1. Microsoft Windows NT Embedded 4.0
A Technical Overview
Microsoft Corporation

2. Agenda Authoring Tools Embedded-Enabling Features
Run-time configuration enforcement
Windows NT Embedded allows you to efficiently create reliable and economical mid-range and high-end embedded solutions

3. Authoring Tool-Set Host/Target approach Advantage - Configure-To-Build
System/Application capabilities are defined on the Windows NT host through the authoring tool
“Build” process generates the target system run-time image
Image is a configured system - ready to run
Advantage - Configure-To-Build
Core OS binaries are unmodified (Windows NT4+SP5)
Application compatibility is maintained
System upgrades/updates are simpler

4. Windows NT Embedded Target Generation

5. Target Designer
Enables developers to easily define and generate custom target runtime images for embedded devices
Selectable target operating-system features
Automatically tracks component inter-dependencies
Workstation, as well as Server-class features
Extensible environment for the inclusion of additional components
e.g. in-house (app), 3rd party (apps, drivers)
Generates a bootable system
Unique SIDs, correct PID

6. Component Designer Define component interdependencies
Enables developers to package operating system features or applications into components which can be used in Target Designer
Define component interdependencies
Author registry information
Define placement in the Target Designer component tree (namespace)
Component definition is imported into TD

7. Embedded-Enabling Features
“Headless” Support
Allows a Windows NT Embedded system to run without any mouse/keyboard/video hardware.
Null VGA video driver removes hardware dependency
All Win32 apps run unmodified
All GDI calls behave as expected
Screen bitmap retained (e.g. GetPixel())
N.B - BIOS must be capable (e.g. no kbd)

8. Embedded-Enabling Features
Flash Media Support
Allows an Windows NT Embedded system to boot and operate without a physical disk drive. Flash will be exposed as a block mode device for file systems.
M-Systems DiskOnChip2000 is the supported hardware
NTFS and FAT support
Compression, Security
Maximum capacity - 144MB (uncompressed)
Automatic, transparent wear-leveling

9. Embedded-Enabling Features
Write Filter Driver
Redirects disk writes to an in-memory cache
Underlying media appears R/W to applications and system
FAT only at this time. NTFS is being investigated for inclusion.

10. Embedded-Enabling Features
CD Boot Driver
Supports the El-Torito bootable CD-ROM format.
Boot and run Windows NT from CD
Used in conjunction with the Write Filter driver
Allows the CD to be viewed as a standard block device
e.g. no CDFS

11. Embedded-Enabling Features
Flexible Page File Support
WinLogon and registry modifications
Configuration may include pre-defined paging files
fixed size
Run without a paging file
Profile dynamic memory usage
Application Developers must Size RAM appropriately

12. Embedded-Enabling Features
Network-related features
Participating in a domain
Workstation, server
Cloning
Unique SIDs for multiple images
Broad spectrum of Windows NT technology
DHCP, RPC, DCOM, WBEM

13. Embedded-Enabling Features
Remote Management infrastructure
Option 1 - text-mode
remote command prompt
TCP/IP (Telnet) with authentication option
Modem/Serial
Logon required - impersonates user credentials
Option 2 - graphical
remote application GUI
TCP/IP only

14. Embedded-Enabling Features
Enhanced support for error-reporting
Automatic handling of error dialogs
Global logging of all error dialogs and message boxes.
Modification to USER32.DLL
Only available on Windows NT Embedded systems

15. Run-time Configuration Enforcement
Only load executables configured for the target
Assures machine configuration
Enables more flexible licensing
Configuration is identifiable as Windows NT Embedded
Not a retail system
Triggers enforcement mechanism

16. Summary - Benefits Full Win32 compatibility
Familiar development environment
Rich operating system services and peripheral support
Huge 3rd party presence
Commodity PC hardware
Reduced time to market
Excellent platform for complex application systems!