time Image Updating

  • Article

5/10/2007

You can service a run-time image by including automatic updating services in your run-time image. With these services, XP embedded clients can communicate with a server that distributes software updates.

  • DUA
    Device Update Agent (DUA) is a lightweight solution that can deliver updates to your run-time image. DUA provides the functionality to download files from a remote web site, update files and registry settings, and execute processes on the client. For more information, see Device Update Agent.
    Device Update Agent requires that you author a script for each file and registry setting that needs to be updated. The service polls a particular location, a Web server, or a path on local media, for the script file.
    DUA facilitates updating a deployed run-time image by automating the download and installation of update files and registry keys. However, you must collect all of the file and registry update information and, based on the requirements of your update, author a DUA script.

  • SUS
    Software Update Services (SUS) provides a complete servicing solution to manage distributing Windows updates to Windows clients, including Windows XP Embedded. SUS leverages the Microsoft Windows Update service to download and distribute updates to your deployed run-time images.
    SUS enables administrators to test and approve updates before they are installed to the clients. Update distributions are managed by means of an intranet-hosted Windows Update Server. Additionally, updates can be automatically installed and systems rebooted, mitigating end-user involvement.

  • SMS
    Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) provides security patch management and servicing capabilities for larger, enterprise-level environments. You can use SMS to manage the deployment of security patches to Windows XP Embedded-based devices.
    SMS allows you to manage embedded devices as though they are desktop machines, monitor the update installation process, generate status reports, and deploy remote-boot images to a server.

    Note

    Using SMS to install applications onto a device is in violation of the Windows XP Embedded End-User License Agreement (EULA). SMS should only be used to apply updates to your run-time image.

    Client and server components for SMS are not included with Windows XP Embedded; they must be separately obtained. For more information, see the SMS 2003 SP1 Advanced Client for Windows XP Embedded.

See Also

Concepts

Run-Time Image Replacement
Manual Run-Time Image Updating

Other Resources

Servicing