Creating a new IDF

In a image definition file, you define those software packages you want to have installed on the devices' flash memory. This allows you to compose images to be installed according to individual requirements.

In ELIAS, the first step is to load the contents of a software container. These are then shown as available packages on the right. From the available packages, create a list of the packages you want to include in the IDF on the left.

To avoid conflicts, we recommend that you always use the latest packages provided with an eLux operating system version.

During the definition process, note that details on the software packages and the current IDF are shown on the bottom. For further information, see Interface.

Creating a new IDF

1. Make sure that the relevant container is shown on the right. If this is not the case, click Container > Select... and, in the file system, on the FTP or HTTP server, open the relevant container directory (Example: UC_RP6) with the container.ini file.

   The available container packages are listed on the right under Available packages.

2. Click Image > New.

   On the left, the list of Defined packages is empty when you start.

3. On the right, click a container package. You might begin with the relevant BaseOS package. Alternatively, you can begin with the required application, for example Citrix Workspace-App.

   For the selected package, the details are shown below.

4. Click the left arrow button <== to add the selected package to your IDF.

   The container package selected on the right is copied to the Defined packages list on the left.

5. If a package requests further packages or features for correct installation, confirm with OK.

   The requested packages are also copied.

   ELIAS continues requesting required software packages until the defined firmware is operational. You can only save an IDF that is operational. For example, the BaseOS, XWindows and GNOME Desktop packages represent a minimal eLux firmware.
   Depending on the device's hardware, additional drivers packages might be required such as VIA or ATI graphics drivers.

6. To activate/deactivate individual features within a defined package, click the + icon of the package on the left, select the relevant feature and press the Spacebar. For further information, see below.

7. Add all relevant packages to the Defined packages list.

   All packages displayed on the left will be included in the IDF.

8. Click Image > Save, choose a descriptive name and save the new IDF to the container.

 

Activating/Deactivating features in defined packages

Each .epm package contains different components, the so-called features (.fpm). To expand the package and show the features, click the + icon in front of the package symbol. The features have different symbols:

gray box	Mandatory component that cannot be deactivated
white box	Feature you can activate or deactivate

• Press the spacebar to activate or deactivate
  or
  select the feature and click Deactivate/Activate.

 

Deleting packages from an IDF

1. Select a package from the Defined packages list on the left.
2. Click ==>.

The package is removed from the Image Definition File.

Size restriction

While defining an IDF, there is no restriction regarding the maximum size. The total size of an image may be greater than the capacity of the flash memory as long as you are trying and testing. The final IDF, however, must not exceed the size of the flash memory. Check the total size before saving the IDF.