Beckhoff TwinCAT/BSD installer

The Beckhoff TwinCAT/BSD installer offers a wide range of functions and use cases that go far beyond the simple installation of the TwinCAT/BSD operating system on an industrial PC. Here are the different options in detail:

1. Installing TwinCAT/BSD: As already mentioned, the primary function of the TwinCAT/BSD installer is to install the TwinCAT/BSD operating system on an industrial PC.
2. Backup creation: With the TwinCAT/BSD installer you can create backups to save data and configurations. These backups can be used later to quickly restore the system in the event of a failure or malfunction.
3. Backup restore: If a problem occurs or a restore is required, the TwinCAT/BSD installer allows restoring previously created backups. This ensures continuity of operation and minimizes downtime.
4. Starting a shell: The TwinCAT/BSD installer also allows starting a shell. This shell provides access to a full FreeBSD system installed on the USB stick. This is extremely useful for maintenance and diagnostic purposes, as you can access the FreeBSD system directly from the USB stick without affecting the main installation.
5. Automation of processes with scripts: The TwinCAT/BSD installer enables the saving and execution of scripts for the automation of processes. These scripts provide the flexibility to run custom automation processes to automate recurring tasks and further optimize the installation and configuration process.

In summary, the Beckhoff TwinCAT/BSD installer offers a comprehensive tool for backup, installing, managing and automating TwinCAT/BSD systems on industrial PCs. From initial installation to recovery and the ability to directly manage systems and automate processes.

Download and installation

The TwinCAT/BSD installer, including the current TwinCAT/BSD version, is available for download as a bootable ISO file from the Beckhoff homepage. The ISO file can be used to create a bootable USB stick and boot an industrial PC from it to subsequently start a graphical user interface with interactive menu.

To do this, use a flash tool such as Rufus to transfer the bootable ISO file to a USB stick, which first turns the USB stick into a portable TwinCAT/BSD installer.

Software and licensing

The TwinCAT/BSD installation includes a TwinCAT 3 runtime, with the possibility to install further software and TwinCAT 3 functions. This software does not include a separate commercial license and is intended for testing purposes only. Commercial use of the product requires a separate license and license sticker. A TwinCAT/BSD license can be requested from the service for existing devices.