Abstract: A method in an industrial process control system comprises creating a control strategy for an industrial process, running a simulation of the control strategy, and rewinding the simulation of the control strategy. Rewinding the control strategy includes setting the simulation to a previous point in time of the simulation. The method further includes displaying the simulation on a display. The method can further comprise capturing process variable states from an online process and fast forwarding the simulation of the control strategy, wherein fast forwarding the control strategy includes progressing the simulation forward from a state represented by the captured process variable states.

Abstract: A system includes a high speed bus and a plurality of multi-function modules coupled to the high speed bus. The plurality of multi-function modules includes at least one controller configured to execute control logic for the system. The plurality of multi-function modules also includes at least one arbitrator configured to manage the at least one controller. The plurality of multi-function modules further includes at least one input/output (IO) manager configured to interface between the at least one controller and at least one field device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a device and method for implementing legacy and improved control functions in controllers, including but not limited to in industrial control systems and other systems. A method includes maintaining, by a device having a controller and a memory, a function library having a plurality of legacy control functions and a plurality of improved control functions. The method includes receiving a process to be executed by the controller. The method includes, when calling a function of the process, determining whether a device setting indicates that the function is to be executed by one of the plurality of improved control functions. The method includes, when the device setting indicates that the function is to be executed by one of the plurality of improved control functions, executing the function using the one of the improved control functions, and otherwise executing the function using one of the legacy control functions.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, over a virtual private network (VPN) to a remotely-located control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process. The method also includes receiving, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information. The method further includes receiving, over a local network from an embedded device in a distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a device and method for implementing legacy and improved control functions in controllers, including but not limited to in industrial control systems and other systems. A method includes maintaining, by a device having a controller and a memory, a function library having a plurality of legacy control functions and a plurality of improved control functions. The method includes receiving a process to be executed by the controller. The method includes, when calling a function of the process, determining whether a device setting indicates that the function is to be executed by one of the plurality of improved control functions. The method includes, when the device setting indicates that the function is to be executed by one of the plurality of improved control functions, executing the function using the one of the improved control functions, and otherwise executing the function using one of the legacy control functions.

Abstract: A system includes a high speed bus and a plurality of multi-function modules coupled to the high speed bus. The plurality of multi-function modules includes at least one controller configured to execute control logic for the system. The plurality of multi-function modules also includes at least one arbitrator configured to manage the at least one controller. The plurality of multi-function modules further includes at least one input/output (IO) manager configured to interface between the at least one controller and at least one field device.

Abstract: A method includes transitioning a device in an industrial process control and automation system from a secondary role to a primary role during a switchover and, in response to the switchover, clearing one or more security values stored by the device. The method also includes receiving a message at the device from a network node and, in response to determining that no security association is associated with the received message or the network node, exchanging security credentials and establishing a trust relationship with the network node. Transitioning the device includes assuming a network address of another device that previously operated in the primary role, that previously communicated with the network node, and that previously had a security association with the network node. Clearing the security value(s) can prevent the device from having the trust relationship associated with the network node when the device receives the message from the network node.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, over a virtual private network (VPN) to a remotely-located control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process. The method also includes receiving, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information. The method further includes receiving, over a local network from an embedded device in a distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information.

Abstract: A method includes transitioning a device in an industrial process control and automation system from a secondary role to a primary role during a switchover and, in response to the switchover, clearing one or more security values stored by the device. The method also includes receiving a message at the device from a network node and, in response to determining that no security association is associated with the received message or the network node, exchanging security credentials and establishing a trust relationship with the network node. Transitioning the device includes assuming a network address of another device that previously operated in the primary role, that previously communicated with the network node, and that previously had a security association with the network node. Clearing the security value(s) can prevent the device from having the trust relationship associated with the network node when the device receives the message from the network node.

Abstract: A method of structured event log data entry. A structured event log data entry algorithm is provided including a text parser which utilizes stored information including a vocabulary for a human operated process defining classes representing structured information including structured events and structured devices, linguistic patterns for plain text analysis, and relationships between the classes. A pattern proposer utilizes stored linking relations establishing links between the classes and the linguistic patterns. An operator in the system records a plain text event log entry describing an event that occurred in the system into a memory accessible by a processor implementing the algorithm. The text parser implements automatic pattern evaluating the log entry for a matching of any portion of any of the linguistic patterns. The pattern proposer presents a proposed structured event log entry including a structured event and/or structured device for the operator to review whenever the matching is successful.

Abstract: Phase function blocks are associated with a process for producing at least one product or part thereof. For example, a phase function block could reside in a recipe control module defining the process. Each phase function block can be executed to implement the process. A phase function block may acquire and initiate execution of a module providing control over a process element. The phase function block may also provide one or more first parameters to the module. The first parameters define how the module implements a portion of the process using the process element. In addition, the phase function block may retrieve one or more second parameters from the module. The second parameters are associated with results of the execution of the module. Multiple phase function blocks could be contained in multiple recipe control modules, which are distributed in multiple controllers in a hard real-time process control system.

Abstract: Interactive instructions in sequential control modules in controllers supports the integration of manual operations with automated process actions in the sequential control module function block, which executes in various controller platforms. Also supported is a table view operator display for effective interaction with the manual instructions. Manual interactions and changes are journaled so that a record of all actions is recorded.