PlantStruxure PES [V3.0]: Main FAQs

Offer, positioning, catalogue

Note: These FAQ were prepared and answered at the time of launch of PES 3.0. For newer versions, kindly check the relevant user manuals.

Does PlantStruxure PES replace the existing PAC and SCADA offers from Schneider Electric?

No. PlantStruxure PES is fully complementary to Schneider Electric’s existing offers for process automation. Customers can choose – based on their application, their personal preferences and the required functionalities and services – whether they prefer to work in a “standalone architecture mode”, meaning programming the application using standalone software tools for Control (Unity Pro), SCADA (Vijeo Citect) and others, OR to use PlantStruxure PES which provides a single environment, but which also requires a specific configuration approach.

This is, in fact, a differentiator on the market: Our “standalone architecture” approach (PlantStruxure) and our integrated Process Automation System approach (PlantStruxure PES) share the same hardware platforms and Ethernet architectures. This provides maximum flexibility of choice and freedom for customers to choose which way to go.

Does PlantStruxure PES replace UAG (Unity Application Generator)?

Regarding the UAG offer (engineering tool), Schneider Electric has entered into a business driven mode of evolutions as we invest in PlantStruxure PES to create the standard Process Automation System offer

What is the difference between PlantStruxure and PlantStruxure PES?

In a nutshell:
PlantStruxure: Schneider Electric’s automation architecture
Built on best-in-class products and supported by specialized lifecycle services, PlantStruxure is the automation architecture for industrial and infrastructure
customers within Schneider Electric’s comprehensive energy management portfolio EcoStruxure.

PlantStruxure PES: Schneider Electric’s Process Automation System
Schneider Electric’s innovative Process Automation System designed to meet the demands of today’s production facilities, bringing the best from PAC and DCS worlds together to deliver superior value all along the plant’s lifecycle.
PlantStruxure PES is an integrated Process Automation System developed to address the ever increasing demands of today’s production facilities. This new offer is designed to meet the needs of a market that has been traditionally difficult for us to penetrate – this market is referred to as the PAS (Process Automation System) market or the DCS (Distributed Control System) market.

Good to know: Because PlantStruxure PES is a part of the PlantStruxure portfolio, it shares the same hardware platforms and Ethernet architectures as our standalone product offers to provide the flexibility and transparency to information that operators and engineers need to do their jobs effectively. Not only that, but the common hardware platform also reduces the barrier to entry for our customers and enables them to lower their support costs through reduced spare parts management.

Is there a PlantStruxure PES subscription service?

Yes, a full subscription and software support service offer will be made available for PlantStruxure PES from 01/2013 onwards.

Can we state that PlantStruxure PES is compliant with ISA S88?

Yes, we can state that PlantStruxure PES is compliant with ISA S88 because the application engineers are able to fulfil these rules with PlantStruxure PES. The application manager in PlantStruxure PES makes it possible to organize the process control application in a hierarchical tree, with naming conventions for object instances and variables that belong to a given folder of the tree. But PlantStruxure PES doesn't restrict the compliance to S88, making it possible to comply also with other models.

What is the PES licensing model?

The licensing model is based on two parameters:
1.The infrastructure deployed at the customer site: servers, clients. Each of them requires a license.
2.The size of the project deployed onsite (runtime). The parameter is the number of object instances, each instance having a certain “load” according to its complexity based on the embedded services that are used in the application.

What does PlantStruxure PES provide in terms of cyber security?

For PlantStruxure PES, most of the same rules and guidelines apply as for a PlantStruxure architecture. A specific reference architecture and technical recommendations document (STN – System Technical Note) is available on cyber security in PlantStruxure.

Should I be a specialist in each participant in the system in order to use the system?

To design a control system, this is an object-oriented configuration based on object instances used from libraries of templates, but not requiring expertise in the participants. A good knowledge of the objects is required in order to configure them correctly. Nevertheless, the object configuration doesn't cover 100% of the design, and the refinement of the program and the design of supervision pages require knowledge of Unity Pro and Vijeo Citect respectively.

Is there a single installation regardless of the content to be installed?

Yes, a single installation is provided for PlantStruxure PES. It covers the engineering environment with V3.0 and is enlarged to the runtime, including the supervision, with V3.1. Libraries can also be installed separately.

Is it possible to conduct demos without Unity Pro / Vijeo Citect installed on the PC?

Yes, Unity Pro and Vijeo Citect are embedded in a virtual machine which is installed with PlantStruxure PES. So, it is not necessary to install the standalone software separately in order to run a demo. With the current version of the offer (V3.0), when demonstrating the runtime services (which are only available as a proof of concept in V3.0), it is necessary to install both Unity Pro and Vijeo Citect

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Configuration specifications

What are the computer requirements (processor, RAM, available disk space …) to run PlantStruxure PES?

Minimum hardware configuration required:
◾System: Core I5 (Quad Core) Processor
◾RAM memory: 4GB minimum
◾Hard disk: 250 GB / Fast disk 7200 rpm
◾Hard disk: 250 GB / Fast disk 7200 rpm
◾DVD-ROM drive to install the software
◾Recommended display: SVGA (1024-768 or more) with high colour 24 bits
◾Pointing device: mouse or compatible device
◾Operating systems required: ◾Windows XP Professional
◾Windows 7 Professional 32 bits
◾Windows 7 Professional 64 bits

Are there plans to support Microsoft Windows Server 2008?

Yes, this is planned for the next versions.

Do we need to upgrade the PAC firmware while upgrading a PlantStruxure PES project?

No, this is not required.

Does PES support different Unity Pro versions in the same PlantStruxure PES project?

No. PlantStruxure PES is not a software bundle and, as such, there is not a choice of Unity Pro version. Unity Pro is not used as a standalone tool inside PlantStruxure PES. During the development of a specific version of PlantStruxure PES, the latest relevant editors and core engines from Unity Pro are reused inside PlantStruxure PES. So with a particular release of PlantStruxure PES, one will find the relevant features from the underlying Unity Pro version used.

What are the drivers used in supervision by PlantStruxure PES? Vijeo Citect native drivers? OFS?

The OFS driver is the one used.

For system integrators, is it possible to have several versions of PlantStruxure PES installed on a single machine?

No, this is not managed with the current version and there are no plans to deliver this capability in the near future.

Can we run PlantStruxure PES on a VM?

Yes, this is possible. This feature will be provided to facilitate installation for people to promote and demonstrate the offer.

Does PlantStruxure PES require a specific firmware for the integrated hardware components?

No, this is not required.

Is it possible to build a PlantStruxure PES architecture with redundant servers ?

This is not possible with V3.0, but it is planned for a later version.

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Compatibility, Migration

Will it be possible to migrate a project designed with V2.1 to V3.0 and later?

Yes, this migration path will be supported. Engineering support from the central project team will be required to make minor adaptations and to ensure successful migration.

I am an existing end user customer. Can I upgrade an existing control system to PlantStruxure PES?

An upgrade from an existing "standalone" control system to PlantStruxure PES requires a certain degree of re-engineering of the control system in PlantStruxure PES. There is no tool to provide this upgrade automatically, but Schneider Electric provides a services offer to perform such an upgrade.

I am an existing end user or system integrator and I have built my control standards using UAG. For my next project, I would like to maintain these standards. Is it possible for me to convert them to use with PlantStruxure PES?

Yes, this is possible although there is no “push of the button” automated tool available. Schneider Electric will provide a service to allow a painless conversion from UAG standards to PlantStruxure PES standards, making the evolution cost from PlantStruxure PES to UAG lower than any possible switching costs from UAG to any competitor’s offer.

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Openness

Is it possible to manage a control system application based on several parts (main process is engineered as one system and the other parts are engineered by other companies and OEMs)? Can I operate and maintain the overall control system as one application?

When the different parts are designed with PlantStruxure PES then export & import projects can be used to create one single system or project. If the project part is created by a third party software then it is possible to import the application part through the XML import functionality of PlantStruxure PES.

How do you import a PI&D diagram in PlantStruxure PES?

XML files are the standard format used in PlantStruxure PES. The format is documented for the application level (which is the one where the process is described).

Is Vijeo Designer / an HMI configuration tool integrated in PlantStruxure PES?

This feature is not available in V3.0. This is being considered in the roadmap and PlantStruxure PES enables this type of integration thanks to its extensibility.

Are any of the CAPP partner offers integrated in PlantStruxure PES?

Not for now, but this will be possible as PlantStruxure PES is open to third party tools.

Is it possible to export the hardware configuration to feed a quotation tool?

This feature is not available in V3.0. There are plans to create an advanced quotation tool to be used with PlantStruxure PES.

Can UAG be embedded?

No, this is not supported.

Does PlantStruxure PES include a Historian tool / historization function?

This is not yet available in V3.0. This functionality will be provided with a stepwise level of integration starting in 2013.

What about the MachineStruxure integration in PlantStruxure PES?

There are no plans for this at the moment.

Does PlantStruxure PES include a change management function? Are we using or are we compliant with MDT?

Change management is considered a key service for users and will be integrated as a core function of the offer. MDT Software is one potential partner we are working with to enable this type of service.

Is it possible to develop workarounds by hand if a feature isn't yet available in PlantStruxure PES?

Yes, this is possible on a case-by-case basis.

Is PlantStruxure PES open to welcome third party controllers in a global project?

Yes, through specific object templates.

What about the Batch integration?

There is a built-in template to create sequence actions. The integration of the Batch offer in the platform as a participant is being studied.

Is the ELAU brand integrated in PlantStruxure PES?

No, it is not.

Is PlantStruxure PES only an Industry application or does it take into account the needs of other domains?

PlantStruxure PES is not only an Industry platform. Its scope is also to provide the capability to welcome tools and services from other domains.

What about MES within PlantStruxure PES?

In V3.0, there are no functionalities related to MES integration. The current plan is to provide a certain level of synergies/collaboration in future versions, rather than a full integration.

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Features - System

Does PlantStruxure PES support an audit trail?

There is no audit trail currently supported in V3.0. Anticipation work has started in two areas: configuration audit trail and runtime audit trail. The audit trail is part of the roadmap.

Is it possible to manage several control systems simultaneously with PlantStruxure PES?

Yes, it is possible. PlantStruxure PES is natively multi-system.

How can I customize the environment according to the customer’s usage for functional aspect (naming rules, list of templates to be used in an application) and software environment (customized menus, paths…)?

This functionality is not yet available in V3.0. Creating user preferences will be implemented in coming versions.

How can two PlantStruxure PES systems be merged into a single plant system?

This is possible with the export/import functionality.

How can I navigate from one view of the control system to another view during the engineering (e.g. from the application view to the project view)?

It is possible to open several editors in parallel with PlantStruxure PES. We plan to introduce shortcuts to ensure this navigation (application to projects, application to topology…) in future versions.

Is PlantStruxure PES able to manage different versions of the same control system project?

Today, it is possible manually. In future versions, we will provide a back-up/restore function which will make it possible to restore an existing control system. Also, the restoration service will make it possible to create a snapshot of the control system and then restore it later.

How can the design of a control system application be shared with several designers at the same time?

The client/server architecture of PlantStruxure PES enables work by multiple users. Nevertheless, this service is not yet fully implemented in V3.0 with the necessary protection for concurrent access. This is planned in the roadmap for 2013.

Is there a “Dif” tool in PlantStruxure PES?

There is no “Dif” tool as such. However, the services provided by PlantStruxure PES make it possible to track and ensure consistency, change propagation.

What are the PlantStruxure PES possibilities in terms of documentation?

With V3.0, it is not possible yet to automatically generate User Documentation. This service will be provided in a future version of the offer.

Is there an online help?

Currently, there are user manuals available for the platform and libraries. A complete online help will be implemented in future releases.

Does PlantStruxure PES provide backup-restore?

This is not yet available in V3.0. Nevertheless, it is possible to create a backup and to restore it by saving the content repository (Cache.dat) and the stream folder. Note that the Caché database must be stopped for this operation.

Where are managed alarms in PlantStruxure PES: Controllers or alarms servers?

The alarms are coming from the objects and managed by the alarm servers.

Does PlantStruxure PES perform automatic comparisons between system versions?

No, it does not.

Does PlantStruxure PES have central users and profiles management? Is it based on Active Directory?

This is not yet available in V3.0. Access control is planned in our roadmap.

When several users are working, is it possible to know who is connected?

This functionality is not currently in the scope. Further study is needed to define how to manage this service.

How does PlantStruxure PES inform the user about the status of the system (how many tags, devices, objects, PACs, memory consumption…)?

This service is not fully provided at this time but some data is available through the refinement in Control: memory consumption….

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Features - Application

Are there recommendations when using instance name inheritance?

Yes: Do not enter a name that contains more than 18 characters.

How can I duplicate a function (an object instance)?

With the export/import, copy/paste (V3.0).

Is it possible to instantiate a control service template instead of a control module template?

Yes, this is the alternative to the composition.

What is the scope covered by the export/import service of an application?

It covers application tree, instances and links defined in the links editor.

What is the purpose of the link editor? Is it a high level editor to design process strategies? Is it to connect functions (process objects) to each other and to devices? Or does it also have another purpose?

It can be used for both, but this is not equivalent to the links that are done in the FBD language. The purpose of the link editor is not to create complex logic that has to be encapsulated in the templates or in the control logic at refinement.

What is the difference between "update" and "replace" an object template?

“Update” means to use the last version of the template. “Replace” allows the user to use any version of the template.

How does PlantStruxure PES manage a modification done at a single instance level in order to push it up (promote it) to template level?

The regular operation mode is to access the contents repository and open the logical project, then to templatize an instance with the constituent from the logical project.

Does PlantStruxure PES allow propagation of changes selectively to the instances?

Yes. The current operating mode is to update instances one by one.

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Features - Projects

Can you assign in one action all the functions (object instances) created in an application folder both to a control project and a supervision project?

Currently it is not possible to assign an object instance in one action to both the control project and the supervision project. It is possible at assign all object instances at once to the control project using the assignment editor. Similarly, it is possible to assign all the object instances at once to the supervision project using the assignment editor.

Is it possible to design control projects with SFC and/or LD languages?

No. Currently only FBD language is supported. Indirect support for SFC and LD is available. Unity projects that have SFC and LD languages can be imported into PES. These sections are not available in the PlantStruxure PES system. However, in the final generated/build project, these sections can be seen and refined.

How do you hide the intermediate objects in the object browser and show only the control modules?

Check boxes "Composites" and "Facets" are available in the object browser. Users can select these to see either composites or facets or both.

Does PlantStruxure PES support fast tasks?

This feature is not available in V3.0 but it is scheduled for future versions.

Does PlantStruxure PES make it possible to design a SCADA application, including several clusters?

Yes.

Are there differences in the embedded participant editors compared to the standalone ones?

No. Embedded participant editors have the same functionality as that of standalone ones.

Is it possible to include a standalone control project (already designed with the standalone version of Unity Pro) inside a control system application designed with PlantStruxure PES?

Yes, but this project can't be designed from the PlantStruxure PES environment.

Is it possible to manage control projects and SCADA projects independently of PlantStruxure PES?

This is a specific use case when PlantStruxure PES is used only as an engineering environment and not used after commissioning of the application onsite.
Yes. Control and Supervision projects can be viewed through the content repository and saved outside the PlantStruxure PES environment.

Does PlantStruxure PES allow the support of Cicode?

In V3.0 there is indirect support. The user can add the Cicode file as a user file. However, in future versions there will be support for Cicode.

Does PlantStruxure PES provide datasheets on memory consumption, execution time of blocks, network response times…?

Not in V3.0. In future versions, these will be available.

Does PlantStruxure PES provide native diagnostics pages from the supervision?

Not in V3.0. In future versions, these will be available.

Does PlantStruxure PES use the Unity Pro operator screens?

PlantStruxure PES does not generate operator screens, but the user can refine its application with the operator screens directly in Unity Pro.

Does PlantStruxure PES allow alarms to be sorted and filtered according to the process tree?

This will be possible from V3.1 onwards.

Does PlantStruxure PES generate automatic navigation in the supervision project based on the application description?

This feature is not available in V3.0 but it is scheduled for future versions.

Is there a way to import a page with genies created with a previous application?

Yes. The CTZ file of a previous application can be included in PlantStruxure PES by using the option "Include projects" available under the Supervision project. However, these pages and genies will not be managed by PlantStruxure PES.

Does PlantStruxure PES generate an automatic display of the alarms synthesis for each page?

No, it does not.

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Features - Topology

What does "physical connections" mean?

The physical connection is a link between the physical interfaces of topological instances, which represent the physical connection that exists between nodes and networks. It allows the defining of the physical infrastructure (physical connections): e.g. a controller to a network.
The logical connection allows the linking of two elements that do not necessarily have a direct physical connection (e.g. an Advantys island managed by a controller). The goal is to enable communication between those elements.

Does PlantStruxure PES support safety controllers?

No. This may be considered in a later version.

Why does the user have to proceed in two different ways to configure the IP addresses for communication in controllers (in Unity Pro) and for supervision (in the system platform)? How do I ensure the overall consistency of the addresses entered?

Today, we have two editors: One is used for the SCADA in the system platform, and another one for the controller in Unity Pro. In the future, the system platform will provide the consistency of the overall configuration of IP addresses.

Does PlantStruxure PES support DTMs to configure devices?

The first stage is to manage Profibus configuration through DTM to configure the I/O scanner. The next stage is to configure the Ethernet communication module NOC from the DTM. The container (FDT container for DTMs) will be Unity Pro.

Is OFS the standard way to communicate between the controllers and the SCADA system?

Yes. Modnet is not supported for automatic connection.

Does PlantStruxure PES manage Dual Attachments on the controller with two different scanners connected to one network?

This is not available.

How does PlantStruxure PES ensure Ethernet I/O architectures work properly with the right level of performance?

There is no service for this in the current version. There are plans to integrate a network management tool that may include such a feature in the future.

Is the integration of electrical devices possible with PlantStruxure PES?

PlantStruxure PES supports serial devices and Ethernet devices. "Well known" devices are modelled by a template. Other devices will be managed by a generic template that is able to define the configuration to fit with the data that is managed by the device.

Does PlantStruxure PES provide the capability to integrate legacy controllers?

It is possible to manage the communication of legacy controllers through the configuration of the generic template. It may apply to any device, including third party devices.

Does PlantStruxure PES provide a tool to overview and diagnose the entire hardware architecture?

Yes, next versions of the topological manager will provide this kind of service.

Which controller platforms (PAC) are supported in PlantStruxure PES?

Quantum, M340 are the controllers supported in current versions. Premium platform will be supported in future versions.

Where are the I/O servers located? In the controllers or in the PCs?

They are located in the supervision station node.

Which kind of high availability can be deployed with PlantStruxure PES?

Currently, high available controllers and SCADA servers can be deployed. In future versions, it will become possible to deploy high availability PlantStruxure system server.

Can we use supervision web clients with PlantStruxure PES?

Currently, there are no plans to have remote web clients with PlantStruxure PES features.

Do we plan to use Connexview?

No. There are plans to integrate the next generation network management tool from Schneider Electric in PlantStruxure PES.

Is there a function to find Ethernet devices?

Not in V3.0. The plan is to integrate the next generation network management tool from Schneider Electric in PlantStruxure PES in a later version. The feature to find Ethernet devices will become available at that time.

Is FIPIO integrated in PlantStruxure PES?

No.

How does PlantStruxure PES manage FDR (Faulty Device Replacement)?

This is not currently available. This service will be considered in the future.

What about EtherCat integration in PlantStruxure PES?

Not supported.

What about I/O Link integration in PlantStruxure PES?

Not supported.

Is PlantStruxure PES an FDT container?

No. Unity Pro is the FDT container.

Are the DTMs used stored as part of the PlantStruxure PES project?

They will be stored in the PlantStruxure PES project, when DTMs are available. Please note, a backup of the PlantStruxure server, including the VM (which embeds the DTMs) must be done in order to recover the context in case of computer failure.

Do you expect to manage extensions of an existing plant or installation with PlantStruxure PES?

Yes, this is in the scope of future versions.

Does PlantStruxure PES embed an Ethernet analyzer?

Not in V3.0. There are plans to integrate the next generation network management tool from Schneider Electric in PlantStruxure PES in a later version.

What about OPC UA support? Is this available in PlantStruxure PES?

No, it is not supported yet.

How do we manage devices that aren't in the libraries?

Generic device are created to preserve existing configuration. The user will have the capability to create their own hardware templates for unknown devices. They will also be able to save and reuse several configuration profiles for a given hardware template.

Does PlantStruxure PES manage instrumentation?

Yes, through the support of DTM devices on Profibus, HART etc. PlantStruxure PES will be able to support instrumentation devices.

Does PlantStruxure PES manage architectures including ASi?

No.

Can we access documentation about a device located on a server through the selection of that device in the system?

It will be possible to create links to a device for this purpose. This link is part of the object model of PlantStruxure PES.

PlantStruxure PES has architectures based on Ethernet; is it with MB/TCP or EIP?

Both MB/TCP and EIP are supported.

Is it possible to adjust the variable scan time coming from the templates?

The I/O scanner configuration can be tuned from PlantStruxure PES to adapt the scan time as required.

How do we manage communication between objects?

We manage this via the I/O scanner or explicit messaging. The peer-to-peer communication mode will also be implemented in coming versions.

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Features – Deployment & Execution

How will the user diagnose an issue on a running system and resolve it with PlantStruxure PES?

The user will be able to navigate all parts of the project related to the issue, either directly in the code or in a configuration screen. These navigation services will be made available from V3.1 onwards.

Does the user need to install Web Designer within the software infrastructure onsite in order to display the PAC code corresponding to an object instance (navigation in runtime)?

No, this is not necessary.

What happens when the System Server fails? Does the user lose control of the system?

No. All standard SCADA services will be available so the operator can control and manage the process in the traditional way. The Runtime Services which are provided by the System Server will, however, not be available, e.g. runtime navigation services will not be available.

Does PlantStruxure PES provide a partial deployment?

Yes.

Is it possible to deploy the application in several controllers?

This is possible, but it is handled by the user through the deployment services. It can be achieved using the assignment of control facets to different projects and then deploying the project executable in each controller.

Are there plans to have redundancy as a feature of the PlantStruxure PES system server?

Yes, as a mirroring of the system server.

Is it allowed to modify the control system application through a standalone Unity Pro?

This is not recommended as the consistency of the control system would then be broken.

Is it possible to deploy a PlantStruxure PES project little by little without stopping the sections that are already operating?

Yes.

Do I have to stop my operating system while upgrading it?

Yes.

Can we prepare the modifications (Version N+1) of a running control system while it is running the Version N to deploy at a later date?

Yes, it is possible.

What are the possibilities for online changes to the hardware configuration?

This is limited to what is accepted by the controller.

Can we propagate the changes done in a template online for the controller and for the supervision?

For controllers: It is possible, except in some cases, depending on the capability of the participant. For supervision: It is not possible.

What are the tools proposed by PlantStruxure PES to perform online debugging?

The services provided by the participants in addition to the navigation and diagnostic services provided by PlantStruxure PES.

Compared to the Unity Pro software tool standalone, are there any constraints that PlantStruxure PES adds while acting online?

No additional constraints are added.

Does PlantStruxure PES allow several users to be connected simultaneously to the same controller with the capability to modify the application?

Not with V3.0. This service will be made available in a future version.

While navigating with the PlantStruxure PES runtime services, do you reach the selected instance or only the section where it’s located?

The section where it is located is reached.

Is it possible to upload the PlantStruxure PES control project from the controller (it’s running so it’s the right version) and apply the required modifications?

Uploading is not the recommended strategy. The high level application / topology / object structure and references which PlantStruxure PES build would be lost.
PlantStruxure PES maintains the reference, which is the last version that has been downloaded to the controller. PlantStruxure PES will only download changes that have been made compared to this reference.

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Features – Libraries

Which libraries are delivered with PlantStruxure PES?

PlantStruxure PES provides built-in process, communication and devices libraries. Advanced and process application-specific libraries (e.g. cement, liquid food, mining…) are available as optional add-ons.

Do we allow customers to modify the existing object templates that come out-of-the-box with PlantStruxure PES?

Customers can “Save As” existing object templates and use that template accordingly. PlantStruxure PES makes it possible to copy and paste a template at any level.

How does PlantStruxure PES manage the update of a library once a user has made modifications to a template to create his own custom one?

PlantStruxure PES is able to create multiple versions of a single template. By using the “Update Template” feature, the user can select the required version and update it wherever and whenever required. PlantStruxure PES also provides services to import and export user objects.

How can I handle library openness & DFB locked?

The code of each template is locked for protection purposes (both for IP protection and, more importantly, to ensure that these objects which have been validated by Schneider Electric maintain the desired behaviour and performance) and each process object will be set to “read only” mode DFB so that the user can customize if needed.

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Technology

Which tool is used for virtualization?

Virtual Box.

What are the benefits of VBox over VMWare?

Virtual Box offers significant advantages over WMWare including:
◾Resume mode –enables the tool installed in the VM to be initialized, started and ready to work with
◾Management of VM – including as clone a VM

What happens when executing the batch file "Regenerate VM"?

A set of components which have been developed are run inside the VM. The “Generate VM” command prepares a VM image to be updated with new release of the components. It also initializes the VM for performance optimization, the (.Dif file) for the start of the VM and its resume mode.

Can I access the internal Caché database (browse content, read, write, data model…)?

Access to the content of the Cache database is not possible without PlantStruxure PES. This restriction is desirable to enable control of any information which resides in the database and to avoid any corruption of the data which may occur if free access is permitted. Nevertheless, PlantStruxure PES will offer services to allow access to information stored and the import/export functionalities. The integrity of the data is ensured by the Business Logic (rules) above stored data (Caché).

How can I complete advanced technical support with diagnostics (trace, log…)?

In general, most technical support cases are logged in the log files located in Schneider Electric:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Schneider Electric\PlantStruxure 2.1\Logs

Do we have a description of the server messages?

No.

In each VM instance, how many control and supervision screens can be opened?

In one VM instance, a maximum of four Control (Unity Pro) instances can be opened. In addition, one Supervision (Vijeo Citect) instance and one RIO (Advantys) instance can be opened. Therefore, the maximum number of screens active in each VM instance is six (four for Unity Pro, one for Vijeo Citect and one for Advantys).

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