Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic utilities and complimentary interfaces that enable users to observe, from a remote location, the configuration and operation of data access servers and associated data source devices. The servers provide diagnostic data and server-specific diagnostic schema used by a diagnostic utility to analyze the received diagnostic data. Engines within servers supply data associated with diagnostic roots within each server. In an embodiment, the set of diagnostic root types is extensible. First, the diagnostic roots are extended by adding to the scope of data items provided by base diagnostic objects. Second, entirely new diagnostic object root types can be added for a particular server. A diagnostic utility development environment provides a set of class libraries for creating server-specific portions. Server developers use a class library to create customized diagnostic objects.

Abstract: A remote configuration utility architecture is disclosed for a manufacturing/process control system data access server. Server agents, located on remote nodes, notify a configuration console of existing data access servers on the system. The configuration utility includes a control console from which a user selects one of the identified data access servers. Thereafter, the configuration console, via remote interfaces, obtains configuration parameters and associated rules associated with the selected data access server. The configuration utility thereafter displays the retrieved configuration information within a user interface faceplate defined for a type of configuration node selected for display/editing from the selected DAS. Using various faceplates for selected node types, the user creates, clears, examines and/or manipulates hierarchically arranged nodes for a configuration associated with the selected data access server.

Abstract: A method and process control data server system architecture are disclosed for providing process data to a variety of client applications via a plurality of differing data sharing standards. The system architecture incorporates a ready platform for subsequently added client application data exchange protocols. In an exemplary embodiment, a set of standard interface definitions between client application data exchange protocol-specific plugins and a data access server engine supports incorporating new client application data exchange protocols by means of plugins designed to interface with the data access server engine according to the standard interface definitions.

Abstract: A method and process control data server system architecture are disclosed for providing process data to a variety of client applications via a plurality of differing data sharing standards. The system architecture incorporates a ready platform for subsequently added client application data exchange protocols. In an exemplary embodiment, a set of standard interface definitions between client application data exchange protocol-specific plugins and a data access server engine supports incorporating new client application data exchange protocols by means of plugins designed to interface with the data access server engine according to the standard interface definitions.

Abstract: A method and process control data server system architecture are disclosed for providing process data to a variety of client applications via a plurality of differing data sharing standards. The system architecture incorporates a ready platform for subsequently added client application data exchange protocols. In an exemplary embodiment, a set of standard interface definitions between client application data exchange protocol-specific plugins and a data access server engine supports incorporating new client application data exchange protocols by means of plugins designed to interface with the data access server engine according to the standard interface definitions.

Abstract: A remote configuration utility architecture is disclosed for a manufacturing/process control system data access server. Server agents, located on remote nodes, notify a configuration console of existing data access servers on the system. The configuration utility includes a control console from which a user selects one of the identified data access servers. Thereafter, the configuration console, via remote interfaces, obtains configuration parameters and associated rules associated with the selected data access server. The configuration utility thereafter displays the retrieved configuration information within a user interface faceplate defined for a type of configuration node selected for display/editing from the selected DAS. Using various faceplates for selected node types, the user creates, clears, examines and/or manipulates hierarchically arranged nodes for a configuration associated with the selected data access server.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic utilities and complimentary interfaces that enable users to observe, from a remote location, the configuration and operation of data access servers and associated data source devices. The servers provide diagnostic data and server-specific diagnostic schema used by a diagnostic utility to analyze the received diagnostic data. Engines within servers supply data associated with diagnostic roots within each server. In an embodiment, the set of diagnostic root types is extensible. First, the diagnostic roots are extended by adding to the scope of data items provided by base diagnostic objects. Second, entirely new diagnostic object root types can be added for a particular server. A diagnostic utility development environment provides a set of class libraries for creating server-specific portions. Server developers use a class library to create customized diagnostic objects.