v2.5 Client for XP Embedded

Boot Windows XP Embedded From iSCSI Storage Using Existing Ethernet Adapters

The netBoot/i Client for Windows XP embedded provides the ability to boot Windows XP embedded devices from iSCSI storage using the emBoot iSCSI Initiator and standard Ethernet network adapters. netBoot/i offers a manageable, cost-efficient and scalable iSCSI boot solution without requiring specific and expensive iSCSI HBA hardware.


netBoot/i includes a Windows software initiator and all the necessary administration tools to set up a network boot environment over iSCSI.



netBoot/i XPe diskless boot versus 'traditional' XPe diskless boot

  • Eliminates the requirement for 2x the RAM of the XPe image size
    • lowers device build costs
  • Persistence now available via diskless boot
    • 'stateful' system preserves all changes between boot
  • netBoot/i's additional robust feature set:
    • user selectable menus at boot
    • Automatic fail-over if first image not available
    • Authentication at boot-time
  • Automated multiple path attempts to boot configuration info




Additional Benefits

  • Leverages iSCSI disaster recovery capabilities
  • Faster embedded device / POS provisioning
  • Uses standard Ethernet NICs - no requirement for iSCSI HBA
  • Increases utilization of storage resources
  • Enables rapid bare metal deployment
  • Reduced power consumption and cooler operation



How Does netBoot/i Work?

  1. Any machine that requires network boot operation requests a small bootstrap from a netBoot/i Server
  2. The netBoot/i server assigns a pre-defined iSCSI target to the requesting machine
  3. Depending on the configuration, the requesting machine can either boot from iSCSI or copy a boot volume, located on iSCSI storage, to the local hard disk.



Features

  • Enables network boot (diskless) of Windows XP Embedded
  • Works with Microsoft’s Sysprep utility to assist in duplication of prepared master images
  • Sysprep images can be booted from iSCSI storage
  • Windows features: VSS-capable System Copy for copying local system to iSCSI target
  • Optional capability to boot from a shared (read-only) volume
  • Supports CHAP authentication, target redirection, and conforms to the latest iSCSI draft (20)
  • All server side services included: netBoot/i service provides for configuration / assignment of iSCSI target to client, Network boot services: PXE, TFTP



Supported Platforms

netBoot/i Service / Daemon:

Windows Server 2000/2003

  • Windows 2000 Pro
  • Windows XP Pro
  • Suse Linux Enterprise Server
  • Redhat Enterprise Linux
  • OpenSolaris

Clients (PXE-compliant Network Adapter required):

  • Windows XP Embedded


Tech Papers

PDF: Flow of iSCSI Boot Process for XPe Clients

PDF: Instructions for Installation of netBoot/i Client for XPe

iSCSI boot Knowledge Base
Links

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about netBoot/i
Supported iSCSI Targets
Evaluation / How to Buy
Sales inquiries, Request Evaluation
Related Products
winBoot/i iSCSI boot - supports Windows Server 2003 and 2008 using the Microsoft iSCSI initiator.