Service Information
Offboard Diagnostic Information System Service (ODIS Service)

Number: VOS-13-12

Subject: Online Update Guide

Date: June 18, 2013

1.0 – Introduction
This Online Update Guide is intended to assist dealership service personnel using the online update
feature in ODIS Service.
Review the Contents list below and refer to the applicable Section / Page for details.

ATTENTION!
Please distribute this information to all service personnel accordingly!
2.0 - Contents
Subject

Section / Page

Overview

3.0 – Pg. 2

Network Performance Recommendations

4.0 – Pg. 2

Update Searches and Downloads

5.0 – Pg. 3

General Information

5.1 – Pg. 3

Configuration Window

5.2 – Pg. 3

Recommended Settings

5.3 – Pg. 4

Automatic Background Downloads

5.4 – Pg. 5

Manual Downloads and Installations

5.5 – Pg. 5

Download Conditions / Restrictions and
Indicator Icons

5.6 – Pg. 7

Automatic Update Installations

6.0 – Pg. 8

Identifying Software Versions

7.0 – Pg. 10

Errors and Troubleshooting

8.0 – Pg. 11

Update Connection – Timeout Adjustment

8.1 – Pg. 11

Firewalls and Anti-Virus Software

8.2 – Pg. 11

Update Error Checklist

8.3 – pg. 12

Page 1 of 12

ver1.4

© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
3.0 - Overview
From ODIS Service version 1.2.0 onwards, the application and diagnostic database contents are updated
via a dealership network (Internet) connection.
The application automatically searches for available updates. Update searches can be configured in either
a recurring cycle, or on specific weekdays. Configured searches take place when the application is started
or shutdown, or at the end of diagnostic sessions. Manual update searches are also possible.
Two download and installation configurations are possible: 1. Automatic background download and
manual installation (default setting). 2. Manual download (includes automatic installation).
Available update types and sizes can vary greatly. Application and incremental diagnostic database
updates can be relatively small, resulting in quick download and installation times. Diagnostic database
updates for new models and model years can be relatively large, resulting in longer download and
installation times. As a result, supervisor or technician users responsible for configuring and managing the
update and installation processes must do so as appropriate for their specific workshop conditions.
Updates are first downloaded into a temporary directory. Total download times depend on factors like the
type and size of the update, dealership network bandwidth and whether the connection to the diagnostic
device is cabled or wireless.
The following sections provide detailed instructions on update search configurations, automatic and
manual download and installation processes etc.

4.0 – Network Performance Recommendations
To ensure trouble-free update download performance, we recommend the following minimum network
performance specifications and “best practices”:
Network Type:

Minimum
Specification:

Best Practices - Notes:

Local Access
Network (LAN)
Business Grade
SLA

6 Mbps for
single franchise
8 Mbps for dual
franchise

Workshop technicians should have access to more than one
cabled LAN connection in the vicinity of their work area.

Wireless LAN
(WLAN)
Business Grade
SLA

802.11n

 Diagnostic devices on the wireless network should remain
connected to a dedicated “business grade” WLAN at all
times.
 Be aware that update download performance can be
adversely affected during peak dealership network traffic
periods.
 Do not alternate between the dedicated dealership WLAN
and any others at the dealership such as an open “guest”
network for service and sales customers (which tend to have
lower mbps capabilities).

Networks and diagnostic devices configured for highly secure data traffic via assigned user access,
firewalls and anti-virus programs etc. must allow diagnostic devices to access the URLs routinely used by
ODIS Service. For additional information, refer to Service Information – VAS Tester document title: VAS
Diagnostic Devices – Required Open Internet Addresses (URLs) and Section 8.0 – Pg. 11.
Page 2 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
5.0 – Update Searches and Downloads
5.1 – General Information
Update searches and downloads can be configured to suit user preferences or workshop days/hours of
operation etc. All technicians must become familiar with the specific configuration and how it could affect
their use of ODIS Service via notification icons and download/installation prompts.
The following subsections describe the update configuration, as well as automatic and manual options.

5.2 – Configuration Window
The schedule for automatic update searches, as well as how downloads take place is configured via
the Update configuration window.
1. From the ODIS Service main/start window, select the Admin operating mode.
2. From the General tab, select Update: Refer to the Legend for configuration details:

Legend
Download

Specifies how downloads take place.

Loading in the background
Enabled (  ) is the default
setting

 When enabled, updates are automatically downloaded in the background.
When downloads are finished, the user must start a manual installation.
 When disabled, the download and installation is started manually.

Temporary download directory

Displays the default directory where updates are temporarily saved prior to
installation. If desired, an alternate directory can be specified using the Select
button.

Time of update – Test moment

Configures the automatic search schedule:

Cyclical (after X days for each)

Select this configuration if automatic update searches are desired in a
recurring cycle. In this case, enter the cycle in days (1 – 7) in the Cyclical
update section.

On specific weekdays

Select this configuration if update searches are desired on specific days of
the week. In this case, select the desired days in the Weekdays for update
section.
Page 3 of 12

© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
5.3 – Recommended Settings
The application software and diagnostic database versions must be kept up-to-date at all times. To ensure
this we recommend that all diagnostic devices are configured to perform automatic update searches
(daily) and automatic background downloads as follows:
1. In the Download subcategory, “Loading in the background” is enabled by default. We recommend
this remain enabled:

2. Select On specific weekdays:

3. Select all the days of the week (and weekends if applicable):

4. Save the configuration settings: Click Save / Yes:

Page 4 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
5.4 – Automatic Background Downloads
Prerequisites
 Diagnostic device with A/C power adapter connected, booted to Windows desktop
 Windows® display and power settings: Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display:
Set Screensaver to: [None]. Set all Power scheme “Turn off” dropdowns to: Never.
 Active connection to dealership network (cabled preferred)
 ODIS Service security certificate installed
 Admin > Connections > Mirrorserver2 URL set to: https://mirrorserver2.vwhub.com/dav/
 Vehicle diagnostic session NOT running
ATTENTION!
All partially-completed and saved diagnostic sessions must be completed and logs transmitted
prior to initiating update downloads and installations! Saved sessions can only be resumed and
completed on the same software version on which it was created!
With the default “Loading in the background” configuration enabled, updates are automatically
downloaded in the background when the application is running.
Certain conditions and restrictions apply during the download process. For details and an overview of the
download indicator icons, refer to Section 5.6 – Pg. 7.
User intervention is not required during a background download unless the user wishes to pause the
download. When the background download is complete, the mouse-over message at the yellow notification
icon (
) in the main/start screen status bar states the download is ready to install. Automatic download
installations must first be confirmed by a user and started manually. Refer to Section 6.0 – Pg. 8.

5.5 – Manual Downloads and Installations
The Prerequisites and ATTENTION! Information above apply. Please review.
When the “Loading in the background” configuration is NOT enabled and updates are available, a
manual download and installation process must be started. Manual downloads and installations take
place after the application has automatically shut down. ODIS Service cannot be used during this time.
Use one of the following methods to determine if an update is available:
 If the yellow notification icon (
) appears in the main/start window
status bar, mouse-over the icon. If the message states that an update is
available, click on the icon to start the manual download and installation
routine and then proceed from Step 1 – Pg. 6.

or…
 From the ODIS Service main/start window, scroll down and expand the
Extras category and then click the Update button
If no updates are available, click OK:
Continued …6/

Page 5 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
1. If updates are available, click on the desired selection:



Select No to defer the download. The yellow notification icon remains active as a reminder.
Select “Yes” or “Yes, install afterwards”.

ODIS Service shuts down, restarts and initiates the following download and installation routine:
2. If no partially-completed and saved diagnostic sessions exist, click the blue forward arrow
button: if partially-completed and saved diagnostic sessions exist, click Cancel and resolve the
sessions before performing the download and installation:

3. Click the blue forward arrow button in both of the system updater prompts that follow:

.……

A progress indicator appears:
Continued …7/
Page 6 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
Conditions and restrictions apply during the download process. For details refer to Section 5.6 below.
User intervention is not required during the download process. When the download is complete, the
installation process starts automatically.
During the installation routine, ODIS Service may shut down, restart and resume the installation process.
This is normal …please be patient!

5.6 – Download Conditions / Restrictions and Indicator Icons
5.6.1 – Conditions / Restrictions
Notes:
 If an automatic background download is in progress and a vehicle diagnostic session is started,
the download is interrupted. When the diagnostic session is finished the download
automatically resumes.


If any download in progress is cancelled, or if ODIS Service or Windows® is shut down, the user
is prompted to resume the download the next time ODIS Service is started (a network
connection must be present).

5.6.2 – Indicator Icons
When ODIS Service is running, icons in the main/start window status bar indicate update search and
download status:
Icon

Description
Update download in progress (background downloads only). If desired, click on the icon to
pause the download.
Update download is interrupted (background downloads only). Click on the icon to resume the
download.
Three possible mouse-over messages pertain to update search or download status:
1. An automatic update search has determined that an update is available. Click to start the
download.
2. An update download is complete: Click to start the installation process.
3. The time frame for an update search is exceeded: Click to start a manual search.

Page 7 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
6.0 – Automatic Update Installations
Notes:
 This section applies only to automatic background downloads.
 An active network connection must be present at all times during installations.
 Installations take place after the application has automatically shut down. ODIS Service cannot be
used during installations.
As a result, large installations should be performed when diagnostic devices can be idled, or
otherwise performed outside of peak workshop hours, i.e.: shortly before 5:00 PM etc.
ATTENTION!
All partially-completed and saved diagnostic sessions must be completed and logs transmitted
prior to initiating update downloads and installations! Saved sessions can only be resumed and
completed on the same software version on which it was created!
1. To confirm a completed download, mouse-over the yellow notification icon (
icon to start the installation.

), and then click on the



Select No to defer the download. The yellow notification icon remains active as a reminder.



Select “Yes” or “Yes, install afterwards” to start the installation routine that follows:

ODIS Service shuts down, restarts and initiates the following installation routine:
2. If no partially-completed and saved diagnostic sessions exist, click the blue forward arrow
button: if partially-completed and saved diagnostic sessions exist, click Cancel and resolve the
sessions before performing the installation.

Continued …9/
Page 8 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
3. Click the blue forward arrow button in both of the system updater prompts that follow:

.……

A progress indicator appears:

During the installation routine, ODIS Service may shut down, restart and resume the installation process.
This is normal …please be patient!
When the installation is complete, ODIS Service restarts and displays an updated Release Notes window.
If application files were updated, a new application version number is applied. If the diagnostic database
was updated, updated version number(s) for applicable Brand data appear in the Info > Versions
category. For details, refer to Section 7.0 – Pg. 10.

Page 9 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
7.0 – Identifying Software Versions
Application software and diagnostic database updates can include a wide range of brand new data,
revisions or corrections to existing data and data that was previously missing.
Supervisor or technician users are responsible for ensuring all diagnostic devices are updated with the
latest versions. As a result, it is important that ALL technician users be aware of the versions currently
installed! This is especially important when contacting the Volkswagen Dealer Technician and Diagnostic
Tester Software Support (DTSS) helplines (that may ask what version is installed).
Note:
The version numbers illustrated below are examples only! Versions are always subject to change!
Application Software Version
The application software version number is always visible at the top of the ODIS Service window:

Diagnostic Database Version(s)
1. From the ODIS Service main/start window, scroll down and expand the Info
category, and then click Versions

2. The Diagnostic data scroll window lists the brand and language
database versions installed
Note:
Until further notice, diagnostic database version numbers are a
variation of the former GFF database version sequence.
Example: VW Brand V19.22.00 = 1.1922.XXXX etc.

Page 10 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
8.0 – Errors and Troubleshooting
8.1 – Update Connection - Timeout Adjustment
Update downloads can be adversely affected by high data traffic periods on a dealership network (Parts &
Sales dept. etc.) and poor wireless system capabilities if used. Under these circumstances, update
downloads are likely to timeout and return errors. To minimize timeouts we recommend:
 Cabled (CAT5) connection between dealership network and diagnostic device
 Update mirror server connection timeout period increased as described below:
1. From the ODIS Service main/start window, select the Admin operating mode.
2. Select the Connections tab and Mirror Server 2 category:

3. Change the default Timeout value from 5 to at least 60 (seconds) or higher as applicable. Click Save
/ Yes: To revert to the default value, click Reset.

Page 11 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
8.2 – Firewalls and Anti-Virus Software
ODIS Service requires the host diagnostic device to have access to an unrestricted LAN (Internet)
connection. This applies not only to the software update and installation processes described above, but to
enable connection to various Volkswagen AG Group URLs for regular vehicle diagnostic functions
requiring network access.
As a result, if the dealership IT policy specifies that network traffic be routed through a firewall, or that
individual devices communicating on the network each have commercially-available anti-virus programs
installed, these entities must be configured to allow open network access to diagnostic devices.
For additional information, refer to Service Information – VAS Tester document title: VAS Diagnostic
Devices – Required Open Internet Addresses (URLs).
If anti-virus software is installed, please refer to the software documentation for instructions on how to set
network connection exclusions for installed software.
As a wide variety of network security and anti-virus systems exist, VWGoA DTSS consultants are unable
to provide assistance if issues are caused by restricted network access. If you are unsure about how to
proceed, ask your Systems Administrator or IT Professional for assistance.

8.3 – Update Error Checklist
The preparation and settings checklist below covers the causes for most ODSX00XX errors returned
during update downloads and installations. (Print this page if necessary).
Check


Preparation



Dealership network bandwidth: Minimum 6 mbps (single franchise) or 8 mbps (dual franchise).
(Download speeds are easily determined via any of the “Speed Test” Internet sites).



ODIS Service security certificate must installed:
Refer to Service Information – ODIS Service document title: ODIS Service Installation
Phase 3 – Security Certificate Request & Installation Instructions




Open network connection available: Test > Internet Explorer > Google.



Anti-virus software configured with ODIS Service Mirrorserver2 URL exclusion: Refer to antivirus software documentation or ask IT Professional for assistance.

Check







VWAG Group Systems URLs allowed through firewall:
Refer to Service Information – VAS Tester document title: VAS Diagnostic Devices –
Required Open Internet Addresses (URLs).

Confirm Settings (ODIS Service running)
Connection method: > Admin > Connections > Connection Types: Set to Internet (not CPN)
Mirrorserver2 URL:
> Admin > Connections > Mirrorserver2 URL: Set to https://mirrorserver2.vwhub.com/dav/
If not as shown, click Reset.
Also confirm that the User and Password entry fields are empty.
Mirrorserver2 Timeout Period Increased: Refer to instructions in Section 8.1 – Pg. 11.

Page 12 of 12
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.