Tools For Cloning PXI(e) Controller Hard-Drive

Cloning the image of a controller consists of creating an exact copy of the content its hard-drive. This document addresses the available tools to clone images of PXI(e) controllers, running either Windows or Real-Time (RT) Operating System (OS) and deploy to multiple PXI(e) controllers. 

NI recommends only using cloned images if the controllers involved have the same part number. Otherwise, this could result in software corruption and/or unexpected behaviour.

RT OS: To clone RT drivers, NI recommends the use of the NI Replication and Deployment (RAD) Utility. This tool provides a turn-key solution for automated RT image replication, deployment, and management.

Windows OS: Some of our Windows embedded controllers will have an OEM version of Acronis True Image installed, so the user can create an image of the Windows drive or entire hard disk, store it in a specific location, and deploy the created image to multiple embedded controller drives or hard disks, please refer to this article that explains how to find and access Acronis to confirm if your controller applies for this method. NI recommends this tool because it is a tested scenario. The results of cloning with other software were not tested and therefore are unknown. 

If any issues occur, install Windows from scratch onto the controller and use a batch installer to install the specific software and drivers needed. For more information, please refer to this document on creating a custom installer with the NI Batch Installer Builder.