Page 1
Getting Results
Original Instructions
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Getting Results Guide
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002F-EN-E - September 2020
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FactoryTalk AssetCentre Getting Results Guide
WARNING: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can cause an explosion in a hazardous environment, which may lead to personal
IMPORTANT
Identifies information that is critical for successful application and understanding of the product.
BURN HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that surfaces may reach dangerous temperatures.
ARC FLASH HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a motor control center, to alert people to potential Arc Flash. Arc Flash will
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Important User Information
Read this document and the documents listed in the additional resources section about installation, configuration, and
operation of this equipment before you install, configure, operate, or maintain this product. Users are required to familiarize
themselves with installation and wiring instructions in addition to requirements of all applicable codes, laws, and standards.
Activities including installation, adjustments, putting into service, use, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance are required to
be carried out by suitably trained personnel in accordance with applicable code of practice.
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.
In no event will Rockwell Automation, Inc. be responsible or liable for indirect or consequential damages resulting from the use
or application of this equipment.
The examples and diagrams in this manual are included solely for illustrative purposes. Because of the many variables and
requirements associated with any particular installation, Rockwell Automation, Inc. cannot assume responsibility or liability for
actual use based on the examples and diagrams.
No patent liability is assumed by Rockwell Automation, Inc. with respect to use of information, circuits, equipment, or software
described in this manual.
Reproduction of the contents of this manual, in whole or in part, without written permission of Rockwell Automation, Inc., is
prohibited.
Throughout this manual, when necessary, we use notes to make you aware of safety considerations.
injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.
ATTENTION: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can lead to personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.
Attentions help you identify a hazard, avoid a hazard, and recognize the consequence.
Labels may also be on or inside the equipment to provide specific precautions.
SHOCK HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that dangerous voltage may be present.
cause severe injury or death. Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Follow ALL Regulatory requirements for safe work practices and for
2 Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
Page 3
Introduce FactoryTalk
AssetCentre
Navigate the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre client
FactoryTalk AssetCentre system
architecture
About FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Web Client
Quick Start 1: Configure the
system
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Activation..................................................................................................... 7
About the documentation set ..................................................................... 7
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Help .............................................................. 8
About this book ............................................................................................ 8
Contact Technical Support ......................................................................... 8
Chapter 2
Run the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client ................................................... 11
Elements of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client window ....................... 11
Asset view .............................................................................................. 12
Asset ................................................................................................ 12
Design mode .................................................................................. 12
Asset catalog ......................................................................................... 13
About asset types ............................................................................ 14
Workspace pane ................................................................................... 16
Toolbar .................................................................................................. 17
Menu bar ............................................................................................... 18
Right-click menus ................................................................................ 18
Status bar .............................................................................................. 18
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Access FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client............................................23
Chapter 5
Quick Start steps for configuring the system ......................................... 25
Step 1: Add users to the FactoryTalk Directory ................................. 25
Step 2: Add client computers .............................................................. 27
Step 3: Configure security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre .................. 27
Policy settings and their meanings ............................................. 28
Step 4: Add contacts to the Address Book ......................................... 30
Step 5: Set up FactoryTalk AssetCentre database limitations ......... 30
Step 6: Configure the SSL protocol .....................................................32
Create an SSL certificate ...............................................................32
Export the created SSL certificate for FactoryTalk AssetCentre
client and agent computers ........................................................... 34
Configure a site binding ................................................................ 36
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 3
Page 4
Table of Contents
Quick Start 2: Design the asset
tree
Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster
Recovery schedules
Quick Start 4: View and search
logs
Configure SSL settings for Management of Change, FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Client and Agent, and FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Web Client ...................................................................................... 39
Turn on secure communication between the server, client(s),
and agent(s) .................................................................................... 41
Import the SSL certificate to client and agent computers ........ 42
Configure a firewall rule and web services URL if the default
port is modified ............................................................................. 49
Step 7: Configure Windows Authentication ..................................... 52
Turn on Windows Authentication mode in Internet
Information Services (IIS) ............................................................ 53
Chapter 6
Quick Start steps for designing the asset tree ......................................... 55
Step 1: Plan the organization of your asset tree ................................. 55
Step 2: Add assets to the asset tree...................................................... 57
Use Asset Inventory to add assets to the asset tree .................... 58
Step 3: Change security settings for an asset ..................................... 61
Chapter 7
Quick Start steps for setting up schedules.............................................. 64
Step 1: Set up Agent Groups and agent computers in them ............ 64
Create an agent group ...................................................................65
Create an agent computer .............................................................65
Step 2: Create a schedule for the desired Disaster Recovery
operation .............................................................................................. 66
Step 3: Set up recipient lists for schedule results ............................... 67
Send an End of Schedule report ................................................... 67
Send an operation-specific report ............................................... 68
Step 4: Run schedules.......................................................................... 68
Run schedules by making them active ........................................ 68
Run schedules manually ............................................................... 69
Chapter 8
Quick Start steps for viewing and searching logs .................................. 72
Step 1: View logs .................................................................................. 72
Step 2: Create a search ......................................................................... 73
Step 3: Set search security ................................................................... 76
Step 4: Run searches ............................................................................ 77
Make a search active ..................................................................... 78
Run searches manually ................................................................. 78
Step 5: View and print search results................................................. 78
4 Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
Page 5
Quick Start 5: Open and edit files
in Archive
Quick Start 6: Manage Rockwell
Automation hardware life cycle
Troubleshoot
Table of Contents
Chapter 9
Quick Start steps for managing files in Archive ...................................... 81
Step 1: Set a working folder ................................................................ 82
Step 2: Check out a file for editing ..................................................... 83
Step 3: Check in a file .......................................................................... 84
Step 4: Get a read-only version of a file ............................................. 86
Step 5: Open a file for viewing ............................................................ 87
Step 6: Initiate a Management of Change workflow to check out a
file for editing ...................................................................................... 88
Chapter 10
Quick Start steps for managing Rockwell Automation hardware life
cycle ............................................................................................................. 91
Step 1: Synchronize life-cycle status ................................................... 91
Step 2: Refresh life-cycle status .......................................................... 92
Step 3: View detailed life-cycle status ................................................. 93
Chapter 11
Troubleshoot the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client ...................................95
If the client fails to start .......................................................................95
If the client cannot communicate with the server............................ 96
If you cannot enter Design Mode ....................................................... 97
If you cannot connect to PanelView Plus devices .............................. 97
If you cannot connect to MobileView devices ................................... 98
Troubleshoot Schedules ............................................................................ 98
If a schedule did not run ..................................................................... 98
If a schedule no longer appears on the Schedules tab ...................... 98
If an asset is missing from a schedule ............................................... 98
My schedule contains extra devices that I don't want in the schedule
.............................................................................................................. 99
If you are prompted to install agents when creating a Disaster
Recovery schedule ............................................................................. 100
If you see the message "Failed to create RSLogix 5 [or 500] data [or
program ladder] file list" ................................................................... 100
If the scheduled Disaster Recovery operation never completes .... 100
Troubleshoot e-mail notifications........................................................... 101
If e-mail notifications do not reach their recipients ....................... 101
Troubleshoot Logs .................................................................................... 101
If you cannot view a log ..................................................................... 101
If no data appears in a log ................................................................. 102
If you cannot refresh a log ................................................................. 102
If you cannot show a previously viewed log ..................................... 102
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Page 6
Table of Contents
Legal Notices
Index
Troubleshoot Archive ............................................................................... 102
If you cannot check in a file ............................................................... 102
If you cannot open a file .................................................................... 102
If the wrong program opens a file .................................................... 103
If a button is not available ................................................................. 103
If you performed a recursive check out and the subfolders didn't
copy ..................................................................................................... 103
Legal Notices ............................................................................................ 105
6 Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
Page 7
Activation
About the documentation
Chapter 1
Introduce FactoryTalk AssetCentre
FactoryTalk® AssetCentre monitors your factory automation system, provides
centralized tools to minimize downtime due to unauthorized actions or
failing devices, and manages the life cycle of Rockwell Automation hardware
devices in the system. It does this by:
• securing access to actions within the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system.
For information about security, see
system on page 25.
• managing device configuration files. For more information about
configuration files, see Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree on page 55
• providing a disaster recovery system that verifies your devices'
program and configuration files against protected master files,
ensuring quick and accurate recovery if a problem should occur. For
information about Disaster Recovery, see
Disaster Recovery schedules on page 63.
• monitoring FactoryTalk-enabled software products and logging
system events and user actions (recorded in the Event log and Audit
log respectively). For information about logs, see
and search logs on page 71.
• providing version control and archiving of program files and
documents. For information about Archive, see
and edit files in Archive on page 81.
• synchronizing life-cycle information in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
server and client with the data on the
website. For information about life-cycle management, see Quick Start
6: Manage Rockwell Automation hardware life cycle on page 91.
Quick Start 1: Configure the
Quick Start 3: Set up
Quick Start 4: View
Quick Start 5: Open
Rockwell Automation life cycle
.
set
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 7
FactoryTalk AssetCentre software is activated on two criteria:
• capacity (number of devices)
• capability (purchased functionality)
In addition, the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server must be activated. For more
information on activation, refer to the Activation in FactoryTalk AssetCentre topic
of Help.
The documentation set includes:
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide (Document ID FTAC-
IN005). Use this manual to install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system.
This manual is also available on the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
installation package in 11.00.00-FTAssetCentre\Docs. The file name is
Page 8
Chapter 1 Introduce FactoryTalk AssetCentre
FactoryTalk AssetCentre
About this book
Contact Technical Support
This manual is intended to give a general overview of the software. For more
detailed information, please refer to FactoryTalk AssetCentre Help.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Help is available from the Help menu, by pressing F1
or clicking the Show Help button, or by clicking the Help button in any dialog
Help
box in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre software.
FTAC-InstallGuide.pdf. You can find it in Rockwell Automation
Literature Library.
• Help. Use the comprehensive Help for assistance while using the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre system.
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre Getting Results Guide (Document ID FTAC-
GR002). Use this manual to get started with the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre system. You can find it in
Rockwell Automation Literature
Library.
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre Utilities User Manual (Document ID FTAC-
UM001). Use this manual for assistance while using an array of utilities
whose capabilities are not present in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
system. You can find it in Rockwell Automation Literature Library
.
This manual provides you with information on how to get started using your
FactoryTalk AssetCentre system. It is not intended to be a comprehensive
users guide. For complete information on all features, tasks, and interface
elements, refer to Help.
This book is written for FactoryTalk AssetCentre users. We assume you are
familiar with:
• Microsoft® Windows® operating systems including basic Windows
networking and administration tasks
• RSLinx® Classic and FactoryTalk® Linx™ communication software
• Rockwell Automation programing tools for programmable logic
controllers
• control networks such as DeviceNet and programmable logic
controllers such as ControlLogix® processors
If you cannot find answers to your questions in this manual, Help, or on the
Technical Support Web site, call Technical Support.
• Phone—440-646-3434 in the USA
• Technical Support hours of operation—8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
If you are not located in the USA and want to contact Rockwell Automation
Support by telephone, go to
https://www.rockwellautomation.com/global/support/overview.page
, choose
language as needed, click Local and Contact Support, click Call us, and then
select your region and country for information about contacting your local
support organization.
8 Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
When you call you should be at your computer and be prepared to give the
following information:
Page 9
Chapter 1 Introduce FactoryTalk AssetCentre
• the product version number
• the type of hardware you are using
• the exact wording of any messages that appeared on your screen
• a description of what happened and what you were doing when the
problem occurred
• a description of how you tried to solve the problem
Tip: Select Help > About from the Menu bar to show the product serial number and product
version number.
For information about all of the products available from Rockwell Automation
or for technical support, go to one of the following sites:
• https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/products.html#software
https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/products.html#software
• https://www.rockwellautomation.com/global/support/overview.page
• https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 9
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Page 11
Run the FactoryTalk
Elements of the FactoryTalk
Chapter 2
Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
All actions in FactoryTalk AssetCentre take place in the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Client. Changes you make in the client window are stored on the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server.
AssetCentre client
AssetCentre client window
To start the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client
• Using Windows Search, find FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client, and then
double-click the name.
If the client fails to start properly, see If the client fails to start on page 95
.
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 11
The screen includes the following items:
1. Menu bar
2. Toolbar
3. Asset view
It shows an assets tree that you create to represent your plant.
4. Workspace pane
It shows the information and controls of the tools:
• Address Book
• Agent Groups
• Archive
• Assets Lifecycle
Page 12
Chapter 2 Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
Asset view
Asset
Design mode
• Logs
• Schedules
• Searches
5. Asset catalog
Available in the design mode, it lists all the types of assets that you can
add to the assets tree in the asset view.
6. Status bar
It shows the following information:
• The currently logged on user
• The status of the connection to the server
• The number of connected agent computers in the system
Everything that you do in FactoryTalk AssetCentre begins with an asset. The
Asset View shows the asset tree, a representation of your plant. In the asset
tree, you can include all of the assets (anything from a device to a program to a
procedure document) that you want to control, back up, or monitor.
An asset in FactoryTalk AssetCentre represents items of value in your
automation system — things you want to control and to which you want to
monitor access. Assets can be automation device items and legacy device
items (including controllers, drives, robots, E300 Overload Relay, Asset
Inventory, FactoryTalk Directory, FactoryTalk View Site Edition, and more),
files (program files or even drawings or word processing files), folders, or
containers of other assets. While FactoryTalk AssetCentre is intended to
handle files for automation projects, any kind of file can become an asset in
FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
In this mode, you can:
• Set up or modify the asset tree in the Asset View so that it represents
your system.
• Add devices to the asset tree from the Asset Catalog or edit devices
already in the asset tree. The Asset Catalog is only shown in Design
mode.
• Set up or modify the agent group tree in the Agent Groups plug-in.
To enter Design mode, click the Design button in the Asset View. The Design
button toggles Design mode on and off. You can also, on the Menu bar, select
12 Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
Page 13
Catalog, see If you can’t enter Design Mode on page 97.
Asset catalog
Chapter 2 Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
Edit > Design Mode or press F3. Only one user in your system can be in Design
mode at a time.
Tip: You must have Switch to Design mode permission to enter Design mode. See Step 3: Set Feature
Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27.
If you have Switch to Design mode permission and still cannot enter Design mode to view the Asset
The Asset Catalog lists all the types of assets that can be added to the asset
tree. The Asset Catalog is only available when the Asset View is in Design
mode. In Design mode, you will use the Asset Catalog to select and add assets
by dragging them from the Asset Catalog to the asset tree. For information
about adding assets to the asset tree, see Step 2: Add assets to the asset tree
on
page 57.
The Asset Catalog can be positioned either below the Asset View or beside the
Asset View.
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 13
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Chapter 2 Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
About asset types
• To position the Asset Catalog below the Asset View, select View >
Layout > Split Horizontally.
• To position the Asset Catalog beside and to the right of the Asset View,
select View > Layout > Split Vertically.
Assets fall into these categories:
• Device Items
• Files and Folder Items
• Legacy Device Items
• Organizational Items
Device Items
Devices can be placed in the asset tree in the root or in a container. Device
assets, except for Asset Inventory and Generic Device, count toward capacity
activation.
Most device assets are used with the Disaster Recovery capability. A device is a
physical automation device. Available device assets are Rockwell Automation
controllers; Rockwell Automation PanelView operator interfaces; PanelView
Plus operator interfaces; Stratix Managed Switches; Rockwell Automation
drives; E300 Overload Relays; and MobileView operator interfaces.
The following asset types also belong to the Devices Items category:
14 Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
• Asset Inventory
Page 15
Use this asset type to scan physical automation devices on the network.
When you run a backup or backup and compare schedule on an Asset
Inventory asset, the Asset Inventory agent service scans the connected
devices and computers on the network and stores unique
identification information about hardware, firmware, and software in
the backup data. You can open the backup data in grid view to see the
detailed scanning result of devices and associated software. You can
also add the scanned assets to the asset tree or update assets in the
asset tree with different properties.
• FactoryTalk Directory
Use this asset type to run a schedule that backs up the FactoryTalk
Directory of your system on a regular basis.
• FactoryTalk View Site Edition
Use this asset type to run a schedule that backs up FactoryTalk View
Site Edition network applications, including HMI server, FactoryTalk
Directory, FactoryTalk Linx, and FactoryTalk Alarms and Events data.
• Generic Device
Chapter 2 Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
Use this asset type to add unsupported devices to the asset tree.
• Generic FTP Device
Use this asset type for devices that use FTP, like robots and drives that
host a FTP Server, such as FANUC or ABB robots. The Generic FTP
device replaced the vendor-specific robot asset type, Fanuc Robot and
ABB Robot, in version 7.00 and later
• Remote Computer
Use this asset type with the Disaster Recovery capability to back up and
verify the contents of a specified shared folder on a computer in the
system. A binder asset is used to specify which files within the shared
folder should be operated on. For more information click Help in the
dialog boxes that are shown when adding a remote computer and
binder to the asset tree.
• Custom Devices
Use this asset type to perform Disaster Recovery capability for a
physical automation device which has no corresponding asset type in
FactoryTalk AssetCentre. When configuring your backup tool and
compare tool in Tools > Options, you can perform Disaster Recovery
capability for your device automatically.
Files and Folder Items
These types of assets can be placed under any device or container in the asset
tree.
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 15
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Chapter 2 Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
Tip:
or asset inventories can ONLY contain files, links, binders, and other folders.
Workspace pane
• A Binder is a collection of files and folders that is treated as a unit. For
example, when you check out a binder all the contents of the binder are
checked out and placed in your working folder.
• A File in the asset tree can be any type of data file, from a device's
configuration file, to a text file, to a CAD drawing.
• A Folder is simply a container in which to place files. You may want to
organize files within a folder if you have many files associated with a
component or area of your plant, such as a procedure document, an
inventory spreadsheet, CAD drawings, and so on. Folders can only
contain Files, Binders, and Links, not Devices.
• A Link to a binder or file is similar to a shortcut in Microsoft Windows.
It is not a second copy of the file or binder, but rather a link to an
existing file or binder in the asset tree. Including the same file or
binder in several locations in the asset tree would compromise version
control for that file or binder. Instead, place a link to the file or binder
in the additional locations.
Legacy Device Items
Legacy Devices Items, the same as Devices Items, can be placed in the asset
tree in the root or in a container. Legacy device assets include ABB Robot,
FANUC Robot, and RA Drive.
Organizational Items
An organizational asset can be placed in the root or in another container in
the asset tree.
• A Generic Container provides a means of representing a functional
area of your plant that is comprised of multiple devices. For example, a
wash rack might be comprised of a processor, a robot, valves, flow
meters, and so on. (Valves and flow meters are not included in
FactoryTalk AssetCentre. Additional device types will be added in
future releases. For the time being, they could be represented by a
Generic Device.)
While containers and folders both contain assets, they are not
interchangeable. Containers can hold ANY type of asset (including folders).
Use a generic container to hold devices and other associated assets. Folders
16 Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
The Workspace Pane shows the information and controls for the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre tools: Archive, Schedules, Logs, Searches, Agent Groups, and
Page 17
Button
Description
Adds a new item such as an asset, schedule, search, or Address Book contact
Asset View has focus, but is not in Design mode).
Available only when information (such as a schedule or search) has been
edited, but not yet saved.
Available only when viewing a log. Prints either the selected records or all
records listed.
until it is pasted in the new location.
Toolbar
Chapter 2 Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
Address Book. After a tool is selected, it appears on a tab in the Workspace
Pane:
1. Click a button to show a tool in the Workspace Pane.
Alternatively, you can choose a tool on the View menu.
2. Tabs appear on the Workspace Pane for each tool that is open.
3. Users can get the severity of the logs and take the corresponding
actions.
Use the Workspace Pane to:
• Set up and run schedules. See
Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery
schedules on page 63.
• View and search logs. See Quick Start 4: View and search logs on page
71.
• Manage file versions in Archive. See Quick Start 5: Open and edit files
in Archive on page 81.
The following table lists the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client toolbar buttons
and provides a brief description of each button’s functions:
New
or group, depending on what is selected and has focus in the rest of the
window. This button is unavailable if nothing can be added (for example, if the
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 17
Save
Print
Cut
Combined with the Paste button, the Cut button moves an asset from one
location in the tree to another. Select the asset, then click the Cut button. Click
on the container in which you want to place the asset, then click the Paste
button. The asset that was cut does not disappear from its original location
Page 18
Chapter 2 Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
Combined with the Paste button, the Copy button duplicates an asset in the
in which you want to place the asset, then click the Paste button.
Combined with the Cut (or Copy) button, the Paste button moves (or copies) an
asset, then click the Paste button.
Deletes the selected asset (if in Design mode), search, schedule, or Address
Asset View toolbar, Search toolbar, and Schedules toolbar.
Opens or shifts focus to the Asset View. This view contains the asset tree that
Opens the Agent Groups tab on which you can manage the agents into groups.
If the tab is open, it brings the Agent Groups tab to the front.
Opens or shifts focus to the Archive tab. Archive is FactoryTalk AssetCentre’s
information, see Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive on page 81.
Opens the Assets Lifecycle tab on which you can synchronize life-cycle
the AssetCentre client with the AssetCentre server.
Opens or shifts focus to the Logs tab. This tab allows you to view any of the
information, see Quick Start 4: View and search logs on page 71.
see Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery schedules on page 63.
logs on page 71.
Shows the properties of the selected item: an asset in the Asset View or a
properties if the Asset View is in Design mode.
Shows the online help related to the part of the software you are currently
using.
Menu bar
Right-click menus
Status bar
Copy
Paste
Delete
tree. First select the asset and click the Copy button. Next select the container
asset from one location in the tree to another. Select the asset, then click the
Cut (or Copy) button. Click on the container in which you want to place the
Book contact or group. This has the same function as the Delete button on the
you create to represent your system. For more information about the asset
tree, see Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree on page 55.
source control tool that you will use to manage file versions. For more
information in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server and client with the data on
the Rockwell Automation life cycle website, or refresh life-cycle information in
logs -- the Audit Log, the Event Log, and the Diagnostics & Health Log. For more
Properties
Show Help
Opens or shifts focus to the Schedules tab where you can set up scheduled
operations such as Backup and Backup and Compare. For more information,
Opens or shifts focus to the Searches tab where you can search the logs or
the Archive history. For more information, see
contact in the Address Book, for example. For an asset, you can only edit the
Quick Start 4: View and search
Any menu can be clicked or opened by holding down the Alt key and pressing
the underlined letter in the menu name. For example, to show the Tools
menu, press Alt-t. For information on any menu command, refer to the About
the Menu Bar topic of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Help.
Right-click menus provide access to most functions in the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre client and are available throughout the software. For example,
right-click in the Asset View, on an asset in the Asset View, or in the
Workspace Pane to see a list of functions particular to that item.
For information on a particular command on a right-click menu, refer to Help
and search for the command.
The Status Bar at the bottom of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre window shows
the currently logged on FactoryTalk user and the status of the connection to
the server. It also shows the number of FactoryTalk AssetCentre agents
running in the system.
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Chapter 2 Navigate the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
If the server status is Disconnected, see If the client cannot communicate with
the server on page 96.
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 19
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Page 21
Chapter 3
FactoryTalk AssetCentre system architecture
The following graphic shows the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system architecture
and relationship of user permission, networking, license management, and
version control within the architecture.
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 21
Page 22
Page 23
Tip:
as
MYSERVER:PortNumber
.
Tip:
password are used to log on to FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client.
Access FactoryTalk
Chapter 4
About FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client
FactoryTalk AssetCentre supports the accessing of a FactoryTalk AssetCentre
client through a web interface on computers and mobile devices. FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Web Client supports several FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
functions. The new capability allows you to:
• View archives and schedules in the asset tree
• View, run, and stop schedules
• View dashboards of the Backup and Backup and Compare schedule
results
• View Event Log, Audit Log, and Diagnostics and Health Log
• View and run searches
• View agent groups
AssetCentre Web Client
It is required that you use the SSL protocol with FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Mobile Client. See Step 6: Configure the SSL protocol on page 32
.
To access FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client
1. Open the device's browser, and type the following address:
https://FQDN/RockwellSoftware/AssetCentreWebClient
FQDN is the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Server computer.
If you are changed the default port in site binding on page 36
include the self-defined port number in the computer name part in the form
2. On the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client page, type the user name
and the password.
Make sure to create a FactoryTalk Service Platform account and its password
on the computer running FactoryTalk AssetCentre server. The account and
3. Tap or click Log in.
, you need to
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Tip:
FactoryTalk Administration Console.
Quick Start steps for
Step 1: Add users to the
Chapter 5
Quick Start 1: Configure the system
After installing the FactoryTalk AssetCentre software, there are several steps
you must perform to start using the software. The next several chapters of this
guide take you through the steps required to quickly get results using
FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
The main tasks necessary to begin using FactoryTalk AssetCentre are:
configuring the system
• Quick Start 1: Configure the system on page 25
• Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree on page 55
• Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery schedules on page 63
• Quick Start 4: View and search logs on page 71
• Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive on page 81
• Quick Start 6: Manage Rockwell Automation hardware life cycle on
page 91
This current chapter will concentrate only on the steps necessary to configure
your FactoryTalk AssetCentre system.
To configure your FactoryTalk AssetCentre system, you must perform the
following steps:
• Step 1: Add users to the FactoryTalk Directory on page 25
• Step 2: Add client computers on page 27
• Step 3: Set feature security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27
• Step 4: Add contacts to the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Address Book on
page 30
• Step 5: Set up FactoryTalk AssetCentre database limitations on page 30
• Step 6: Configure the SSL protocol on page 32
• Step 7: Configure Windows Authentication on page 52
FactoryTalk Directory
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A user must have a FactoryTalk Directory user account in order to use
FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
This section contains only basic instructions for using the FactoryTalk
Directory and FactoryTalk Security. For background information and
information regarding more advanced procedures, please see the Help for the
By default, all members of the Administrators group on the computers on
which you installed the FactoryTalk Services Platform were added to the
Administrators group in the FactoryTalk Directory. Also, any rights that you
assign to a Windows User Group are assigned to all members of that group.
It is recommended to use a native FactoryTalk Group to which Windows AD
user accounts and groups are added. This practice simplifies the process of
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
Tip:
If you have users who need similar access to features of FactoryTalk
about grouping users, see the Help for the FactoryTalk Administration Console.
confirming the security configuration as testing is performed on the native
FactoryTalk Group, and policy is written about which Windows user and
groups are added to the native FactoryTalk group.
To add a user to the FactoryTalk Directory
1. Start the FactoryTalk Administration Console:
a. Click Start, and then use search to search for FactoryTalk
Administration Console.
b. Click FactoryTalk Administration Console.
FactoryTalk Administration Console appears.
2. Log on to the Network directory using a FactoryTalk Administrator
account.
3. Open the Users and Groups folder.
4. Under the Users and Groups folder, right-click the Users folder, and
then select New.
5. Specify whether you want to create a new FactoryTalk User or a
Windows-Linked User.
• FactoryTalk user accounts are visible only to the FactoryTalk system
and their access is independent of Windows.
• A Windows-linked user is validated by Windows domain.
A FactoryTalk Security account is the same as a FactoryTalk user
account. For more information, see "Accounts and groups" in the
FactoryTalk Help.
• If you may need to use FactoryTalk AssetCentre while disconnected
from the network, use FactoryTalk Security user accounts.
Windows-linked user accounts will not be able to authenticate with
the domain while disconnected.
• If you choose to use Windows-linked users, consider using
Windows-linked group accounts rather than Windows-linked user
accounts if possible. This simplifies the process if you ever move
your software to a different domain. You cannot move individual
Windows-linked user accounts from one domain to another. You
can move Windows-linked group accounts to a new domain, while
retaining all of the security permissions for the group. If you change
the domain an individual Windows-linked user account belongs to,
you must delete the old account, create the new account, and then
recreate all of the security permissions for the new account.
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AssetCentre, consider grouping users to make assigning security privileges
easier. For example, you can group all of your electricians into an
group, and then provide security access for them as a group. For information
6. Enter the information for the user.
Electricians
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http://localhost/rockwellsoftware/assetcentre.
Tip: If you have a significant number of computers for which you need to permit or restrict access,
the automation system directly.
Step 2: Add client
computers
Step 3: Configure security
Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
For more detailed instructions on adding users and grouping users, refer to
the FactoryTalk Administration Console Help.
Before adding a client computer to the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system,
install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client software on a computer that meets
the system requirements and is connected to the same network as the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre server.
To add a client computer
1. Open Internet Explorer, and in the Address box, type the following:
http://servername/rockwellsoftware/assetcentre
where servername is the name of your FactoryTalk AssetCentre server
computer.
For example, if your FactoryTalk AssetCentre server computer name is
MYSERVER, type the following:
http://MYSERVER/rockwellsoftware/assetcentre
• Tip: If you are using SSL, then start the address with
• If you have changed the default port in site binding on page 36, you need to include the self-
defined port number in the computer name part in the form as
• If you install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software on the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
server computer, type the following in the Address box:
https://
instead of
http://
MYSERVER:PortNumber
.
.
for FactoryTalk AssetCentre
2. Press Enter.
Internet Explorer shows a page from the server that allows you to
install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client software.
3. Click Install AssetCentre Client on this computer.
The installation automatically starts when the installation package is
downloaded.
During the installation, the FactoryTalk Services Platform will be installed and
the computer will be added to the FactoryTalk Network Directory. If for some
reason the client computer is not in the FactoryTalk Network Directory, use
the FactoryTalk Administration Console to add it. See Help for the FactoryTalk
Administration Console for instructions on adding a computer.
consider grouping them in the FactoryTalk Administration Console to make assigning security privileges
easier. For example, you can group all of the computers used in offices away from the plant floor and
restrict access to features that should be used only from computers stationed where the user can see
By default, all users and the Administrators group in FactoryTalk Directory
can perform any task in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre software. To deny
specific users the right to perform tasks in FactoryTalk AssetCentre, you must
edit the Feature Security settings in the FactoryTalk Administration Console.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
IMPORTANT
rights in all FactoryTalk-enabled products using any FactoryTalk CPR 9 version.
IMPORTANT
here is also a Server Settings object in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre folder. Do NOT
Server Settings.
Tip: As a default, FactoryTalk AssetCentre uses Microsoft Windows file associations. To specify
associations
topic of Help.
This policy setting
Controls whether users can
View Address Book
View the Address Book (which contains addresses for the purpose of sending automatic e-mail notifications).
Edit Address Book
Edit or add contacts and groups in the Address Book (which contains addresses for the purpose of sending automatic email notifications).
Override Archive Check In
Check in a file regardless of who checked it out or from where it was checked out.
Policy settings and their
To configure security settings
Never explicitly deny rights to the All Users or Administrators group in FactoryTalk. Rather,
set up specific user groups of your own and deny rights to those groups. Denying rights
to All Users or Administrators could lock everyone out of the system and would deny
1. Start the FactoryTalk Administration Console:
a. Click Start, and then use search to search for FactoryTalk Administration
Console.
b. Click FactoryTalk Administration Console.
FactoryTalk Administration Console appears.
2. Log on to the Network directory using a FactoryTalk Administrator
account.
3. In the Explorer pane of the FactoryTalk Administration Console,
navigate to System > Policies > Product Policies > FactoryTalk
AssetCentre.
4. Double-click Feature Security.
attempt to change any of the settings in this object. Doing so may render your
FactoryTalk AssetCentre system inoperative. If you need to change server settings
(to use a different mail server, for example), from Windows Start menu, select
All Programs > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server >
5. In the Feature Security Properties window, click the policy you want
to change, and then click the browse button for the policy.
See Policy settings and their meanings on page 28
.
6. In the Configure Securable Action dialog box, select the user or group
for whom you want to assign permissions. If the user or group does
not appear in the list, click Add, click Show all, select the user or group,
and then click OK.
7. Click the appropriate box to allow or deny the user permission to the
selected feature.
8. Click OK.
which software program will open a specific type of file, set file associations. See the
The following table shows the policy settings and their functions.
Set file
meanings
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Configure Database Limitations
Configure the total maximum size of the AssetCentre database, the size warning levels, the maximum number of versions
Configure Archive Options Settings
Turn on or off the function that allows Logix Designer to perform archive activities, such as file check-in, without direct
interaction with the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client.
Clear the Get Writable Copy check box by
Enable or clear the Get Writable Copy check box during get. Denying this permission enables the Get Writable Copy check
check box; a Get retrieves a read-only copy of an Archive object.
Override Archive Undo Check Out
Undo a check out even if a different user checked the file out.
Override Removal of Local Copies
Choose to keep local copies of checked-in files on their computer. If this right is allowed, the user can keep local copies. If
this right is denied, the user is not given this option.
take precedence over the system file association.
Configure System Archive File Associations
Configure which software product launches when opening a particular type of file. This setting applies unless the user has
specified a personal file association.
Configure Personal Archive Working Folders
Set a personal working folder for checking out files.
Configure System Archive Working Folders
Set the system working folder to which all users check out files unless they have a personal working folder.
Run Archive Database Cleanup Wizard
Run the Archive Database Cleanup Wizard to delete unused versions of files.
Allow Empty Comment at Check In
Leave the comment field empty as they check in an asset.
Store latest version only
Choose to store only the latest version in the Archive.
Set maximum versions
Configure the total maximum number of versions stored in the Archive.
Configure Asset Inventory Settings
Configure the settings in the Asset Inventory window.
Configure Assets Lifecycle Sync
Synchronize life cycle information in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server and client with the Rockwell Automation life cycle
website.
Display Calibration Management Data*
View Calibration Management data in FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
Perform Calibration Management*
Access Calibration Management functionality in ProCalV5 software.
Administer Calibration Users*
Administer users, groups, and permissions in ProCalV5 software. Note that this policy only determines if the user is
policy for an AssetCentre user does not change the user's ProCalV5 security permissions.
Configure Database Maintenance
Configure automatic database maintenance, manually analyze, or rebuild index fragmentation.
Switch to Design mode
Enter Design mode, in which the user can edit the asset tree.
View Event Log
Show the Event Log and run a search on the Event Log.
View Audit Log
Show the Audit Log and run a search on the Audit Log.
View Diagnostics and Health Log
Show the Diagnostics and Health Log and run a search on the Diagnostics and Health Log.
Change Diagnostics and Health Log
Message
Change the status of or add a comment to a Diagnostics and Health Log record.
View Diagnostics and Health Log Status
View a status history for a Diagnostics and Health Log record.
Run Log Database Cleanup Wizard
Run the Log Database Cleanup Wizard to remove old records from the logs. Data can be exported and saved in a separate
file.
Enable or Disable DTMs*
Enable and disable DTMs in the DTM Catalog.
Edit DTM Network*
Show the DTM Networks dialog box to edit the DTM network.
Run PDC Field Edition*
Use the Process Device Configuration Field Edition software.
Create a new schedule
Create a schedule.
Edit a schedule
Change existing schedules.
Delete a schedule
Delete schedules.
View a schedule
Show the Schedules tab.
Command a schedule
Issue commands to a schedule, such as making the schedule active or running the schedule immediately.
Out Status information.
Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
per archive asset, the maximum size of Event, Audit, and Diagnostics logs, and the database capacity status refresh rate.
default
box; a Get retrieves a writable copy of an Archive object. Allowing this permission (by default) clears the Get Writable Copy
Configure Personal Archive File Associations Configure which software product launches when opening a particular type of file. If a personal file association is set, it will
automatically added to the Administrator group in the ProCalV5 software. Once the user is added to ProCalV5, changing this
Create a search Set up a new search to find entries matching specified criteria in one of the logs, in the Archive History, or in Archive Check
* Starting from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00, process device
capabilities are not supported. The policies marked with asterisk are only kept
for viewing purposes if you have upgraded FactoryTalk AssetCentre from
version 9.00 or earlier.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
permissions. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27.
Tip: If in your existing e-mail system you have a group that already has an e-mail address (for
the group will not be added to the Address Book as contacts.
Open the Address Book and click the Modify contacts and groups topic.
Step 4: Add contacts to the
Step 5: Set up FactoryTalk
Use the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Address Book tab to create contact
information that the system uses to notify users about the progress and
Address Book
outcome of FactoryTalk AssetCentre schedules and other system-related
events. You can then add contacts to groups (for example,
allelectricians@myplant.com) if your existing mail system supports groups.
This allows you to inform recipients about system events simultaneously.
To add contacts to the Address Book
Tip: You cannot import groups from another e-mail program. More than one user can create groups at
the same time.
To create contacts and groups, you must be granted View Address Book and Edit Address Book
1. Start the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client.
2. Select View > Address Book.
3. Select Tasks > Add New Address Book Contact or click the New button
(Keyboard users: Press Ctrl-N).
4. In the New Contact name dialog box, complete the Contact tab. You
must enter a unique name for the contact that is not the same as any
other contact or group name.
5. Click the Internet tab and complete it. You must enter an e-mail
address for the contact to receive notifications.
AssetCentre database
example, a group of electricians with the e-mail address AllElectricians@MyCompany.com), you
can use that group’s existing e-mail address. Simply create a contact and give it a name (for
example, Electricians) and enter the group’s e-mail address (AllElectricians@MyCompany.com)
as the contact’s default e-mail address. The individual e-mail addresses of the electricians in
6. Click OK.
Once you have created Address Book contacts, you can add those
contacts to Address Book groups. Groups cannot be imported from
another e-mail program.
7. Click Tasks > Add New Address Book Group.
Tip: To add members to an existing rather than new group, see Help. Select Help > Contents.
8. On the Group tab in the Group Name field, enter a name for the group.
9. Click Select Members.
10. In the Contacts/Groups list on the left of the New Group dialog box,
select the contact or group to add to the group, and click Select.
11. Click OK.
Tip: To perform additional Address Book tasks (for example, to delete or modify groups or
contacts), see Help. Select Help > Contents, and open the
Addresses Book
topic.
Use the Options: Database Limitations dialog box to specify the settings of
database limitations, including:
limitations
• Total maximum size of the AssetCentre database
• Size warning levels
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Tip: By default, the Database Limitations Enabled check box is not selected, and all the
permission. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27.
Settings
How to configure
AssetCentre database
required.
Size warning levels
Specify the percentage of database capacity as the Warning level or Critical level. The status of
database usage appears in the status bar of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client.
Maximum number of versions per
Enter a value for the maximum version number of an asset in archive.
You can also configure the maximum number of versions per asset in Archive.
appears when you run the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client, indicating the log size status.
Database capacity status refresh rate
Enter a value to specify the frequency to refresh the database capacity status. The default value
AssetCentre client refreshes the database capacity status.
Email notification
Specify the email addresses to receive notifications when database size, asset version max, or log
translated as unlimited.
SCAN to Proceed
Validate whether the current total database size, event log size, audit log size, diagnostics log size,
This operation is required when making any changes to the Database Limitations.
Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
• Maximum number of versions per archive asset
• Maximum size of database table capturing logs
• Database capacity status refresh rate
• Email notification
Tip: Database limitation configuration is recommended but optional. You can use FactoryTalk
AssetCentre without setting up database limitations.
To set up database limitations
1. Start the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client.
2. Select Tools > Options.
3. Under Category on the left side of the dialog box, select Database
Limitations.
4. Select the Database Limitations Enabled check box, and specify the
settings as desired.
settings of database limitations are unavailable. To select the Database Limitations Enabled
check box to configure all the settings, you must have Configure Database Limitations
The following table shows how to configure each setting for Database
Limitations.
Total maximum size of the
archive asset
Maximum size of database table
capturing logs
Enter a value for the total maximum size of the AssetCentre database. No minimum value is
Enter a value for the maximum file size of Event Log, Audit Log, and Diagnostics Log.
If the file size of any log exceeds its maximum size, FactoryTalk AssetCentre writes the log, and
adds a new warning log about the current event log size exceeding its maximum size.
When the Event, Audit, or Diagnostic and Health logs reach the maximum size, a warning message
is 2. The minimum accepted value is 1, and 0 is not accepted.
When the database capacity reaches the warning or critical level, or the Event, Audit, or Diagnostic
and Health logs reach the maximum size, a warning message appears when the FactoryTalk
size reaches alarm level.
Click the browse button to select email address from Contacts and Groups address book
dialog.
If you set any value as 0 or higher than the maximum size, or leave any value blank, it is
and asset versions meet each own specified threshold.
Not all situations during database limitation configuration are covered in this
manual. For detailed information, refer to the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Help.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
IMPORTANT
Using the SSL protocol is an essential part of ensuring communications security. Without
Step 6: Configure the SSL
Create an SSL certificate
Using the SSL protocol is required for FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client
and recommended for the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server, clients, and
protocol
agents.
The SSL configuration consists of the following steps:
it, no communication, including logging on to the system, is encrypted.
• Create an SSL certificate on page 32
• Export the created SSL certificate for FactoryTalk AssetCentre client
and agent computers on page 34
• Configure a site binding on page 36
• Configure SSL settings for FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client on
page 39
• Turn on secure communication between the server, client(s), and
agent(s) on page 41
• Import the SSL certificate to client and agent computers on page 42
• Configure a firewall rule and web services URL if the default port is
modified on page 49
In order to use the SSL protocol you need to have an SSL certificate on the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre server computer.
To create an SSL certificate
1. Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager on the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre server computer.
On Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server
2012 R2:
a. On the taskbar, click .
b. In the search box, type inetmgr, and then press Enter.
c. Click the best match result.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
2. Under Connections, click the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server.
3. In Features View, double-click Server Certificates.
4. Under Actions, click Create Self-Signed Certificate.
5. In the Create Self-Signed Certificate dialog box:
• Specify a name for the certificate.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
Export the created SSL
• Select Web Hosting as the certificate store.
6. Click OK.
The created SSL certificate is listed.
certificate for FactoryTalk
AssetCentre client and agent
computers
After creating an SSL certificate on the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server
computer, export the certificate which will need to be imported on the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre client and agent computers.
To export the created SSL certificate
1. Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager on the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre server computer.
On Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server
2012 R2:
a. On the taskbar, click .
b. In the search box, type inetmgr, and then press Enter.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
c. Click the best match result.
2. Under Connections, click the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server.
3. In Features View, double-click Server Certificates.
4. Select the SSL certificate that you have created.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
Configure a site binding
5. Under Actions, click Export.
6. In the Export Certificate dialog box:
• Under Export to, click , and then specify the location and
name to save the certificate.
• Specify the password for the certificate.
7. Click OK.
Before you begin
• Create an SSL certificate on page 32.
To configure a site binding
1. Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager on the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre server computer.
On Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server
2012 R2:
a. On the taskbar, click .
b. In the search box, type inetmgr, and then press Enter.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
c. Click the best match result.
2. Navigate to localhost > Sites > Default Web Site.
3. Under Actions, click Bindings.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
For this option...
Do this...
Type
Select https.
Port
Keep the default port number 443 or if you needed, you may change it to a
services URL on page 49.
Host name
Type the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Tip: On Window Server 2008 R2, this option is not editable after selecting https.
SSL certificate
Select your SSL certificate.
See Create an SSL certificate on page 32.
Tip: You can remove the default HTTP site binding and only keep the created HTTPS site binding.
4. In the Site Bindings dialog box, click Add.
5. In the Add Site Binding dialog box, configure the following settings.
IP address Select All Unassigned.
self-defined port.
If you use a self-defined port, you need to configure a firewall rule and web
server.
6. Click OK.
7. In the Site Bindings dialog box, the created site binding is listed. Click
Close.
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Configure SSL settings for
Before you begin
Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
Management of Change,
FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Client and Agent, and
FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Web Client
• Create an SSL certificate on page 32.
• Configure a site binding on page 36.
To configure SSL settings for Management of Change, FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Client and Agent, and FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client
1. Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager on the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre server computer.
On Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server
2012 R2:
a. On the taskbar, click .
b. In the search box, type inetmgr, and then press Enter.
c. Click the best match result.
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2. Navigate to localhost > Sites > Default Web Site.
To configure the SSL settings for Management of Change, select
LLumin.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
To configure the SSL settings for FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client and
Agent, and FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client, select AssetCentre
and AssetCentreWebClient under RockwellSoftware.
3. In Features View, double-click SSL Settings.
4. Make sure the following options are selected:
• Require SSL
(FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client only) Selecting this option will
result in deactivating the HTTP protocol (with the default port 80).
When you type http:// in the web browser, it will be automatically
redirected to https://.
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Turn on secure
• Ignore
This option applies to the client certificates.
5. Under Actions, click Apply.
Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
communication between the
server, client(s), and
agent(s)
6. Restart the computer.
Once you configured the SSL protocol, turn on secure communication
between the server, client(s), and agent(s) in the Configure Server Settings
Utility window.
To enable secure communication
1. Open the Configure Server Settings Utility window.
On Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server
2012 R2:
a. On the taskbar, click .
b. In the search box, type Server Settings.
c. Click Server Settings.
2. Enter the user name and password to log on to FactoryTalk, and then
click OK.
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Import the SSL certificate to
On the client and agent computers, add the SSL certificate to the Trusted
client and agent computers
Root Certification Authorities certificate store.
In the Configure Server Settings Utility window, under Server
Location, the domain name (FQDN) of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
server computer will be detected automatically.
3. Select the Use the secure communication channel option.
4. Click OK.
Before you begin
• Create an SSL certificate on page 32.
• Export the created SSL certificate on page 34.
The steps to import the SSL certificate on all the supported operating systems
are the same except for Windows 7 operating systems.
To import the SSL certificate on operating systems except for
Windows 7
1. Copy the created SSL certificate on the computer.
2. Double-click the SSL certificate.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
3. Select Local Machine, and then click Next.
4. When prompted to confirm the operation, click Yes.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions until you get to the Certificate Store
screen.
6. On the Certificate Store screen, select Place all certificates in the
following store.
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7. Click Browse, select Trusted Root Certification Authorities, and then
click OK.
8. Click Next.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the import.
To import the SSL certificate on Windows 7 operating systems
1. Copy the created SSL certificate on the computer.
2. Click Start, type mmc, and then press Enter.
The Microsoft Management Console opens.
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3. In the Microsoft Management Console, navigate to Console Root >
Certificates (Local Computer) > Trusted Root Certification
Authorities > Certificates.
4. Right-click Certificates, and then select All Tasks > Import.
5. In the Certificate Import Wizard, click Next.
6. On the File to Import page, browse for the SSL certificate file, and then
click Next.
7. (Optional) Enter the password if it has been defined.
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8. On the Certificate Store page, make sure:
• Place all certificates in the following store is selected.
• Trusted Root Certification Authorities is selected as the certificate
store.
Click Next.
9. Click Finish.
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After the import operation, you may want to verify whether the SSL certificate
is successfully imported.
To verify the import operation
1. Click Start, type mmc, and then press Enter.
The Microsoft Management Console opens.
2. Click File > Add/Remove Snap-in.
3. In the Add or Remove Snap-ins dialog box, select Certificates, and
then click Add.
4. In the Certificates snap-in dialog box, select Computer account, and
then click Next.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
5. Click Finish.
6. In the Add or Remove Snap-ins dialog box, click OK.
7. In the Microsoft Management Console, navigate to Console Root >
Certificates (Local Computer) > Trusted Root Certification
Authorities > Certificates, and verify that the SSL certificate is listed.
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Configure a firewall rule and
web services URL if the
Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
8. If the SSL certificate is not listed, make sure to select Certificates
under Trusted Root Certification Authorities > Certificates, and then
click Action > All Tasks > Import.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the import.
If the default port 443 is modified during the site binding configuration, you
need to:
default port is modified
• Configure a Windows firewall rule for the self-defined port.
• Configure the primary server web services base URL.
To configure a Windows firewall rule
1. On the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server computer, click Start, type
firewall, and then click Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.
2. Click Inbound Rules.
3. Click Action > New Rule.
4. In the New Inbound Rule Wizard, select Port, and then click Next.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
5. In the Specific local ports box, enter the self-defined port as set during
the site binding configuration, for example 9000, and then click Next.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions until you get to the Name page.
7. In the Name box, enter the name for the new inbound rule, and then
click Finish.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
The new rule is shown in the list.
To configure the primary server web services base URL
1. On the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server computer, click Start > All
Programs > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk Administration
Console.
2. In the Explorer, navigate to Network > System > Policies > Product
Policies > FactoryTalk AssetCentre, and then double-click Server
Settings.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
Important:
For the purposes of FactoryTalk AssetCentre, Windows Authentication
Active Directory services.
Step 7: Configure Windows
3. In the Server Settings Properties dialog box, click the Primary Server
Web Services Base URL box, and then change the computer name part
in the form as MYSERVER:PortNumber.
Authentication
4. Click OK.
Windows Authentication is a secure way of authentication that uses the
username and the password of the user logged on to the operating system. In
the communication secured with Windows Authentication mode, the
username and the password are sent between the client and the server in a
strongly hashed form.
Windows Authentication may be enabled in corporate networks that use
Microsoft Active Directory services as well as other ways to identify users.
By turning on Windows Authentication mode you increase the security of the
communication between the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server, client(s) and
agent(s) and prevent unauthorized users from accessing the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre server.
mode should be enabled only in corporate networks that use Microsoft
After you turn on Windows Authentication mode, the access to the page:
http(s)://assetcentre_server_full_name/rockwellsoftware/assetcentre
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...will be secured from being accessed by anonymous users.
In order to access the page, the users will need to log on using their Windows
username and password.
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Turn on Windows
This section describes:
• Turn on Windows Authentication mode in Internet Information
Services (IIS) on page 53
Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
Authentication mode in
Internet Information
Services (IIS)
To turn on Windows Authentication mode in Internet Information
Services (IIS)
1. Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager on the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre server computer.
On Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server
2012 R2:
a. On the taskbar, click .
b. In the search box, type inetmgr, and then press Enter.
c. Click the best match result.
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2. Under Connections, expand the tree, and then click AssetCentre.
3. In Features View, double-click Authentication.
4. Under Authentication, click Windows Authentication.
5. Under Actions, click Providers.
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Chapter 5 Quick Start 1: Configure the system
The Providers dialog box appears.
6. Make sure that you have the following providers selected in the order
presented in the figure below.
If these providers are not listed, select each of them in the list under
Available Providers, and then click Add.
7. Make sure that all other authentication modes listed in the pane under
Authentication are disabled.
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Tip:
For background information to better understand the types of assets available
Catalog
and
About the Asset View
sections in the Help.
Quick Start steps for
Step 1: Plan the organization
Chapter 6
Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree
Everything that you do in FactoryTalk AssetCentre begins with an asset. The
asset tree in the Asset View represents your plant including all the assets
(anything from a device to a program to a procedure document) that you want
to control, back up, or monitor. The asset tree provides you a method of
organizing your plant assets in a logical fashion that makes sense to you (for
example, by physical location, flow of materials, or machine type).
To design the asset tree, you must perform the following steps:
designing the asset tree
of your asset tree
• Step 1: Plan the organization of your asset tree on page 55
• Step 2: Add assets to the asset tree on page 57
• Step 3: Change security settings for an asset on page 61
It is important to plan the organization of your asset tree in advance. The
organization of the tree can impact your efficiency in applying security
settings to assets and setting up Disaster Recovery schedules.
in FactoryTalk AssetCentre and the use of the asset tree, see
You must be in Design mode to edit the tree. Only one user in the system at a
time can be in Design mode.
Assets are listed in alphabetical order in the tree.
About the Asset
Security considerations
When initially added, an asset inherits the security settings of the container in
which it is placed (and a container inherits the security settings of the
container in which it is placed). First, set security on the root. Then add
containers under the root and set security for those containers. Then add the
next level of assets and containers, and so on.
Schedule considerations
Schedules are set up by selecting the asset to be scheduled from the Asset
View. You can only select one asset when creating a schedule. If you want the
schedule to operate on multiple assets, place all those assets in a container in
the asset tree. This container will be the starting point of the schedule. For
example, if you want to backup the configuration files for a group of devices,
place all those devices in a container in the Asset View.
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Chapter 6 Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree
Tip:
Items in the tree are automatically organized alphabetically. If you want to
force a certain order, use numbers in your asset names.
Only Rockwell Automation controller assets, Rockwell Automation drives,
PowerFlex Drive, E300 Overload Relay, Asset Inventory, FactoryTalk View SE,
FactoryTalk Directory, Rockwell Automation PanelView operator interfaces,
PanelView Plus operator interfaces, MobileView operator interfaces, Siemens
SIMANTIC S5 and S7 processors, remote computers, Custom Devices, Generic
FTP Devices, and Remote Computer can be included in Disaster Recovery
schedules (if you have the correct activation).
Organization
When you initially set up the asset tree, you will have to decide what will be
the most useful organization for you. The examples below show three possible
organizations:
• Physical location
In this arrangement, assets are organized by their physical location in
your plant.
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• Flow of materials
In this arrangement assets are organized by the flow of materials in
the production process. This may be particularly useful for continuous
and batch processes.
• Machine type
Page 57
Tip: When initially added, an asset inherits the security settings of the container in which it is
that container. See Step 3: Change security settings for an asset on page 61.
Step 2: Add assets to the
asset tree
Chapter 6 Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree
In this arrangement, assets are organized by the type of machine. You
might further organize machines of the same type by location.
Assets are the heart of FactoryTalk AssetCentre. Anything you want the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre system to manage must be included in the asset tree.
On first use, all assets to be managed must be added to the asset tree.
There are rules that govern the location of the different types of assets that
you can add to the asset tree:
• The root may contain any type of asset.
Best practice is to place only generic containers or folders directly
under the root and use these to organize the tree in some useful way,
perhaps by physical location or by function.
• A generic container may contain any type of asset.
• A device may contain files, binders, links, and folders.
• A folder or an asset inventory may contain files, binders, links, and
folders.
• A file cannot contain any other assets.
• A link cannot contain any other assets.
• A binder cannot have any other assets placed under it.
Files are initially placed in the binder by specifying the files to include
in the Add Binder dialog box and checking the binder in, not by placing
files under the binder in the asset tree.
placed (and a container inherits the security settings of the container in which it is placed). Take
advantage of this inheritance by setting security for a container before placing assets inside
To add an asset to the tree, you must have:
• Switch to Design Mode permission. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for
FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27.
• Create Children, Read, and Write permissions for the container into
which you want to add an asset. See
for an asset on page 61.
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Step 3: Change security settings
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Chapter 6 Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree
Tip: Select the container into which you want to place the new asset and press Ctrl-N.
Tip: To learn about additional asset tasks (for example copying, deleting, moving, or renaming
assets), refer to Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
Assets
topic and click the desired topic.
Use Asset Inventory to add
Work online and offline
You can add devices to the asset tree whether your FactoryTalk AssetCentre
client computer is connected to the devices via a network or not. When
connected to the devices, however, you can automatically acquire device
information by browsing for the device. This is the preferred method in this
manual. The client computer must be connected to the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Server to add devices to the asset tree.
Enter device information manually when:
To enter device information manually when you are disconnected from the
device network, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Assets topic and
click the Associate a device in the Asset View with a networked device topic.
• the asset cannot be identified by Rockwell Automation or third party
network browsers. For example, a device not supported by FactoryTalk
AssetCentre or the network browser would not be found when
browsing the network.
• the asset has not been placed on the control network yet.
• the client workstation is working offline so it does not have access to
the control network.
assets to the asset tree
To add assets
1. To enter Design mode, on the Asset View toolbar, click the Design
button (Keyboard users: Press F3 to toggle Design mode on and off). If
you cannot enter Design mode, see If you can’t enter Design Mode
page 97.
2. Click an asset in the Asset Catalog and drag it to the desired location in
the asset tree.
3. Enter the properties for the asset. For additional information about
completing the fields for a particular asset type, click Help.
4. When the (Device Type) Properties dialog box is complete, click OK.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre supports a new asset type, Asset Inventory. The
Asset Inventory asset can be used to scan physical automation devices on the
network. When you run a backup or backup and compare schedule on an
Asset Inventory asset, the Asset Inventory agent service scans the connected
devices and computers on the network and stores unique identification
information about hardware, firmware, and software in the backup data.
Once you have the Asset Inventory scanning result, you can add new assets
from the scanning result to the asset tree. This is very helpful especially the
on
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IMPORTANT
You must enter design mode to add new assets to the asset tree.
Asset Inventory View.
Tip: Clear the Show in Asset Inventory Grid View check box to get or check out a file as a
normal backup file, without opening it in the Asset Inventory window.
Tip: Clicking the SYNC button doesn't add any new assets to the asset tree. It identifies assets in
Make sure you are in design mode to proceed.
Chapter 6 Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree
first time you build the asset tree. For information about schedules, see Step 4:
Run schedules on page 68.
You need to open the Asset Inventory window first before adding assets to the
asset tree. After running backup or backup and compare schedule on Asset
Inventory, you can open the Asset Inventory window.
To open the Asset Inventory window
1. Select View > Archive, or click the Archive button.
2. In the asset tree, right-click the Asset Inventory backup file and select
Open, or select the file in the asset tree and then at the top of the
Archive tab, click the file link. The File Retrieval Options dialog box
opens.
3. In the File Retrieval Options dialog box, keep the Show in Asset
Inventory Grid View check box selected.
• If you want to open the Asset Inventory window in read-only mode,
click the Get button. In read-only mode, you cannot edit the
additional information or commission date for device assets. A
read-only copy of the file is retrieved to the current working folder
on your computer.
Tip: To open the Asset Inventory window in read-only mode, you can also right-click a
version of Asset Inventory asset's backup data on the History tab of Archive and select
• If you want to open the Asset Inventory window in editable mode,
click the Check Out button. In editable mode, you can edit the
additional information and commission date for device assets. A
copy of the file is retrieved to the current working folder on your
computer so that you can edit it.
4. The Asset Inventory window opens.
Once the Asset Inventory window opens, you can add new assets to the asset
tree.
To add new assets to the asset tree
1. On the Devices tab in the Asset Inventory window, select the Add
option.
2. Click the SYNC button.
After clicking the SYNC button, assets on the Devices tab that:
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the scanning result that are new compared to assets on the asset tree.
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Chapter 6 Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree
Tip: Device assets that can be mapped to the corresponding asset type have the Asset
Type field automatically filled. Otherwise, the Asset Type field is empty.
Tip: You can leave the Asset Name field blank. FactoryTalk AssetCentre automatically
creates the asset name according to the asset type appended with a number (like _2).
Tip: The level an asset is added to the asset tree depends on which node you select in the
the structure at the same level as other assets.
Tip: You cannot proceed to the next step without specifying Asset Type and Asset Location.
Tip: To return to Asset Inventory Add Asset Wizard - Step 1 of 4 to modify the asset type,
name, or location, click Back.
• exist in the asset tree with the same properties appear dimmed. The
check boxes before them are automatically selected.
• exist in the asset tree with different properties appear dimmed. The
check boxes before them are automatically selected. You can update
these assets with different properties using the Update option.
• don't exist in the asset tree can be added to the asset tree. The check
boxes before the new assets are available.
3. Select the check boxes before the assets you want to add to the asset
tree. Click the button on the toolbar. The Asset Inventory
Add Asset Wizard dialog box opens.
4. In the Asset Inventory Add Asset Wizard - Step 1 of 4 dialog box, enter
the required information before proceeding.
• (Required) Asset Type
Click in the Asset Type field and click the browse button . In the
Select Asset Type dialog box, select the asset type. Click Select.
• (Optional) Asset Name
Click in the Asset Name field and type the asset name. The name
must be unique within the parent container. That is, you can have
two devices with the same name in the asset tree, they just can't be
in the same container.
• (Required) Asset Location
Click in the Asset Location field and click the browse button . In
the Select Asset Location dialog box, select the node on the asset
tree or click the Add New Container button to create a new generic
container. Click Select.
asset tree structure. By default, the asset is added in the root. If you select a container, the
asset is added to the container. If you select a non-container asset, the asset is added to
After Asset Type and Asset Location are specified, click Next.
5. In the Asset Inventory Add Asset Wizard - Step 2 of 4 dialog box,
review the details of the new assets that will be updated to the asset
tree. Click Start.
6. In the Asset Inventory Add Asset Wizard - Step 3 of 4 dialog box, a
progress bar is shown while the adding operation is in process. If you
want to cancel the operation, click Abort. Usually, this step takes a very
short amount of time unless you are adding a large amount of assets.
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Tip: To change security settings for an asset, you must have Switch to Design mode permission. See
Design mode on and off.
This action...
Allows you to...
AssetCentre
operation.
CheckOut - CheckIn
Check out or check in files associated with the selected asset.
Step 3: Change security
settings for an asset
Chapter 6 Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree
7. When the adding process is complete, you can see result of the adding
operation in the Asset Inventory Add Asset Wizard - Step 4 of 4 dialog
box. Click Finish.
To export the result, click Export to save the result as a .csv or .txt file.
Assets added to the asset tree appear dimmed on the Devices tab with
check boxes selected before them.
For more information about Asset Inventory, refer to the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Help. Select Help > Contents, and open the About the Asset
Inventory window topic.
Each asset in the asset tree has security settings controlling which users can
perform what actions with that asset.
When initially added, an asset inherits the security settings of the container
in which it is placed (and a container inherits the security settings of the
container in which it is placed). That is, children inherit security permissions
from their parents. You can assign explicit permissions to an asset, overriding
the inherited permissions. You can also break the chain of inheritance for an
asset so that it will not inherit permissions. For more information on
inheritance see the FactoryTalk Security Help which is accessible from the
Security Settings dialog box (referenced in the steps below).
If you move an asset, it retains its security settings. If you copy an asset, the
copy does not retain the security settings of the original. Rather, the copy
inherits the settings from its new parent container.
Step 3: Set feature security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27. Keyboard users: Press F3 to toggle
To change security settings for an asset
1. While in Design mode, right-click the asset in the asset tree and select
Security.
2. On the Permissions tab of the Security Settings dialog box, select
whether you want to set permissions by User or by Action.
3. In the top pane, select either the user or the action for which you want
to set security for the selected asset.
4. In the bottom pane, select either the action (see the table below) or the
user for which you want to set security and select or clear the Allow
and Deny boxes accordingly. For more detailed information on using
the dialog box and FactoryTalk Security, click Help.
CheckIn does not require MoC
workflow
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Turn off Management of Change workflow when checking in selected files
and binders associated with the selected asset.
Select Deny box to require Management of Change workflow on check-in
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Chapter 6 Quick Start 2: Design the asset tree
CheckOut does not require MoC
Turn off Management of Change workflow when checking out files and
Get
Get a copy of the file or files associated with the selected asset from
Archive.
asset in Archive.
Pin
Pin a version of a file associated with the selected asset.
Promote
Store an old version of the file as the most recent version.
Set Store Latest Version
Specify that only the most recent version of the file associated with the
selected file asset should be retained.
Set Working Folder
Set the working folder for files associated with the selected asset.
Unblock MoC workflow
Reset the Management of Change workflow status of files and binders
associated with the selected asset.
Undo CheckOut
Undo a check-out operation for files associated with the selected asset. See
check-out topic.
Common
Configure Security
Change security settings for the selected asset.
container or device-type asset).
Delete
Delete the selected asset from the asset tree.
Execute
This setting is not applicable in this release of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
software.
you set this right to Allow, also set the Read right for this asset to Allow.
Read
Show the selected asset in the asset tree.
Show the selected asset's properties.
Write
Change the selected asset's properties.
Tip: For more information on any of the Archive tasks listed in the first section of this table, see Quick
to Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
Assets
topic and click the desired topic.
workflow
binders associated with the selected asset.
Select Deny box to require Management of Change workflow on check-out
operation.
Label Apply a descriptive Label to a version of a file associated with the selected
Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
Archive
topic and click the Undo a
Create Children Add assets underneath the selected asset (only if the selected asset is a
List Children Show children of the selected asset. If a user does not have this right, they
will not be able to expand the selected asset to see assets that it contains. If
Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive on page 81.
To learn about additional asset tasks (for example copying, deleting, moving, or renaming assets), refer
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Chapter 7
Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery
schedules
FactoryTalk AssetCentre allows you to create certain types of scheduled
operations, the results of which (whether or not the operation completed
successfully) can be e-mailed to the desired recipients. Currently, FactoryTalk
AssetCentre offers two types of scheduled operations beyond scheduling
searches — Device Monitor and Disaster Recovery. The Disaster Recovery
capability ensures quick and accurate file recovery by verifying your devices'
program and configuration files against protected master files.
A master file is a designated version of an asset's configuration data file. A
master file may initially be uploaded from the physical device such as a
controller, processor, or robot, or it may be saved directly from the
programming software (such as Studio 5000 Logix Designer). A master file is
added to FactoryTalk AssetCentre for backup in Archive and is required for
some FactoryTalk AssetCentre functions such as Disaster Recovery Backup
and Compare schedules (where the file in the physical asset is backed up and
compared to the master file stored in Archive so the differences can be
reported).
Disaster Recovery provides two types of operations:
• Backup. Stores a backup copy of files associated with a number of
devices, including Rockwell Automation devices, Siemens S7
processors, FTP devices including Robots, and more.
• Backup and Compare. Retrieves a copy of the files associated with a
device asset. If differences are found and you choose to store the
uploaded device files, the retrieved copy of files associated with the
device asset are promoted as the new master file stored in Archive.
• Change Detect. FactoryTalk AssetCentre can monitor a v20 or higher
ControlLogix asset for any changes in real-time.
Scheduled events for Rockwell Automation Logix 5000 processors will fail if
FactoryTalk Security is enabled for that devices' programming software
(RSLogix 5000 versions 16 and earlier). The problem is fixed in RSLogix 5000
versions later than 16. For RSLogix 5000 versions 16 and earlier, running
scheduled events requires single sign-on for these versions. This issue does
not affect other device's schedules (such as robots or PanelView devices). If a
schedule contains both Logix 5000 processors and other devices, the
scheduled event will only fail for those Logix 5000 processors for which
FactoryTalk Security is enabled in the programming software; the event will
complete for the other devices.
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Chapter 7 Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery schedules
Asset Inventory asset requires a separate activation to work with disaster recovery
Quick Start steps for setting
Step 1: Set up Agent Groups
To configure the system so that scheduled operations will succeed even with
security enabled in the RSLogix software, see Help. Select Help > Contents.
Open the Welcome to FactoryTalk AssetCentre topic and click the About the
configuration for security-enabled RSLogix products topic.
Also, activation is required for Disaster Recovery. For information regarding
the activation required, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Schedules
topic and click the Activation in FactoryTalk AssetCentre topic.
• Tip: To create scheduled searches instead of scheduled Disaster Recovery operations, see Step 2:
Create a search on page 73.
To set up schedules, you must perform the following steps:
up schedules
and agent computers in
them
• Step 1: Set up Agent Groups and agent computers in them on page 64
• Step 2: Create a schedule for the desired Disaster Recovery operation
on page 66
• Step 3: Set up recipient lists for schedule results on page 67
• Step 4: Run schedules on page 68
FactoryTalk AssetCentre uses agents to perform Disaster Recovery
operations. Agents are programs that communicate with the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre server and perform tasks on behalf of the server. Agents allow
work to be distributed and shared among multiple computers to spread
processing load and speed up operations. When a server needs an agent to
perform a task, it locates the computer running the operation and assigns the
task to that agent. The agent then reports the task's completion to the server.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent Groups is a plug-in that helps you manage the
agents into groups. With this plug-in, the agent computers that are connected
to the same FactoryTalk AssetCentre server do not need to have the same
configuration. This plug-in allows you to:
• Create agent groups, assign agent computers to the agent groups, and
identify an agent group for an asset
• Assign backup and compare schedule tasks on an asset to the agent
computers that belong to the asset’s agent group
• Monitor the status of agent computers in the Agent Status pane, the
Agent Group Creation and Agent Assignment pane, and the Assets
per Agent Group pane.
This manual covers operations configuring Agent Groups and agent
computers within those groups. To add a physical agent computer into
FactoryTalk AssetCentre system instead of managing agent computers in
agent groups, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Administration topic
and click the Add an agent computer topic.
To learn about more Agent Groups configurations (for example, delete and
rename an agent group, edit agent group properties, delete an agent
computer, edit agent computer properties, move an agent computer, and
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Tip: You can also right-click anywhere in
pane
and select Add Agent Group.
System Default agent group.
Tip: You can also right-click the agent group and select Add Agent Computer.
Create an agent group
Create an agent computer
Chapter 7 Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery schedules
move an asset from one agent group in to another) not covered in this
manual, refer to Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Agent Groups topic and
click the desired topic.
Agent Groups plug-in manages the usage of agents. By default, there is one
System Default agent group, which cannot be renamed or deleted. The
System Default agent group is used for scheduled searches, and by default for
any Disaster Recovery tasks. If you need to create a new agent group, follow
the steps below.
To create an agent group
1. If you are not in it, enter Design mode.
2. On the Menu bar, click View > Agent Groups (or click the Agent
Groups button).
3. Click the Add Agent Group button on the Agent group Creation
and Agent Assignment toolbar. The Add an Agent Group dialog box
opens.
Agent Group Creation and Agent Assignment
4. In the Add an Agent Group dialog box, enter the name and the
description for the agent group. Click OK.
Tip: The maximum number of agent groups which you can create depends on your licensed
agent group capacity. By default, you can create one agent group in addition to the existing
You can create an agent computer in Agent Groups to monitor the physical
agent computers.
To create an agent computer
1. If you are not in it, enter Design mode.
2. On the Menu bar, click View > Agent Groups (or click the Agent
Groups button).
3. Select an agent group, or an agent computer under the group where
you want to add the agent computer to. Otherwise, the agent computer
will be created under System Default agent group.
4. Click the Add Agent Computer button on the Agent Group
Creation and Agent Assignment toolbar. The Add an Agent Computer
dialog box opens.
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5. In the Add an Agent Computer dialog box, enter the name, location
and the description for the agent computer.
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Chapter 7 Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery schedules
Tip: Multiple assets can be included in the same scheduled operation by creating a scheduled
Step 2: Add assets to the asset tree on page 55.
Step 2: Create a schedule
You can click the Connect button to check whether the FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Server service can connect to the agent computer.
6. Click OK.
You can set up either a Backup or Backup and Compare Disaster Recovery
for the desired Disaster
operation when you create a schedule.
Recovery operation
Tip: To create schedules, you must have Create a new schedule, Edit a schedule, and Command a
schedule permissions. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27
To create a schedule
1. In the asset tree, select the container or device for which you want to
schedule an operation.
operation for a container. For example, a single container may contain multiple controllers.
Scheduling a Backup operation for the container backs up all of the devices in that container in
one operation.
For all of a device's schedule properties to be available for modification, make sure each device
to be added to a schedule has its Configuration Data defined in the device's properties. The
Configuration Data will be used to specify the master file for a Disaster Recovery schedule. See
2. Select View > Schedules (or click the Schedules button).
3. Click the New button (Keyboard users: Press Ctrl-N).
4. Complete the New Schedule Wizard: Step 1 Schedule Properties dialog
box and then click Next.
You must enter a unique name for the schedule.
If you have more than one e-mail address you want to include, separate
the addresses in the Completion Email List field with semicolons (;),
or, if you have View Address Book permission, select the contacts or
groups from the FactoryTalk Address Book. The report sent from this
field is the End of Schedule Report. For more information about the
End of Schedule report, see
results on page 67. For more information on a particular field, click
Help.
Step 2: Set up recipient lists for schedule
.
5. Complete the New Schedule Wizard: Step 2 Recurrence Pattern dialog
box and click Next.
To create a start time that does not begin on the hour or half hour, type
the time (and AM or PM) in the field. Be aware that it is possible to
create a schedule that will not run on a specific date. For example, if
you choose to have a schedule run on the 31st day of every month, it
will not execute in months that do not have 31 days. For more
information on a particular field, click Help.
6. Complete the New Schedule Wizard: Step 3 Operation Properties
dialog box. In the tree on the left side of the dialog box, check boxes
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Tip: To send schedule results, you must have Command a schedule and Edit a schedule
permissions. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27.
Step 3: Set up recipient lists
for schedule results
Send an End of Schedule
Chapter 7 Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery schedules
appear selected next to each asset in the schedule. Clear a box to not
include that asset in the schedule.
Properties for the selected device appear on the right side of the dialog
box. For help completing the shown properties for the selected device,
click Help.
The schedule you created will be active unless you clear the Activate
the Schedule box. For more information on a particular field, click
Help.
7. Click Finished.
There are two different types of schedule reports you can send to specified
recipients when a schedule completes:
report
• End of Schedule report. This general report summarizes information
such as a Backup and Compare schedule's start and stop times and
whether there were any differences between the contents of the
physical device and the asset's master file stored in Archive. This
report is set up through the Schedules tab.
• Backup report or Backup and Compare report. These more detailed,
operation-specific reports include information such as asset and
hardware details, the agent computer that ran the schedule, and the
name and location of the master file used in a Compare. For Backup
and Compare operations, the Backup and Compare report indicates
whether or not differences were found. To include the detail of what
these differences were, attach the Compare Report file to the e-mail
notifications. Both the Backup report and Backup and Compare report
are set up through an asset's scheduled operation properties.
To send an End of Schedule report at the end of a schedule
1. On the Schedules tab, click in the desired schedule's Completion Email
List field and then click the Browse button. The schedule must be
inactive to change the e-mail address, that is, the Active check box
must be cleared.
2. Complete the Contacts dialog box.
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Chapter 7 Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery schedules
Tip: After a Backup and Compare operation completes, if no differences are found, the Compare
scheduled operation properties topic.
Tip: To run schedules, you must have Command a schedule permission. To activate schedules, you
page 27.
Send an operation-specific
Step 4: Run schedules
Run schedules by making
3. To avoid scrolling the entire list, begin typing the last name of the
contact or the name of the group. You can double-click the contact or
group to add it to the list of recipients at the bottom of the dialog box.
For information on adding a new contact, see
the Address Book on page 30.
4. Click OK.
Step 4: Add contacts to
report
To send a Backup report or Backup and Compare report at the end of
a schedule
1. On the Schedules tab, select the schedule containing the asset for
which you want to send a report.
2. To select the asset associated with the schedule and complete its e-mail
(and other) operation properties, see Help. Select Help > Content.
Open the Schedules topic and click the Modify scheduled operation
properties topic.
Report file is attached to e-mail notifications if, in the device properties under Attach Report to
email, you set the Event Completed field to True. If differences are found, the Compare Report
file is attached to e-mail notifications if you set the Event Compare Differences Detected
field to True. See Help. Select Help > Content. Open the
You can activate a schedule so that it runs at its next scheduled time. You did
this automatically if you selected the Activate the Schedule box in the wizard
when you created the schedule. You can also activate schedules from the
Schedules tab.
To run a schedule immediately, you can run schedules manually. Choosing to
run a schedule manually immediately runs the schedule and sends e-mail
notifications to your recipient list instead of waiting for the operation's next
run time. Running a schedule manually does not affect that schedule's next
run time.
Schedules
topic and click the Modify
must have Edit a schedule permission. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on
them active
To activate an existing schedule that you did not activate when you
created the schedule
• On the Schedules tab next to the schedule you want to activate, select
the Active check box. If the selected schedule is to run daily at 4:00
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Tip: When you move, copy, or delete assets in the asset tree, the schedules for those assets are
click the desired topic.
Run schedules manually
Chapter 7 Quick Start 3: Set up Disaster Recovery schedules
P.M., the schedule will run next at 4:00 P.M. today (or 4:00 P.M.
tomorrow if it is already later than 4:00 P.M. today).
To run a schedule immediately without waiting for its next scheduled
run time
1. You cannot manually run a schedule that has Running status, so on the
Schedules tab, select a schedule with Waiting to Run status.
2. Click the Run Now button.
3. Once the schedule is run manually, it returns to Waiting to Run status.
If running the schedule manually causes the schedule to run through
its start time, FactoryTalk AssetCentre does not attempt to run the
previously scheduled operation. Instead, the message The schedule has
tripped but didn't run because it is already running is logged to the
AssetCentre Event Log and the schedule waits to run again at its next
start time.
also moved, copied, or deleted. To learn about the impacts moving, copying, and deleting assets
have on schedules, refer to Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
the Schedule changes when assets are moved, copied, deleted or renamed topic.
To learn about additional schedule tasks (for example, stopping schedules, changing schedule
run times, setting asset defaults for schedules, or renaming, filtering, and deleting schedules)
not covered in this manual, refer to Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
Schedules
topic and click
Schedules
topic and
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Tip: Initially, only previously existing data appears in the Diagnostics and Health Log if that data
RSNetWorx MD is installed on your system or ADDA functionality is available.
Chapter 8
Quick Start 4: View and search logs
FactoryTalk AssetCentre offers three different logs:
• Event Log. This log shows database information regarding events that
occur in the system. Events are generally system-initiated, for example
an upload occurred, or a scheduled task completed. Event records are
generated by FactoryTalk-enabled products.
• Audit Log. This log shows database information regarding actions
users perform in the system, such as making edits to an Studio 5000
Logix Designer project or opening or closing such a software product.
Audit records are generated by FactoryTalk-enabled products.
• Diagnostics & Health Log. The Diagnostics and Health Log provides
information about the condition of automation devices. For example, a
monitoring software product, such as Automatic Device Descriptive
Analytics (ADDA) function and RSNetWorx MD, detects a problem
with a device on the automation network. It reports the problem and
logs the information in the Diagnostics and Health Log.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre uses the same FactoryTalk Directory server
with FactoryTalk Alarms and Events. When installing AssetCentre
Diagnostics Connector, FactoryTalk AssetCentre will log Automatic
Device Descriptive Analytics (ADDA) events from FactoryTalk Alarms
and Events and displays them as Diagnostics and Health logs in
version 10.00.00 and later. FactoryTalk View Studio Enterprise version
12.00.00 and Studio 5000 Logix Designer v33.00.00 are required to be
installed for this function. The Automatic Device Descriptive Analytics
(ADDA) logs are not editable.
was imported from the RSMACC Network Health Solution. This data is not updated by
FactoryTalk AssetCentre. New data is logged in the Diagnostics and Health Log only if
You can search for and show specified records from one log at a time. For
example, you could search for log entries where a specific user performed a
task on a specific computer.
You can perform searches in two different manners:
• Scheduled searches are used to execute a search on a recurring basis
and works well for detecting specific conditions and user behaviors in
log data. For instance, you can create a scheduled search to detect
unsafe programming practices among your maintenance staff by
searching the Audit Log for edits made to program files at the end of
each shift. You can run scheduled searches manually to show search
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Chapter 8 Quick Start 4: View and search logs
Quick Search on a log topic.
Tip: To view the desired log, you must be granted View Audit Log, View Event Log, or View
FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27.
Quick Start steps for viewing
Step 1: View logs
To set up searches, you can view logs and then perform the steps to set up and
run searches:
and searching logs
results immediately. Scheduled search results can be delivered via email. Search results can be printed and saved in .PDF or CSV format.
• Unscheduled searches are used for one-time purposes or when there is
an immediate need, such as 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.
Tip: In addition to searching logs, you can search the Archive History Log, the Archive Check Out
Status, and the Asset Extended Property.
To perform a quick search without complex conditions instead of the full searches described in
this manual, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
• Step 1: View logs on page 72
Logs
topic and click the Perform a
• Step 2: Create a search on page 73
• Step 3: Set search security on page 76
• Step 4: Run searches on page 77
• Step 5: View and print search results on page 78
Viewing a particular log shows the latest entries for that log only. If no data
appears in the log, see If no data appears in a log on page 102
Diagnostics and Health Log permission. If you do not have rights to view the desired log, the message
You do not have permission to view the selected log
will appear. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for
.
1. When you click a log button, the newest log entries for the selected log
appear.
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Tip: To learn about additional log tasks (for example, sorting, filtering, printing, showing
> Contents. Open the
Logs
topic and click the desired topic.
Step 2: Create a search
Chapter 8 Quick Start 4: View and search logs
2. Use the filter fields to limit the items shown in the log. To filter fields,
see Help.
Click Help > Contents. Open the Logs topic and click the Filter log
records topic.
3. To perform a quick search on a log, see Help.
Click Help > Contents. Open the Logs topic and click Perform a quick
search on a log topic.
4. Use the column headings to sort and arrange the log data. See Help.
Click Help > Contents. Open the Logs topic and click the Sort and
arrange log records topic.
5. When you click a log entry, its contents is shown here in the Details
pane.
To view logs
1. Select View > Logs.
2. To view the desired log:
• Select View > Audit Log (or click the Audit Log button).
• Select View > Event Log (or click the Event Log button).
• Select View > Diagnostics & Health Log (or click the Diagnostics &
Health Log button).
To learn about the data fields shown in each log, click Help while the
desired log is shown.
3. To show the contents of a log entry in the Log Item Details pane, click
the log entry.
4. To update the shown log with any additional records, click the Refresh
button . This updates the records in the log with events that
occurred in your system since the log display was last refreshed. The
log display is automatically refreshed at the rate determined in the
client software settings. To change the number of seconds between
automatic refreshes, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Logs
topic and click the Change the refresh rate and number of shown
records topic.
attachments, or changing the status of a Diagnostics & Health Log record) see Help. Select Help
Use FactoryTalk AssetCentre Searches to show specified records of the Event
Log, Audit Log, Diagnostics and Health Log, the Archive History Log, the
Archive Check Out Status, or the Asset Extended Property. Search results can
be based on any column of data in a record and are generated based on
complex conditions that you set.
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Chapter 8 Quick Start 4: View and search logs
Tip: To create unscheduled searches, you must have Create a Search permission. To create scheduled
page 27.
Button or graphic
Description
Move the selected column one column to the left. Columns appear in the
Name as the first column and Logged Time as the second column.
Logged Time as the second column.
Show all of the selected record's columns in the search results. This is
all of the columns without doing so manually.
of the columns and then select only those that you want.
to show in the search results.
To create a search
searches, you must also be granted Create a Schedule, Edit a Schedule, View a Schedule, and
Command a schedule permissions. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on
1. Select View > Searches (or click the Searches button).
2. Click the New button (Keyboard users: Press Ctrl-N).
3. Complete the Search Properties page of the New Search Wizard dialog
box. Be sure to enter a unique name for the search and select its data
source (the record you want to search). For information to complete
any of the fields, click Help.
4. To create an unscheduled search for the selected record, click Finished
and go to Step 6.
5. To create a scheduled search to run at a later time, click Schedule,
complete the New Schedule Wizard: Step 2 Timing Properties dialog
box.
To create a start time that does not begin on the hour or half hour, type
the time (and AM or PM) in the field. Be aware that it is possible to
create a search that will not run on a specific date. For example, if you
choose to have a search run on the 31st day of every month, it will not
execute in months that do not have 31 days. For more information on a
particular field, click Help. When the dialog box is complete, click
Finished.
6. To configure how the search results will appear, complete the Source
and Display tab. If you do not complete this tab, the default format will
be used for the search results. The following table lists this tab’s
buttons and options:
search results report in the order in which they are shown here. The
columns of data available vary depending on the record you are searching.
Sort precedence is determined by column display order. For example, if you
want to sort the results by user name and then logged time, place User
Move Column Right.
Show (row heading) Show the record's selected data fields in the search results. In the Show
Move the selected column one column to the right. Columns are sorted in
the order in which they are shown. The columns shown vary depending on
the record you are searching. For example, if you want to sort the results by
user name and then logged time, place User Name as the first column and
helpful if you have de-selected some of the columns and want to re-select
Show none of the selected record's columns in the search results. This is
helpful if you want to show very few columns because you can deselect all
row beneath the column heading, select the checkbox for each field of data
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Sort (row heading)
Select the shown data fields (above) to sort the search results. In the Sort
Column buttons described above.
Specify the column width of data fields in percentage in the search results.
specified as 10 percent.
Display all rows
In the search results, show all records of the source log that meet the
search criteria.
Display only the first
(number) rows
In the search results, limit the matching records shown up to the number
indicated.
Tabular style
Tabular style arranges each record with column-style headings.
Card style
Card style arranges each record with row-style headings.
Portrait
The search report is shown in portrait orientation.
Landscape
The search report is shown in landscape orientation.
row beneath the column heading, click the cell to select the desired sort
order (Ascending, Descending, or No Sorting). Columns are sorted in the
order in which they are shown. To change column order, use the Move
Width(%)
In the Width(%) row, click the cell to enter an integer as the percentage of
width for a column. The total of each column's width percentage can be
equal to or less than 100 percent, but cannot exceed 100 percent. When the
total of width percentage is less than 100 percent, all the columns except for
the last one will keep their width percentage. The last column will expand its
width by the percentage that is missing from 100 percent against the total of
the rest column widths. For example, there are a total of four columns, each
of whose column width is 10 percent. In the search results, the first three
columns take the space of 10 percent of the entire row, while the last
column will take the space of 70 percent of the entire row, even though it's
Chapter 8 Quick Start 4: View and search logs
7. To create or modify the search criteria for the selected search
definition, complete the Conditions tab. The conditions you create
determine the records that will appear in the search results. For
example, you can create a condition to include only those search
results logged before or after a specific date and time. If you do not
complete this tab, there will be no conditions placed on the records
returned in the search results. That is, the search will return all
records.
How FactoryTalk AssetCentre Evaluates Search Conditions
Evaluating ungrouped conditions is straightforward. FactoryTalk
AssetCentre evaluates conditions from top to bottom. Place conditions
in the order you want them evaluated by using the Move Up and Move
Down buttons.
More complicated expressions can have a different meaning
depending on how the elements are grouped. With no grouping,
FactoryTalk AssetCentre evaluates first the AND operators and then
the OR operators. Conditions grouped with parenthesis override this,
so anything in parenthesis is evaluated first.
Example 1:
Occurred Time Equals '7/22/2007'
And Username Equal To Sally
Or Username Equal To Harry
And Resource Equal To Line1Computer
In this case, FactoryTalk AssetCentre evaluates first the ANDs and then
the OR, so it is as if the expression were written:
(7/22/2007 AND Sally) Or (Harry AND Line1Computer)
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Chapter 8 Quick Start 4: View and search logs
Button or graphic
Description
Create a new condition on which to search. The New Condition dialog box fields
creating the condition.
Change the properties of the selected condition. The Condition Properties dialog
creating the condition.
Delete the selected condition.
to group conditions to control the way the entire expression is evaluated.
Place a right parenthesis at the end of the selected condition. Use parenthesis to
control the way the entire expression is evaluated.
Place an And in front of the selected condition. By default, each condition has an
only if both conditions are met.
Place an Or in front of the selected condition. Use Or when you want an item to
appear in the search results if either one or the other condition is met.
log records that meet the condition.
Move a condition higher in the list of shown conditions. While FactoryTalk
conditions from top to bottom.
Move a condition lower in the list of shown conditions. FactoryTalk AssetCentre
evaluates the conditions in the order they appear.
Tip: The Scheduled Search Operation tab only appears when you select a scheduled search
schedule topic.
Step 3: Set search security
Meaning: Include anything Sally did on July 22. Include anything
Harry did on the Line1Computer.
Example 2:
Occurred Time Equals '7/22/2007'
And (Username Equal to Sally
Or Username Equal to Harry)
And Resource Equal To Line1Computer
The following table lists the Conditions tab’s buttons for creating
conditions:
and options that appear vary depending on the log data for which you are
Properties
Move Down
box fields and options that appear vary depending on log data for which you are
Place a left parenthesis at the beginning of the selected condition. Use parenthesis
And in front of it. Use And when you want results to appear in the search results
Place a Not in front of the selected condition. Use Not when you want to exclude
AssetCentre does evaluate conditions in a specific order (parenthetical conditions
before And conditions, and Or conditions last), it does also evaluate those
8. When the conditions are created, click Save (Search Name).
9. To quickly see the search results, view the Preview tab.
10. To format and modify the recipient list for scheduled search results as
well as set the time zone for the computer running the search,
complete the Scheduled Search Operation tab. For information on
completing this tab, click Help.
You can set security for a search definition to determine which users can set
security for, save, execute, and delete the search.
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definition on the Searches tab. To add a schedule to an existing search definition, see Help.
Select Help > Content. Open the
Searches
topic and click the Create or modify a search
Page 77
Tip: To modify security settings for a search, you must be granted Configure Security permission. In
prevent other users from changing your search definition, deny them Configure Security permission.
This permission:
Allows the selected user to:
Configure Security
modify the Read, Write, Execute, and Delete settings for this search
Write
save this search
Execute
run this search
Delete
delete this search
Step 4: Run searches
addition, you must be granted the Read and Write permissions. See the steps below.
Do not deny yourself Read permission or you will no longer be able to show the Security Settings for
(Search name) dialog box to change security for the selected search definition. Generally, all
FactoryTalk AssetCentre users are initially granted each permission related to search security. To
Chapter 8 Quick Start 4: View and search logs
To set search security
1. Select View > Searches, or click the Searches button.
2. On the Searches tab, select the search for which you want to change
security.
3. Select Edit > Security (or click the Security button at the bottom of the
Searches tab).
4. Complete the Security Settings for (Search name) dialog box. To do
this, select the user and then set that user's permissions for the
selected search definition, and then click OK. To add a user for whom
to set security for the selected search definition, at the top of the dialog
box, click Add.
The Common permissions that apply to searches are:
Read show these security settings for the this search
5. Click OK.
To run schedules, you can either activate scheduled searches or manually run
a scheduled or unscheduled search. You may want to run a scheduled search
manually if you do not want to have to wait for the search's next run time.
Running a scheduled search manually does not affect that search's next
scheduled run time.
Time Zones
A scheduled search may actually run on a different computer than your client
computer. If some computers in your FactoryTalk AssetCentre system are in
different time zones, this could confuse the time-related information in your
search results. To set the time zone for a computer that is to run a selected
scheduled search, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Searches topic
and click the About modifying and saving searches topic. To set the default
time zone for a computer that is to run scheduled searches, click the Set
scheduled search options topic.
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Chapter 8 Quick Start 4: View and search logs
Tip: To run a search, you must be granted Execute permission. See Step 3: Set search security on page
permission. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27.
Tip: To perform a quick search without complex conditions instead of the full searches
Perform a Quick Search on a log topic.
Button
Description
Results are saved in PDF or CSV format.
Print Report
Print the search results. Complete the Print dialog box and click Print.
Go To First Page
Go To Previous Page
Show the previous page of the search results.
Make a search active
Run searches manually
Step 5: View and print
To activate scheduled searches so that they run at their next
scheduled run time
To run a scheduled or unscheduled search immediately
76. To activate and deactivate scheduled searches, you must be granted Command a Schedule
permission. To run a search immediately, you must be granted the appropriate permission for the type
of search you are going to run — View Audit Log, View Event Log, or View Diagnostics & Health Log
1. Select View > Searches, or click the Searches button.
2. Next to the searches you want to activate, select the Active check box.
If the selected search is scheduled to run daily at 4:00 P.M., the search
will run next at 4:00 P.M. today (or 4:00 P.M. tomorrow if it is already
later than 4:00 P.M. today).
search results
1. Select View > Searches, or click the Searches button.
2. On the Searches tab, select the search row.
3. Click the Run Now button.
described in this manual, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
Logs
topic and click the
Once you run a search, the results appear on a separate tab. Use the Report
(Search Name) tab to view and navigate the results of a search you have run,
as well as export and print the search's results.
Tip: To preview a search instead of showing the report, click the Preview tab.
To view and print search results
1. After you run the search, click the Report (Search Name) tab.
2. Use the Report tab's toolbar to navigate, export, and print the results.
The following table lists the Report tab's toolbar buttons and provides
a brief description of each button’s functions.
Export Report
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Export the search results to the desired location on your hard drive.
Show the first page of the search results.
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Show the next page of the search results. If the cover page of the report
the actual search results returned.
Go To Last Page
Show the last page of the search results.
Go To Page
Show a specific page of the search results by entering the page number.
Zoom
Show the search results as larger or smaller using different percentages.
Tip: To learn about additional search tasks (for example, filtering, modifying, renaming, sorting,
click the desired topic.
Chapter 8 Quick Start 4: View and search logs
Go To Next Page
is shown, click this button to see the first page of the report containing
3. To close the Report tab, click the Close button on the right side of
the tab.
or deleting searches), refer to Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
Searches
topic and then
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Tip: When archiving FactoryTalk AssetCentre's File asset file size is limited by Microsoft SQL Server to
exceed 2GB as this can negatively impact database performance.
Tip: To add files to Archive, all you need to do is add assets and their associated files to the
Quick Start steps for
Chapter 9
Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
The FactoryTalk AssetCentre Archive is a version control tool that helps
manage asset files. Use Archive to keep secure copies of asset configuration
files, pin file versions as masters, track versions, and control file use so that
only one person at a time can modify a file.
2GB. It is not possible to archive files larger than 2GB. FactoryTalk AssetCentre's Binder asset can store
collections that exceed 2GB. Extreme care should be exercised when archiving Binders with sizes that
Using Archive, you can:
• Keep automation files securely archived. FactoryTalk AssetCentre's
Archive uses Microsoft SQL Server to safely store archived files in a
relational database. When you store assets in Archive, you reduce your
need to back up work and prevent accidental deletion of asset data.
• Ensure that files are modified by one user at a time. Designate a file
you want to work on and ensure no other users can work on the same
archived file until your changes are saved in the Archive database.
• Version files. Archive is similar to a library. To use an archived file,
check it out and when you are done, check it in again. As with a library
book, only one person can check out a file at a time. The difference is
that you can make changes to the checked-out file, so the library keeps
a copy of each version of the file. This way, if someone needs to see a
version of a file before it was changed, the earlier version can still be
obtained. See Step 2: Check out a file for editing on page 83 and
Check in a file on page 84.
• Keep an existing version available for use while development
continues. Pin the version of a file that you want other users to use.
Development can continue on that file and each revision is saved in
Archive, but if another user gets the file, they get the pinned version.
Also, scheduled operations use the pinned version of the master file.
For information about pinning files, refer to Help. Select Help >
Contents. Open the Archive topic and click the Pin or unpin files or
binders topic.
Step 3:
asset tree. See Step 2: Add assets to the asset tree on page 57.
To work with files in Archive:
managing files in Archive
• Step 1: Set a working folder on page 82
• Step 2: Check out a file for editing on page 83
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Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
Tip: When you check out, check in, or get a file or binders, you have the option of overriding the
86.
Step 1: Set a working folder
• Step 3: Check in a file on page 84
• Step 4: Get a read-only version of a file on page 86
• Step 5: Open a file for viewing on page 87
• Step 6: Initiate a Management of Change workflow to check out a file
for editing on page 88
To edit a file or binder stored in the Archive database, you must place a copy
of the file or binder on your local hard drive. The location on your hard drive
is called a working folder. Without a working folder, you cannot retrieve files
or binders from the Archive database. When you set a working folder for an
asset, you set the working folder for all files and binders within the asset.
Types of Working Folders
FactoryTalk AssetCentre has two types of working folders:
• System working folder. The location where images of files and binders
will be stored when you check out the files for editing or get a readonly version of a file. When the system working folder is set, this
working folder applies to all files and binders in an asset, and all
FactoryTalk AssetCentre users. For example, if you set a system
working folder located at C:\BOTTLING PLANT for an asset called
East Conveyor, when a user gets or checks out the East Conveyor
asset, the path C:\BOTTLING PLANT is created on that user's local
computer and will contain all of the East Conveyor asset's files. Each
asset can only have one system working folder. Any user with
Configure System Archive Working folders permission can set a
system working folder for an asset.
• Personal working folder. The working folder that overrides the system
working folder. When you set a personal working folder in Archive,
that folder is created on your computer and remains your personal
working folder for an asset's files and binders. Other users use the
system working folder until they set their own personal working
folders. If users set personal working folders for assets on one
computer and then launch FactoryTalk AssetCentre on another
computer and want to use the same personal working folders, they
must set the working folders again.
To set a system working folder, you must have Configure System Archive
Working Folders permission. To set a personal working folder (or to override
a working folder when checking in, checking out, or getting a file or binder),
you must have Configure Personal Archive Working Folders permission (see
Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27
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current working folder with a temporary location. See Step 2: Check out a file for editing on
page 83, Step 3: Check in a file on page 84, or Step 4: Get a read-only version of a file on page
) and Set
Page 83
Step 2: Check out a file for
Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
Working Folder permission for the asset (see Step 3: Change security settings
for an asset on page 61).
To set a working folder
1. Select View > Archive (or click the Archive button).
2. In the asset tree, select the asset containing the files and binders for
which you want to set the working folder.
3. On the Archive tab, after the Working folder field, click Set.
4. Complete the Set Working Folders dialog box. The current working
folder for the selected asset appears at the bottom of this dialog. If you
set a personal working folder for yourself, it will override the system
working folder. However, all other users will use the system working
folder for the asset’s files.
5. Click OK.
6. To show the contents of a working folder in Windows Explorer, right-
click the asset in the asset tree and select Open Working Folder. To
show the contents of a working folder from within Archive, with the
asset selected in the asset tree, and click the link at the top of the
Archive tab:
editing
Before modifying any file stored in Archive, you must retrieve a copy of the
file to the current working folder on your computer. Retrieving a file and
making it available for editing is called checking out a file. Only one user at a
time can check out a file. If a file is checked out by another user, you must wait
until that user checks in the file again before you can check out and edit the
file. However, you can get a file that is checked out by another user so that you
can view it in your project. For information about getting a read-only version
of a file, see Step 4: Get a read-only version of a file on page 86
.
When you check out an asset, you automatically check out all of the files
within the asset. You have the option of checking out any files located in
subfolders of the asset.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre makes it easy to locate a file you check out by
duplicating the asset tree structure in folders and subfolders on your hard
drive. A check out duplicates the asset tree structure from the container or
folder where you set the working folder to the container or folder where the
file you checked out is located.
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Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
Tip: To check out files, you must have CheckOut - CheckIn permission for the asset. See Step 3:
Tip: You can also right-click an asset in the asset tree (or a file on the Archive tab after you
select an asset in the asset tree) and select Check Out.
This option
Performs the following:
Get local copy
Select this option to check out the version of a file from the Archive database and
file on page 86.
This option is only available if you select an asset that contains files in the asset tree.
Override working
Select this option to override your current working folder and check out files to a
security settings for an asset on page 61).
Help. See Help > Contents. Open the
Archive
topic and click the Undo a check out topic.
Step 3: Check in a file
Change security settings for an asset on page 61.
To check out a file or folder of files
1. In the asset tree, select the asset containing the file(s) to check out.
Once you select an asset in the asset tree, you can also select the file to
check out on the Archive tab.
2. On the Archive tab, click the Check Out button.
3. Complete the Check out dialog box by selecting any of the following
options:
place it in your working folder; any version of the file in your current working folder
will be overwritten by the version checked out from the Archive database. Clear this
option to preserve the file version in your current working folder. This is useful when
you've performed a Get to retrieve a writable version of the file to your current
working folder and now want to back up changes you make to that file in Archive.
Clearing this option allows you to continue editing the version in your current working
folder and back up those changes in Archive the next time you check in the file. For
information about getting a version of a file, see Step 4: Get a read-only version of a
Once edits are completed to a checked-out file, return it to the Archive
database. Checking in a file saves a new version so that changes are backed up
and protected in the Archive database. When you are working on a file over a
long period of time, it is good practice to check in the file daily.
Recursively check out
files from subfolders
folders
Normally when you check out an asset, you check out all of the files within the asset.
Select this option to also check out all of the files located in subfolders of the asset.
temporary working folder used for this one check out operation only. Type the path of
the temporary working folder (you can type the path of a new temporary working
folder and the working folder will be created automatically), or click Browse to select
the path of the working folder you want to use temporarily.
To override the working folder, you must have Configure Personal Archive
Working Folders permission (see Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk
AssetCentre on page 27) and Set Working Folders permission (see Step 3: Change
4. Enter an optional comment to summarize the work. This is helpful
when tracking work done in a file. The maximum length for a
comment is 2500 characters.
5. Click OK. A checkmark appears next to the file link and the check out
location of the file appears on the Archive tab.
Tip: You can undo a check-out. This reverts a file or an asset's files to the previous version and
marks the file as no longer checked out. For information about undoing a check-out, refer to
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page 27).
Tip: You can also right-click the asset or file in the asset tree (or a file on the Archive tab if you
select an asset in the asset tree) and select Check In.
This option:
Performs the following:
copy
the copy of the modified file from your current working folder.
Check in but keep a local
Check in the file so the changes are backed up in the Archive database, and keep
FactoryTalk AssetCentre on page 27.
immediately check out the file to yourself again so that you can keep editing it.
Recursively check in files
Normally when you check in a device or container, you check in all of the files
container in the asset tree.
Override check-out location
Select this option to check in files from a temporary working folder instead of your
Change security settings for an asset on page 61).
Tip: Depending on the value assigned to the Allow Empty Comment at Check In security
check-in.
Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
If you check in an asset, you automatically check in all files within the asset.
You have the option of checking in any files located in subfolders of the asset
as well.
You can only check in a file that someone else has checked out if you have
permission.
Tip: To check in files, you must have CheckOut - CheckIn permission (see Step 3: Change security
settings for an asset on page 61). To check in a file someone else has checked out, you must have
Override Archive CheckIn permission (see Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre on
To check in a file or folder of files
1. In the asset tree, select the file or the asset containing the files to check
in.
2. On the Archive tab, click the Check In button.
3. Complete the Check in dialog box. The following options are available:
Check in and delete the local
copy
Keep checked out Check in the file so the changes are backed up in the Archive database, but
from subfolders
with path
Check in the file so the changes are backed up in the Archive database, and delete
a read-only copy of the file in your current working folder. When you check out
this file again, you will have to decide whether or not you want to overwrite the file
in your working folder. This option is only available when you have Override
Removal of Local Copies permission. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for
within that asset. Select this option to also check in any files located in subfolders
of the device or container. This option is only available if you select a device or
current working folder. This is useful if you made a copy of a file and placed it in a
location other than the working folder to which you originally checked out the file.
To save any changes to the file you copied, click Browse and select the location
from which you want to check in the file.
To override the working folder, you must have Configure Personal Archive
Working Folders permission (see Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk
AssetCentre on page 27) and Set Working Folders permission (see Step 3:
4. Enter a comment to summarize the work. This is helpful when
tracking work done in a file. The maximum length for a comment is
2500 characters.
5. Click OK. The checkmark is removed from the asset or file on the
Archive tab. The check-in action, as well as the date and time the file is
checked in, appears on the History tab. To learn about the History tab,
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setting for a particular user or group, typing a comment may or may not be obligatory upon the
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Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
Tip: To get read-only versions of files, you must have Get permission. See Step 3: Change security
settings for an asset on page 61.
This option:
Performs the following:
Get writable copy
Retrieve an editable instead of read-only copy of the file. This retrieves the most
recent or pinned file version into the current working folder.
a device, container, or folder in the asset tree. It is not available if you select a file.
files
are retrieving from the Archive database.
Override local name
Select this option to provide another name for the file to be placed in the working
Override working folders
Select this option to retrieve the file into a temporary working folder, instead of the
Step 4: Get a read-only
see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Archive topic and click the
View file history topic.
Use Get to retrieve a read-only copy of a file or the files in an asset to your
version of a file
current working folder. Get allows people who need to use the file (but don't
need to edit it) to get the necessary file version. For example, if you want to
copy rungs from another ladder program, you can get that program (even if
another user has the file checked out), copy the rungs, and then paste them
into your file. Getting a file eliminates accidental changes to the master file.
You can get the current version of a file or the files in an asset, or you can
select an earlier version. You can also get a file that is marked as checked out,
even if you have the file checked out.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre makes it easy to locate a file that you get by
duplicating the asset tree structure in folders and subfolders on your hard
drive. Getting a file duplicates the asset tree structure from the container or
folder where you set the working folder to the container or folder where the
file you get is located.
The date and time a file is retrieved appears in the file history. To learn about
how Archive sets dates and times for files, see Help. Select Help > Contents.
Open the Archive topic and click the Date and time settings topic.
To get the current version of a file
1. In the asset tree, select the file or asset containing the files to retrieve
2. Complete the Get dialog box. The following options are available:
and click the Get button.
Recursively get files from
subfolders
Overwrite checked-out
Place a copy of all files located in subfolders of the selected device, container, or
folder into the current working folder. This option is only available when you select
Overwrite any versions of the file in the current working folder with the version you
folder. Select the check box and type a name for the file. When you click OK, the
file is placed in the working folder with the specified name.
current working folder, for this Get operation only. Type the exact path of the
temporary working folder or click Browse to select the working folder location
where you would like to store the retrieved files.
To override the working folder, you must have Configure Personal Archive
Working Folders permission (see Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk
AssetCentre on page 27) and Set Working Folders permission (see Step 3:
Change security settings for an asset on page 61).
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desired topic.
Step 5: Open a file for
viewing
Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
3. Enter an optional comment to summarize the work. This is helpful
when tracking work done in a file. The maximum length for a
comment is 2500 characters.
4. Click OK. The file appears in your current working folder. The Get
action is shown in the file history unless you select to show versionrelated activities.
Tip: To get a specific (labeled) version of a file, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
Archive
topic and click the Label a file or binder version and Get a read-only version of a
file or binder topics.
You can also get a pinned version of a file, if there is one. For more information, see Help. Select
Archive
Help > Contents. Open the
To learn about additional Archive tasks (for example, promoting, or deleting files from the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Archive), also refer to Help. Open the
topic and click the Pin or unpin files or binders topic.
Archive
topic and click the
If you have set a working folder for a file, you can choose to open that file to
view its contents. This is helpful when you want to make sure you have
selected the correct file. Opening a file also allows you to copy its content.
When you open a file and have already placed a local copy of that file in the
working folder by either checking out or getting the file, the software program
associated with the file opens the file. To set a file association for a file, see
Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Archive topic and click the Set file
associations topic.
If you do not have a local copy of the file in your working folder when you
choose to open the file, FactoryTalk AssetCentre prompts you to either check
out the file for editing (see Step 2: Check out a file for editing on page 83
) or
Get a read-only version of the file (see Step 4: Get a read-only version of a file
on page 86). This allows you to place a local copy of the file in your working
folder and have the associated software program open the file at the same
time.
To open a file
1. In the asset tree, right-click the file and select Open Working Folder.
You can also double-click the file or select it in the asset tree and then
at the top of the Archive tab, click the file link:
If there is a copy of the file in your working folder, the file's associated
software program launches and opens the file.
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Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
Tip: If you do not have a working folder set for the file's asset, the message dialog box
Unable to
cannot open a file on page 102.
Tip: You can also right-click an asset in the asset tree (or a file on the Archive tab after you
select an asset in the asset tree) and select Check Out.
Step 6: Initiate a
2. Close the file when you are done viewing it. Any changes you make to
an open file will not be saved unless you check out the file from
Archive. See Step 2: Check out a file for editing on page 83
If the automatic check-in feature is enabled, after done editing the file
that checked out from Archive, you will be asked if you need to save a
new version. For more information on automatic check-in, see Help.
Select Help > Contents, and navigate to the Archive topic and then to
the Check in files or binders automatically topic.
You can use Management of Change to supervise the check-out and check-in
Management of Change
operations.
Launch File
folder on page 82.
If there is not a copy of the file in your working folder, complete the File Retrieval Options
dialog box to place the file in your working folder and then either checking out or getting the file.
For more information about checking out a file, see Step 2: Check out a file for editing on page
83. For more information about getting a file, see Step 4: Get a read-only version of a file on
page 86.
If the message
appears instead of the File Retrieval Options dialog box. See Step 1: Set a working
No program is associated with the specified file for this operation
, see If you
.
workflow to check out a file
for editing
Prerequisites
• You must have CheckOut - CheckIn permission for the asset.
• CheckOut does not require MoC workflow permission is denied.
• You have finished Management of Change configuration.
To initiate a Management of Change workflow for check-out operation
1. In the asset tree, select the asset containing the file(s).
Once you select an asset in the asset tree, you can also select the file to
check out on the Archive tab.
2. On the Archive tab, select Check Out.
3. In the Check Out Request dialog box, enter the reason for check-out.
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Note:
following steps.
Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
4. Select Submit.
5. (optional) To reset the file's and binder's status, select Unblock
Workflow.
You must have the Unblock MoC workflow permission.
• Other users cannot perform check-out until the submitted request is approved or rejected, or
Unblock Workflow is used.
• After the request is approved by Management of Change administrators, you can do the
6. On the Archive tab, select Check Out.
7. Complete the Check out dialog box.
8. Click OK.
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Chapter 9 Quick Start 5: Open and edit files in Archive
A checkmark next to the file or binder in the Archive tab indicates the
item is checked out. The location and the action statuses of the checked
out item is also shown on the Archive tab.
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Quick Start steps for
Step 1: Synchronize life-
Chapter 10
Quick Start 6: Manage Rockwell Automation
hardware life cycle
Assets Lifecycle provides the life-cycle information for Rockwell Automation
hardware devices in the system. It shows the life-cycle status in the form of a
list that allows you to easily manage the hardware life cycle and make
decisions about which device needs upgrade or replacement. In order to take
advantage of this feature, the Asset Inventory for disaster recovery license is
required.
To manage the life cycle of Rockwell Automation hardware devices:
managing Rockwell
Automation hardware life
cycle
cycle status
• Step 1: Synchronize life-cycle status on page 91
• Step 2: Refresh life-cycle status on page 92
• Step 3: View detailed life-cycle status on page 93
For more information, refer to Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Assets
Lifecycle topic and click the desired topic.
Synchronize life-cycle information in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server and
client with the data on the Rockwell Automation life cycle website
information about securely accessing the Rockwell Automation lifecycle
website from your OT zone-based FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server, please
refer to this document Cloud Connectivity to a Converged Plantwide Ethernet
Architecture
https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/td/enettd017_-en-p.pdf in Rockwell Automation Literature Library. You can
synchronize the life-cycle information of either assets or asset inventory in
the AssetCentre server. The life-cycle synchronization is recommended to run
during server null time (time when no scheduled tasks or user interaction is
taking place) if possible. With the synchronization process being based on
product ID or catalog number quantity, it can take some time to complete
based on the total collected, and will require server resources during runtime.
. For more
Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021 91
Synchronizing the Assets and Asset Library requires an Internet connection.
To synchronize life-cycle status of assets
1. Select View > Assets Lifecycle, or click the Assets Lifecycle button.
2. Click the Asset tab.
3. Click Sync. A progress bar shows.
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Chapter 10 Quick Start 6: Manage Rockwell Automation hardware life cycle
Step 2: Refresh life-cycle
4. After the progress, the life-cycle information is updated to the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre database and the life-cycle status is updated
on the asset list.
To synchronize life-cycle status of asset inventory
1. Select View > Assets Lifecycle, or click the Assets Lifecycle button.
2. Click the Asset Inventory tab.
3. If you have used an asset inventory file before and don't want to use
another version, skip to Step 7.
If this is the first time to use an asset inventory file, the Asset
Inventory tab is empty. You need to specify an RAAI file. On the right
of the Asset Inventory File box, click .
4. On the left of the Select File dialog box, select an RAAI file in the asset
tree view.
5. On the right of the Select File dialog box, select an RAAI file version.
• Filter by label
status
Select this option to filter the RAAI files by label.
• Filter by version
Select this option to filter the RAAI files by version.
• Latest version
Select this option to use the latest version of the RAAI file.
6. Click OK.
7. Click Sync. A progress bar shows.
8. After the progress, the life-cycle information is updated to the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre database and the life-cycle status is updated
on the asset list.
Refreshing life-cycle information only updates the data on the AssetCentre
client with the AssetCentre server. You can refresh the life-cycle information
of either assets or asset inventory on the AssetCentre client.
This operation doesn't need an Internet connection.
To refresh life-cycle status of assets or asset inventory
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1. Select View > Assets Lifecycle, or click the Assets Lifecycle button.
2. To refresh assets, click the Asset tab.
To refresh asset inventory, click the Asset Inventory tab.
3. Click Refresh. A progress bar shows.
4. After the progress, the life-cycle information is updated from the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre database to the client and the life-cycle status
is updated on the asset list.
Page 93
Tip:
replacement product and replacement category.
Tip:
If you want to reopen the life-cycle window of an asset you just closed, click
again.
Status
Description
None
Indicates the lifecycle status is not available for the asset.
Active Mature
Product is fully supported, but a newer product or family exists. Gain value by migrating.
End of Life
Discontinued date announced - actively execute migrations and last time buys. Product generally
orderable until the discontinued date.1
Discontinued
New product no longer manufactured or procured.2 Repair/exchange services may be available.
Multiple Status
There are several lifecycle statuses found for a device.
Not Found
There are no lifecycle statuses found for a device.
Step 3: View detailed life-
cycle status
Chapter 10 Quick Start 6: Manage Rockwell Automation hardware life cycle
In the asset list on the Asset or Asset Inventory tab, you can view the detailed
life-cycle status of devices, including:
• Device: product ID of a device.
• Description: product description of a device.
• In Device: the existing firmware revision in the device.
• Most Current Minor Release: the most current minor firmware
revision available for the device, including its Release Notes, Product
Notices, or Product Service Advisories.
• Most Current Release: the most current major firmware revision
available for the device, including its Release Notes, Product Notices,
or Product Service Advisories.
• Lifecycle Status: life-cycle status of a device.
• Last Update Date: the last time when the life-cycle status was updated.
• Discontinued Date: the announced discontinued date.
• Replacement Category: the nature of the replacement.
• Replacement Product: the recommended product to replace the
current one.
To view detailed life-cycle status
1. Select View > Assets Lifecycle, or click the Assets Lifecycle button.
2. Click the Asset tab or the Asset Inventory tab.
3. Click a device in the list. A window of life-cycle information opens.
For devices in the Active Mature, End of Life or Discontinued status, you can
expand the Replacement Information to view the recommended
4. To close the window, click anywhere outside the window.
another asset then click the one whose life-cycle window you want to open
Life-cycle statuses
In the asset list of Assets Lifecycle, there are seven statuses appended to each
asset, showing their current life-cycle stage.
Active Most current offering within a product category.
1
Outages on specific items may occur prior to the Discontinued date.
2
Limited stock may be available in run-out mode, regionally.
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Troubleshoot the
If the client fails to start
Troubleshoot
For additional troubleshooting information see Help.
Chapter 11
FactoryTalk AssetCentre
client
This section includes the following topics:
• If the client fails to start on page 95
• If the client cannot communicate with the server on page 96
• If you cannot enter Design Mode on page 97
• If you cannot connect to PanelView Plus devices on page 97
• If you cannot connect to MobileView devices on page 98
• Make sure the client computer is connected to the network and the
network is operational.
• Make sure your FactoryTalk AssetCentre server computer is running.
• Make sure the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server service, IIS and SQL
server are all running on the server computer (and the database
computer if separate).
• Make sure the correct FactoryTalk Directory is specified. On the
machine running the client, select Start > Rockwell Software >
FactoryTalk Tools > Specify FactoryTalk Directory Location.
• If your computer is not authenticated by a domain controller (for
example, if it is part of a workgroup instead), turn off the FactoryTalk
single sign-in feature. For information about single sign-in, see the
FactoryTalk help file. Select Start > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk
Tools > FactoryTalk Help.
• Make sure the server location setting is correct. On the server
computer go to Start > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Server > Server Settings. The server location must be set in this utility,
NOT in the FactoryTalk Administration Console.
• Make sure the SQL Connection is set properly. On the server computer
go to Start > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server >
Data Source Configuration.
• If the message The client and server versions are incompatible appears
when you attempt to start the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client, and the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre software installed on the server has been
updated, then the software on the client needs to be updated. See the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide for information on updating
the client and agent software.
• If the message Error initializing FactoryTalk AssetCentre appears when
you attempt to start the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client, your
FactoryTalk AssetCentre server may have failed (or you may have lost
your network connection to the server) or the client computer may not
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Chapter 11 Troubleshoot
Tip: For information on port requirements, see the topic Network requirements in the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide
. Select Help > Installation Guide to open the guide.
If the client cannot
communicate with the
server
be part of the FactoryTalk Directory. If you have checked the server (as
directed earlier in this list), try adding the client computer to the
FactoryTalk Network Directory. From another computer that has
access to the FactoryTalk Directory (the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
server, for example), use the FactoryTalk Administration Console to
add the computer to the FactoryTalk Directory.
• If you are using a firewall, make sure your firewall is configured
properly to permit access to the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server. See
the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide for information on firewall
settings.
If a client cannot connect to the server (if the server status in the Status Bar is
Disconnected) or the client cannot connect to capabilities located on the
network (for example, if logs won't show or schedule information does not
appear) check the following:
• client computer is connected to the network and the network is
operational.
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server service, IIS, and SQL Server are all on-
line. See below for more information on IIS.
• server location setting is correct. On the server computer select Start >
Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server > Server
Settings. The server location must be set in this utility, not in the
FactoryTalk Administration Console.
• SQL Connection is set properly. On the server computer select Start >
Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server > Data Source
Configuration.
To make sure IIS is running on the server computer
1. Click Start.
2. On the taskbar, click .
3. In the search box, type inetmgr, and then press Enter.
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If you cannot enter Design
If you cannot connect to
Chapter 11 Troubleshoot
4. Click the best match result.
5. In the right pane, under Connections, expand the server node.
6. Expand Sites, and then click Default Web Site.
7. In the right pane, under Actions, check if the site is running.
Mode
If it is not, start it:
• In the right pane, under Manage Web Site, click Start.
• You might not have the appropriate permissions to enter Design
mode. See Step 3: Set Feature Security for FactoryTalk AssetCentre
page 27.
• Only one user in your system can be in Design mode at a time. If
another user is in Design mode, you will not be able to enter Design
mode until that user exits Design mode.
• The server might not be activated. To see if the server is activated,
select Help > About. Under Components, select FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Server Features, and then below that select FactoryTalk
AssetCentre Server. Activation information for the server appears on
the right.
If the server needs to be activated, in the About dialog box, click
Refresh. If the server is still not activated, see the FactoryTalk
Activation Manager Help for more information.
• The server, database, or FactoryTalk Directory may be offline or
unavailable.
on
PanelView Plus devices
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FactoryTalk Linx, formerly known as RSLinx Enterprise, must be installed on
the client computer to communicate with PanelView Plus operator interfaces.
See the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide for information on installing
FactoryTalk Linx.
FactoryTalk View ME must be installed on the agent computer to
communicate with PanelView Plus operator interfaces. This is a separate
installation that is not included as part of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
installation.
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Chapter 11 Troubleshoot
If you cannot connect to
Troubleshoot Schedules
If a schedule did not run
If a schedule no longer
If an asset is missing from a
MobileView devices
FactoryTalk Linx, formerly known as RSLinx Enterprise, must be installed on
the client computer to communicate with MobileView operator interfaces.
FactoryTalk Linx must be version 5.71 or higher. See the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Installation Guide for information on installing FactoryTalk Linx.
FactoryTalk View ME must be installed on the agent computer to
communicate with MobileView operator interfaces. This is a separate
installation that is not included as part of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
installation.
This section includes the following topics:
appears on the Schedules
tab
• If a schedule did not run on page 98
• If a schedule no longer appears on the Schedules tab on page 98
• If an asset is missing from a schedule on page 98
• My schedule contains extra devices that I don't want in the schedule on
page 99
• If you are prompted to install agents when creating a Disaster
Recovery schedule on page 100
• If you see the message "Failed to create RSLogix 5 [or 500] data [or
program ladder] file list" on page 100
• If the scheduled Disaster Recovery operation never completes on page
100
You must make a schedule active for its status to be Waiting to Run or
Running. See Step 3: Run schedules on page 68
Any user with Delete a schedule permission can delete any schedule from
FactoryTalk AssetCentre. You do not have to create a schedule to be able to
delete that schedule. If you or another FactoryTalk AssetCentre user has
permission and deletes an asset from the asset tree, the schedule will be
deleted. This occurs if an asset is the starting point (the top level asset) of a
schedule. The schedule cannot be retrieved. You must add the device to the
asset tree again and then recreate the asset's schedule. For more information
about deleting assets, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Assets topic
and click the Delete an asset topic.
.
schedule
98 Rockwell Automation Publication - FTAC-GR002G-EN-E - March 2021
If you or another FactoryTalk AssetCentre user deletes an asset from the asset
tree, that asset will be removed from any schedules in which it was included.
To restore that asset to the schedule, you would have to add the asset back
into the container in the asset tree that is the starting point of the schedule.
When you add the asset back to the container, it will appear in the schedule
again, but it will have the default operation properties set under Tools >
Options. If these are not the desired properties, you can change the properties
for that asset in that schedule. See Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the
Schedules topic and click the Modify scheduled operation properties topic.
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My schedule contains extra
devices that I don't want in
the schedule
Chapter 11 Troubleshoot
Devices meeting the necessary criteria will automatically be added to a
scheduled container as soon the device is added to the container in the asset
tree. To exclude assets from a schedule, disable the assets you do not want to
include in the schedule. See Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Schedules
topic and click the Enable or disable scheduled assets topic.
If a scheduled operation fails
• Certain operations, such as Backup and Compare, may fail if the
operation requires that a device has a master file and it does not. To
select which version of the file in Archive will serve as the master file to
the device, see Help. Select Help > Contents. Open the Assets topic and
click the Add an asset topic.
• The FactoryTalk Linx or RSLinx Classic path on the client computer
where the device's addressing information was set may not match the
FactoryTalk Linx or RSLinx Classic path on the agent computer
running the schedule. All computers in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
system must have the same FactoryTalk Linx or RSLinx Classic drivers
and paths.
• Scheduled events for Rockwell Automation Logix 5000 processors will
fail if FactoryTalk Security is enabled for that devices' programming
software (RSLogix 5000 versions 16 and earlier). The problem is fixed
in RSLogix 5000 versions later than 16. For RSLogix 5000 versions 16
and earlier, running scheduled events requires single sign-on for these
versions. This issue does not affect other device's schedules (such as
robots or PanelView devices). If a schedule contains both Logix 5000
processors and other devices, the scheduled event will only fail for
those Logix 5000 processors for which FactoryTalk Security is enabled
in the programming software; the event will complete for the other
devices.
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To configure the system so that scheduled operations will succeed even
with security enabled in the RSLogix software, see Help. Select Help >
Contents. Open the Schedules topic and click the About the
configuration for security-enabled RSLogix products topic.
You will be unable to create a schedule for an asset that is to be the starting
point of a schedule if the asset isn't supported by the scheduled operation.
Also, a schedule will not include an asset that is not supported by the selected
operation. For example, if you have Disaster Recovery for Rockwell devices,
but did not purchase Disaster Recovery for Motoman Robots, you won't be
able to create a schedule for a Motoman robot, nor will a Motoman robot
appear in a schedule for its parent container.
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Chapter 11 Troubleshoot
If you are prompted to
If you see the message
If the scheduled Disaster
install agents when creating
a Disaster Recovery
schedule
An agent is a program capability (such as Disaster Recovery) that can be
located and run on a computer to help another computer complete a task.
Agents or operations allow work to be distributed and shared among multiple
computers to spread processing load and speed up operations. When a server
needs an agent to perform a task, it locates the computer running the
operation and assigns the task to that agent. The agent then reports the task's
completion to the server.
If you receive a message to install agents or that no agents are installed, the
software cannot contact any agents (for example, Unable to create a new schedule
... No licensed agents are available). The computers running the agents are not
currently available on the network, the agent software needs to be updated, or
there are no computers with agents installed on the network.
• When you create a Disaster Recovery schedule, make sure you have not
selected an invalid asset, such as a binder or a file. You cannot create
any schedules on a binder or file.
• Make sure you have selected a device asset for which you have the
Disaster Recovery capability. The Disaster Recovery capability operates
only on device assets for which you have purchased the Disaster
Recovery capability. You can get Disaster Recovery activation for
Rockwell Automation devices and for Motoman robots. See the
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide.
• Creating a Disaster Recovery schedule requires that at least one
computer on your network has the Disaster Recovery agent installed
on it. If there are no computers with the agent software installed,
install the agent software. See the topic "Install FactoryTalk
AssetCentre agents" in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide.
• If the agent is installed, make sure the computers on which the agent is
installed are running and available on your network and that the
Disaster Recovery capability is activated. See the FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Installation Guide.
• The agent software must be the same version as the server. To update
the agent software, see the topic "Install FactoryTalk AssetCentre
agents" in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide.
"Failed to create RSLogix 5
[or 500] data [or program
ladder] file list"
Recovery operation never
completes
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This message appears if you do not have the RSLogix 5 or RSLogix 500
programming software installed on the client computer on which you are
specifying which files and data will be compared during a Backup and
Compare operation. Install the appropriate RSLogix programming software
on the client computer or use a client computer that already has the
programming software.
The agent that actually performs the operation may be busy, unavailable, or
uninstalled. If Waiting for Interface appears next to the scheduled assets in the
lower left pane of the Schedules tab and it never changes, then either all
agents are busy or no agents are online. You can check all schedules on the
Schedules tab to see whether any are running (and thus using the available
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