Chip PC Thin Clients - How To Perform XPI Installation Remotely using Xcalibur XP

Last modified:	Thursday, Mar 8, 2007	Article ID:	128
Related products:	Xcalibur XP Management Software

Objectives

XPIs are software add-ons that can be installed on Xtreme PC devices in order to enhance the device capabilities. The following article provides a step-by-step description of remote XPI installation performed via Xcalibur Management Software.

Procedure

XPI Installation Cycle:

Extract and deploy the XPI files to an FTP server by using the ChipPC Installer utility\
Perform local (via F2) / remote (via Xcalibur) software installation.

Remote XPI Installation Prerequisites:

Device Model Support: make sure the device model being used does support the XPI version you intend to install.
Flash Space Required: every Xtreme PC has available free flash space that can be used for XPI installation. Before installing an XPI, make sure that the device has enough available free space.
Firmware Version Support: by default, XPIs are only supported through firmware version 3.0.0 and higher. Make sure your device's firmware version supports the XPI version you intend to install.
License Requirements: Unless specified, every XPI is license associated. An XPI without a license can be installed on the Xtreme PC device but can not be used!
Xcalibur XSNMP Agent License: the Xcalibur XSNMP Agent license must be installed on each Xtreme PC device in order for the remote XPI installation process to be operational.

Remote XPI Installation Steps:

SELECT DEVICES: Through the Xcalibur->Admin Option ->Directories & Devices interface, select the destined devices on which you intend to install XPIs.
INSTALLATION WIZARD: Open the Tools menu and select the Install New Plug-in(s) option, as result, the Xcalibur Plug-in(s) Installation Wizard will appear.
SERVER NAME: type either the FTP Server name or IP address.
SERVER DIRECTORY: type the path to the target directory on the FTP Server into which XPI files were extracted by the Chip PC Installer utility.
CREDENTIALS: provide user credentials for FTP authentication.
SELECT PLUG-INS: select the XPI(s) you wish to install.
SCHEDULE UPGRADE: define the date and time you wish the remote XPI installation process to occur.
UPGRADE BANDWIDTH: define the bandwidth limit (if any) you wish to apply on this process.
FINISH: By pressing the Finish button the wizard window will be closed and all wizard settings will be saved into the Xcalibur database and applied onto the selected device(s) as scheduled.

Notes:

Remote XPI Installation will trigger all selected devices to reboot as result of this operation. Schedule this operation to be performed after work hours in order not to interrupt users work.
Installed XPI(s) are not functional until activated. In order to remotely activate an XPI, select all destined devices, right click, press the plug-ins button, select an XPI and press the Activate button. Please note that this operation will cause the selected device(s) to reboot.
Please not that some XPI are configurable, activating an un-configured XPI can cause the device to be inaccessible.

XPI files must already be placed on the FTP server by the Chip PC Installer utility.Download the XPI file(s) from Chip PC web site