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The production of Unipi Axon units was discontinued and no further software updates will be released. The Axon line was replaced by the Unipi Patron.

Cloning, Backup & Restoration of Axon OS images

This article describes the process to backup, clone, and restore the entire filesystem of the Axon units including all user changes (Mervis projects, installed applications, …).

Prerequisites:

  • 8GB USB flash drive
  • LAN/WiFi connection to the Axon web service interface

Backup process

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Attention:
During the image recovery process, all data from the recovered unit is permanently deleted and the storage partition-table is reset to the factory default state.

The tool requires a default partitioning of internal storage. If the number/type/size of any partitions is changed by the user, the backup/recovery process may not work properly.

USB 3.0 flash drives may not work properly on older Axon units. A USB 2.0 flash drive is recommended. The drive must always be formatted with the FAT32 file system.

  1. Download and extract the backup2usb tool: unipi-backup2usb-1.6.zip
  2. Start the Axon in service mode:
    1. Hold and keep pressed the small recessed button on top of the Axon device case using a thin-enough tool. The button can be found next to the USB port labels on the upper side of the device.
    2. Power up the unit while holding the button down.
    3. Wait until the device finishes booting into the Unipi service mode. This is indicated by the two rows of LEDs flashing in an alternating fashion.
    4. Use a device with a web browser to connect to the Unipi Axon via Ethernet LAN or Wi-Fi. The process is slightly different between the two options:
      1. Ethernet LAN: The interface will be accessible on IP address 192.168.200.200. The device will also attempt to acquire an additional dynamic IP address via DHCP if DHCP is available.
      2. Wi-Fi: The Unipi Axon service mode will create a Wi-Fi access point with SSID “UNIPICONFIG” and password “unipi.technology”. The interface will be accessible on IP addresses 192.168.200.200 and 192.168.201.1
  3. Prepare blank USB flash drive with one partition formatted as FAT32
  4. Put the USB flash drive to USB2
  5. In the service web interface, upload the unipi-backup2usb.swu, the backup process will start automatically
  6. Wait until a green message comes up, this means that the current OS image of your Axon has been backed up to the USB flash disk.

Restoration process

  1. Put the USB with all the files created using the Backup process the in USB2 while the unit is powered down.
  2. Hold and keep pressed the small recessed button on top of the Axon.
  3. Power up the unit.
  4. Wait ca 5sec until both rows of the LEDs start to light up progressively and release the button.
  5. The flashing of the unit is in the process.
  6. Wait until both rows of LED turn off.
  7. Unit is flashed and automatically restarted.