Application Deployment for Mobile 5.0 8 - 7
XML Provisioning
To configure the settings on a mobile computer XML provisioning should be used. To install an XML provisioning
file on the mobile computer, create a Cabinet Provisioning File (CPF) file. A CPF file is similar to a CAB file and
contains just one file: _setup.xml. Like a CAB file, the CPF extension is associated with WCELoad.EXE. Opening a
CPF extracts the XML code and uses it to provision and configure the mobile computer. The user receives an
e-mail notification indicating success or failure.
XML Provisioning provides the ability to configure various features of the mobile computer (i.e., registry and file
system). However, some settings require security privileges. To change registry settings via a CPF file, you need to
have certain privileges (roles). Some registry keys require you to simply be an Authenticated User, while other
registry keys require you to be a Manager. Refer to the Windows Mobile 5.0 Help file, Metabase Settings for
Registry Configuration Service Provider section, for the default role settings in Windows Mobile 5.0.
For those registry settings that require the Manager role, the CPF file must be signed with a privileged certificate
installed on the device. Refer to the Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Help file and the Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK for
instructions and sample test certificates.
Creating an XML Provisioning File
To create a .cpf file:
1. Create a valid provisioning XML file named _setup.xml using an XML editor or the tools supplied with Visual
Studio 2005. (For example, use the SampleReg.xml sample created in the RegMerge section below and
rename it _setup.xml.) Ensure the file contains the required parameters for the operation. Refer to the
Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Help file for information.
2. In the Windows Mobile 5.0 tools directory on the desktop computer (typically \Program Files\Windows CE
Tools\wce500\Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC SDK\Tools), run the Makecab.exe utility, using the following
syntax to create a .cpf file from the _setup.xml file:
MakeCab.exe /D COMPRESS=OFF _setup.xml myOutCpf
3. Optionally, use the Authenticode tools to sign the .cpf file.
4. Tap the filename to install.
5. Certain applications and settings require a cold boot to take affect. In these cases, cold boot the mobile
computer. Refer to the Windows Mobile Version 5.0 Help file for more information.
XML Provisioning vs. RegMerge and CopyFiles
Prior to Windows Mobile 5.0, Symbol used two drivers (RegMerge and CopyFiles) to update the registry and to
copy files during a cold boot. With Windows Mobile 5.0, Symbol recommends using XML provisioning instead.
RegMerge and CopyFiles are supported for backward compatibility but Symbol may eliminate support in the future.
The following sections provide examples of how RegMerge and CopyFiles were used, and how to perform the
same function using XML provisioning.
RegMerge
RegMerge.dll is a built-in driver that allows updating the registry during a clean boot. RegMerge runs very early in
the boot process and looks for registry files (.reg files) in certain Flash File System folders (i.e., \Application) during
a clean boot. It then merges the registry changes into the system registry located in RAM.
NOTE COMPRESS=OFF is required for backward compatibility with Pocket PC.
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