FactoryTalk AssetCentre Training

FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Contents

Contents....................................................................................................................................................... 3

About this Hands-On Lab........................................................................................................................... 7

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Basic Section ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Advanced Section ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Lab backdrop ................................................................................................................................................ 8

Tools & prerequisites ................................................................................................................................. 9

Software ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Hardware....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Lab files ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Classroom setup ....................................................................................................................................... 10

Virtual PCs and lab domains....................................................................................................................... 10
User and Passwords ................................................................................................................................... 10

What is FactoryTalk AssetCentre?.......................................................................................................... 11

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server ................................................................................................................. 11
Disaster Recovery - Backup and Compare................................................................................................. 12
Process Device Configuration..................................................................................................................... 12
Calibration Management ............................................................................................................................. 12

Launching FactoryTalk AssetCentre ...................................................................................................... 13

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Interface Walk-through ....................................................................................... 14

Disaster Recovery ..................................................................................................................................... 15

Check-out Master File ................................................................................................................................. 15
Archive Interface Walk-through................................................................................................................... 16
Download Master File ................................................................................................................................. 18
Undo Check-Out Master File....................................................................................................................... 19

Archive (Change Control)......................................................................................................................... 21

Check-out Master File via RSLogix 5000.................................................................................................... 21
Verify the file is checked-out in FactoryTalk AssetCentre .......................................................................... 24
Make Online Changes................................................................................................................................. 25

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Compare Versions ...................................................................................................................................... 27

Logs............................................................................................................................................................ 28
Start the Logs plug-in .................................................................................................................................. 28
Select Audit Log View ................................................................................................................................. 28
Using Filters ................................................................................................................................................ 28

Searches .................................................................................................................................................... 28
Start the Search plug-in .............................................................................................................................. 28
Search Interface Walk-through ................................................................................................................... 28
View the report ............................................................................................................................................ 28

Schedules .................................................................................................................................................. 28
Start Scheduling plug-in .............................................................................................................................. 28
Scheduler Interface Walk-through .............................................................................................................. 28
Execute the schedule.................................................................................................................................. 28
Examine schedule results ........................................................................................................................... 28
Check-in RSLogix 5000 File (housekeeping).............................................................................................. 28

Binders ....................................................................................................................................................... 28
Binder and Archive View Walk-through ...................................................................................................... 28
Open the Binder .......................................................................................................................................... 28
Change filter contents ................................................................................................................................. 28
Check In the Binder..................................................................................................................................... 28

Remote Computers ................................................................................................................................... 28

Create a Remote Computer ........................................................................................................................ 28
Create a Binder ........................................................................................................................................... 28
Verify existing Schedule.............................................................................................................................. 28
Make Changes ............................................................................................................................................ 28
Execute the Schedule ................................................................................................................................. 28
Examine schedule results ........................................................................................................................... 28

Process Device Configuration ................................................................................................................. 28

Introduction to FTD-DTM ............................................................................................................................ 28
What is Field Device Tool (FDT)? ............................................................................................................... 28
Here’s how it works ..................................................................................................................................... 28
DTM’s and Network Topology..................................................................................................................... 28
DTM Catalog ............................................................................................................................................... 28
DTM View.................................................................................................................................................... 28

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Offline Parameterization.............................................................................................................................. 28

Calibration Management .......................................................................................................................... 28

What is Calibration Management? .............................................................................................................. 28
ProCalV5 Interface Walk-through ............................................................................................................... 28
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Interface Walk-through..................................................................... 28
Master Instrument Record (MIR)................................................................................................................. 28
General Info Tab ......................................................................................................................................... 28
Calibration Points Tab................................................................................................................................. 28
Instrument Report ....................................................................................................................................... 28

Perform a Mock Calibration ..................................................................................................................... 28

New Calibration ........................................................................................................................................... 28
Enter Calibration Results ............................................................................................................................ 28
View Calibration Results ............................................................................................................................. 28

Basic Section Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 28

Advanced Section ..................................................................................................................................... 28

Examining a PanelView Plus (ME Station) audits.................................................................................. 28

Machine Edition (ME) Station...................................................................................................................... 28
AssetCentre Audit Log View ....................................................................................................................... 28
Review how to Configure Station audits ..................................................................................................... 28

Configure FactoryTalk AssetCentre Security ........................................................................................ 28

Creating new Users and Groups................................................................................................................. 28
Securing AssetCentre functions (Design Mode) ......................................................................................... 28
Securing the Asset View ............................................................................................................................. 28
Exercise Security Configuration .................................................................................................................. 28

Run FactoryTalk AssetCentre Log Cleanup Utility................................................................................ 28

Create and Purge Log data......................................................................................................................... 28
View Purge Log data ................................................................................................................................... 28

Configure automatic Check-In ................................................................................................................. 28

Create and Configure .................................................................................................................................. 28
Exercise auto check-in ................................................................................................................................ 28

Create Archive shortcuts ......................................................................................................................... 28

Create shortcut............................................................................................................................................ 28
Exercise shortcut......................................................................................................................................... 28

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Backup and Restore FactoryTalk AssetCentre with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 .............................. 28
AssetCentre Database Backup ................................................................................................................... 28
AssetCentre Database Transaction Logs Backup ...................................................................................... 28
Scheduling Backups.................................................................................................................................... 28
Restoring FactoryTalk AssetCentre in Microsoft SQL Server 2005............................................................ 28

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About this Hands-On Lab

Introduction

If you have minimal to no exposure to FactoryTalk AssetCentre, then the basic section of the lab is for
you. The basic section provides you with an opportunity to explore FactoryTalk AssetCentre Core and
Extended features. Core features include version control for factory floor assets like ControlLogix, PLC5,
SLC500, Panel View Plus, Drives, etc. Extended features include Disaster Recovery for these devices,
Process Configuration, and lastly Calibration Management. If you complete the Basic section, please feel
free to move into the advanced section.
If you have previously been through or have had exposure to FactoryTalk AssetCentre, then the
advanced section would be a more appropriate place to start. If you complete the advanced section,
please feel free to review the basic section.

Basic Section
The Basic section has a start and end point, meaning that you start with Launching FactoryTalk
AssetCentre and end with Performing a Mock Calibration with FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration
Management. As you complete the basic section in this hands-on session, you will:
• Perform a Disaster Recovery operation on a controller (ControlLogix)
• Make a change to an existing processor using change control procedures
• Compare your local copy to that of the Master file via RSLogix 5000
• Examine audits in FactoryTalk AssetCentre via Logs and Searches
• Run a Backup and Compare schedule and examine the results
• Verify and change an instrument configuration
• Perform a mock calibration
• View Calibration results

Advanced Section
The Advanced section is a collection of advanced topics with no defined start or end point. The following
sections can be performed in any order, according to your interests. As you complete the advanced
section in this hands-on session, you will:
• Configure FactoryTalk AssetCentre Security
• Run FactoryTalk Log Cleanup Utility
• Configure Automatic Check-In
• Back up and Restore FactoryTalk AssetCentre with Microsoft SQL Server 2005

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Lab backdrop
In this lab you will be acting as a FactoryTalk AssetCentre system administrator in one of InstaCorp’s
production plants. The FactoryTalk AssetCentre system is already successfully installed and running; you
are responsible for maintaining support for the assets in your plant in FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
InstaCorp’s production comprises of two main areas: Process and Packaging.
Process production consists of a tank farm of raw materials from receiving, a couple of batch tanks and
holding tanks as shown below:
R e c e iv in g

T an k F a rm

V 100 V 2 00 V 300

LT 100 LT 20 0 LT 300

T K 10 0 T K 2 00 T K 3 00

PT 10 0

TT 1 00
T T 20 0 T T 3 00

V 101
V 20 1 V 301 F T 100

P1 0 0

V 500
B a tc h T a nk s V 600
M a n ua l A dd
W T 100

A T 500 A T 600

LT 500
LT 600

B TK 5 0 0 BT K6 0 0

T T 500 T T 60 0

V 501
V 601

H o ld ing T a nk s P6 0 0

V80 0 V9 00

L T 80 0 LT 900

H T K 8 00 HT K9 0 0

V 8 01 V 902

T o P a c k ag in g

The packaging area consists of a washer and filler, both of which have a dedicated ControlLogix
processor.

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Tools & prerequisites

For this Hands-On Lab, we have provided you with the following materials that will allow you to complete
the labs in this workbook.

Software
This Hands-On Lab uses the following software:
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server R2 with SP2
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre v3.00.00
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre Disaster Recovery for Rockwell Automation
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Management
• Prime Technologies ProCalV5
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre Process Device Configuration w/Field Edition
• FactoryTalk Automation Services Platform (FTSP) for CPR9 SR2
• RSLinx Classic v2.56
• RSLogix 5000 v17
• RSLogix Emulate 5000 v17
• VMWare Workstation v7
• MSSQL 2005 SP2

Hardware
This Hands-On Lab does not require any hardware.

Lab files
This Hands-On Lab uses the following files:
• Filler_CLX.ACD
• Washer_CLX.ACD
• PT10.PDC
Classroom setup

This lab is conducted using one VMWare Workstation virtual machine running on each PC in the
classroom. VMWare Workstation is virtual machine software that allows you to emulate one or more PCs
on your ‘host’ PC.

Virtual PCs and lab domains

The virtual PC is setup as follows:

Machine description Machine name Operating system

FactoryTalk AssetCentre System FTAC-IMAGE10 Windows Server 2003 R2

FactoryTalk AssetCentre does not require a domain; this lab is conducted in a Windows workgroup
named WORKGROUP.

User and Passwords

Following are the Windows user logins and passwords that may be used in the lab:

Login Password Full user name Group / user type

administrator rockwell System Administrator Windows Administrator

FactoryTalk Administrators

labuser rockwell System Administrator Windows Administrator

FactoryTalk Administrators

FactoryTalk Security’s single sign-on feature has been enabled as part of this lab. This means that
FactoryTalk Security will automatically use your operating system login to authenticate your security rights
in FactoryTalk AssetCentre. Should you need to manually log into FactoryTalk AssetCentre, we will use
the same log-in credentials (see above).
What is FactoryTalk AssetCentre?

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server

FactoryTalk® AssetCentre provides you with a
centralized tool for securing, managing, versioning,
tracking and reporting automation related asset
information across your entire enterprise. And
perhaps more importantly, it can do this
automatically, with limited additional management
oversight or work from employees.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre can impact uptime,
productivity, quality, employee safety or regulatory
compliance. Whatever your area of concern,
FactoryTalk AssetCentre and its flexible, scalable
solution can help you and your organization meet
your asset uptime goals. FactoryTalk AssetCentre provides you with a centralized tool for gathering,
analyzing, managing and securing automation assets across your entire organization. Perhaps more
importantly, it can do this automatically, with limited additional management oversight or work from
employees.
With FactoryTalk AssetCentre, you can:
• Secure access to the system
• Track detailed users’ actions
• Manage historical versioning of any electronic file
• Provide automatic backup and compare operations on supported devices
• Configure process instrumentation
• Manage instrumentation calibration schedules and certificates

FactoryTalk AssetCentre has an evolving set of add-on capabilities that allow you to optimize and
leverage your factory automation and process device investments. These optional capabilities expand
upon the robust central features already found in the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre server and allow you the ability to extend the value of the
system as needs change within your manufacturing environment.
Disaster Recovery - Backup and Compare
Provides control system backup that is integrated with source control to
provide reliable and easy access to the latest control system
configuration files. The backup system can be configured to provide a
comparison of the configuration file retrieved from the plant floor with
the master file stored in source control so users can determine any
changes that have been made on the plant floor. These operations are
executed on a repeating date or time basis as scheduled to fit your
operational needs.

Process Device Configuration

Acting as a host system, or frame application, FactoryTalk AssetCentre
gives you the ability to work with multiple vendors’ instruments in one
common platform reducing overall maintenance and field time. Using
Field Device Type (FDT) technology, FactoryTalk AssetCentre allows you
to access instrument parameters, aids in configuring and operating
process devices, and helps with diagnostics. This means you now have
the freedom to choose best-in-breed instruments and maintenance tools
available from any of the 50+ vendors supporting FDT technology.

Calibration Management
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration management capability allows for a
paperless calibration solution; managing calibration requirements,
specifications, schedules, calibration results and reporting. When it
comes to managing instrument calibration and system qualifications,
FactoryTalk AssetCentre offers unique advantages. Whether for a
single department or an entire organization, your workflow and over-site
practices can be automated, systematized and improved - with 21 CFR
Part 11 and Food & Drug Administration (FDA) & Good Manufacturing
Practices (GMP).
Launching FactoryTalk AssetCentre

In this section you will launch the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client and review the main interface.

1. From the Start menu select Programs>Rockwell Software>FactoryTalk AssetCentre

Client>FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client. You can also double-click the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Client icon on the desktop:

After a few seconds, you should see a software interface that looks similar to this:
 FactoryTalk AssetCentre Interface Walk-through
This is the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client. It is used to both administer and configure the system, and
manage assets on the plant floor.
This toolbar is used to start
FactoryTalk AssetCentre capabilities.
– opens the asset view
– opens the source control
function
– opens the log viewer, allowing
users to review the content of the
event, audit and diagnostics logs
– opens the schedule
management and configuration
function
– opens the search
management and configuration
function
– opens the selected asset’s
property grid
– opens the application help
This is the Asset
View. It contains the - opens the DTM Home
asset tree, a free-form Page. Functions such as Upload,
plant model created by Download, Online, etc. are available
the system from this page
administrator that - opens the Calibration
represents the management functions
organization of a plant
and the physical
control assets located
in the plant.
Users interact with this
plant model to check
asset configurations in
and out of the system,
view audit logs, or
manage disaster This is the Workspace Pane.
recovery schedules. FactoryTalk AssetCentre capabilities
are opened here for user interaction.
Disaster Recovery

FactoryTalk AssetCentre source control leverages the centralized database and provides automatic
version control. This provides proper file management and single master relationships.
Any electronic file can be put under source control — RSLogix 5000 (.acd), Microsoft files (.doc, .xls, .ppt,
etc.) Computer Aided Design (CAD) files (.dwg), and others.
Supported source control functions include:
• Check-out: Writes the selected file or folder to a local working folder with read-write access and
locks the selection to prevent multiple-user editing.
• Check-In: Reads the local working folder and updates the source control repository, creating new
versions as needed.
• Get: Writes the selected file or folder to the local working folder with read-only access. Note: A
Get can retrieve the latest or any historical version that is in the archive.
• Undo Check Out: Returns the selection to an unchecked out state and unlocks the selections.
In this portion of the lab you will interact with the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Archive system to do a Check-
out operation on the latest Filler CLX Master file. You will download the master file to restore a controller
that has failed due to an electrical storm last night.

Check-out Master File

1. In the asset tree, expand the tree to AssetCentre / Files / RSLogix 5000 / Projects and select the
Filler_CLX.ACD file.

2. Click the Archive button in the AssetCentre toolbar to open the AssetCentre source
control module. It should open and show information about the Filler CLX.ACD file:
 Archive Interface Walk-through
This is the Archive plug-in interface when a file asset is selected in the plant model.

This is the Archive plug-in toolbar. The buttons perform the following tasks:

Writes the selected file or folder to local working folder with read-write access and
locks the selection to prevent multiple user editing
Reads the local working folder and update the source control repository creating new
versions as needed
Returns the selection to an un-checked out state and unlocks the selection
Writes the selected file or folder to the local working folder with read-only access
Creates a logical reference to a versioned set of selected files or folders
Removes a logical reference to a versioned set of files or folders

Indicates which plant model

asset is selected; provides a hot-
link to retrieve the selected file
and launch the associated editor

Filters the version history view:

Version-related activities displays those activities

that resulted in a new version being created.
All activities display all activities whether they
generated a new version or not.

Writes the selected

historic version to local
History Display the version
working folder for read-
history for the selected
only access
plant model file asset
Labels Displays any labels Sets the selected historic
associated with the version as the master
selected plant model version for the selected
asset asset.
Creates a new version
from the selected historic
version.

This pane reflects the tab selection (History,

Labels). In this instance it is displaying the
version history for the selected plant model file
asset.
3. Right-click the Filler_CLX.ACD file in the asset view tree and select Open to check out and open
the file in RSLogix 5000. A list of options is displayed:

TIP: You can also do a file Open

by clicking on the Filler
CLX.ACD file icon in the
Archive view

4. Click Check Out to check the file out for editing and open it in RSLogix5000.
5. The Check Out dialog is displayed; click OK to check it out to the default working folder on your
machine. The file is checked out to the C:\RSLogix 5000\Projects folder; the State field should
display this information for you and a check mark should appear next to the file’s icon, indicating that
the file is currently checked out:
A check mark here indicates that
the file is currently checked out

RSLogix5000 is launched and the Filler_CLX.ACD file is opened.

Download Master File
Now that the source .ACD file has been checked out of FactoryTalk AssetCentre, it is possible to use it to
program the ControlLogix processor. In this section you will go online and download the project to the
controller.

1. In RSLogix 5000, click Communications from the file menu, and select Download

2. On the Download dialog, click Download, the program will download

3. Once the Download is complete, click the controller status icon and select Run Mode.

4. Click Yes to confirm that you want to change to Remote Run mode.
Undo Check-Out Master File
Now that the Master file (project) has been downloaded to the Filler CLX, the Checked-out file needs to
be addressed by either a Check-In or an Undo Checkout. If you’re sure no changes have been made,
then it is possible to select Undo-Checkout. This option will cancel the checked-out status of the file,
allowing it to be checked-out again by other users, but will not create a new version entry in FactoryTalk
AssetCentre. It’s important to note that FactoryTalk Security can be used to restrict users from
performing an undo check-out, thereby forcing a check-in for all checked-out files.
If there has been a change, you should perform a Check-In. This option will still make the file available to
other users, but will create a new version entry in FactoryTalk AssetCentre for the new file. For our lab
purposes we know there was no change, therefore we’ll perform an Undo Check-out and remove the
local copy.

1. Close RSLogix5000

2. Since we want to perform an Undo Check Out click Cancel to the check in dialog.
NOTE: FactoryTalk AssetCentre prompts for an automatic check-in because we used the Open
command, which automatically checked out and opened the file in context of the application. The Open
command also wants to automatically check in the file when we exit the application. If we had performed
a Check out vs. Open we would not be getting this prompt.

3. Click the Undo Check Out button to undo the checked out file.
Click Undo Check Out button to undo
the checked out file

4. On the Undo Check Out dialog, verify that Delete the local copy is selected. This allows source
control to remove the copy of the file on disk when Undo Check-out is performed, so that only one
‘living’ copy is managed by source control.
5. Enter a comment like “File checked for download purposes only” in the Comment field and click
OK.

6. The file Checked Out status is removed from the FactoryTalk AssetCentre source control and no
additional version has been created. To view all activities associated with the version click the All
Activities radio button. This will display your recent actions of check-out and the undo checkout
along with the comment you entered.

7. Click the button on the Archive tab to close the FactoryTalk AssetCentre version control module.

Click here to
close the
Archive
source control
module.
Archive (Change Control)

In this portion of the lab you will interact with the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system to perform a Check-out
on the Master file, go online with the controller to make a change, and lastly perform a check-In. This
change is in response to operations wanting a decrease on a delay timer.

Check-out Master File via RSLogix 5000

For this portion of the lab, we’ll look at a new, different way to check-out the file. To begin working with
the file, we’ll need to get access to it from the FactoryTalk AssetCentre archive. FactoryTalk AssetCentre
check-in, check-out and get functions are now integrated into RSLogix 5000 V17 and higher, which
means we can gain access to the file directly from RSLogix 5000 without using the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre client.

1. Launch RSLogix5000, from the Start menu select Programs>Rockwell

Software>RSLogix 5000 Enterprise Series>RSLogix 5000. You can also find the shortcut on
the Desktop.

2. In RSLogix 5000 click the File menu and select Open.

3. With the Open/Import Project dialog click the Source Control option located on the
left.

4. Before navigating to the file, use the security control ( ) button to login with a Username
of ‘labuser’ and a Password of ‘rockwell’ (leave Domain blank.)

This control allows you to

specify a specific version or a
labeled version within the
Archive to do a check-out or get
operation.

This control allows you to

log-in/out of the FactoryTalk
Security

The icons represent device assets in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre tree view, e.g.,
ControlLogix processors, process instruments, PanelView, drives, etc.

5. We’ll need to navigate to our Washer_CLX.ACD file of interest. Navigate to the following:
AssetCentre \ Files \ RSLogix5000 \ Projects
6. With the Washer_CLX.ACD file now visible, click to select it.

7. With the Washer_CLX.ACD file selected and Check out option checked, click the Get
button. This will open the Check-Out dialog; from here you can enter a file check-out
comment and specify if you want to retrieve a local copy and where to retrieve it to.

Note: It is also possible to perform a “Get” instead of a full check out. To perform a Get
only, uncheck the check box labeled ‘Check out.’ A ‘Get’ will acquire a read-only copy of the
file without performing a check-out (and thereby locking the file.)

8. In the Comment field, enter “The lab told me to enter this”

TIP:
The “To” path is the Working
Directory setting via
FactoryTalk AssetCentre

9. Click OK to retrieve the file from FactoryTalk AssetCentre and open it RSLogix 5000.
Verify the file is checked-out in FactoryTalk AssetCentre

1. Switch back to FactoryTalk AssetCentre, in the asset tree, expand the tree to AssetCentre \
Files \ Plant Layout \ RSLogix 5000 \ Projects:

2. With the Archive tab open, the file is checked out to the C:\RSLogix 5000\Projects folder; the
State field should display this information for you and a check mark should appear next to
the file’s icon, indicating that the file is currently checked out:

A check mark here indicates that

the file is currently checked out

Remember that interacting with the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client is not necessary at this point.
We’re only confirming that RSLogix 5000 not only acquired a version of the file, but also
communicated this check-out with the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client, even though we never directly
interacted with the Client itself.
3. Cool stuff, Switch Back to RSLogix 5000
4. Also note, because we checked out the program file via RSLogix 5000, it also shows the program file
is checked out via the icon in the RSLogix 5000 project tree.
Make Online Changes
In this section you will go online with the controller and make a simple change. You will then review your
changes via RSLogix Compare and via Factory Talk AssetCentre Audits.

1. In RSLogix 5000, click the Controller Status drop down selector and select Go Online:

Note:
Since we are using SoftLogix5800
controller, every time the computer
reboots you will need to either upload
or download to the controller. In our
case we have chosen to Download.
This is not normal behavior with a
Hardware version of ControlLogix
when the offline program matches the
online program.

2. Click the Download button to the RSLogix 5000 message, and then Download again.
3. Once Download is complete, click Yes to put the controller back into Run mode.
4. Navigate to the MainRoutine in Tasks > Main Task > MainProgram.

5. Double Click MainRoutine to open the view editor

6. Click on the Preset value 5000 and change it to 1001.

The above change was audit and captured in AssetCentre. We will review the audits in the next section.
7. Next we will delete Rung 1 to show RSLogix 5000 compare. Right mouse click Rung 1 and select
Delete Rung.

8. Click the Finalize Edits button to commit the change.

9. Click Yes to the RSLogix 5000 message box.
10. Double Click on Controller Tags from the Project tree.
11. With the Edit Tags tab selected, Highlight the myCoil row, right mouse click and select Del to delete
the controller tag myCoil.

12. Click the save button in RSLogix 5000

13. Click Yes to acknowledge the RSLogix 5000 message.

Compare Versions
In this section of the lab we are going to compare our Checked-Out version, which we made some simple
changes, to the Master file in Archive. Note: the master file at this point doesn’t have all our changes yet
because we haven’t checked them in yet, so the compare will show all of our modifications.

1. From RSLogix 5000 file menu, click File, Source Control and Show Differences

2. Click OK to the Compare Completed successfully.

The following is displayed:

3. Double Click on Controller Tags in the lower left hand plane. The compare in the upper
portion shows the base and our check-out project.

Notice the myCoil tag is shown on the left (base) however, is not shown on the right
(current)

Next, let’s look at the control program modifications. Single click Tasks (left lower pane),
then MainTask, MainProgram and lastly double click MainRoutine (all in mid lower pane.)

4. Exit the compare application by clicking File and Exit

5. Press No to the “Save Compare Project” prompt

Normally we would check the file in at this point, however, we are going to leave it checked out
because we are going to do a few more things with RSLogix 5000 and leverage these modifications.
Logs

In this section you will look at FactoryTalk AssetCentre logs to view what kinds of messages are logged.
Using the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Log Viewer you can review and search entries in three different logs,
they are:
Event Log: This log captures system events. Examples of system events are: a schedule initiates
execution, a schedule completes execution, or a scheduled search executes.
Diagnostic and Health Log: This log captures information published ONLY by the RSMACC Network
Health product. RSMACC Network Health monitors DeviceNet, ControlNet, and Ethernet I/P networks
listening for diagnostic messages sent by the control devices. When a message is received the system
looks up the diagnostic code and determines possible root cause and corrective action steps, and
publishes this information to this log.
Audit Log: This log captures user actions taken within a software product that supports audit logging.
Rockwell Automation software products that generate audit messages include: RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500,
RSLogix5000, FactoryTalk View SE/ME and FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
What exactly is an “audit”?
An audit is an action generated by human interaction with the control system or control system software.
Audits record actions resulting in a change to the control system and specify “Who performed an
explicit operation on a specific resource from a particular location and when the operation
occurred”.
An audit log entry is generated for any user operation that creates, modifies, or deletes an electronic
record (device configuration, tag value, alarm, recipe parameter, etc.) in the control system.
Capture audit messages such as:
• Data value changes (time, tag, instructors, etc.)
• Create, delete or changing of rungs
• Create, delete or changing or tags
• User log-in/out

Example of Rockwell Automation applications that produce audit messages are:

• RSLogix5, RSLogix500 and RSLogix5000
• PanelView Plus
• FactoryTalk View Site Edition
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre
• And more . . .

RSLogix5000 itself produces over 150 audit messages!

The following information is recorded in each audit log entry:

• Logged date and time – the date and time the entry is added to the database
• Performed date and time – the date and time the operation was performed
• Resource – the device name (typically a computer) where the operation was performed
 • Username – information documenting the user (typically the user’s FactoryTalk Security ID)
• Location – the name of the resource the user was modifying. This might be a PLC name, project
file, or workstation name depending on the operation being performed
• Message – a textual entry describing the operation performed. Depending on the action being
recorded the description may contain both the previous and new content of the specific item
being modified. For example, when a tag value is changed in RSLogix 5000, both the old value
and new value are contained in the message.

Start the Logs plug-in

1. To start the Logs plug-in, click the Logs button. The Logs plug-in will open in the
workspace pane.
 Log Viewer interface walk-through

This is the Log Viewer toolbar. The buttons perform the following tasks:

Shows the user the content of the Event log

Shows the user the content of the Audit log
Shows the user the content of the Diagnostic and Health log
Shows the results of a Quick Search
Opens the Quick Search dialog
Refreshes the current view, updating the view with the most current log entries
from the currently viewed log.
Prints the current log view

These are the column headings for the

currently displayed log. You can click on
the column heading to sort the
information by the selected column. The
logs are shown sorted by Occurred Time
by default.

These are filtering fields. This

allows you to quickly focus the log
entries being displayed to those
that are of interest to you at the
This pane shows the current log
time.
entries for the selected log view:
Event, Audit, or Diagnostic and
Health.
 Select Audit Log View

1. By default the log viewer displays the Event log. Click the Audit Log button to view the Audit
log.

2. Now you can spend a few minutes reviewing some of the Audit log entries. You should be able to
find the audit messages the system automatically generated as you modified the ControlLogix
Washer_CLX program.

3. To read the details for any audit entry, a) select the message in the upper pane, and then b) read the
entry details in the bottom pane.

Click on an entry
in this pane…

and read the entry

details in this
pane.
Using Filters
Let’s view the audit messages from RSLogix5000 that pertain to the controller named Washer_CLX in
which you made some changes.

1. Move the mouse pointer until it is in the Resource column located in the Filter row.

Move the mouse pointer

to this position

2. Click the drop-down button in the Resource column and Washer_CLX.

The audit log view will automatically update to show only those messages where the Resource
equals “Washer_CLX”
3. Now, let’s apply a second filter to our view, this time we will filter on the myTimer Tag. Click the filter
button in the Message column and select Contains.

4. With the “Contains” filter type set, type myTimer in the filter area, notice the as you type the view is
dynamically updating!
5. Select the “Changed Data Value of Tag [ \myTimer.Pre ] from” row. Notice our previous timer value
change has been audited and you can see the old timer value and the new timer value.

6. To clear any previous filter for a particular column, click the Clear button on that column heading,
or you can clear all filters by clicking the Clear button on the far left hand side of the view. Clear all
filters by clicking this button

In the next section of the lab, we will view a predefined report, predefined reports are Searches.
Searches

The Searches capabilities allow scheduled and on demand searches and can include traceability
information from Audit, Events or Source Control. Scheduled reports can be e-mailed to a specific e-mail
distribution list, or if run on demand (manually), can be printed or saved as an electronic file format of
Microsoft® Excel®, Microsoft® Word, Crystal Reports®, Adobe® Acrobat®, or Rich Text Format.
Easily create searches for:
• Weekly programming change reports for any Allen-Bradley controller
• Daily operator inputs from PanelView Plus (Ethernet) terminals
• Change history report for any electronic file
• and more . . .
In this section of the lab you will learn about FactoryTalk AssetCentre’s searching capability. FactoryTalk
AssetCentre has two types of searches: scheduled and unscheduled.
• Scheduled searches are used for executing a search on a recurring basis. This kind of search is
good for detecting specific conditions or user behaviors within the log data. For instance you can
create a scheduled search to detect un-safe programming practices among your maintenance staff by
searching the audit log for empty branches or forces made at the end of each shift.
• Unscheduled searches are used for ad hoc purposes like searching the audit log to determine if
anyone has made a change in a control system that was working fine a few hours ago, but now is
down and preventing production.
In this section we will be using a preconfigured search to view our RSLogix 5000 changes found in the
audit log.
Start the Search plug-in

1. Switch back to the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client, if it doesn’t already have focus.

2. To start the Search plug-in, click the Searches toolbar button. The Search plug-in will open
in the workspace pane:
 Search Interface Walk-through

This is a table of searches

that exist in your FactoryTalk
AssetCentre system.
You can quickly and easily
sort and filter the searches
using the column headings
Use this pane to configure
and filter cells.
searches. The different tabs
allow you to alter different
aspects of the selected
search.

Set security for the selected

search. You can control
access to the search,
modification rights, and the
ability to execute the search.

Use the Source and Display tab to

configure which information to show Display the search results as
and its presentation. The toolbar a table, or as individual
allows you to Determine how many records.
Move the selected records to show in the
column one position to search results.
the left
Move the selected
column one position to
the right
Show all columns
Hide all columns
 These rows allow you to configure
display options for the search
results
Show include the
selected column
Sort the selected
column can be sorted in
ascending or
descending order or left
unsorted

The Conditions tab is used to

create the search conditions to
extract the desired information
from the system databases.
Create a new search
condition
Modify the selected
search condition
Delete the selected
search condition
Start or end a group
of conditions
Join conditions
Move the selected
condition higher in
the evaluation order
Move the selected
condition lower in the
evaluation order

Use the Preview tab to

evaluate whether or not your
search will return the desired
information

View the report

1. Select the View Today’s RSLogix5000 Changes.

2. Click on the Run Now button in the Search toolbar to manually start the search.
You will notice that a new tab has appeared in the Workspace pane.

This tab contains the results of your search.

From here you can print or save to a file.
3. Navigate through the report (using ) find our myTimer change of 5000 to 1001.
Note that there may be multiple pages to the report, depending on the day’s activity.

4. Lastly, navigate through the report to find our myCoil delete changes, remember we deleted a rung
and deleted the myCoil Tag itself.

Rung Delete

Tag Delete

5. Close the report view by clicking on the Close button.

Click here to close the

report.

6. With the Searches view now being displayed, select the View Checked out RSLogix5000 files

.
7. Click on the Run Now button in the Search toolbar to manually start the search.
Remember, we never checked in the Washer RSLoigx5000 program and therefore it’s being
reported.

Close the report view by clicking on the Close button.

Schedules

In this section you will manually run an existing Weekly disaster recovery schedule for the Washer CLX.
This schedule will not only back up the contents of the controller, it will also report any differences
between the current controller content and the master file version identified in the source control
database.

Start Scheduling plug-in

1. To start the Scheduling plug-in, click the Schedules button. The Scheduling
plug-in will open in the workspace pane.
 Scheduler Interface Walk-through

This is the Scheduling toolbar. Using the toolbar icons you can
create and manage your schedules.
Create a new schedule
Delete a schedule
Modify the selected schedule’s properties
Execute a schedule immediately.
Stop a scheduled search’s execution

This is a table of schedules

that exist in your FactoryTalk
AssetCentre system.
You can quickly and easily
sort and filter the schedules
using the column headings
and filter cells.

This is the property sheet for

the asset selected in the left-
hand pane. Using these
properties you can configure
how the schedule operates
on a particular asset. For
example, you can configure
compare options, or select a
This is a
specific configuration file
representation of the
version using this property
section of the plant
sheet.
model that the
schedule will operate
on. Using the
checkboxes you can
quickly disable or re-
enable an asset’s
participation in a
schedule.
Execute the schedule
1. To see the Recurrence Patter for this schedule click the Recurrence Pattern property

and the click , the following is displayed:

Note: The Recurrence Pattern dialog

is grayed out (not editable), this is
because the Schedule is “Active”. To
edit the Schedule you must uncheck
the Active property.

2. Click Close
3. Run the schedule manually. Click the Run Now button in the Scheduling toolbar to
execute the schedule. The Status column should update to show a Running state for the schedule
you created.

We have made a number of changes to the Washer CLX which will generate a differences report
when this schedule executes. When the schedule completes the Status column will update to show
the Disabled state, indicating that the schedule is not set to run automatically. You will be reviewing
the results of the schedule during the next few minutes.
You can also watch the progress of the schedule in the Assets in myWeekly Backup window.
Examine schedule results
1. Click the Logs button in the toolbar and toggle to the Event Log.

2. Let’s filter the list by selecting RA Disaster Recovery Agent from the Source field
3. Double-click the first Attachment Icon in the list. This will be difference report we just ran via the
schedule. The following dialog will appear. Click the View button.

Click View to open the

attachment.

4. Page through and review the Scheduled Event Report.

5. Close the Acrobat reader by clicking the Close button in the upper right-hand corner of the software
window.

6. Click the Close button to close the Attachment dialog in FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
Check-in RSLogix 5000 File (housekeeping)
We no longer need our RSLogix 5000 open and we can go ahead and check in our changes in
FactoryTalk AssetCentre archive.

1. Click the File menu option in RSLogix5000 and go to Source Control and select Check-In.

2. With the Check-In dialog displayed, change the Local Copy option to Delete and enter a
comment in the comment field like “Changed a bunch of stuff”.

3. Click OK.

4. Click Yes to the RSLogix 5000 prompt of “Upload tag values before saving project”. The file
is checked in to FactoryTalk AssetCentre source control and the RSLogix 5000 project exits.

5. Exit RSLogix 5000

6. Switch Back to FactoryTalk AssetCentre, and note there is an additional version of the file,
and the comment you entered is displayed with version:

The new version of the file

is now stored in source
control
 Binders

In this section of the lab you will work with a new asset type called a Binder. Binders are a collection of
files and folders that is treated as one unit. When checked out, the entire contents of a binder are
retrieved and delivered to the local hard drive. Using binders you can:
• Manage a collection of files and/or folders as a single entity
• Set filters to include and/or exclude content
• Set a Key File, used to launch a specific program (i.e. PowerPoint) when issuing the “open”
command

Binder and Archive View Walk-through

1. Navigate to the binder called “myBigPresentation” located in the asset tree under
AssetCentre > Files > User Documents > Labuser > My Documents, select
myBigPresentation.

Each binder version can

consist of different content
and/or filter settings
Filters View: displays the include and
exclude filters settings of a specific binder
version

By default all is included.

Content View: displays the

file/folder contents of a
specific binder version
2. Let’s examine the binder properties. Right mouse click on the myBigPresentation binder
via the tree view and select properties.

The binder properties is diplayed

4. Notice that the Key File Relative Path property is set to \myBigPresentation.pptx. When the
Open command is used on a binder, AssetCentre will attempt to open the key file (in this
case, the “myBigPresentation.pptx file.) This key file can be set during the binder creation,
or when the binder is checked out.

5. Close the Binder Properties dialog by clicking OK.

Open the Binder

1. To modify the contents of this binder, right mouse click on the myBigPresentation via the
tree view and select Open.

2. Click the Check out button for the Asset Retrieval options dialog.

3. Click OK to the Check out dialog options dialog.

PowerPoint opens with the MyBigPresentation.pptx in context.

4. For demonstration purposes, make a couple of changes to the PowerPoint i.e. create new
slides, delete bitmaps, etc.,

5. Save and Close the PowerPoint

Change filter contents

1. Right mouse click on the myBigPresentation via the tree view and select Properties. Since
the binder is checked out, the Filter and Key File properties are now editable.

2. Expand out the Contents view by clicking the Expand All button. Notice that
each of the files in this binder currently has a next to the file name. This indicates that all
files are included as part of the binder – let’s take a look at how to exclude one of them.

3. Expand out the Advanced filters selection by clicking the Advanced button

4. Select the Thumbs.db file in the Content view

5. To exclude this file, click the add button for the Exclude filters.

6. Click Ok to the Edit Filter dialog.

The Thumbs.db file is now excluded via the filter, meaning that this file will not be included
when the binder is checked in to the archive. This is indicated by the next to the file
name.

7. Click OK to close the Binder Properties dialog. We’ve now successfully excluded a file from
the binder.

Check In the Binder

1. Check in the Binder by clicking the Check in button.

2. Click OK to the Check in dialog, a new binder version is created.

3. With version 2 highlighted, Click on the “Pics” folder in the Contents view. Notice that there
is no Thumbs.db file.

4. Next, click on the Filters tab, notice the Exclude Filters is set to “\Pics\Thumbs.db”.

Note: Multiple filters can be set, not just one!

5. Next, click version 1 of the myBigPresentation binder. Notice that this version, which is the
original, has no exclude filter. Recall that all files were originally included.

6. Finally, with version 1 selected, click the “Content” tab, then Click on the “Pics” folder in the
Contents view. Notice the Thumbs.db file is still in version 1. Since each version is
maintained in the archive, you’re able to rollback to a prior version if needed!
Remote Computers

In this section of the lab, you will work with a new asset type called Remote Computers. Using Remote
Computers, you can automatically back up and compare a collection of files and/or folders. The selection
is backed up and archived leveraging the new Binder asset type.
In this section, you will be configuring a Remote Computer asset for use with the new FactoryTalk
AssetCentre capability, Disaster Recovery for Remote Computers. When completed, you will have
configured an asset that accesses a network share directory, backs up the specified files within,
compares against last known good versions, and checks the resulting binder into the archive (if needed.)

Create a Remote Computer

1. Navigate to Plant Layout in the Asset View, Click the Design mode button. The
Asset View will update and look like this

This is the Asset Toolbar. Use

the toolbar icons to build your plant
model.
Enter/ exit Design mode to
modify the asset tree.
Create a new container
or asset in the asset tree
Delete a container or
asset from the asset tree
Modify the selected
container or asset
security settings
Modify the selected
container or asset
properties

This is the asset catalog. Use this

catalog to populate the asset tree.
A variety of devices and containers
are available to you.
2. Select Remote Computer and Click the Add button. This
opens the property sheet for a Remote Computer asset.

3. Name the Remote Computer “NetWorkShare”

4. Highlight the Addressing Info property and then click the button.

5. Click the “Browse” button for the UNC Path and navigate to the following, Click OK.

This is the shared folder on the remote computer that we will be backing up and comparing.
Since the local computer is the only one available, the share is hosted locally. However,
any network share can be accessed using the Remote Computer asset.

6. Enter “labuser” as for the Username.

7. Enter “rockwell” for the Password

8. To verify and test the connection, click the Connect button.

Your dialog should now look like this:

9. Click OK to Accept the changes and to close the UNC Path dialog
Create a Binder

Next, we will specify what content it to be included or excluded from the backup and compare.
Initially, it will include all files, folders and subfolders contained in the shared folder specified in
the last directory. Use the binder filter properties to specify which files/folders will be included.

1. Highlight the “Configuration Data” property and click the button.

2. We are going to add a new binder to our Asset View; which will specify the content to be
backed up from the NetWorkShare. Click the Add button.

3. Name the binder “NetWorkShare”.

Note: you can name the binder what you like, there is no dependencies on naming
conventions.

4. Click the Browse button for the “Source Folder” and navigate to the following,
Click OK.
5. Click the Expand All button, Your Add Binder dialog should now look like this:

6. Click the OK button. The NetWorkShare binder has just been created in archive, containing
all files available in the shared folder.

7. Highlight NetWorkShare and click OK

8. Lastly, Click the OK button to finalize your newly created Remote Computer and Binder
asset types.
9. Click the button to expand out the NetWorkShare Remote Computer. As you can see, by
default our new binder is created under the Remote Computer.

10. For our lab purposes, let move this binder to a different location in our Asset View. Highlight
the NetWorkShare Binder.

11. Left mouse click, initiating a drag and drop, drag the binder over to the Network share
folder, release left mouse. Your tree view should now look like this:

12. Click the Design button to Exit design mode.

Verify existing Schedule

1. Click the Searches toolbar button to start the Schedules plug-in.

2. Click the “View By Asset Type”, notice that our NetWorkShare Remote computer was
automatically added to this schedule.

This is because when the scheudule when originally created, it was created at the highest
level in the Asset View , this can been seen by viewing the Schedule Location
property.

Note: you can create schedules at any level in the Asset View. The Scheudler will by
default add any assets to that schedule which supports Disaster Recovery at or below that
level. To remove an asset simply uncheck that asset.

3. For our lab purposes uncheck the Washer_CLX asset.

Make Changes

In this part of the lab, we are going to create some simple differences on the NetWorkShare
folder. We will then run a Backup and Compare operation using our existing Schedule to back
up and report these differences.

1. Click the Shortcut to NetWorkShare from the desktop

2. Double Click on myTextFile.txt in the NetWorkShare directory – make some simple

changes, such as:

3. Click File > Save, then click File > Exit

4. Next, delete the “Archive Screen Shot.png” and “Example of Security Dialog.pgn” files

5. Lastly, Highlight both the “Scheduler Screen Shot.png” and Screen Shot of Scheduler
Wizard Step 2 of 3.png” right mouse click, select copy
6. Move off of the 2 highlighted files, Right mouse click again, and select Paste.

Your folder should now look like this:

Execute the Schedule
1. Set focus back to AssetCentre, Run the schedule manually. Click the Run Now button in
the Scheduling toolbar to execute the schedule. The Status column should update to show a
Running state for the schedule you created.

Examine schedule results

1. Click the Logs button in the toolbar.
2. If not already configured, filter the list by selecting RA Disaster Recovery Agent from the Source field

3. Double-click the first Attachment Icon in the list. This will be difference report we just ran via the
schedule. The following dialog will appear. Click the View button.

Click View to open the

attachment.

4. Page through and review the Scheduled Event Report.

5. Close the Acrobat reader by clicking the Close button in the upper right-hand corner of the software
window.

6. Click the Close button to close the Attachment dialog in FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
Process Device Configuration

In this section of the lab, you will be using FactoryTalk AssetCentre Process Device Configuration to add
an Endress+Hauser Cerabar pressure transmitter to FactoryTalk AssetCentre, and then configure and
monitor the device.

Introduction to FTD-DTM
FactoryTalk AssetCentre leverages FDT/ DTM technology for its Process
Device Management. The following sections describe this open technology.
Refer to www.fdtgroup.org for additional information.

What is Field Device Tool (FDT)?

FDT (Field Device Tool) technology standardizes the communication interface between field devices and
systems. The key feature is its independence from the communication protocol and the software
environment of either the device or the host system. FDT allows any device to be accessed from
FactoryTalk AssetCentre through any protocol.

Here’s how it works

Suppliers (i.e. Rockwell Automation, Endress+Hauser, Metso Automation, etc.) develop a Device Type
Manager (DTM) for each of its devices or group of devices.
The DTM encapsulates all the device-specific data, functions and business rules such as the device
structure, its communication capabilities, internal dependencies, and the Human Machine Interface (HMI)
structure. The DTMs provide functions for accessing device parameters, configuring and operating the
devices, and diagnosing problems. DTMs can range from a simple Graphical User Interface (GUI) for
setting device parameters to a highly sophisticated application capable of performing complex real-time
calculations for diagnosis and maintenance purposes.
The DTM is managed and launched in FactoryTalk AssetCentre. FactoryTalk AssetCentre contains the
communication component to interface the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client with the specific fieldbus
communication (e.g., HART, PROFIBUS, FOUNDATION fieldbus, etc.). FactoryTalk AssetCentre initiates
the DTM and enables the device to interoperate with the system engineering and operating environment.
The FDT interface is open to all kinds of field busses and thus will allow FactoryTalk AssetCentre to
provide integration for many different kinds of devices.
DTM’s and Network Topology
The first step to configuring a device is to create a communication path to the device from the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Client. This is accomplished by nesting DTMs that represent various levels of the network
topology.
For example, let’s look at the basic network setup shown below:

To configure the E+H Cerabar (pressure) device from the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client, the network
topology would be represented as follows:

Each level of the topology representation corresponds to a DTM. DTMs are nested in an assembly to
create an appropriate communication path from FactoryTalk AssetCentre client to device.
The first DTM, RSLinx 1756 Bus, routes communications from the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client to the
backplane of the ControlLogix 1756 Chassis. The second DTM, 1756-IF8H, routes communication from
the backplane of the ControlLogix 1756 Chassis to the HART protocol. Lastly, the Cerabar DTM talks
HART and is capable of configuring the Cerabar instrument.
Thus, DTMs have two properties of interest:
• Required Protocol - Upstream Protocol
• Supported Protocol - Downstream Protocol
In the DTM assembly above:
RSLinx 1756 Bus DTM
• Has no Required (Upstream) Protocol and
• Has a Supported (Downstream) Protocol of 1756 bus
1756-IF8H DTM
• Has a required protocol of 1756 bus and a
• Supported protocol of HART
Cerabar DTM
• Has a required protocol of HART and
• No supported protocol
DTM Catalog
The DTM catalog is used to view and manage the DTMs that are available in FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
The DTM Catalog is stored on a FactoryTalk AssetCentre server.

1. Click the Tools / DTM Catalog from the file menu.

2. The DTM Catalog is displayed.

Scan DTMs that

have been added
or removed. Scan
is required
whenever a library
Predefined filters of DTMs have been
installed or
allows you to quickly
apply a filter to those removed.
specific DTMs

Shows DTMs that are

installed locally and are
enabled
Allows you to enable
or disable a DTM for
use
Customized filters allow
you to filter the DTM
Catalog base on one or
more criteria i.e.
Cerabar

The DTM Catalog is where you can:

• Scan for additional installed DTMs that have been loaded on the machine
• Enable or Disable particular DTM for usage via the Modify Catalog button
• View all DTMs that are available via FactoryTalk AssetCentre. You can apply predefined or custom
filters for easy navigation.

3. When finished, press the Close button.

DTM View
In this section of the lab, you will be using FactoryTalk AssetCentre Process Device Configuration Field
Edition to verify an Endress+Hauser Cerabar pressure transmitter configuration.

1. Navigate to the PT10.PDC file in the asset tree: under AssetCentre > Plant Layout >
Packaging Area > Washer > PT10 > PT10.PDC, right mouse click and select Open.

2. Click Check Out

3. The Check Out dialog is displayed; click OK to check it out to the default working folder on your
machine. The file is checked out to the C:\Documents and Settings\Labuser\Desktop\PDC Files\PT10
folder; the State field should display this information for you and a check mark should appear next to
the file’s icon, indicating that the file is currently checked out:

PDC Field Edition will launch, and the PT10.PDC file will opened. The Field Edition Home page will
now be displayed:

The following items are available from the Home page:

Field Description
Open Opens the device configuration data. Depending on
Current Status (see below) the open command will either
go to an Online or Offline state
Upload Will upload from the device and save to offline
configuration data
Download Will download offline configuration to the device
Online / Offline (with Current Determines when the device is open to either go to an
Status) Online or Offline state. The current selection is shown
Device / Network diagnostics Used primarily to determine the quality of the DTM
selected, DTM Network configuration; including
connectivity to the device itself
4. Click the Open button to open the pressure transmitter device:

Current Status: Offline

When you are offline with the device, all changes and settings are stored locally in the DTM and are
not sent to the device. When you later go online with the device you can transfer the parameter
changes to the device by performing a parameter download. If online parameterization is performed
when you are online with the device, all changes are transferred directly to the device.

Offline Parameterization

1. In the Label area, select QUICK SETUP:

2. The DTM View display changes and shows the offline HART data for the device, the display
should look like this:

5. You will now change the Upper Range Value, enter 10 for the parameter value of SET URV,
hit Enter.

The value to be written to the device will look like this:

6. To save your changes, click File from the menu and then Save.

7. Close PDC Field Edition application

8. To persist the changes, you must check the file back into archive. With the Archive view
open and the PT10.pdc file selected, click the Check In button.
9. Enter “Changed Upper Range Value to 10” in the Comments field of the Check In dialog.

10. Click Ok to perform the check in.

Calibration Management

In this section of the lab, we are going to leverage the PT10 pressure transmitter previously viewed
extending FactoryTalk AssetCentre to perform a mock calibration and view its report using one of the
standard reporting templates.

What is Calibration Management?

Calibration Management is the process of recording that calibration activity actually occurred at the
appropriate time, and capturing the results of calibration activity. Further, Calibration Management will
schedule these manual calibration operations on process devices, test instruments, and other hardware.
Calibration management functionality provided by the AssetCentre Calibration Management feature is
implemented by a software product called ProCal version 5 (PCV5). FactoryTalk AssetCentre uses this
software product to provide Calibration Management behavior. Three distinct characterizations are useful
with respect to a given piece of Calibration Management functionality:
• The Calibration Management functionality is completely contained within PCV5, but accessed
solely through AssetCentre.
• The functionality is triggered or started within AssetCentre and carried out in PCV5.
• There is AssetCentre-specific behavior that lies outside PCV5, but influences or controls PCV5
behavior.
ProCalV5 Interface Walk-through
In this section of the lab, we are going to leverage the PT10 pressure transmitter extending FactoryTalk
AssetCentre to manage the calibration of this device electronically.

1. Select PT10 instrument from the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Tree View, right mouse
click to open the sub menu, click ProCalV5 > Open.

2. ProCalV5 has a reminders dialog that by default displays every time ProCalV5 launches.
Click the Expand All button to view all reminders

ProCalV5 comes equipped with a reminder system, whereby overdue calibrations, work items and
alerts will appear on the Reminders screen. There are many different types of reminders that may
appear in this screen ranging from Late Calibrations to Un-finalized Maintenance Results.

3. Double click AT500: Tank pH to view the late calibration record.

4. We could initiate a new calibration for this device realizing it is past due, however, for our lab
purposes we will press on and simply close out of this dialog; click the button to close
this dialog.

5. The following is ProCalV5 client - This is the main screen you will work from when you are
using ProCalV5. An overview of this screen’s sections is provided.

Record Toolbar provides you
with access to the mains screens
that also may be accessed
through the Records menu.
Menu Bar
File: When the HOME SCREEN is displayed
the file menu provides you with the ability to
log off ProCal, change password and change
to a different user, or exit the system entirely.
Record Menu provides you with access to the
mains screens that also may be assessed
through the Records Toolbar

Company Record Tools menu provides links to screens where

you can use functions such as Advanced
Instrument Record Queries, Print Work Orders, Item Comparison
Screen, User Defined Variables, Labels, Lists,
Loop Record Required Fields, Add Company and View
Equipment Record Acknowledge Notifications.

System Record Reports & Lists menu provides you with

access to all areas of the program’s Reporting
Test Instrument Record
System, including all standard reports and the
Calibrations REPORT MAINTENANCE SCREEN, which is
used to add new reports to the system.
Planned Maintenance
Maintenance Request
Work Area
Work Orders
When you invoke any of the screens by
Task clicking the appropriate menu or toolbar item,
it will be displayed in this area
Document Records
Compliance Records

6. Click Close button to exit ProCalv5 - FactoryTalk AssetCentre should now have focus.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Interface Walk-through

1. Click the Calibration button form the menu tool bar.

The following screen is displayed. Note: The Calibration Master Data is synchronized with the
ProCalV5 calibration data. ProCalV5 contains the master data.

Short-cut menu options for

ProCalV5 program

Open Instrument record or

perform a New Calibration in ProCalV5

Create a new
ProCalV5 device (System, Loop,
Instrument, Equipment or Test
Instrument)

Refresh Calibration Data

Sort by Alphabetical

Sort by Groups

ProCalV5 Data
Master Instrument Record (MIR)

1. Click the PT10 button and select Open Instrument.

2. Click the Hide button to close the reminder screen. This will open the Master
Instrument Record for PT10 in ProCalV5.

The master instrument record is used to display and modify the device Master Instrument
Records (MIR). The MIR is used to enter all of the instrument’s information that will remain
constant, such as model number and serial number. The MIR that is entered will be the
basis for creating calibration records for those instruments. For the purposes of this lab we
will only go through the General and Calibration Tabs.

General Info Tab

The general tab contains data about the physical instrument such as Manufacturer and Serial Number.
You may also assign a Department (with or without corresponding Approval Policy), and determine the
primary Calibration Schedule.
Calibration Points Tab

1. Click the Calibration Points tab

The Calibration Points tab is the page that contains fields to enter calibration information for the
instrument, such as # of cal points, stated accuracy, resolution, etc. This information is then used to
calculate the high and low spec and control limits for the instrument’s calibration.
Instrument Report

1. Click the Report Preview button to see the standard Instrumentation Report.

2. Close the Report Preview.

3. Set focus back to FactoryTalk AssetCentre, with PT10 selected and the Calibration View
open, click the Calibration Points tab and review the data presented. Remember,
calibration information is sourced from ProCalV5, so any changes make in ProCalV5 are
automatically reflected in FactoryTalk AssetCentre.

4. Note: The Test Points property has multiple data values associated with it. Click the Test
Points property and click the browse button to view this data.

5. Close the Test Points screen to return to the Calibration View

Perform a Mock Calibration

In this section of the lab we are going to enter the results of a mock calibration performed on pressure
transmitter PT10. Once we’ve entered the data we will preview the data in a standard ProCalV5 report
and lastly view the results in FactoryTalk AssetCentre.

New Calibration

1. In FactoryTalk AssetCentre, click the PT10 calibration button and select New Calibration.

2. ProCalV5 has focus and displays the Calibration Information Tab. These screens (Tabs) are used to
add, display, modify, and delete results of a device calibration.

3. Select Scheduled for Calibration Type

4. Select John D’Mico for Who Calibrated
 Enter Calibration Results
5. Click the Test Results Tab of Calibration.

6. Enter the following Calibration Information.

Calibration

Readings See below

TIP: It is not necessary to fill in all

empty fields in the Calibration Tabs,
however you must enter an
Instrument ID, the Calibration Date
and the Result of either a “Pass, “Fail”
or Incomplete” to save a new record
7. Enter the following Calibration Information:

Calibration

Pass Selected

Adjusted to Improve Checked

8. Next, click the Test Instrument Tab and select FIELD_CALIBRATOR and click the button.
NOTE: Specifying a test instrument used in the calibration procedure is useful for reporting purposes.
If the test instrument itself was out of calibration for a period of time, a report can be run to find out
what instruments where “calibrated” with the out of calibration test instrument, only re-calibrating the
instruments effected – saving time and money!
9. Click the Notes Tab and Add a New Note per below:

View Calibration Results

1. Go back to the Calibration Information Tab by clicking Calibration Information and check the
Finalized parameter

2. Click the save button.

Notice the Entered by, date, last modified data, next calibration data, etc. has been updated.
3. Click the Report Preview button to see the standard Calibration Report.

4. Close the Report Preview

5. Close the Calibration window.
6. Close the Master Instrument Record
7. Let’s run a Tractability report on the FIELD_CALIBRATOR that we used during the calibration
procedure. Select from the file menu, Reports > Test Instrument > Test Instrument Reverse
Traceability.
8. Select FIELD_CALIBRATOR for the Test Instrument ID
9. For the Start and End Date enter today date

TIP: Use the built in short cut keys

10. Click the Preview button to view report

11. Close ProCalV5 to set focus back to FactoryTalk AssetCentre.

12. Click the Refresh button to update the Calibration View. Calibration History is now a Tab
in the view. Click the Calibration History Tab.
13. Click Calibration History properties to view the calibration pass/fail results.

The Calibration history is shown:

14. Close the Calibration History List.

Basic Section Conclusion

You have successfully completed the basic portion of this lab.

In this lab you have learned quite a bit on how to navigate the user interface and capabilities of this
exciting new version of FactoryTalk AssetCentre. You have experienced firsthand the power of the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre audit log and search capabilities. You can appreciate the system’s
straightforward design that integrates with the plant model to compile a list of assets to operate on, and
automatically adds or deletes assets from the schedules as you maintain the plant model.
Assets and intellectual property are the key components companies use to manufacture products and
increase profit through productivity. Without the proper investments in both, the plant or process does not
produce and production suffers. One of the most important things a company can do to maintain quality
and therefore their bottom line, is to protect their assets and intellectual property. In this lab, you saw how
different FactoryTalk AssetCentre capabilities can be used to help protect your critical assets and
intellectual property, and therefore your bottom line.
Advanced Section

Examining a PanelView Plus (ME Station) audits

For this portion of the lab, we are going to examine some typical audits that are generated from a
PanelView Plus (Ethernet) or ME Station terminal, and see how those audit messages are configured to
be captured by FactoryTalk AssetCentre.

Machine Edition (ME) Station

1. From the desktop, double click the “FactoryTalk View ME Station” shortcut

2. Click Load Application

3. Select the Filler_PV.mer file located in the default C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Documents\RSView Enterprise\ME\Runtime folder, Click OK.

4. Click Yes to the “Replace Communications” dialog

5. Click Yes to the “Replace Local System Directory” dialog.
6. Next, Click Run Application
7. To make a simple numeric change, click on the Enter Setpoint numeric display
8. Enter 85 , then press Enter

9. To move the newly “Enter Setpoint” to the “Setpoint Actual” numeric display, click the momentary

push button “Setpoint Set” button.

AssetCentre Audit Log View

1. Set focus to FactoryTalk AssetCentre, start the Logs plug-in, click the Logs button. The
Logs plug-in will open in the workspace pane.
2. By default the log viewer displays the Event log. Click the Audit Log button to view the Audit
log.

3. Move the mouse pointer until it is in the Source column located in the Filter row.

Move the mouse pointer

to this position
 4. Click the drop-down button in the Source column and select “FactoryTalk View SATag”

5. Here you can see each changes made to the tag values along with tag name

Momentary Push Button Value: 0

Value: 85
Tag: PB_SP_Set
Tag: PV_SP_Entry

If a PanelView Plus was used instead of ME Station, the location would indicate the name of the
PanelView Plus device (as opposed to the computer image’s name, as in this example.)

Additionally, note that a username is captured. Since security is not configured in this FactoryTalk View
ME application, the Default user (DEFAULT) is captured. However, were a user logged in, that user’s
name would appear in the audit message.

Review how to Configure Station audits

1. To configure a PanelView Plus to send their audit messages forward to an FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Server, please see knowledge base article AID 58977 from
http://www.rockwellautomation.com/knowledgebase

2. Or you can reference this article directly by accessing it from AssetCentre at the following location:

Only a review of the information is needed, no actual configuration required.

This concludes the PanelView Plus (ME Station) portion of the Advanced Lab.
Configure FactoryTalk AssetCentre Security

In this section of the lab you will secure FactoryTalk AssetCentre assets and features.

Creating new Users and Groups

To secure our FactoryTalk AssetCentre asset view and features, we will first need to create new users
and groups for our Packaging and Process Areas.
1. From the Start menu select Programs > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk Administration Console
2. Select the Network FactoryTalk Directory and click OK.

After a few seconds you will see the FactoryTalk Administration Console

3. Expand the Users and Groups, then expand Users then expand User Groups
4. With the User Groups folder selected, right mouse click and select New > User Group

5. Enter Process Area for the Name, then click Add

6. At this point, if we had a user already created that was appropriate, we could assign them to the
Process Area, however we are going to create a new user called John. Select Show users only for
the Filter Users, then click Create New and select User . . .

7. Enter John for the User Name, as well as for the password. Click OK to continue.

8. Select John in the list and then click OK

9. John has been added to the Process Area group. If you like, repeat step 7 – 9 to create additional
Process Area users.
10. Click OK to the new User Group dialog with our assigned Users

Next, we are going to create a new User Group called Packaging Area and create a new user call Bob to
assign to this new group.
11. With the User Groups folder selected, right mouse click and select New > User Group

12. Enter Packaging Area for the Name, then click Add
13. Again, at this point, if we had a user already created that was appropriate, we could assign them to
the Packaging Area, however we are going to create a new user called Bob. Select Show users only
for the Filter Users and then click Create New and select User . . .
14. Enter Bob for the User Name, for the password and confirm enter password and then click OK.
15. Select Bob in the list and then click OK
16. Bob has been added to the Packaging Area group. If you like, repeat step 12 – 16 to create
additional Packaging Area users.
17. Click OK to the new User Group dialog with our assigned Users
Our FactoryTalk Administration Console explorer should look similar to this:

Securing AssetCentre functions (Design Mode)

Now that we have our Process Area and Packaging Area Users Group and Users created, we are going
to restrict these groups from entering into Design Mode within AssetCentre.
1. Expand the Policies folder
2. Expand the Product Policies folder
3. Expand the FactoryTalk AssetCentre product policies folder and double click on the Feature
Security item
4. Navigate to the Switch to Design Mode polices and click the Configure Security button.

5. Click the Add button

6. Select Packaging Area and click OK

7. Again, Click the Add button

8. Select Process Area and click OK
9. Since we don’t want the Packaging or Process Area groups to have the ability to Switch to Design
mode click the Deny checkbox.

Click the Deny checkbox to

prevent groups or user
from entering Design mode
10. Click Ok to the Configure Securable Action dialog.
11. Click Ok to the Feature Security Properties dialog.
12. Close the FactoryTalk Administration Console
We will verify that the Design Mode is not available for either of these two groups in the Exercise Security
Configuration section.

Securing the Asset View

You will now configure security to prevent the two groups (Process and Packaging Area’s) from viewing
each other’s assets or areas.
1. Within the AssetCentre client, navigate to the Packaging Area as this will be our first Area we are
going to secure.

2. Enter design mode by clicking the Design button

3. Next, click the “Configure Security for the Selected Asset” button. The following is now
displayed:

4. Click the Add button

5. Select the Process Area group and click OK.

6. Expand out the Common Permissions, navigate to List Children.

7. Check the Deny for List Children AND Read permissions, click OK

This will prevent any user associated to the Process Area user group to view the Packaging Area
stuff.
The Read permission is for Packaging Area folder itself, and the List Children is for any content within
the Packaging Area
8. Click Yes to the Security Settings dialog.
9. Next, navigate to the Process Area as this will be our other Area we are going to secure.

10. Next, click the “Configure Security for the Selected Asset” button.
11. Click the Add button
12. Select the Packaging Area group and click OK.
13. With the Packaging Area group selected, Expand out the Common Permissions, navigate to List
Children.
14. Check the Deny for List Children AND Read permissions, click OK

15. Click Yes to the Security Settings dialog.

16. Exit design mode by clicking the Design button.

Exercise Security Configuration

In this section of the lab we are going to confirm that you have performed the security configuration
correctly.
1. Within AssetCentre, click File and then Log Off.
Notice, with no user log in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client is blank.
2. To Log back in, click File and then Log On
3. We will first log in as John our Process Area user. Enter John for the user name and password for
password, and then click OK to Log In.

4. The FactoryTalk AssetCentre client opens; notice that only the Process Area is available for John. In
addition, notice that the Design Button is grayed, meaning that it’s not available.

5. To verify that Bob can only see the Packaging Area, Log off and Log back into AssetCentre as Bob.
Click File and then Log Off.
6. Log In by clicking File and then Log In.
7. Enter Bob for the user name and password for password, and then click OK to Log In.
8. Notice that only the Packaging Area is available to Bob, and again, the design mode button is grayed.

This concludes the Security portion of the Advanced Lab

Run FactoryTalk AssetCentre Log Cleanup Utility

Through the course of normal operation, the Audit and Event logs of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system
can grow quite large. As a direct consequence, the MSSQL database size will also expand. Due to
these considerations, it is possible for an administrator of the system to remove older log messages.

Create and Purge Log data

1. To begin within AssetCentre Click Tools > Run Log Cleanup Wizard.

2. Click Next to the Welcome Screen.

3. Select Audit Log as the Log we want to clean up or process, click Next.
Note: Audit, Events and Diagnostics Log are treated separately. If you wanted to clean out the Event
or Diagnostics, the Clean-up wizard would need to be run once per.
4. For the Log Date Criteria, Enter Yesterdays date. You can use the drop down to do this.
Note: It’s not possible to enter today or a future date.
5. With the Export to data file selected, change the File Name to myAudits.sdf and change the File
Path to desktop

6. Click Next to advance to the Confirmation Screen

7. Click Start to being the process
8. Once the process is complete a Results screen is displayed, click Next.
9. The Log Cleanup Wizard shows the before and after effects of processing, Click Finish to exit.

Note: some rows may remain; this is primarily due to the today’s Audit messages still in the database.
The numbers shown above may not match what you’re seeing, as the dates will not match.

View Purge Log data

1. To View our records that we just created from our FactoryTalk AssetCentre database start the Log
Viewer by Clicking Start > Programs > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client >
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Exported Log Viewer.
2. To open our myAudits.sdf file, click File > Open Log and browse to the desktop and select
“myAudits.sdf”
3. The contents that have been removed from the AssetCentre logs can now be viewed here.

This concludes the Log Cleanup/Log Viewer portion of the Advanced Lab.
Configure automatic Check-In

You may associate programs with particular file extensions. If no association is specified for a file
extension, the settings of the local computer are used to open the file. In addition, via the File Association
you can configure it to automatically check out and check in files into archive based upon the Open
command within AssetCentre.

Create and Configure

1. Open the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client, if it is not already open.
2. To configure the behavior of the Application Launcher, click Tools > Options and select the System
Associations tab. The following will be displayed:

3. We are going to create a new File Association for Process Device Configuration (PDC) Field Edition.
Click New and enter the following information:
Note: some applications lock the file (i.e. RSLogix5000) while editing and others do not (i.e. Notepad).
For PDC Field Edition, select Process for the Monitor Type. AssetCentre will look at the
application/process to determine when it’s appropriate to check in the file after editing. Whereas, for
RSLogix5000, it’s appropriate to select “File” for its Monitor Type

4. Click OK the exit the File Associate dialog.

5. Click OK to Exit the Options dialog

Exercise auto check-in

1. Lets verify the operation of the File Association, navigate to the PT10.PDC file in AssetCentre
2. Right mouse click on the PT10.PDC file and select Open.

3. Click Check out from the File Retrieval Options.

4. With the “Get local copy” selected, click OK to the Check Out dialog.

5. The PT10.PDC file is check out of archive and launches with PDC Field Edition.

6. Close PDC Field Edition

7. The Check In dialog now displays. This is because we selected Monitor Type = Process, and since
PDC Field Edition just ended, AssetCentre now wants to check the file in automatically. With “Check
in and delete the local copy” selected, click OK.

The PT10.PDC file is now check in

This concludes the automatic file check-in portion of the Advanced Lab.
Create Archive shortcuts

In this section of the lab, we will create a short-cut to automatically check a file out and in of archive
without even having the AssetCentre Client opened.
Note: This functionality is based upon the Automatic Check-in configuration; refer to the above section for
more details.

Create shortcut
1. Navigate to the PT10.PDC file in AssetCentre

2. Right mouse click on the PT10.PDC file and select Create Shortcut.

This will create a shortcut for the PT10.PDC file on the desktop.
Exercise shortcut

1. Let’s verify the operation of the shortcut, double click on the PT10.PDC.alup shortcut
located on your desktop.
Note: Shortcuts do not need to reside on your desktop, they can be placed anywhere on your hard
drive. For an RSLogix5000 example:

2. Click OK to the Check Out dialog.

3. The PT10.PDC file is checked out of archive and launches PDC Field Edition automatically. This is
the same behavior we observed by invoking the Open command within AssetCentre.

4. Close PDC Field Edition

5. The Check In dialog now displays, selected, click OK.
The PT10.PDC file is now checked in - Easy!

This concludes the File Association portion of the Advanced Lab.

Backup and Restore FactoryTalk AssetCentre with Microsoft SQL
Server 2005

The following set of instructions is intended for use on system using Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Proper
steps for manual backup and restoration of the AssetCentre database will be shown. A backup operation
will essentially create a copy of the current database contents, and store them in a user-defined location,
and a restore operation will create a database based on the contents of the backup file. It should be
noted that this process can also be automated.

During the backup of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system, user access should be limited. While users
can continue to query the system during the backup, it is not recommended to have any user activity
occur during this time. Additionally, it is advisable to run the Database Cleanup Wizard from the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre client prior to backing up the system to clean out any aged data that no longer
needs to be retained (see online help in FactoryTalk AssetCentre client for this procedure.)

AssetCentre Database Backup

1. From the Start menu select Programs> Microsoft SQL Server 2005 > SQL Server Management
Studio
2. Click Connect
3. Once the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Management Studio has connected to the database server,
navigate to the AssetCentre database.

4. Right-click on the AssetCentre database and select Tasks > Back Up…
11. The Back Up Database – AssetCentre screen is displayed, Enter the following information

Select AssetCentre
database to backup

Name of backup

Local hard drive to store

backup file.

Backup Set
Name: This will be the name of the database backup file.

Backup set will expire: This will be a retention period for each backup performed. If the backup
should never expire, leave this setting at the default of 0.

Destination
The default destination for this backup is “C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\
MSSQL\Backup\AssetCentre.bak”. It is typically advisable to remove this location by selecting it,
then click the Remove button. Click the Add button to select a user defined location and filename
for the backup.
12. Note the Options from the tree on the left of the screen. In this example, all options are left at default.

13. Click OK to initiate the backup.

14. Upon successful completion of the backup, the following window will be displayed

The AssetCentre database is now backed up.

AssetCentre Database Transaction Logs Backup
It is strongly recommended to backup the database transaction logs in addition to the database itself. The
transaction logs essentially keep audits of the database, recording actions performed upon it. Both the
transaction logs and database can be stored in the same file, specified in the section above on how to
back up the database.

1. Right-click on the AssetCentre database and select Tasks > Back Up…

2. The following screen will be displayed

Select AssetCentre
database to backup.

Select Transaction
Log as the backup
type.

Name backup

Note that the location

is carried over from
previous backup.

3. Note the Options from the tree on the left of the screen. In this example, all options are left at
default.

4. Click Ok to initiate the backup

 5. Upon successful completion of the backup, the following window will be displayed, click OK.

The AssetCentre database’s transaction logs have now been backed up successfully.

Scheduling Backups
Using the MSSQL Server Agent, it is possible to schedule backups of the AssetCentre database and
transaction logs on a user defined schedule. Typically, an entire database backup is scheduled less often
than the transaction log backup (e.g., the database might be backed up weekly, whereas the transaction
logs are backed up daily.)

Since the MSSQL Server Agent is performing the operation, its service must be running for scheduled
activities to run correctly. It is recommended to set this service to automatic, such that the service will
start on reboots without user intervention.

Note: The steps below assume a configuration of two separate maintenance plans: one for the
transaction log and one for the database itself. It is possible to configure both in the same plan.

1. Ensure that the SQL Server Agent is started ( a green arrow is indicated next to the text if started.)
This can be accomplished directly from the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, at the
bottom of the navigation tree.
 If the Agent is not started, right-click on it and select Start.

Click Yes when prompted to start the service.

2. Once the SQL Server Agent is started, right-click on Management > Maintenance Plans and select
Maintenance Plan Wizard.

3. Click Next on the opening screen

4. Enter a name for the maintenance plan, and then click the Change button to schedule the plan.

5. Use the following screen to configure the schedule for the operation, then click OK to continue

6. Click Next to progress past this screen now that the schedule is configured
7. Select ‘Back Up Database (Full)’ to configure this maintenance task to backup the database itself.
Click Next to continue.

Note that a transaction log

backup can also be
selected here.

8. Click Next
9. Select the AssetCentre database from the drop down menu and click OK.
10. Specify the location to store the backup file.

Note: A preferred location would be a separate hard drive from the one on which the database
resides (thus saving the backup location if the database’s hard drive fails.)

11. Click Next

12. Click Next

Note: It is possible to configure email reporting from this

screen.
13. Click Finish to finalize the maintenance plan.

14. Once the success of the operation is reported, click Close.

A database backup has now been scheduled. To configure a maintenance plan for the transaction log,
simply follow these steps again and select ‘Back Up Database (Transaction Log)’ instead of ‘Back Up
Database (Full)’.
Restoring FactoryTalk AssetCentre in Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Before beginning the process of restoring the database, all users of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system
should be disconnected. It is advisable to simply stop the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server service until the
MSSQL database restore and subsequent re-connecting of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server is
complete. Additionally, the World Wide Web Publishing service should be stopped until the entire
procedure is complete.

1. To disable the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server service, open up the Service Control Manager
(Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services).

2. Right-click on the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server listing and select ‘Stop’

3. Stop the World Wide Web Publishing service in the same way.
4. On the SQL Server, open up the SQL Server Management Studio and right-click on ‘Databases’,
then select ‘Restore Database’

5. In the ‘To database’ field, enter the name “AssetCentre”, then select the “From Device” radio button
and click the corresponding browse button.

Browse to the backup file and select it, then press OK to continue.
 6. The backup list below the browse button will populate.

In the steps specified in the manual backup sections above, all defaults were selected, which
means that each backup appends to the existing backups and puts both the database and
transaction log in the same file. Since that is the case, all checkboxes should be checked in the
‘Restore’ column, corresponding to each database and transaction log backup. Press OK to
continue.

Note: If different options are selected, such as overwriting on each backup, then there will not be
as many rows to select from. Additionally, if no transaction logs were backed up, there will only be
one checkbox available, corresponding to the AssetCentre database itself. It is also possible to
perform restores of just the transaction log or database, depending on the checkbox selections.
These steps show the process for restoring both at the same time.

In the scheduled backup examples, the database and transaction log were backed up to separate
files (.bak and .trn). These would need to be restored separately as well, as opposed to having
both files in the same restore list as shown here.

7. Click OK, SQL will now restore the AssetCentre database.

The Database Backup/Restore portion of the Advanced Lab is now complete.