C9900-S419, C9900-S424, CXxxxx-012x, CXxxxx-013x | Windows Embedded Standard 7 for Beckhoff Industrial PCs

Long-term availability

Operating systems distributed by Beckhoff originate exclusively from the so-called embedded channel. This means that security updates are available for ten years. In addition, these operating system versions have constant properties and are not subject to a function upgrade. After the end of the extended support, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates. However, the operating system is still available and may continue to be distributed.

Stability and real-time capability

Beckhoff has been using Windows operating systems as a stable basis for the TwinCAT automation software for many years. Only tested driver and software components that are regularly subjected to intensive real-time and functional tests are integrated. The drivers used are optimally matched to the Beckhoff hardware. In addition, all settings in the operating system are adapted to the use of TwinCAT. This optimizes the real-time capability of the controller and minimizes downtime on the machine.

Security

Security requirements for Industrial PC operating systems are steadily increasing. The reasons for this are, for example, the new areas of application and use cases in the field of Industrie 4.0, networking, and cloud connectivity. The IPC Security Guideline helps to make operating systems more secure step by step by explaining actions and conducting threat analyses. In addition, Beckhoff communicates known vulnerabilities in the form of Security Advisories and – if available – provides instructions on how to eliminate the vulnerabilities on Beckhoff Industrial PCs. The Beckhoff Security Wizard opens when the windows operation system starts so that the user will get informed of the most important steps to secure the system.

Useful Beckhoff components

Additional Beckhoff components integrated as standard facilitate the operation and maintenance of Industrial PCs and operating systems, thus providing real added value. With the Beckhoff Display Control the user can, for example, change the brightness of the display or set a screen saver and a cleaning mode. With the Beckhoff Device Manager, an Industrial PC can be configured remotely using a web browser. Characteristics of the Industrial PC such as fan speed, CPU usage, and data carrier SMART parameters are visible at a glance and thus facilitate maintenance. Using the Beckhoff Write Filter Manager, the user can employ a graphical user interface to control and configure the Windows Embedded Standard 7 write filters EWF (Enhanced Write Filter) and FBWF (File-Based Write Filter) to protect a partition against write access. In the Windows Embedded Standard 7 images, the Beckhoff IPC FeatureManager facilitates the installation of language and component packages.