Automatic installation of AR from USB in an APC3100

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1

Hello,
We have an APC3100 that is only running AR. We’ve experienced a lot of problems when doing offline installations directly to the CFast card. So instead we’re using an USB for the installation.
By selecting ‘Project installation’ → ‘Generate Project Installation Package’ in AS, we’ll get an installation package that can be stored on an USB, then we’ll insert the USB into the APC. But here’s the thing, we’re looking for a way to make it possible for the installation to start automatically. For an X20 PLC it’s possible to do a ‘silent installation’ (I think it’s called that). But with an APC we have to connect a monitor and a keyboard directly to the APC and manually confirm that we want the installation to begin.
Is there a way to start the installation automatically?

The reason we want this is that we would like the people in our assembly workshop to be able to install AR and the AS project to our machines without our help. And one other reason is that sometimes the CFast card in a machine could get corrupted (we’re not sure why). And because of this we would like our customers to have a backup of the project on an USB, so that they could restore the machine to operational mode again with minimal help from us.

I’ve been told earlier by our local B&R support that it isn’t possible to do a silent installation from an USB in an APC. I’ve seen that there is a section about ‘Silent installation’ in the AS Help (ab5cc582-8465-474c-96aa-f9d89b6d31f8 or Silent_installation) but apparently this isn’t possible for the initial installation of AR on an APC. But I still want to throw out this question to the community to see if there are anyone that know more about this and maybe have a workaround.

So, is it possible to automatically install AR + my AS project on an APC3100 using an USB, without the need of connecting a monitor and a keyboard directly to the APC?

Best regards
/Johnny

2

It is possible to change the script on the usb-stick. I have done it in the past, but I have to search for the correct steps. If I have found the info again I will post it.

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3

The file installARemb.sh from usb folder \SetupFiles\script contains following code.

# Main menu dialog
function _showMainMenuDialog(){
	local menuList=()
	menuList=("1" "Install" "2" "Show partitions")
	
    dialog --title "$AREMB_DIALOG_INSTALL_TITLE" --backtitle "$AREMB_DIALOG_INSTALL_BACKTITLE" \
        --cancel-label "Exit" \
        --menu "\nPlease choose an option:\n \n" 15 55 3 "${menuList[@]}" 2> $tempfile
	_receiveResult $tempfile

	case $choice in
    	1) pageIdx=$INST_CFG_AREMB_IDX ;;
    	2) pageIdx=$SHOW_PARTITIONS_IDX ;;
	esac
}

This code has to be changed to:

# Main menu dialog
function _showMainMenuDialog(){
#         local menuList=()
#         menuList=("1" "Install" "2" "Show partitions")
         
#   dialog --title "$AREMB_DIALOG_INSTALL_TITLE" --backtitle "$AREMB_DIALOG_INSTALL_BACKTITLE" \

#        --cancel-label "Exit" \
#        --menu "\nPlease choose an option:\n \n" 15 55 3 "${menuList[@]}" 2> $tempfile
#         _receiveResult $tempfile
 
#         case $choice in
#         1) pageIdx=$INST_CFG_AREMB_IDX ;;
#         2) pageIdx=$SHOW_PARTITIONS_IDX ;;
#         esac
pageIdx=$INST_CFG_AREMB_IDX ;;
}

So comment almost all lines and go to next page.

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4

Great, I will try this. Thanks!

5

@corne.geerts This would run the install automatically (without user intervention) if the USB is selected as the boot device, right? But the USB would still have to be selected as the boot device or else the script would never run. I wonder if, in combination with Corne’s script, you could change the BIOS settings to boot from USB first. Then if you put the USB stick in, the PC will automatically boot from it and run the script.

The reason for the answer you got from B&R support I think is that there’s a difference in how PCs and PLCs boot. PLCs always boot to Automation Runtime. When you plug a USB install stick into them, AR checks for the USB during boot and installs the project if it finds one. PCs on the other hand have a BIOS that can boot multiple different operating systems. The difference is that you’re booting from the USB stick rather than booting AR and having AR handle the USB stick. Telling the BIOS to boot from the USB stick usually requires user intervention.

If you were to set the USB to always be the first boot device however, this means that anyone could install anything onto your PC just by inserting a USB stick. If the USB stick is handled by AR, AR is looking for a project install package. However, the BIOS is just looking for something it can boot from. That might be worth considering if you go down this route.

6

@marcusbnr The default boot order( CFast1,Cfast2, M2, USB) would be sufficient, if the CFast card is empty. For the temporary boot from USB device at least a screen is needed.
With the USB-stick (Create USB Install Drive) AR (and project) can be installed on APC.
With the normal script you have to connect an usb keyboard (and screen) and hit 1 to start the installation. With the adapted script this step is skipped.

2 Likes
7

mark,i also want to how to do it.

8

@jayD Do you have any specific questions on the above thread?

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no,Marcus, i just want to pin it,because i want to try this method later.
I bookmarked this post, sorry about the reply confusing you。 :grinning:
@marcusbnr