USB backup and restore
The JACE-8000 allows you to back up the entire platform and station to a USB flash drive without
requiring the backup functions of Workbench. Called a clone backup, the file created by a USB backup
contains a complete image of the platform and station, including system modules and the QNX OS.
NOTE: Starting in Niagara 4.2, the JACE-8000 can be converted (downgraded) to run AX-3.8U1–with
some feature limitations. For example, for any JACE-8000 running AX the USB Backup/Restore
functionality is not supported. When running AX the USB port on the device is not monitored. Other
unsupported features are IEEE 802.1X wired authentication and WiFi functionality.
The BackupService, which comes standard with Workbench, backs up station files to a local
Supervisor or browser PC. A backup made by the BackupService includes only pointers to required
core software modules. To restore from a backup made using Workbench, not only do you need
Workbench, but also its software database with matching versions of all required core .dist files,
OS .dist files, and software modules. Afterwards, use the Distribution File Installer to restore the
backup.
The JACE-8000 provides the ability to:
•
Initiate a backup manually by inserting a USB flash drive into the USB port and pressing the
backup and restore button on the unit itself.
NOTE: USB backup supports only FAT32 and FAT32X file systems. NTFS is not supported.
CAUTION: Only flash drives (USB sticks ≤128GB) are recommended for backup/restore
operations. USB bus powered external hard drives often have higher power requirements and
so may not function as expected, possibly resulting in permanent damage to the drive or to the
JACE-8000. Plugging in an external hard drive may cause the controller to become
unresponsive, requiring a reboot.
•
Restore a USB backup image using a USB flash drive, USB-to-microUSB cable connection and a
terminal emulator program.
•
Recover the factory default image. This feature does not require a USB flash drive, special cable
or terminal emulator. The system pulls the factory image from non-volatile, read-only memory.
NOTE: In Niagara 4.7U1 and later, the presence of a USB device inserted in the USB backup/
restore port prevents you from accidentally launching the factory defaults recovery process
while attempting to restore a backup. If a USB device, of any type, is inserted in the backup/
restore port, then recovery is skipped. Consequently, when factory defaults recovery is desired,
no USB device can be inserted in the USB port.
•
In Niagara 4.4 and later, the Secure Platform Account Recovery feature provides customers with
a secure method of regaining access to their JACE-8000 without losing station data and
configuration.
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USB backup and restore
