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Chat with VenturCom about Networking and Communications in Windows XP Embedded

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Posted May 11, 2003

Chat Date: April 30, 2003

Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity

Chat Participants:

  • Matt Edwards, Principal Engineer, Strategic (Consulting) Services Division - VenturCom
  • Daron Underwood, Principal Engineer, Strategic (Consulting) Services Division - VenturCom
  • Jon Fincher: Program Manager, Windows XP Embedded - Microsoft
  • Ravi Gopal: Product Manager, Windows XP Embedded - Microsoft
  • Saad Syed, Developer, Windows XP Embedded - Microsoft
  • Andy Allred - Component Integration Testing, Windows XP Embedded – Microsoft
  • Troy Shaw, Developer, Windows XP Embedded, Microsoft
  • Bambo Safola: Group Test Manager, Windows XP Embedded – Microsoft

Moderator: Mike (Microsoft)
Welcome to today's Chat with Venturcom. Our topic is Networking and Communications in Windows XP Embedded. Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome.

Let’s introduce our hosts for today.

Host: Jon (Microsoft)
Jon Fincher, Program Manager, Windows XP Embedded, Microsoft

Host: Ravi (Microsoft)
Ravi Gopal, Product Manager

Host: Matt (VCI)
Hello. - Matt Edwards, Principal Engineer, Strategic (Consulting) Services Division at VenturCom Inc.

Host: Daron (VCI)
Daron Underwood, Principal Engineer in VenturCom's Strategic (Consulting) Services Division.

Host: Saad (VCI)
Saad Syed, developer Windows Embedded

Host: Andy (VCI)
Andy Allred - Component Integration Testing.

Host: Troy (VCI)
Troy Shaw, Developer Windows XP Embedded, Microsoft

Host: Bambo (VCI)
Greetings everyone, I am the Group Test Manager for Windows Embedded

Moderator: Mike (Microsoft)
Welcome everyone, let’s get started!

Host: Daron (VCI)
Q: Is there a DHCP server component in XPe?

A: Technically there is not, however there is the as ICS as in XP pro which will assign an IP.

Host: Saad (VCI)
Q: Can I have a remote boot server from a NAS box?

A: It is not a supported configuration we recommend Windows 2000 Server.

Host: Matt (VCI)
Q: How do you set a static IP address with XPE?

A: By default XPE sets DHCP. You can change this by adding a resource that runs the netsh.exe command

Host: Ravi (Microsoft)
Q: What types of devices embed XP? (briefly)

A: XPE is targeted at devices that leverage commodity x86 hardware & Win32 compatibility, while using embedded- enabling features like remote boot & componentization. Devices that fall into this category include retail point-of-sale clients, ATMs, kiosks and set-top boxes.

Host: Daron (VCI)
Q: How do you set a static IP address with XPE?

A: You can also use a wmi script and run it at the end of the FBA. You would use the Win32_NetworkAdapterSettings EnableStatic method.

Host: Jon (Microsoft)
Q: Is bluetooth supported with XPE? Where would I get the drivers?

A: Bluetooth support is scheduled to be added to XPE with SP2.

Host: Ravi (Microsoft)
Q: A richer OS compared to CE?--more system services and process capacity?

A: Yes -- XPE has over 10,000 components whereas CE ships with about 300. This is but one example. Visit our website at www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded to learn more.

Host: Jon (Microsoft)
Q: What kind of networking is available over USB on XPe?

A: You can use a direct serial connection over USB, which will give you networking support over a serial line.

Host: Jon (Microsoft)
Q: What kind of networking is available over USB on XPe?

A: You can also connect USB NIC's, USB modems, and USB wireless cards, although you may need to supply drivers for these devices.

Host: Jon (Microsoft)
Q: Is this direct serial like direct cable connection?

A: Yes, exactly.

Host: Daron (VCI)
Q: Is the .NET Framework supported?

A: The .Net framework is fully supported as it is in XP pro.

Host: Jon (Microsoft)
Q: The other options mentioned (USB NICs, USB modems, etc) require third party drivers. Does XPe come with USB direct serial built in so I don't need third party software?

A: Direct serial is a built-in component in XPE.

Host: Daron (VCI)
Q: So you can target development using VS.NET? Target XPE using VS.NET?

A: You would develop .NET applications using VS.NET the binaries that you create will run on an XP embedded system just as on the XP pro system. That is assuming the XP Embedded system had been built to include the .Net Framework.

Host: Jon (Microsoft)
Q: Does this direct serial make USB look like a virtual COM port? Can USB run at full speed for file transfer or is the transfer rate restricted?

A: That I don't know off the top of my head - I'll need to investigate. When I have some results, I'll post to the newsgroup.

Host: Jon (Microsoft)
Q: Does direct serial support NetBEUI or only TCP/IP?

A: It will support any supportable network protocol.

Host: Matt (VCI)
Q: If I have the system partition write protected, how can I change IP address for an XPe system?

A: Yes. You can change the IP then flush the changes back to disk or Have netsh.exe change the IP on every boot with a RunOnce Command

Host: Daron (VCI)
Q: Can XPe act as both a DHCP host and client?

A: Yes, but you would have to add the a DHCP server to the system since there is not one provided.

Host: Matt (VCI)
Q: Is there a way to dynamically bind a protocol (like NetBEUI) to an adapter(ethernet or USB) during a XPe session without rebooting?

Host: Matt (VCI)

A: This is a good question. I believe you will still have to reboot, but it you whisper you contact info to me I can send you an answer after I investigate

Host: Matt (VCI)
If you're Interested VenturCom has additional resource for XPE; Real-time Extensions, Remote Boot, and Quick Boot options (www.vci.com)

Moderator: Mike (Microsoft)
Thanks for joining us today and thanks for the questions. A special thank you to Matt and Daron from Venturcom!

For further information on this topic please visit the following:

Newsgroups: Mobile and embedded application development topics

Embedded Transcripts: Read the archive

Website: Visit the Mobile & Embedded Developer Center

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