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How do I: Update XO-VAC+?

Updating the Thermal Control box

The Thermal Control box has an embedded server running Windows 10 Entreprise LTSC 2021. The XO-VAC+ hardware is controlled by scripts running on the server.

The main reasons to update the Thermal Control box are:

  • New features released
  • Bug fixes
  • Windows 10 LTSC 2021 patch updates

Downloading an image

Images are available for download on the Exobotics website in the Downloads section.

Once the image is downloaded, check its checksum against the value displayed on the Exobotics website. This is important to insure the image has not been corrupted during the download.

Preparing the USB update stick for the update

  1. Extract the downloaded image.
  2. Copy the extracted image on the update USB stick provided with XO-VAC+.
Note

The most recent image available on the Images partition of the USB drive will be flashed.

For example if XO-VAC-PLUS_v1.001_20221010.ffu and XO-VAC-PLUS_v1.002_20221111.ffuare both on the update USB XO-VAC-PLUS_v1.002_20221111.ffu will be automatically flashed. The version number is prioritised first. If two images have the same version number, it is then the date that determines which gets flashed.

Tip

To flash an older image while keeping more recent update images on the USB stick, users can rename updates files. For example, if XO-VAC-PLUS_v1.001_20221010.ffu and XO-VAC-PLUS_v1.002_20221111.ffu are both on the disk and XO-VAC-PLUS_v1.002_20221111.ffu is renamed into backup_XO-VAC-PLUS_v1.002_20221111.ffu, the XO-VAC-PLUS_v1.001_20221010.ffu will be automatically flashed and not the most recent version.

Installing the update

Warning

Run, log and customer data stored on the embedded server is erased during the update process. Please back it up before !

  1. Power off the Thermal Control box
  2. Insert the update USB stick with the right image into the USB port at the back of the Thermal Control box
  3. Power the Thermal Control box on
  4. Wait for at least 1h (Files are being copied)
  5. Power off the Thermal Control box
  6. Wait for at least 1 min
  7. Power on the Thermal Control box
  8. Wait for at least 30 min (Windows is automatically installing files)
  9. Power off the Thermal Control box
  10. Remove the update USB stick from the USB port at the back of the Thermal Control box
  11. Power on the Thermal Control box
  12. Wait for 2 - 5 min (boot time)
  13. Connect with XO-VAC+ User Interface
  14. Check that the new Firmware version is correct in the Device information window of XO-VAC+ User Interface
Tip

If after the update process XO-VAC+ fails to boot, double check that the downloaded image is compatible with XO-VAC+. It it still fails, install an older known-to-work image.

Note

If the XO-VAC+ update image name on the USB stick is invalid, XO-VAC+ nothing will be installed, formatted or erased.

Warning

If the waiting time is not enough for steps 4. and 8., the server will have corrupted files and it will not boot. The update process will then have to be started from step 1 again.

Windows update

Windows Update is deactivated on the XO-VAC+ embedded server to prevent update reboots during long testing runs. This is implemented by blocking all internet traffic using the Windows Firewall with hardened settings.

Warning

Connecting XO-VAC+ to internet to update Windows 10 Entreprise LTSC 2021 is possible but not recommended. The updates might break the XO-VAC+ set-up. It is recommended to patch XO-VAC+ with newly images released by Exobotics.

Warning

The XO-VAC+ embedded server should not be directly exposed to the internet as it is not updated as often as regular Windows PC.

Downgrading the Thermal Control box

XO-VAC+ can be downgraded to any compatible images released by Exobotics. If a newly release update fail, it is possible to roll-back to the last working image or to the initial image given during the XO-VAC+ installation.