Niagara JACE-8000 - User Manual

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Summary

About this Guide

Product Documentation

Details on the Niagara technical documentation library, including online help and PDF formats.

Document Content

Topics covered in this document, focusing on USB backups, restores, and factory defaults.

Document Change Log

Lists updates and changes made to the document over time, with dates and descriptions.

USB Backup and Restore

Creating a USB Backup

Procedure for creating a clone backup of the JACE-8000 platform and station to a USB drive.

Restoring from a USB Backup

Steps to restore a JACE-8000 controller to a previous state using a USB backup file.

Restoring Factory Defaults

Procedure to return the JACE-8000 controller to its original factory state using a terminal emulator.

Resetting Platform Credentials

Method to regain access to the JACE-8000 by resetting platform credentials and system passphrase.

Shutting Down the Controller

Safe procedure for shutting down the JACE-8000 controller to preserve station data.

Reference Information

Platform and Station Backup Options

Overview of different backup types available for JACE-8000 platform and station data.

Restore Options

Details on the options available when restoring a controller from a USB backup.

Shutdown Operations

Explanation of how the JACE-8000 controller shutdown operation works.

The JACE-8000 is a network controller that allows users to back up and restore its entire platform and station to a USB flash drive. This process, known as a clone backup, creates a complete image of the platform and station, including system modules and the QNX OS. This functionality is distinct from the BackupService in Workbench, which backs up station files to a local Supervisor or browser PC and only includes pointers to core software modules.

Function Description:

The JACE-8000 provides several key functions related to data management and system recovery:

USB Backup: Allows for manual initiation of a backup by inserting a USB flash drive and pressing the backup and restore button on the unit. This creates a clone backup of the entire platform and station.
USB Restore: Enables restoration of a USB backup image using a USB flash drive, a USB-to-microUSB cable connection, and a terminal emulator program. This can restore the controller to the state it was in when the backup was made, even to a different controller of the same model.
Factory Default Recovery: Provides a method to recover the factory default image without needing a USB flash drive, special cable, or terminal emulator. The system pulls the factory image from non-volatile, read-only memory.
Secure Platform Account Recovery: In Niagara 4.4 and later, this feature offers a secure way to regain access to the JACE-8000 without losing station data and configuration, even if valid credentials or the system passphrase are lost.
Controlled Shutdown: A pushbutton switch initiates a controlled shutdown of the controller, ensuring all station data is preserved.

Important Technical Specifications:

USB File System Support: USB backup exclusively supports FAT32 and FAT32X file systems. NTFS is not supported.
USB Drive Capacity: Only USB flash drives (USB sticks ≤128GB) are recommended for backup/restore operations. Larger capacity drives (>128GB) or USB bus-powered external hard drives are not recommended due to higher power requirements, which can lead to unexpected behavior, permanent damage to the drive or JACE-8000, or controller unresponsiveness requiring a reboot.
Debug Port: The controller features a Micro-A USB debug port for serial debug communications.
Backup Image Content: A clone backup image includes the contents of the boot partition, /home/Niagara, /opt/Niagara, etc., providing a comprehensive system snapshot.
Backup File Naming Convention: Backup image files are named using the host ID of the JACE-8000, an underscore, and a timestamp (e.g., Qnx-TITAN-D01C-CA36–CB10–4E3B_20170912230355).
Terminal Emulator Settings for Restore/Recovery: When using a terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY), the following settings are required: baud rate: 115200, data bits: 8, parity: N, stop bits: 1.

Usage Features:

Backup Initiation: To create a USB backup, the controller's power must be on, and "USB Backup Enabled" must be selected in Platform Administration > Advanced Options. Insert a USB flash drive, then press and hold the backup and restore button until the LED flashes at medium speed, then release. The LED will flash slowly during backup and turn off when complete.
Restore Initiation: To restore from a USB backup, connect the controller to a PC via the USB-to-microUSB debug cable, insert the USB flash drive, and power off the controller. Press and hold the backup and restore button while powering up until a confirmation banner appears, then release. Press any key during the 10-second countdown to enter USB restore mode. The system will prompt for the current system passphrase and then the backup file's passphrase.
Factory Default Recovery Initiation: To recover factory defaults, ensure the controller's power is off. Press and hold the backup and restore button while powering up until the confirmation banner appears, then release. If no key is pressed during the 10-second countdown, the factory recovery process will begin. Importantly, in Niagara 4.7U1 and later, no USB device should be inserted in the USB port when attempting factory defaults recovery, as its presence will skip the recovery process.
Platform Account Recovery Initiation: Power off the controller, open a serial connection via a terminal emulator, and power up the controller while pressing ESC to enter recovery mode. Select option 8 ("Reset Platform Credentials") from the Alternate Boot Options menu. This process requires contacting Tridium Support to obtain a Reset Authorization Key.
Shutdown Initiation: Press and hold the Shutdown button until the Backup LED begins to flash, then release. Wait until the Backup LED turns off before removing power.

Maintenance Features:

Error Indication: If a USB backup fails, the LED flashes rapidly (200ms on, 200ms off, 200ms on, 3s off), indicating an error. Possible causes include insufficient disk space or a write-protected thumb drive.
System Passphrase Management: The restore process requires the system passphrase to decode the backup. If the passphrase changed since the backup, the passphrase used to create the backup is needed.
Secure Access Restoration: The Secure Platform Account Recovery feature allows regaining access to the JACE-8000 without data loss, addressing scenarios where credentials or the system passphrase are lost. This involves a multi-stage process with Tridium Support.
Factory Reset for Decommissioning: Recovering factory defaults is a best practice when decommissioning a JACE to wipe all platform and station data.
Recovery Mode Warnings: Users are cautioned not to interrupt restore or recovery processes once they begin, as this can leave the controller in a non-functional or inoperable state.
Compatibility Notes: USB Backup/Restore functionality is not supported for JACE-8000 controllers running AX-3.8U1 or NiagaraAX. In these cases, the USB port on the device is not monitored for insertion/removal of devices.