The RI8608 Linux EPC is a Cassini System Controller running xUbuntu 24.04 (or later) and uses a USB RIFL Master, Saturn and DbManager Guru Apps, ArcaOS desktop (Oracle VirtualBox) for running the Cassini application. The EPC uses a USB-A to USB-B cable to connect with the RI8568D Cassini16 Infrastructure or RI8513A USB RIFL Master TIM.

Audience: Administrators and Technicians working with the Cassini ATE.

Hardware:
NUC Mini PC - ASUS Nuc 14 Pro

• Front: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Port (black) aka "USB C"
• Rear: 12-20 V DC Input Jack, 2x HDMI 2.1 TMDS Ports, LAN Connector, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port (blue); USB 2.0 Port (black), 2x Thunderbolt Ports aka "USB C"
• Power Supply, NEMA C-15 US Power Plug

Not Included - Must be supplied by the customer

• USB or Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse
• Monitor with Thunderbolt (USB-C), DisplayPort (DP, DP Passthrough) or HDMI and cable (NUC supports multiple displays)
• RI8613A EPC USB RIFL Master TIM or RI8568D Cassini 16 Infrastructure (USB A to USB B cable included with both models)
• Facility must provide two standard 15A wall outlets for NUC and Display and a workspace.

Software:

• Linux OS xUbuntu 24.04 LTS
• RI System Software including Guru, Guru Apps, and ArcaOS Desktop in Oracle VirtualBox
• RIFL Master USB Drivers
• Guru Server (local Guru) & ArcaOS Container (Oracle VirtualBox 7+)
• Java (OpenJDK 11+), Python3
• DbBrowser for SQLite - for ritdb analysis

To Install RI8608 Linux NUC:

1. (optional) If upgrading Cassini16 Infrastructure Rev A, B or C; remove the existing RI8574 ArcaOS EPC and then Latch the RI8513A USB RIFL Master TIM.
2. (optional) Mount the NUC to the Infrastructure NUC Mounting Plate https://www.roos.com/parts/N0T9464A
3. Connect the USB-B side to the USB RIFL Master and the USB-A side to any available USB-A port on the Linux NUC.
4. Connect the Display (HDMI or USB-C)/Keyboard&Mouse(USB), Network and Power cable to the appropriate plugs. (See Figure 1)
5. Power ON the Display by pressing the power button.
6. Power ON the NUC by pressing the power button.

To Setup Network:

1. Use Network Manager UI from the taskbar or follow the steps from these instructions found online by searching "static ip xubuntu 24.04 LTS".
   How to Configure a Static IP Address on Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 LTS — Step-by-Step | by Krishnendu Bhowmick | Medium
   https://krishnendubhowmick.medium.com/how-to-configure-a-static-ip-address-on-ubuntu-20-04-22-04-lts-step-by-step-4a35d6662083

To Activate a Specific Tester (Guru ID):

1. Open a Terminal window to activate Guru ID and restore config
   sudo mount -t vfat -o loop ~/Downloads/<ID>GuruKeys.vfd /media/floppy -o gid=disk
   sudo unzip -o /media/floppy/GURUKEYS/<GuruID> -d /media/floppy/
   ~/RiApps/guruServer/guruServerStop.sh
   ~/RiApps/guruServer/startApp.cmd -RiBackupGuru <ServerIP> -RiUpdateGuru <ServerIP>
2. From Guru choose Logon and System > Restore to get all owned objects, including the Guru Address book entries.
3. Update Saturn config by matching RiTesterDef Name in line 22 of bootCassini.txt. Open a Terminal window and type:
   nano ~/RiApps/GuruApps/GF10RE2A/bootCassini.txt
   Replace <TESTER DEF NAME> and close and save.
   sync,topic=admin/app,omap=^runLocal+channel=rtalk+className=rtalk.SmPortalForRtalk+rtLoad=GAKRE8CABJADXV00+rtDebug=true+rtLaunch=RiRemoteViewModels:register+tester=<TESTER DEF NAME>
4. Close Saturn and it will restart automatically, using the updated Tester to assign instrument names. (Cassini app will use whatever is saved in the RiPreferences updated with Options > Save State.)

To Apply OS Updates:
1. Internet or local repository must be accessible and configured.
2. Open a terminal window and type:
sudo apt upgrade

To Backup or Prepare for Disaster Recovery:
1. Physically remove the M2 drive and use a drive cloning appliance or other means to take an image suitable. The OS has been specifically prepared for use with the USB RIFL Master connection on the Cassini Infrastructure. Follow the steps to "Activate a Specific Tester" during recovery.

Using Cassini with ArcaOS Desktop Container:
Guru and the ArcaOS Desktop container is automatically launched at startup. All data is stored and accessed directly from the "/home/cassini/Cassini-D" directory. No information is stored "in" the container, it is just a run-time environment. After choosing Log On to Guru, launch Cassini from the Short Cuts or User Apps button that will be disabled (grey) if the container and Db Manager are not running. Once Cassini is running, all functionality is the same and follow the standard procedures.

Use these VirtualBox keyboard shortcuts:

• IMPORTANT: The Cassini system software occasionally requires ALT+Click to be used to modify values in a table (Limit table, or Test Exec Bins). Press the WIN or OpenApple OS key (Win+ALT+Click) instead of just holding the ALT key, as instructed.
• Host key is the right CTL Key, used to access VirtualBox features.
• Host + Home keys to view the Machine menu.
• Host + C keys to toggle scaled mode desktop to be resized while scaling every internal window.
• Host + F keys to toggle Full screen mode.
• The "D:" drive from within the Cassini application is mapped to "/home/cassini/Cassini-D" directory in Linux. When using the Cassini app, choosing Save > File (.txt, .csv or .stdf) to the D:\Shared location will appear in the "~/Cassini-D/Shared" folder. Likewise, .rtidb datalogs are stored in "D:\RiApps\Data" or ~/Cassini-D/RiApps/Data" folder.
• Launch Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager change Machine settings for the container.
• If "Snapshot 1" is created, then the launch script will restore that snapshot before starting the VM, slightly decreasing startup speed. Remove "Snapshot 1" to have the VM boot normally. This may be required if the Cassini app message window appears RED, indicating it can not communicate with the RIFL master.

Troubleshooting:

• Short Cuts/User Apps buttons are grey. Check Cassini16 container, restart the container if not responding by opening Oracle VirtualBox Manager app in Windows and choosing Machine > Restart.
• Cassini application background is red. This indicates RIFL communication error and is likely a container or USB Driver issue. Restarting the Linux OS would likely quickly resolve this issue. Otherwise, targeted restart of either the container or Db Manager application. After attempting any interventions, choose System > Equip > Startup and Ok fron the Cassini application to proceed.
• RIFL Test Failures? Check the USB cable from the EPC USB RIFL Master TIM to the RI8608 Secure EPC.
• Drive Health Check? See disk - What is the best way to scan a hard drive/check health in Ubuntu? - Ask Ubuntu
• Rarely, an OS update may require an update to Oracle VirtualBox. From Oracle VirtualBox, choose File > Check for Updates and run the installation package that is downloaded.

Figure 1: RI8608A Linux NUC (ASUS NUC 14 Pro)


Figure 4: USB RIFL Master TIM with USB Cable


ASUS 14 PRO Documentation
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