This checkpoint establishes verified deployment infrastructure for the Dataforth DOS Update System with proper file synchronization and documentation. ## Key Changes ### TS-4R Backup and Analysis - Backed up complete TS-4R machine to D:\ClaudeTools\backups\TS-4R\ - Analyzed MENUX.EXE startup menu system (758-line QuickBasic program) - Documented complete startup sequence: AUTOEXEC.BAT → STARTNET.BAT → MENUX.EXE - Found MENUX.BAS source code (Feb 2008 version) from KEPCO ABC software archive ### AD2-NAS Sync Infrastructure Fixes - Created junction: COMMON → _COMMON (single source of truth for software updates) - Verified bidirectional sync logic prevents data backflow: * Test data: DOS → NAS → AD2 → Database (one-way, deleted from NAS) * Program updates: AD2 → NAS → DOS (one-way, files remain on AD2) - Manually deployed correct BAT file versions to NAS after sync connection issues - Verified all 9 BAT files deployed correctly (5.1KB-8.8KB each) ### Deployment Scripts Created - check-junction.ps1: Verify COMMON/\_COMMON junction status - compare-common-folders.ps1: Compare folder contents - deploy-correct-bat-files.ps1: Deploy BAT files from local to AD2 - fix-common-junction.ps1: Create COMMON → _COMMON junction - verify-bat-deployment.ps1: Verify file versions on AD2 - manual-push-to-nas.sh: Manual BAT file deployment to NAS - read-sync-script.ps1: Read Sync-FromNAS.ps1 from AD2 - search-menux-ad2.ps1: Search for MENUX source files ### Documentation Updates - Updated all deployment guides with MENUX startup sequence - Added startup flow to credentials.md and session logs - Documented junction requirement for COMMON/\_COMMON - Added data flow verification confirming unidirectional sync ## Technical Details **Files Deployed to NAS (2026-01-20 09:01-09:02):** - UPDATE.BAT (5,181 bytes) - Machine backup utility - DEPLOY.BAT (5,579 bytes) - One-time deployment installer - NWTOC.BAT (6,305 bytes) - Network to Computer updates - CTONW.BAT (7,831 bytes) - Computer to Network uploads - CTONWTXT.BAT (1,504 bytes) - Text file version - CHECKUPD.BAT (6,495 bytes) - Check for updates - STAGE.BAT (8,794 bytes) - Stage system files - REBOOT.BAT (5,099 bytes) - Apply staged updates - AUTOEXEC.BAT (2,211 bytes) - DOS startup configuration **Sync Logic Verified:** - PULL: /data/test/TS-*/LOGS/*.DAT copied to AD2, then deleted from NAS - PUSH: C:\Shares\test\_COMMON\ProdSW\* copied to /data/test/COMMON/ProdSW/ - No reverse flow in either direction (test data never returns to DOS) **Junction Created:** - Target: C:\Shares\test\COMMON → C:\Shares\test\_COMMON - Eliminates duplicate file maintenance - Backup saved to C:\Shares\test\COMMON.backup ## Files Modified - DOS_DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md: Added automatic startup sequence - docs/DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md: Updated post-reboot expectations - docs/ENGINEER_HOWTO_GUIDE.md: Added MENUX menu loading step - credentials.md: Documented startup sequence and MENUX interface - session-logs/2026-01-19-session.md: Added startup documentation ## Files Added - 8 PowerShell deployment/verification scripts - 3 HTML documentation exports - TS-4R complete backup (not committed to git) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
27 KiB
DOS Update System - Engineer How-To Guide
Document Version: 1.0 Date: January 19, 2026 Audience: Engineers and System Administrators Prerequisites: Network access to \AD2\test\ share
Table of Contents
- Quick Start
- Accessing the Test Share
- File Placement Guide
- Sync Process Explained
- Update Workflow
- Troubleshooting Guide
- Best Practices
- FAQ
Quick Start
Need to deploy a software update quickly? Follow these steps:
- Map network drive to
\\AD2\test(if not already mapped) - Copy batch files to:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ - Wait 15 minutes for automatic sync to NAS
- DOS machines will download updates on next reboot
That's it! No manual commands needed on DOS machines.
Accessing the Test Share
Engineers have share-level access to AD2's test folder via SMB.
Option 1: Map Network Drive (Recommended)
Windows File Explorer:
- Open File Explorer
- Click "This PC" in left sidebar
- Click "Map network drive" button (or right-click → "Map network drive")
- Choose drive letter:
T:(recommended for consistency) - Enter path:
\\AD2\test - Check "Reconnect at sign-in" (optional)
- Click "Finish"
- Enter credentials if prompted:
- Username:
INTRANET\[your-username] - Password: [your-password]
- Username:
Command Line (cmd.exe):
net use T: \\AD2\test /persistent:yes
PowerShell:
New-PSDrive -Name "T" -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\\AD2\test" -Persist
![Screenshot: Map Network Drive Dialog] Screenshot placeholder: Windows "Map network drive" dialog showing \AD2\test path
Option 2: Direct UNC Path
If you don't want to map a drive, use the UNC path directly:
Windows File Explorer:
- Navigate to:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ - Drag and drop files directly
Command Line:
copy C:\MyFiles\*.BAT \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\
PowerShell:
Copy-Item C:\MyFiles\*.BAT -Destination \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\
Verifying Access
Check if you have access:
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to:
\\AD2\test\ - You should see folders: COMMON, TS-01, TS-02, ..., TS-30
Expected folder structure:
\\AD2\test\
├── COMMON\
│ ├── ProdSW\ ← Place batch files here
│ ├── DOS\ ← System files (AUTOEXEC.NEW, CONFIG.NEW)
│ └── NET\ ← Network client updates
├── TS-01\ ← Machine-specific folders
├── TS-02\
├── ...
└── TS-30\
![Screenshot: Test Share Folder Structure] Screenshot placeholder: Windows Explorer showing \AD2\test\ folder structure with COMMON and TS-XX folders
File Placement Guide
Where to Place Files
| File Type | Destination | Scope | Auto-Deployed To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batch files (.BAT) | \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ |
All machines | C:\BAT\ on all DOS machines |
| Executables (.EXE) | \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ |
All machines | C:\ATE\ on all DOS machines |
| Config files (.CFG) | \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ |
All machines | C:\ATE\ on all DOS machines |
| System files (AUTOEXEC.NEW) | \\AD2\test\COMMON\DOS\ |
All machines | Staged for reboot |
| Network client files | \\AD2\test\COMMON\NET\ |
All machines | C:\NET\ on all DOS machines |
| Machine-specific files | \\AD2\test\TS-XX\ProdSW\ |
Single machine | C:\BAT\ and C:\ATE\ on specific machine |
Step-by-Step: Deploy Batch File Update
Scenario: You've updated CHECKUPD.BAT and need to deploy it to all machines.
Steps:
-
Access the share:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ -
Backup existing file (optional but recommended):
- Rename
CHECKUPD.BATtoCHECKUPD.BAK - Or copy to
_backup\folder
- Rename
-
Copy new file:
- Drag your updated
CHECKUPD.BATto\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ - Overwrite when prompted
- Drag your updated
-
Verify copy:
- Check file size and timestamp match your source file
- Open file to verify contents (right-click → Edit)
-
Wait for sync:
- AD2 syncs to NAS every 15 minutes
- After 15 minutes, file is available at
T:\COMMON\ProdSW\on DOS machines
-
Verify on DOS machine:
- Next reboot: NWTOC downloads new file to C:\BAT\
- Or manually run:
T:\COMMON\ProdSW\NWTOC.BATon DOS machine
![Screenshot: File Copy Operation] *Screenshot placeholder: Windows Explorer copying CHECKUPD.BAT to \AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW*
Step-by-Step: Deploy Machine-Specific Update
Scenario: TS-04 needs a special configuration file.
Steps:
-
Identify target machine folder:
\\AD2\test\TS-04\ProdSW\ -
Create folder if it doesn't exist:
- Right-click in
\\AD2\test\TS-04\ - Select "New" → "Folder"
- Name it:
ProdSW
- Right-click in
-
Copy machine-specific file:
- Drag your file to
\\AD2\test\TS-04\ProdSW\
- Drag your file to
-
Wait for sync (15 minutes)
-
On TS-04 DOS machine:
- Reboot machine
- NWTOC automatically downloads from
T:\TS-04\ProdSW\to C:\BAT\ and C:\ATE\
Important: Machine-specific files take precedence over COMMON files.
Sync Process Explained
How Sync Works
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 1: Engineer places file on AD2 │
│ Location: \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\NEWFILE.BAT │
│ Time: 0 minutes │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 2: Scheduled task on AD2 syncs to NAS │
│ Frequency: Every 15 minutes │
│ Time: 0-15 minutes (depending on timing) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 3: File now available on D2TESTNAS │
│ Location: /data/test/COMMON/ProdSW/NEWFILE.BAT │
│ DOS Access: T:\COMMON\ProdSW\NEWFILE.BAT │
│ Time: 15 minutes (maximum) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 4: DOS machine reboots and runs NWTOC │
│ NWTOC downloads: T:\COMMON\ProdSW\*.BAT → C:\BAT\ │
│ Time: Next reboot (or manual NWTOC.BAT execution) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 5: File now deployed on DOS machine │
│ Location: C:\BAT\NEWFILE.BAT │
│ Status: Ready to use │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Sync Timing
| Action | Time Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File copy to AD2 | Instant | Limited by network speed |
| AD2 → NAS sync | 0-15 minutes | Depends on scheduled task timing |
| NAS → DOS machine | Next reboot | Or manual NWTOC execution |
| Total deployment time | 15 min - 24 hours | Depends on reboot schedule |
Pro Tip: For urgent updates, ask test staff to reboot specific machines or manually run NWTOC.
Verifying Sync Status
Check if file reached NAS:
-
Via DOS machine:
- Log into any DOS machine
- Type:
DIR T:\COMMON\ProdSW\YOURFILE.BAT - If listed, sync complete
-
Via SSH (if you have access):
ssh admin@192.168.0.9 ls -lh /data/test/COMMON/ProdSW/ -
Via test staff:
- Ask them to check T: drive on DOS machine
- Faster than waiting 15 minutes
Update Workflow
Normal Update Process (Automatic)
For Test Staff - No manual steps required:
- Engineer places file on AD2
- File syncs to NAS (15 minutes)
- DOS machine reboots
- AUTOEXEC.BAT runs automatically:
- Network starts (STARTNET.BAT)
- NWTOC downloads updates from T:\COMMON\ProdSW
- NWTOC downloads machine-specific updates from T:\TS-XX\ProdSW
- CTONW uploads test data to T:\TS-XX\LOGS
- MENUX test menu loads (C:\ATE\MENUX.EXE)
- System ready for testing - test staff selects module type from menu
No intervention required from test staff.
Expedited Update Process (Manual)
For urgent updates that can't wait for reboot:
- Engineer places file on AD2
- Wait 15 minutes for sync to NAS
- Ask test staff to run on DOS machine:
C:\BAT\NWTOC.BAT - Updates downloaded immediately
- No reboot required
System File Updates (AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS)
These require reboot and special handling:
-
Create staged files:
- Rename to:
AUTOEXEC.NEWorCONFIG.NEW - Place in:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\DOS\
- Rename to:
-
Wait for sync (15 minutes)
-
On DOS machine reboot:
- NWTOC detects .NEW files
- Calls STAGE.BAT automatically
- Creates REBOOT.BAT
- Displays message: "Reboot required"
-
Test staff runs:
C:\BAT\REBOOT.BAT- System reboots
- REBOOT.BAT applies staged files
- New AUTOEXEC.BAT/CONFIG.SYS active after reboot
Warning: System file updates require careful testing. Always test on one machine first.
Troubleshooting Guide
Issue 1: Cannot Access \AD2\test\
Symptom:
- "Network path not found" error
- "Access denied" error
- Unable to map drive
Possible Causes & Solutions:
Cause 1: Not on VPN
Solution:
- Connect to company VPN
- Verify VPN connection active
- Retry access
Cause 2: Incorrect Credentials
Solution:
- Use format:
INTRANET\username - Verify password is correct
- Try: Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials → Add
Cause 3: AD2 Server Down
Solution:
- Ping:
ping 192.168.0.6 - If no response, contact IT
- Check with colleagues if they can access
Cause 4: SMB Version Mismatch
Solution:
- Enable SMB1 on your Windows machine (if required):
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol - Reboot after enabling
- Retry access
![Screenshot: Network Path Not Found Error] Screenshot placeholder: Windows error dialog showing "\AD2\test is not accessible"
Issue 2: File Copied but DOS Machine Not Updated
Symptom:
- File placed on \AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\
- DOS machine still has old version after reboot
Troubleshooting Steps:
Step 1: Verify File on AD2
dir \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\YOURFILE.BAT
- Check file size and timestamp
- Verify it matches your source file
Step 2: Wait for Sync (15 minutes)
- Sync runs every 15 minutes
- Check clock - has 15 minutes elapsed since you copied?
Step 3: Verify File on NAS (via DOS)
On DOS machine:
DIR T:\COMMON\ProdSW\YOURFILE.BAT
- If missing: Sync hasn't completed or sync process failed
- If present: Continue to Step 4
Step 4: Check DOS Machine Date/Time
NWTOC uses /D flag (only copy if newer):
XCOPY T:\COMMON\ProdSW\*.bat C:\BAT\ /D /Y
On DOS machine:
DATE
TIME
- If DOS clock is in the future, XCOPY won't copy "older" files
- Solution: Set correct date/time on DOS machine
Step 5: Force Update
On DOS machine, bypass date check:
DEL C:\BAT\YOURFILE.BAT
C:\BAT\NWTOC.BAT
- This forces re-download
Step 6: Check NWTOC Error Messages
Run NWTOC manually and watch for errors:
C:\BAT\NWTOC.BAT
Look for:
[ERROR] T: drive not available[ERROR] Update initialization failed[ERROR] Update terminated by user
Issue 3: Sync Not Happening (15+ Minutes Elapsed)
Symptom:
- File on AD2, but not appearing on NAS after 15+ minutes
DIR T:\COMMON\ProdSW\on DOS shows old file
Troubleshooting Steps:
Step 1: Verify Scheduled Task on AD2
If you have SSH access to AD2:
ssh INTRANET\sysadmin@192.168.0.6
Get-ScheduledTask | Where-Object {$_.TaskName -like "*sync*"}
- Look for task that syncs to NAS
- Check: State = "Ready", LastRunTime recent
If task not running:
Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName "SyncToNAS"
Step 2: Check NAS Accessibility from AD2
If you have SSH access to AD2:
ping 192.168.0.9
net use \\192.168.0.9\test
- If ping fails: NAS is down or network issue
- If net use fails: SMB1 issue or credentials
Step 3: Manually Trigger Sync
Contact IT to manually run sync script on AD2
Step 4: Verify NAS is Online
ping 192.168.0.9
- If no response: NAS is down, contact IT
Issue 4: "Invalid Path" Error on DOS Machine
Symptom:
- DOS displays: "Invalid path" or "File not found"
- NWTOC or CTONW fails with path errors
Possible Causes:
Cause 1: Using NUL Device Name
Old code (incorrect):
IF NOT EXIST C:\BAT\NUL MD C:\BAT
New code (correct):
IF NOT EXIST C:\BAT\*.* MD C:\BAT
Solution:
- Verify batch files are latest version (with DOS 6.22 compatibility fixes)
- Replace old batch files with new versions
- Check file timestamp: Should be 2026-01-19 or later
Cause 2: Long File Paths
DOS 6.22 has 128-character path limit: Solution:
- Use shorter path names
- Avoid deeply nested directories
Cause 3: Special Characters in Filenames
DOS doesn't support: | < > / \ : " * ?
Solution:
- Rename files to use only: A-Z, 0-9, dash, underscore
- Follow 8.3 naming convention
Issue 5: DEPLOY.BAT Fails on DOS Machine
Symptom:
- Running:
T:\UPDATE.BAT TS-XXfails - Error messages during deployment
Troubleshooting Steps:
Step 1: Verify Machine Name Argument
T:\UPDATE.BAT TS-04
- Machine name must be provided
- Must match network folder: T:\TS-04\
Step 2: Verify DEPLOY.BAT Exists
DIR T:\COMMON\ProdSW\DEPLOY.BAT
- If missing, files not synced yet
Step 3: Verify Template AUTOEXEC.BAT Exists
DIR T:\COMMON\ProdSW\AUTOEXEC.BAT
- DEPLOY copies this as template
- If missing, deployment will fail
Step 4: Check C: Drive Space
DIR C:\
- DEPLOY creates C:\BAT\ and copies files
- Requires ~500 KB free space minimum
Step 5: Run with Output Visible
T:\COMMON\ProdSW\DEPLOY.BAT TS-04
- Watch each step
- Note exactly where it fails
- Check error messages
Common Errors:
[ERROR] Machine name not provided→ Missing argument[ERROR] Could not create C:\BAT directory→ Disk full or permissions[ERROR] Failed to copy files from network→ T: drive issue[ERROR] Could not copy AUTOEXEC.BAT template→ Template missing
Issue 6: System Files Not Updating (AUTOEXEC.BAT)
Symptom:
- Placed AUTOEXEC.NEW in \AD2\test\COMMON\DOS\
- DOS machine not showing staged update
Troubleshooting Steps:
Step 1: Verify File Placement
Correct location:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\DOS\AUTOEXEC.NEW
Not:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\AUTOEXEC.NEW (wrong!)
Step 2: Verify File Extension
Must be .NEW:
AUTOEXEC.NEW (correct)
AUTOEXEC.BAT (wrong - will be ignored)
Step 3: Wait for Sync + Reboot
- File must sync to NAS (15 minutes)
- DOS machine must reboot
- NWTOC runs and detects .NEW file
Step 4: Check for STAGE.BAT
On DOS machine:
DIR C:\BAT\STAGE.BAT
- If missing, NWTOC cannot stage updates
- Solution: Deploy STAGE.BAT to COMMON\ProdSW first
Step 5: Check for Staged Files
After reboot, on DOS machine:
DIR C:\AUTOEXEC.NEW
DIR C:\CONFIG.NEW
- If present: Staging worked, need to run REBOOT.BAT
- If missing: NWTOC didn't detect or staging failed
Step 6: Manual Staging
If automatic staging failed:
COPY T:\COMMON\DOS\AUTOEXEC.NEW C:\AUTOEXEC.NEW
C:\BAT\STAGE.BAT
Issue 7: CTONW Upload Fails
Symptom:
- Test staff reports CTONW errors
- Test data not reaching T:\TS-XX\LOGS
Troubleshooting Steps:
Step 1: Verify MACHINE Variable
On DOS machine:
ECHO %MACHINE%
- Should show:
TS-04(or correct machine name) - If blank: AUTOEXEC.BAT SET MACHINE not set
- Solution: Run DEPLOY.BAT again
Step 2: Verify Target Folder Exists
On DOS machine:
DIR T:\TS-04\
- If missing: CTONW will create it
- If "Access denied": Permission issue on NAS
Step 3: Check Source Data
On DOS machine:
DIR C:\ATE\8BDATA\*.DAT
- If no .DAT files, nothing to upload
- CTONW only uploads .DAT files to LOGS
Step 4: Run CTONW with Visible Output
C:\BAT\CTONW.BAT
- Watch for error messages
- Check which step fails
Common Errors:
[ERROR] MACHINE variable not set→ Run DEPLOY.BAT[ERROR] T: drive not available→ Network down[ERROR] Could not create target directory→ NAS permission issue[ERROR] Upload initialization failed→ Memory or path issue
Issue 8: Network Drive (T:) Not Mapped
Symptom:
- DOS machine shows:
[ERROR] T: drive not available - Cannot access T:\
Troubleshooting Steps:
Step 1: Check Network Stack
On DOS machine:
NET
- Should show Microsoft Network Client loaded
- If "Bad command or file name": Network not started
Step 2: Restart Network Client
C:\NET\STARTNET.BAT
- Watch for error messages
- Should map T: and X: drives
Step 3: Verify T: Drive After Network Start
DIR T:\
- Should show COMMON, TS-XX folders
- If error: Network mapping failed
Step 4: Check NAS Accessibility
PING 192.168.0.9
- DOS 6.22 may not have ping
- Try:
DIR T:\instead
Step 5: Check STARTNET.BAT Configuration
EDIT C:\NET\STARTNET.BAT
Look for:
NET USE T: \\D2TESTNAS\test
- Verify server name and share correct
- Verify drive letter is T:
Issue 9: Backup Files Accumulating (.BAK files)
Symptom:
- C:\BAT\ filling up with .BAK files
- Running out of disk space on DOS machines
Explanation:
- NWTOC creates .BAK backups before overwriting files
- This is intentional for rollback capability
Solution:
Option 1: Periodic Cleanup (Recommended)
On DOS machine:
DEL C:\BAT\*.BAK
- Safe to delete after verifying updates work
- Keep most recent .BAK for rollback
Option 2: Automated Cleanup
Add to AUTOEXEC.BAT (after NWTOC call):
REM Clean up backup files older than current
FOR %%F IN (C:\BAT\*.BAK) DO DEL %%F >NUL 2>NUL
Option 3: Keep Recent Backups Only
REM Keep only today's backups, delete older
DEL C:\BAT\OLDFILE1.BAK
DEL C:\BAT\OLDFILE2.BAK
Issue 10: Updates Work but Performance Slow
Symptom:
- Updates download successfully
- Boot process takes 5+ minutes
- Network transfers slow
Possible Causes:
Cause 1: Network Congestion
- Multiple DOS machines booting simultaneously
- All downloading from NAS at once
Solution:
- Stagger reboot times
- Reboot in batches (5 machines at a time)
Cause 2: NAS Under Load
- Check NAS performance
- Verify NAS not running other intensive tasks
Solution:
- Schedule updates during off-hours
- Reduce concurrent connections
Cause 3: Large File Transfers
- Check file sizes in ProdSW
- Remove unnecessary large files
Solution:
- Keep ProdSW lean (< 10 MB total)
- Move large files to separate share
Best Practices
File Naming Conventions
DO:
- Use uppercase:
MYFILE.BAT - Follow 8.3 naming:
FILENAME.EXT(8 chars + 3 char extension) - Use underscores:
MY_FILE.BAT - Use dates:
BACKUP_20260119.BAT
DON'T:
- Use spaces:
MY FILE.BAT(will cause issues) - Use special characters:
FILE@#$.BAT - Exceed 8 characters:
VERYLONGFILENAME.BAT(truncated toVERYLONG.BAT) - Use lowercase (DOS is case-insensitive, but uppercase is convention)
Testing Updates
Always test on one machine first:
- Choose test machine: TS-30 (designated test machine)
- Deploy to TS-30 folder first:
\\AD2\test\TS-30\ProdSW\NEWFILE.BAT - Wait for sync + reboot TS-30
- Verify functionality on TS-30
- If successful, deploy to COMMON:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\NEWFILE.BAT
This prevents breaking all 30 machines with one bad update.
Backup Strategy
Before deploying updates:
-
Copy old file to backup folder:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\_backup\OLDFILE_20260119.BAK -
Create dated backup:
- Include date in filename
- Keep backups for 30 days
- Delete older backups monthly
-
Document changes:
- Add entry to CHANGELOG.txt in ProdSW folder
- Include: Date, File, Version, Changes, Your Name
Communication
Notify test staff before updates:
-
Email test team:
- Subject: "DOS Update: [File] - [Date]"
- Include: What changed, Expected behavior, Reboot required?
-
For urgent updates:
- Phone call or Teams message
- Ask them to reboot specific machines
- Verify update successful
-
For system file updates:
- Always notify test lead
- Schedule during low-activity time
- Be available for troubleshooting
Version Control
Track versions in filenames or comments:
Option 1: Version in Filename
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\_versions\CHECKUPD_v1.2.BAT
Option 2: Version in File Header
@ECHO OFF
REM CHECKUPD.BAT - Version 1.2
REM Last modified: 2026-01-19
REM Changes: Added error logging
Option 3: Use Git Repository
- Maintain batch files in git
- Tag releases:
v1.2-production - Deploy from tagged versions
FAQ
Q: How long does it take for updates to reach DOS machines?
A:
- AD2 → NAS sync: 0-15 minutes (scheduled task)
- NAS → DOS machine: Next reboot (or manual NWTOC)
- Total: 15 minutes to 24 hours (depending on reboot schedule)
For urgent updates, ask test staff to manually run NWTOC.BAT.
Q: Can I update multiple files at once?
A: Yes! Copy all files to \AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ at once. They'll all sync together and download together on next NWTOC run.
Q: What happens if I overwrite a file while DOS machine is downloading?
A:
- If AD2 → NAS sync is running: File may be partially copied, retry on next sync
- If DOS machine is downloading: DOS gets whichever version was on NAS at start of download
- Best practice: Deploy during off-hours when DOS machines are idle
Q: Can I delete old files from ProdSW?
A: Yes, but be careful:
- Verify file not referenced by any batch file
- Delete from AD2:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\OLDFILE.BAT - Wait for sync (15 minutes)
- File removed from T:\COMMON\ProdSW\ on NAS
- DOS machines won't download deleted file
- But: File remains on DOS machines in C:\BAT\ until manually deleted
To remove from DOS machines:
- Ask test staff to:
DEL C:\BAT\OLDFILE.BATon each machine - Or add to cleanup script
Q: What's the difference between COMMON and machine-specific folders?
A:
COMMON (\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW):
- Deployed to ALL 30 DOS machines
- Use for: Standard batch files, shared programs
- Example: NWTOC.BAT, CTONW.BAT, CHECKUPD.BAT
Machine-Specific (\AD2\test\TS-04\ProdSW):
- Deployed to ONLY that specific machine
- Use for: Custom configurations, machine-unique programs
- Example: Special test config for TS-04
Precedence: Machine-specific files override COMMON files (downloaded second).
Q: How do I know which version is on a DOS machine?
A: Ask test staff to check:
REM Check file date/time
DIR C:\BAT\FILENAME.BAT
REM Check version in file header
TYPE C:\BAT\FILENAME.BAT | MORE
Or keep a deployment log:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\DEPLOYMENT_LOG.txt
Q: Can I test sync manually without waiting 15 minutes?
A: If you have SSH access to AD2, you can manually trigger sync:
ssh INTRANET\sysadmin@192.168.0.6
# Run sync script manually (command depends on AD2 configuration)
Otherwise, ask IT to manually run sync task.
Q: What if I need to rollback an update?
A:
Option 1: Restore from Backup
COPY \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\_backup\OLDFILE.BAK \\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\OLDFILE.BAT
Wait 15 minutes for sync, DOS machines download old version on next reboot.
Option 2: On DOS Machine
COPY C:\BAT\OLDFILE.BAK C:\BAT\OLDFILE.BAT
Immediate rollback on that machine only.
Q: Can engineers run DEPLOY.BAT remotely?
A: No. DEPLOY.BAT must be run locally on the DOS machine:
- Requires direct access to C:\ drive
- Modifies AUTOEXEC.BAT on C:\
- Cannot be run over network share
Deployment workflow:
- Engineer places files on AD2
- Wait for sync to NAS
- Test staff runs on DOS machine:
T:\UPDATE.BAT TS-XX
Q: What files should never be modified?
A: Be very careful with:
System Files:
- AUTOEXEC.BAT - Only update via DEPLOY.BAT or .NEW staging
- CONFIG.SYS - Only update via .NEW staging
- STARTNET.BAT - Network client config
Core Update Files:
- NWTOC.BAT - Download updates (test thoroughly before deploying)
- CTONW.BAT - Upload test data (test thoroughly)
- DEPLOY.BAT - Deployment installer (test on TS-30 first)
- STAGE.BAT - System file staging (critical for updates)
- REBOOT.BAT - Auto-generated, don't modify manually
Summary
Key Takeaways:
- Access via:
\\AD2\test\COMMON\ProdSW\ - Sync time: 15 minutes maximum
- Deployment: Automatic on reboot (or manual NWTOC)
- Test first: Use TS-30 or machine-specific folder
- Backup always: Keep old versions before updating
- Communicate: Notify test staff of updates
Emergency Contact:
- IT Support: [Contact Info]
- Test Team Lead: [Contact Info]
Document End
For change log details, see ENGINEER_CHANGELOG.md For test staff procedures, see DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md