About Windows Embedded Standard 2009

Overview of Windows Embedded Standard

Windows Embedded Standard is the next generation of Windows XP Embedded, a fully componentized version of Windows XP Professional. Windows Embedded Standard delivers the power, familiarity, and reliability of the Windows operating system in componentized form, helping device makers create smart, connected enterprise devices requiring rich applications, services, and end-user experiences. Windows Embedded Standard technologies connect with many common industry standards plus several Microsoft desktop and server technologies that can help lower costs in application development, operating system deployment, servicing, and maintenance.

Windows Embedded Standard offers features and functionality beyond Windows XP Embedded in four key areas:

• Application platform – Windows Embedded Standard includes Microsoft Silverlight, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11, .NET Framework 3.5, and the XML Paper Specification.
• Operating system – Windows Embedded Standard includes the Windows Driver Foundation, which provides a solid foundation for shortening driver development efforts, and new and updated third-party drivers for the latest processors, chipsets, and other hardware.
• Enterprise infrastructure – Windows Embedded Standard includes Remote Desktop Protocol 6.1, Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, Windows XP Service Pack 3 updates and hot fixes, System Center Configuration Manager Operating System Deployment, and Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Support, which is a utility used to check the health of a connected embedded system.
• Embedded development tools – Windows Embedded Standard features a simplified setup experience with all development tools on a single DVD, a menu item and web link providing direct access to the Windows Embedded Online Community, and many additional configuration UI pages.

Windows Embedded Standard provides access to a mature technology portfolio of embedded-specific tools that work in the familiar Visual Studio development environment. It also includes security and management technology updates that help connect embedded devices seamlessly and take advantage of new features in Windows Server 2008.

The reduced footprint of Windows Embedded Standard allows developers to choose from more than 12,000 individual feature components (40 MB at the smallest) based on Windows binaries to achieve optimum functionality. The x86-based embedded OS can be used on a variety of devices, including:

• Thin client solutions, such as healthcare clinical technology systems and hotel reservation systems and in-room desktop resources and entertainment options.
• Automation devices used to run products such as hydraulic cranes, robots, and network security systems.
• Connected media devices such as machine-vision camera systems and Internet-based digital content delivery systems used in the hotel and leisure industries.
• Other smart devices such as digital jukeboxes and programmable toys.

The History of Windows Embedded Standard 2009

After the release of Windows CE, Microsoft soon discovered that many embedded developers were building a wide range of non-PC devices that were neither small nor resource-constrained and could benefit from a PC-based architecture, an enhanced set of features, richer functionality, and greater scalability than what Windows Embedded CE could provide at the time. In 1999, to complement its embedded products, Microsoft delivered Windows NT Embedded to the market, thereby providing embedded developers with greater choice and flexibility as well as access to the rich Windows feature set. Customers used Windows NT Embedded to build manufacturing, telecommunications, and multimedia devices.

In 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP Embedded, the successor to Windows NT Embedded, which provided a wealth of new features created for the mainstream operating system, and was available for the embedded marketplace in componentized form. With Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded, Windows Embedded operating systems could now service a wide variety of embedded devices – ranging from small, handheld Personal  Information Manager devices to large industrial automation machines – all with highly customized device designs, requiring a flexible platform, easy-to-use development tools, and access to the latest networking, communications, and multimedia technologies.

In developing Windows XP Embedded, the embedded development team focused on three key areas: the first was componentizing the latest Windows technologies so that embedded developers could have easy access to the richest feature set possible; the second was incorporating the latest embedded-enabling capabilities into Windows XP Embedded; and the third was delivering a powerful new set of end-to-end development tools to enable a more efficient and streamlined development process.

By componentizing Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Embedded enabled developers to utilize the latest technologies that the Windows platform has to offer while at the same time achieving a reduced footprint. Building upon a proven code base and offering over 10,000 operating system features and service components, Windows XP Embedded offered a broad range of new and enhanced capabilities. The benefits of these features include industry-leading reliability, security, and performance. Additionally, Windows XP Embedded includes the latest multimedia and Web browsing capabilities.

At the end of 2008, Windows Embedded Standard 2009 became the next evolutionary step in the history of Windows XP Embedded. Windows Embedded Standard 2009 includes Silverlight, .NET Framework 3.5, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media
Player 11, Remote Desktop Protocol  6.1, and Network Access Protection.  By integrating functionality that previously was only available in the desktop version of Windows, Windows Embedded Standard brings together the best qualities of Windows XP Embedded and the desktop version of Windows.

Windows Embedded Standard Key Features

Small Footprint – Windows Embedded Standard offers the choice of 12,000 individual components, 40 MB at the smallest.

Latest Multimedia and Web Browsing – Includes Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11, Microsoft Silverlight, DirectX 9 (Direct3D, Direct Draw, and DirectPlay), and television technologies (supports both digital and analog TV and digital video recording).

Networking Technologies – Windows Embedded Standard supports a wide variety of industry-standard networking technologies, including:

• Remote Desktop Protocol 6.1 – Allows a thin client to communicate with a terminal server across a LAN, WAN, or VPN.
• 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN) standards – Provides high bandwidth connectivity.
• 802.1X – Helps provide security-enhanced access to the network to support WLANs and Ethernet.
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 – Makes it easier to connect to public spaces equipped with wireless Internet access.
• Universal Plug and Play – Enables seamless proximity networking in addition to control and data transfer among networked devices.
• Win HTTP Services – Provides high-level interface to HTTP.
• IPv6 – Provides longer IP addresses, better routing capabilities, and more integrated security.
• USB – Supports a wide variety of USB peripherals.
• IEEE 1394 – Supports this emerging standard for consumer video.
• Internet Connection Sharing – Enables multiple devices to share a single connection.
• Advanced Graphics Port – Provides a dedicated high-speed port through which large blocks of 3D texture data can be moved between the computer’s graphics controller and system memory.
• Point-to-point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) – Enables LAN users to gain individual authenticated access to high-speed data networks.
• Extensible Authentication Protocol over Ethernet (EAPOE) – Allows servers to be delpoyed on Ethernet or WLANs.
• Infrared Data Association (IrDA) Support – Enables any device to communicate from point-to-point when two devices share a line of sight.

Multiple Boot and Storage Options – Allow developers to boot up images from a server, from read-only media and from a USB flash device. The file-based write filter provides more write protection granularity, allowing files to be selected for protection while other files are allowed to be updated.

Deployment and Management Technologies – Allow developers to perform run-time tasks; deploy images to virtual disks; develop, deploy, and recover run-time images; service and manage deployed images and applications; manage devices through interoperability with existing backend systems and tools; and participate in an Active Directory domain.

Power Management – Includes features that enable granular control over power consumption.

Internationalization – Language packs support more than 20 languages, enabling easy localization of the user interface.

For complete details on Windows Embedded Standard features,click here. 

Why Choose Windows Embedded Standard?

Windows Embedded Standard offers the following business benefits:

Broad Range of Configurable Functionality - With Windows Embedded Standard, developers have the power and flexibility to choose only the required components and exclude unnecessary components of the platform from their embedded image, thus customizing the system to their specific product needs. This transforms the desktop system into an embedded operating system platform. Additionally, running less code leads to a leaner and faster image with fewer background processes. At the same time, the image is more robust and secure because less code is running and there is less surface area for malicious code to attack.

Embedded Enabling Features (EEFs) - EEFs satisfy the requirements of special embedded use cases such as disk protection, the ability to start up from compact flash or read-only devices, device management for simple scenarios, and tools for configuring and cloning the Windows Embedded Standard 2009 system.

Security - Security functionality is based on well-known and open security standards such as Kerberos and NTLM authentication; it supports Public Key Infrastructure; and it has state-of-the-art security mechanisms built into the network and Wi-Fi stack.

Fast Time to Market – With Windows Embedded Standard, existing applications and building blocks of code can be reused. The Windows Embedded Studio toolkit provides automated functionalities that detect hardware components on the device and check dependencies among the functionality blocks to build a running system in just a few simple steps. Building an embedded image typically takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on its complexity, compared to other embedded platforms, which can take months or even years on average.

Simple Enterprise Integration - Devices built on Windows Embedded Standard 2009 can be easily integrated in all enterprise infrastructure technologies, from Active Directory to PKI to security solutions, because these components are already part of the platform. Windows Embedded Standard 2009 even supports Network Access Protection (NAP), a technology freshly introduced with Windows Server 2008. It guarantees that only systems conforming to specific standards have access to the internal network. All other systems only have access to an update server to obtain required updates and fixes until they are in a desired state.

Synergies with the Windows Ecosystem - Windows Embedded Standard offers the ability to participate directly in all the innovations and developments related to the Win32 platform. The drivers for standard devices are either provided in the Windows Embedded Standard development toolkit, Windows Embedded Studio, or are available through the corresponding device manufacturer’s support site. Windows Embedded Standard 2009 can be leveraged as a powerful application platform. Any application that works on Windows XP Professional runs on a Windows Embedded Standard 2009 image, as long as the required OS functionality is part of this image. Over time, OEMs can participate in any innovation that is brought into the platform, either by Microsoft or any other software vendor in the world.

Share Success-Based Licensing Model - The Windows Embedded Standard development toolkit is free to try. Royalty fees apply only after the OEM starts to create and ship devices to their customers. This reduces the risk for the OEM customer and therefore provides a shared success model.

Professional Documentation and Support - Microsoft provides comprehensive documentation and technical resources for Windows Embedded Standard that serves both beginning users and experts. Microsoft Customer Support Services offer a single point of contact if a device manufacturer needs help solving a specific problem or troubleshooting support. Windows Embedded Standard is supported by many Microsoft partners, who offer all kinds of services, including training, system integration, and implementation help.

Community and Support
Windows Embedded Standard development tools include built-in navigation to help guide developers to technical resources. From one central location, developers can now easily access a broad range of valuable community resources and support including tutorials, documentation, and online community forums .

Standard includes componentized drivers for Intel, AMD, and VIA’s most recently released x86 chipset, providing device makers with the flexibility to easily migrate and benefit from the performance improvements of the latest processor generation.

An active development community and a network of industry-leading Partners are available to help you in every step of your development cycle. Working with a Windows Embedded Partner early on furthers your development savings. Windows Embedded Standard is also cost-effective, with runtime license costs determined per unit shipped. For complete details, pricing, and licensing information, contact a Microsoft Windows Embedded Authorized Distributor near you.

Get Started with Windows Embedded Standard

If you are new to Windows Embedded Standard, here are some steps you can take to get started with the product:

1. Go to the Windows Embedded Standard downloads page to download a free evaluation version of Windows Embedded Standard. The evaluation version is fully functional for four months, giving you enough time to start building and testing your device before making a purchasing decision.
2. Go to the Learn section of the MSDN Web site for Windows Embedded Standard to dive into the subject from beginning to end.
3. Get answers to “in the trenches” questions by utilizing the MSDN Library , which is an essential source for how-to information, reference documentation, sample code, technical articles, and more.
4. Engage in real time with Microsoft’s vast embedded community network of Microsoft developers , customers and more than 500 Windows Embedded Partners.  You and your technical team will have access to community projects, newsgroups, technical chats, webcasts, and forums for exchanging ideas and advice.
5. Sign up for a subscription to MSDN so that you can gain early access to the latest updates and resources for Windows Embedded Standard.