Disk-On-Chip is used in ThinManager to refer to a number of firmware storage options, including compact flash and disk-on-chip. They are used to provide the ACP firmware locally on the machine instead of relying on the network boot. This is particularly handy in low-bandwith situations like wireless deployments. Although the unit has a copy of the ACP firmware, it will need to connect to ThinManager to recieve its latest configuration.
A disk-on-chip terminal loads the firmware locally before connecting to the ThinManager server. The disk-on-chip terminals have a setup program that allows configuration of the connection to ThinManager. Enter the program by selecting any key when Select any key to configure is displayed during the boot process. A setup screen will be displayed.
Disk-On-Chip Configuration Screen
The IP Addressing method is set to DHCP by default. To change a value, navigate with arrow keys to the desired property. Pressing the Enter key will allow the input and acceptance of new values. The changes may be saved or discarded before the boot process is resumed.
ACP ThinManager has the ability to update the firmware on the disk-on-chip to keep the firmware current. Firmware updates for the disk-on-chip are done through the Disk-On-Chip Update module.
The Disk-On-Chip Update module, when installed on a ThinManager Ready thin client with disk-on-chip hardware, will compare the firmware on the disk-on-chip with the ThinManager server firmware when it connects to a ThinManager server. If the ThinManager firmware is different, it will download the ThinManager server firmware and update the disk-on-chip on the terminal.
The ability to update disk-on-chip terminals eliminates the need to send the terminal back to the manufacturer to update the firmware.
Note: The firmware download can vary, depending on the bandwidth of the connection, and the size of the firmware update. It is recommended that updates be done over a wired LAN instead of over a wireless connection, when possible.
The Disk-On-Chip Update module installs with ThinManager. This module has one configurable parameter, Confirm at Terminal. If Confirm at Terminal is set to Yes, then the operator will be prompted to choose between immediately updating firmware or waiting until the next boot up. If Confirm at Terminal is set to No, the firmware download will take place immediately.
Note: The module will download firmware when it detects a different firmware. Since this will only happen at the first reboot after updating the ThinManager firmware, it is safe to leave this module added to the disk-on-chip terminals permanently. It does not need to be added and removed each time the firmware is updated. However, since it will update when the firmware is different, it will try to update the firmware if you connect it to a ThinManager server with older firmware.
Note: It is recommended that instead of updating over a wireless connection, you connect terminals with Ethernet cable to update the disk-on-chip.
To set the Confirm at Terminal parameter, highlight the disk-on-chip update module and select the Configure� button. This will launch the Module Properties window.
Disk-On-Chip Module Properties
Highlight the Confirm at Terminal parameter. The Value field will change to a drop-down box containing Yes and No. Select the desired value and select Done.
Once the new firmware has downloaded, an update program will run on the disk-on-chip terminal to rewrite the new firmware to the disk-on-chip. The program will display a warning stating that the terminal must not be reset or powered off during the process, usually around 30 seconds. Ignoring the warning can corrupt the disk-on-chip, so it is important to leave the terminal alone for that period of time.
Note: Heed the warning. The terminal must not be reset or powered off during the brief period that the update program is writing the firmware on the disk-on-chip.