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What are the main advantages of Windows Embedded Standard over Windows XP Professional?
Windows Embedded Standard offers the full functionality of Windows XP Professional at reduced footprint and with enhanced performance. Based on Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Embedded Standard offers a high level of componentization. Using a toolkit called the Windows Embedded Studio Steatite can create a fully customised Windows Embedded environment for whatever device you choose to buy, and that environment includes only the functionality your device will need. For example, if you are purchasing a tablet PC for a specific application, we can ensure that the tablet boots faster, and only into that one application.
Windows Embedded Standard isn’t just a stripped down operating system option. Microsoft makes pre‐packaged components available that allow a computer running Windows XP Embedded to have the same functionality as a full version of Windows XP Professional. For example, if you don’t need DirectX® or Windows Explorer then we simply won’t include them in the operating system. This modular approach means that each Windows Embedded Standard image we build and deploy for you will have fewer parts, reducing administrative costs, providing greater security, as well as the ability to run on lower‐cost embedded hardware.
In today’s markets, more and more scenarios are ideal for a Windows Embedded devices. Because you don't need the full functionality of Windows XP Professional, Windows Embedded Standard lets you trim down the functionality to just what’s needed for your application solution.
Windows Embedded Standard offers some very valuable “Embedded Enabling Features ” that you will not find in the full version of Windows XP. Enhanced Write Filter (EWF), Hibernate Once - Resume Many (HORM) and Device Update Agent (DUA - an inbuilt script based update service for automatically/remotely changing your devices configuration or installing new software versions) can all simplify your Windows administration tasks;
EWF is an optional component you can add into a Windows Embedded Standard deployment that makes a given disk volume read‐only. The operating system itself views the EWF overlay and its parent volume as a single unit, meaning it looks just like a normal disk volume. With EWF you’re assured that the original boot volume (on CD or DVD) will not ever change. If you wipe out the EWF overlay, you can also reset the machine to its original configuration.
HORM, allows you to hibernate a machine one time and then resume from that hibernate point again and again very quickly. Each time you turn on the machine, you will only need to wait a few seconds to have everything up and running again.
Key benefits of Windows Embedded Standard
Better battery life ‐ Reducing hardware requirements reduces power consumption. By reducing power consumption you increase the battery life of the unit.
Better Security ‐ reduced/restricted functionality means that less surface area is exposed to mistakes or possible security attacks.
Improved Boot Speed ‐ Windows Embedded Standard offers a feature called Hibernate Once Resume Many (HORM). This allows the embedded computer to hibernate once in a given state It will then restart very quickly at this same spot every time.
Multiple and Remote Boot Options – With Windows Embedded Standard , you can boot from Read‐Only‐Media such as CD, DVD or USB devices. Remote Boot can be configured to allow complete remote operation via remote desktop, allowing you to reconfigure and install software from anywhere on the network.
Lower licensing cost vs. XP Pro ‐ Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard has the same functionality as Windows XP Professional with a license fee that is lower than an XP Professional license. Steatite can supply “XP Embedded Licensing” options that can reduce your overall system costs.
Run standard Windows XP applications ‐ Windows Embedded Standard uses the same binaries as Windows XP Professional allowing Windows‐based applications to run on Windows Embedded Standard, and embedded application developers can use the Windows API set to write applications, just like Windows XP Professional developers do.
Enhanced write filter (EWF)– Windows Embedded Standard offers an Enhanced Write Filter (EWF) which protects the boot partition from unauthorised modification or corruption by any source, power outages, conflicting applications, user interference. EWF works by making a RAM Overlay. This protects the boot image no matter if it is on a hard drive or USB flash drive. If a corruption does occur or unauthorised software is installed, just reboot and the system will return to its original state.
Small footprint ‐ Windows Embedded Standard images can be very small, as little as 10MB in size. Even a more complicated image is unlikely to be more than 100‐400MB
A Mature and Complete Technology ‐ Achieve low device life cycle costs and changing requirements more rapidly, flexibly, and predictably with a mature and comprehensive embedded development platform, integrated development tool chain, and the latest innovative technologies.
Proven commercial software business model ‐ Windows Embedded Standard is based on a proven commercial software business model that aligns with manufacturer device life cycle needs with the industry’s largest partner ecosystem and low cost, extended operating system.
Broad Driver Coverage ‐ Windows Embedded Standard includes an extensive set of device drivers that are delivered in source form to optimize embedded development. Windows Embedded Standard alone includes around 9,000 Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified drivers for hardware platforms.
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Further information
Steatite Rugged has a dedicated XP embedded sales team that can discuss your precise application needs or planned project. Whatever your questions we can advise you how Windows Embedded Standard could benefit you.
For sales assistance please telephone us on 01527 406880 or email us at sales@steatite.co.uk. We will always aim to provide you with a prompt response to any questions you may have.
