As shipped from the factory, a JACE-NXT with NiagaraAX has Windows XP Embedded pre-installed, but only the bare minimum of software to run the Niagara platform daemon (niagarad). It does not contain the Sun Java VM, Niagara runtime environment or software modules, lexicons, license, certificate, stations, and so on.

To install this software, you must use Workbench to open a platform connection to the JACE-NXT and install Niagara distribution files, software modules, license(s), and do other platform configuration. Some important related tasks include setting the JACE’s:

This document provides step-by-step instructions for these and other tasks. As described ahead, the most straightforward way is to use the Commissioning Wizard.

Starting in AX-3.5, the Commissioning Wizard is the only way to install the needed core software in a JACE. It is no longer possible to “inadvertently install” core software from the Software Manager, Station Copier, or Distribution File Installer (this could cause re-connection issues). Moreover, steps in the wizard were reordered, along with other changes. Note that most steps in the Commissioning Wizard remain available as separate platform views. For example, there is a Software Manager, License Manager, and many others. Using these views individually may be useful after commissioning a JACE. See the “Niagara platform” section in the Platform Guide. However, always use the Commissioning Wizard to commission a new JACE, as well as to upgrade any JACE from one point release to the next—and make sure a license file is available for that release! Also, if commissioning a new CompactFlash based JACE-NXT, see Flash-based unit preparation.