FI115565B - Arranging workstation deployment in a process control environment information system - Google Patents

Description

115565

Arranging workstation deployment in a process control environment information system

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to the provision of a workstation deployment in a process-5 control environment information system, and in particular to data backup to a backup unit and recovery of stored data from a backup unit.

In an industrial process, a highly automated process control system ensures the correct operation of the process. An industrial process, such as a fire-making process or a power plant process, is very extensive and complex, including many variables. The process environment information system performs various tasks related to collecting, sharing, storing, presenting, and controlling process properties. The information system typically has a large number of workstations, either self-contained or operated by the operator. These workstations are often PC operating systems, peripherals, such as a network card, and application programs.

An information system workstation usually has some process-related task, such as performing an alarm due to a malfunction in the process. One or more applications are executed on the information system workstation. , 20 slides programs input configuration information to provide the workstation to:; perform the function assigned to it in the information system. Configuration information '* are application-specific and typically client-specific * parameters and settings. The configuration information controls the operation of one or more application programs, for example, defines the available data transfer settings, the available waiting times, or links to the required resources (eg, database). The configuration data may also specify application program files (names of executable application files) executed for the jo-, jacket subfunction. Configuration data is generally compiled into a separate data file. Configuration data containing certain application parameters can be stored in a backup station * * * from where it can be restored to a workstation, if necessary.

Replacement of the workstation may be necessary, for example: due to hardware failure. Knowledge of the automation system and knowledge of computers, especially operating systems, are generally required for successful substitution. The problem with the above arrangement is that replacing the workstation with a new one is laborious, slow, and often requires the assistance of a computer 2 115565 expert. It is important that the workstation be replaced quickly to minimize the process damage caused by the workstation failure. Even if configuration information can be downloaded from the backup station to the new workstation, it will still need to install all the necessary application programs and various machine-specific settings in order for the new workstation to perform its role in the information system. Application programs typically come on different CD-ROMs, from which they must be individually installed on the client. Known PC disk duplication programs are not suitable for use in a process control environment information system because they are specifically designed to restore the backup data to the same machine, whereby the hardware configuration must be the same. Typically, however, the hardware configuration of workstations varies, so that the replacement workstation may be quite different from the workstation being replaced. A similar problem occurs with other types of backup solutions, such as the operating system backup function.

Brief Description of the Invention

It is thus an object of the invention to provide a method and a system implementing the method so that changing the workstation's workstation information system workstation is faster and easier for the user. The objects of the invention 20 are achieved by a method and an information system characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the arrangement of workstations to store: application programs, configuration information and machine-specific settings in a backup unit by associating them with workstation-specific identifiers. Recorded applications; The utility programs, configuration information, and machine-specific settings are restored from the backup unit to at least one workstation in a predetermined order when a workstation corresponding to the first workstation is required in the information system. Thereafter, the workstation can access the downloaded data and activate at least one application program as input to the configuration information, allowing the workstation to perform its typically process-related task in the information system. Configuration data refers to data used as inputs to one or more application programs running on a workstation. Machine-specific settings may include device-specific hardware and software settings.

j 3 115565

An advantage of the method and system of the invention is that replacement of the workstation with a new one is quick and easy, since programs, configuration information and machine-specific settings can be restored from the backup unit. When the reset is performed in a predetermined order, reset 5 can be performed successfully and as easily as possible for the user. Once the new workstation is connected to the network, the user only needs to activate a recovery program which, as input to the first workstation identifier, restores all necessary application programs, configuration information, and machine-specific settings, and then enables the first workstation workstation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, application programs, configuration information, and machine-specific settings are compressed into a single backup file in a backup unit. This saves disk space on the backup unit and makes it easy to find the information on each workstation.

15 Brief Description of the Figures

The invention will now be further described in connection with preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a process control system; and Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

♦ * ·

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, a process control environment information system typically comprises multiple workstations WS, servers SE, databases DB, and always -. * ··. 25 single backup units BU (Backup Unit). Although the DBs are shown separately in FIG. 1 for convenience, they are generally included. servers in SE. WS workstations can be of various types: design workstations, process control workstations, diagnostic workstations, operator workstations i · * 'and alarm workstations. Process workstations WS typically operate at the interface of a process and information system, and are operatively coupled to various sensors S and process device control means CM. Workstations WS comprise memory MEM, a user interface UI (typically at least a display, keyboard and mouse), I / O means I / O (typically a network card and communication control software). *, And a central processing unit 35 comprising one or more processors. However, the information system may also have 4,115,665 network-controlled workstations without a UI. The memory MEM has a non-volatile portion for storing program code controlling the CPU and a read-write portion for use in data processing. Configuration information and machine-specific settings are also stored in MEM. The backup unit BU is typically a separate workstation, the memory of which comprises backups of a plurality of workstations WS according to the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in which a new workstation is introduced. Suppose you have the first workstation WS1 that you want to make 10 backups of 200. Backup is preferably done when a new workstation is enabled and / or when some information (whole directory / file) that you have specified to be backed up is changed. Recordings can also be made automatically at regular intervals. The time at which the automatic backup starts automatically can be set by the initial setting, or the user or administrator can initiate 15 backups.

Preferably, the workstation WS1 activates a backup program that defines 201 data to be stored, i.e. configuration information, machine-specific settings and application programs, and the order in which they are reset. The backup program can be stored in the memory MEM of the workstation WS1, where it can be retrieved for execution by 20 CPUs. Preferably, the backup is automatic, in which case. , the backup program is first manually configured first * * *; At least one application program, configuration information, and * * machine-specific settings for the WS1-based workstation, their restore order, and the initial recording setup. These are therefore the instructions for storing the backup program, which can be configured as much as possible before the backup program is enabled. Configure ·: ··; Preferably, the recordings are stored in a recording help file, from which they can be edited: *** if necessary, for example, to change the initial setting for recording. Thus, the WS1 client backup program can automatically determine:, ·, 201 the data to be saved based on the save help file.

The order in which the backup program is restored may be simply determined by the order of the data (at least one application program, configuration information, and machine-specific settings) contained in the storage help file entered therein, based on the order of the files.

i i The backup program will search for, for example, the initial setting »>:. / 35 the data to be stored from the memory WS1 of the workstation WS1 and stores 202 data in the WS1 identifier in the association backup unit BU. The WS identifier of workstation 5 115565 is any logical identifier that can be used to distinguish between WS workstations. Preferably, at the same time as the data storage 202, a reset help file is also stored which contains reset instructions for restoring configuration information, machine-specific settings, and application programs. The recovery instructions contain, at least in part, the same information as the backup instructions that control the operation of the backup program. The recovery instructions contain information about the order in which the files / directories are restored. The restore order can also determine the order in which the required installers are executed. The restore order, as well as other information contained in the restore help file 10, is preferably stored in a backup unit BU. The restore order may also simply be determined via the save order, wherein the restore (208) takes place in the save order or in the reverse save order.

The application programs to be stored include various executable application files. The parameters used as input to the application programs are stored in the configuration data. In addition to the parameters described above, the configuration information may include, for example, application environment variables, filenames, and registry information of other application programs to be activated from the application. Machine-specific settings include various workstation-specific settings, such as user-defined user interface settings in Ko. , custom settings typically include operating system-specific * * ·; such as the name of the workstation or the application files that are automatically started at the workstation «I * 1 '. For example, certain operating system registry settings need to be stored in the BU, even if the operating system is not stored. Machine-specific settings may include network settings that can be enabled, such as the IP address, subnet mask, default router / gateway, or host domain. Note that all specified 201 data may not be in file format, even though:. the description has assumed that.

«·)] ·· '30 The backup program fetches application programs, machine-specific

directories containing settings and configuration information, compress one of them. ' : backup file and stores 202 backup files in BU

Associated data to be stored in the WS1 tag. Preferably, the directories of the files to be backed up are already predefined in the backup program ('35 defined in the backup program save help file), it is also possible to specify the files to be saved in more detail. The compressed backup file can be named with the WS1 tag so that it can be easily distinguished.

New workstations are set up with 203 basic functionality before deployment, typically installing the operating system and network interface card. Preferably, several workstations are provided with 203 basic functionality even before there is a need to deploy a new workstation, for example, to replace a broken workstation. This makes the actual exchange quick and easy to set up. When there is a need for 204 to deploy a new, second, WS2, the WS2 is connected to the 205 network. Since the basic functionality is already set to 10 203 as much as possible, switching 205 is easy, since only the physical switching and basic network configuration need to be performed. However, the machine-specific settings that can be reset may also have network settings, so that the network settings of the WS2 workstation can later be changed to match them.

At workstation WS2, a recovery program 206 is activated, which according to a preferred embodiment is the same application as the backup program. The functionality of the backup program and the recovery program described in connection with Figure 2 may also be part of another application, for example as part of a process client management application. If it is desired to obtain from the second workstation WS2 20 substantially the same as the first workstation WS1, the recovery program is provided with a. the WS1 identifier. For example, the user interface- *: ·; through the UI keyboard. Alternatively, the user enters WS2 '' e.g. a floppy disk comprising a recovery program and WS1 identifier and activates: a recovery program. The WS1 identifier can also be obtained by moving the WS1 from the workstation. padlock for workstation WS2. The recovery program retrieves 207 stored: · data: application programs, machine-specific settings and configuration: '': information based on the WS1 identifier.

I I

According to a preferred embodiment, an associated restore help file is stored in the BU, which also controls the operation of the recovery program. The recovery program first retrieves the recovery help file and acts according to the recovery instructions it contains, such as the recovery order · ,; a. The recovery program can retrieve the compressed backup file to WS2 and uncompress.

The application programs, configuration information, and machine-specific settings' 35 are returned to the second workstation WS2 in the 208 specified restore order. In this case, the recovery program saves the necessary directories with files 7 in the order of the 115565 recovery help file and changes the necessary machine-specific settings. Some applications require that they be installed through their own installer in order to function. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the restore instructions comprise installation instructions for executing the installation programs. In this case, the recovery program activates the installation programs according to the installation instructions in the specified order, so that the recovery order can also be considered to include the order in which the installation programs are run. All of this is done automatically without user intervention, and the necessary recovery instructions are provided in the Recovery Help file. When the data to be stored is configured (201) correctly and returned (208) in the correct manner, especially in the correct restore order, the new workstation WS2 can be made to function like WS1 even if WS2 is not hardware identical to WS1.

After the reset 208 is completed, the WS2 client can be enabled by restarting it. Preferably, the recovery program automatically restarts the WS2 workstation, whereupon the application programs defined in the startup file are started. At least one application program is automatically activated by input 209 of configuration information returned to workstation WS2 to perform a task according to the configuration information, for example to act as an alarm workstation. After that, the information system has. , a workstation WS2 substantially corresponding to the workstation WS1, which may continue; performing tasks assigned to WS1.

*! # 'According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data is not compressed into a workstation-specific backup file but retrieved with the same content.' : 25 copies are saved 202 only once. In this case, the backup program is configured with 201 directories that are compared to the directories on the BU and only: the changed directories are stored at 202 backups. The advantage of this embodiment is that the number of bits to be transmitted is reduced, whereby; , less data transfer capacity is required.

30 The preceding embodiment may still be applied such that BU has only one backup from one directory, whereby the backup 202 of workstation i may not have previously stored the corresponding directory of another workstation. The comparison can be performed on the basis of the correspondence of the directory name and / or directory size. This saves memory, 35 compared to having the application programs, machine-specific settings and configuration information stored separately on each workstation WS. In particular, application 115565 application program files are the same on many WS workstations, while machine-specific settings typically have to be stored per workstation. In order to differentiate the information required on different workstations, the backup program preferably associates in the workstation-specific file the directories needed to replace the workstation. Preferably, these directories and their locations (paths in the BU) are specified in the restore help file. In this case, the recovery program retrieves the recovery help file according to the workstation identifier (e.g., WS1) and returns (208) the application programs, machine-specific settings and configuration information specified therein from BU to the new workstation (WS2). Of course, this embodiment can also be applied to files, that is, files with the same content are only stored once in the BU, and the same files can be used for multiple client backups. When using the same directories or files as backups for multiple workstations, care must be taken not to prematurely delete shared data.

Note that, unlike the example in Figure 2, application programs, configuration information, and machine-specific settings can also be restored to the same workstation WS1 from which they were copied. In this case, steps 206-209 may be performed. This can be used to restore the workstation to its previous state, for example, after a directory has been deleted or after a hard drive has been damaged and replaced. Also the application programs of the backup unit BU, con. , figure information, and machine-specific settings can be • * · illustrated above; way to backup to another backup drive and restore them • <· * * '* from there if needed.

* »: According to one embodiment, the storage function is bidirectional, whereby the system defines the files / directories that need to be stored: · · ·: from the network to the workstation. For example, in a software update situation, the BU may be able to store application programs and / or configuration information to be updated in place of previously stored backups. From the backup unit BU, the changed data is further stored on the WS workstation. The directories (files) can be configured in a backup program which, when activated, compares the directories of the workstation and the backup unit BU and automatically stores the changed directories l on the WS workstations, replacing the previous ones. It is also possible that the recording on the WS workstation is performed by the network application on all workstations that have changed directories (files).

The invention can be applied to any process control environment information system without limiting it to the system shown in FIGS. The functions illustrated in FIG. 9115565 2 are preferably implemented by executing program code downloaded from a separate storage medium (MEM or external storage medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM) or from a network in one or more processing units (CPUs). It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

»T ♦ · * • *» »ti * ti»

Claims (10)

A method for arranging the commissioning of a workstation in a computer system in a process control environment, said computer system comprising several workstations and at least one backup unit, in which at least one workstation configuration data is stored, characterized in that: for backup copying, at least one application program is defined. , configuration data and machine-specific settings for a first workstation, their re-ordering and storage initial setting, at least one application program, configuration data and machine-specific settings for a first workstation are automatically stored in the backup unit according to the initial setting of said storage, thereby providing the first associate the workstation identifier, which is associated with application programs, configuration data and machine-specific settings associated with the first workstation identifier, is returned from the backup unit to at least one staging station with operating systems in the defined backbone order in response to the need for a workstation essentially according to the first workstation in the data system, and at least one backbone application is activated in the workstation. . 20 program with configuration data as input. • * · * · *: ··: 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that: • said application program, configuration data and machine specification. * · ·. fika settings are packed into at least one fuse file, and the backup file is unpacked in the workstation when it has been retrieved from the backup unit. • · Method according to claim 1, characterized in that: ': registers and / or files to be stored are compared with registers and / or files already stored in the backup unit, * · · files and / or registers with the same contents are stored only a bunch of the backup unit; at least one application program, configuration data, and machine-specific settings are associated with the first workstation identifier. in a separate file, and at least one application program, configuration data, and machine-specific settings defined in the file are re-loaded to a workstation if necessary. 4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a signed off in the workstation to be put into operation, an operating system and means necessary for data transfer are installed, in the workstation a backbone program is downloaded before the workstation is put into operation, from the backup unit. a retransmission instruction file comprising the reinstatement scheme and other reinstatement instructions in conjunction with the reinstatement is retrieved, the reinstatement program is executed in the workstation, which provides an reinstatement and activation of at least one application program, the reinstatement reinstatement program, and 5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the re-loading instructions comprise installation instructions for carrying out installation programs, and installation work is carried out in the order according to the installation instructions. «»: .I A method according to any of the preceding claims characterized in the backup unit, at least the first workstation application program and / or configuration data is replaced with updated application programs and / or configuration data, and; updated application programs and / or configuration data. ···! from the backup unit to at least the first workstation is stored. * · '·. · 7. Computer system in a process control environment, comprising several • · * ”; 30 workstations and at least one backup unit, in which at least one works. staging station is arranged to store configuration data, characterized by; *: that in the computer system is stored programmatically by at least one first workstation predetermined at least one application program, configuration data and machine-specific installations automatically according to a predetermined storage initial setting in the backup unit, whereby they are associated with the first workstation, re-drilling said application program identifier associated with the first workstation, configuration data and machine-specific settings from the backup unit to at least one operating station with operating system in predetermined re-drilling order in response to the need for the at least one first workstation in the data system the workstation, and the execution of at least one feed-back application program in the workstation with configuration data as input. 8. A computer system according to claim 7, characterized in that in the computer system, packing of said application program, configuration data and machine-specific settings for at least one backup file, and unpacking of the backup file before downloading to the work at least has been programmatically arranged. 9. A computer system according to claim 7, characterized in that in the computer system, comparative arrangement of registers and / or files to be stored with registers and / or files already stored in the backup unit has been programmatically arranged. · Storing files and / or registers with the same contents only once: once in the backup unit. «· · Hl« • ·> 10. A computer system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the computer system comprises a program code, by executing which is provided by the storage of a re-routing instruction file comprising the re-drilling order and installation instructions which determine the execution of the installation. · ·; backup program in the backup unit, searching the aforementioned restoration instruction file from the backup unit '* in said at least one workstation, and restarting and executing the required installation programs. : according to the re-loading instructions file. * *