It is increasingly common for users to access their PowerLogic SCADA server remotely using Remote Desktop or Terminal Services. However, there is an important consideration to note when doing this.
When the user accesses the Remote Desktop application through the Windows Start Menu, he opens a new session into the server. When this session is closed and the user closes the Remote Desktop window, the applications running on the desktop during that session will also close. This is critical to note when launching PowerLogic SCADA Runtime through Remote Desktop. If Runtime closes with the Remote Desktop session, the PowerLogic SCADA application is no longer performing any useful function and any clients in the field will not receive any real-time data or alarms. This can result in a "Software Protection Failure" error on any clients.

To avoid this behavior, the user should access the PowerLogic SCADA server using the console or admin switch when launching Remote Desktop.

In Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, use these steps to launch Remote Desktop:

1. Go to Start > Run....
2. In the Open box, type mstsc /admin and click OK.

In Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or earlier, use these steps to launch Remote Desktop

1. Go to Start > Run....
2. In the Open box, type mstsc /console and click OK.

This allows the user to connect to Session 0 of the server, which allows him the same control as if he is sitting at the physical console of the server. In this scenario, when the Remote Desktop window is closed, the applications running on the remote server, including PowerLogic SCADA Runtime, will continue to run normally.

Keywords: PowerLogic SCADA v7.10, PLS, PLSCADA, remote connection, RDP, TS

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Legacy KB System (APS) Data: RESL202986 V2.0, Originally authored by AnVa on 07/26/2010, Last Edited by AnVa on 08/31/2010
Related ranges: PowerLogic SCADA 7.1