M-Systems’ Flash products supported by Windows XP Embedded

Newark, Calif. - Corresponding with launch of Microsoft Corp.'s latest embedded operating system (OS), Windows XP Embedded, M-Systems announced that Windows XP Embedded contains native support for the DiskOnKey and DiskOnChip product lines.

By Gary Mintchell, Senior Editor November 30, 2001

Newark, Calif. – Corresponding with launch of Microsoft Corp.’s latest embedded operating system (OS), Windows XP Embedded, M-Systems announced that Windows XP Embedded contains native support for the DiskOnKey and DiskOnChip product lines.

Furthermore, both DiskOnKey and TrueFFS (M-Systems’ flash file system that supports its Linear PCMCIA cards and DiskOnChip) have received certification from Microsoft’s Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) for Windows XP. This certification is a requirement by most major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and distributors working with this OS.

Windows XP Embedded is the ‘componentized’ version of the Microsoft Windows XP OS designed for x86-based client devices such as advanced set-top boxes, high-end thin clients and kiosks. Componentization, which breaks up the full retail version of the operating system into distinct modules, and enhanced embedded enabling features help embedded systems developers to keep their memory footprint small by allowing them to select the minimum set of components required to build an OS image specially tailored for their product.

A non-volatile alternative to mechanical disk drives, M-Systems’ DiskOnChip and DiskOnKey product lines provide Windows XP Embedded-based devices with a persistent storage solution in a small form factor without the space constraints, power requirements, and data loss issues of hard drives.

Because M-Systems’ TrueFFS 5.0 driver for DiskOnChip resides within Windows XP Embedded, OEMs are able to utilize DiskOnChip as a complete persistent storage solution in their design. This allows them to store the operating system image, registry entries, user data, drivers, and applications onto the flash disk with 100 percent hard disk emulation.

Furthermore, with the boot capability found in M-Systems’ DiskOnChip Millennium flash disk products, embedded developers can design their products to boot directly from the flash disk, lowering the cost of each unit and saving board space by avoiding the need to have an additional external BootROM.

Built-in support for the USB mass storage class driver allows Windows XP Embedded-based devices to use DiskOnKey for removable and easily transportable data storage. The DiskOnKey device is smaller than the size of a typical pen and offers an onboard CPU for ‘plug and play’ operation connecting to a computer’s universal serial bus (USB) port. DiskOnKey is a compact, self-contained portable solution for reliable and personal read/write data. Ideal as a floppy disk replacement, the DiskOnKey is available in 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128MB capacities. It has boot capability in systems that have USB boot support in their BIOS and it is an ideal solution for compact peripherals using applications for Windows XP Embedded.

‘Fast, cost-effective and reliable storage options are critical for OEMs building Windows Powered devices,’ said David Ursino, product manager for the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. ‘Including M-Systems’ DiskOnChip and DiskOnKey among the device drivers supported by Windows XP Embedded will help OEMs save money and quickly create next-generation Windows Powered devices.’

‘Together, Microsoft and M-Systems provide embedded product designers ease of development, a quick time to market, and cost savings,’ said Chuck Schouw, president and CEO of M-Systems. ‘Now, with support for our products within Windows XP Embedded, our flash disks can be used to provide the necessary storage in a whole range of new products.’