Scanner Cloning over Ethernet

Note:  Ethernet Cloning functionality is not available until firmware version R1.0.5 (497–0509264) and the scanner is configured to enable Ethernet.

The firmware and/or the Program Parameters can be cloned from one NCR 7879 to another. This can be helpful in installations where there are multiple NCR 7879 Scanner/Scale devices that need to have identical programming. Aside from using a USB Flash Drive, scanner cloning can also be done over an Ethernet network.

Before performing the scanner cloning procedure, take note of the following guidelines:

•The TFTP server is set up and the scanner is configured to enable Ethernet.

Note:  For instructions, refer to Setting up the Server and Configuring the Scanner for Ethernet.

•One scanner must be configured as the Master for each role or station to be cloned.

•Four roles are currently supported.

•A role reflects the station, such as POS (assisted server) or SSCO (SelfServ Checkout).

•Each scanner has a default setting of Role 1, non–Master.

•Assignment of a role number to a station, such as POS or SSCO lane, is completely up to the customer.

•If there is no Master scanner assigned in the store, cloning can still occur if the cloned files are present on the TFTP server, with the correct names (for example, 7879_Role1_FW.bin and 7879_Role1_EEProm.bin for Role 1 scanners).

Use the following procedure to clone multiple NCR 7879 Scanner/Scale devices over an Ethernet network.

1.Verify that the scanner to be cloned contains the desired configuration; it may be necessary to program this NCR 7879 before continuing.

2.Program the scanners for their roles.

•PM 9, A, A for Role 1 (default)

•PM 9, A, B for Role 2

•PM 9, A, C for Role 3

•PM 9, A, D for Role 4

3.Configure the Master scanner.

Note:  Verify that it contains the desired configuration; it may be necessary to program this NCR 7879 before continuing.

•PM 9, A, 8 to make a scanner the Master

•PM 9, A, 9 to make a scanner a non–Master/Satellite (default)

4.Add the following to the NCRFlash.ini file on the TFTP server:

[CLONE]

;To clone the FW. Results in file 7879_Rolex_FW.bin where x is the role number, 1 through 4.

fw_clone=y

;To clone the EEProm. Results in file 7879_Rolex_EEProm.bin where x is the role number, 1 through 4.

eeuser_clone=y

5.Reboot the Master scanner by performing either of the following:

•Scanning the RESET tag

•Removing and then supplying power to the scanner

Note:  Allow the Master scanner to complete all tasks before rebooting the non–Master scanners.

When the Master scanner completes its tasks, it will create the 7879_RolexFW and 7879_Rolex_EEProm files and copy them to the TFTP server.

The Master scanner also creates and loads the following files to the TFTP server:

•7879_Rolex_Tasks.txt — indicates that the task of cloning the Master scanner is already performed

•7879_MAC_Tasks.txt — indicates that the task of pulling the FW and EEPROM files from the Master scanner is already performed. MAC is the MAC address of the scanner that performs this task, which, in this case, is the Master scanner's MAC address.

6.Reboot the non–Master scanners by performing either of the following:

•Scanning the RESET tag

•Removing and then supplying power to the scanner

The corresponding FW and EEPROM files for a specific scanner role are then pulled from the TFTP server and all non–Master scanners with the same role designation are automatically updated.

Note:  If a Master scanner is already cloned, rebooting it does not perform pulling of FW and EEPROM files and cloning tasks again. This is because of the presence of the Tasks.txt files that tell the scanner that it has performed the tasks defined and, therefore, prevent repeated and unnecessary flashing each time the scanner reboots. To perform future flashing or cloning tasks to a scanner, the tasks files for that scanner need to be deleted.

Note:  When a non–Master scanner performs the cloning tasks, it will also create a 7879_MAC_Tasks.txt file (where MAC is the scanner's MAC address) on the TFTP server, preventing it from performing the same tasks again. To perform future flashing or cloning tasks to a scanner, the tasks files need to be deleted.