Project Deployment

About this task

Project Deployment provides the ability to deploy (copy) key HMI components and/or settings between iFIX SCADA or View nodes. This feature allows a user to develop components/settings (for example: picture files, alarm areas, security groups, and so on) on one node and then easily transfer them to multiple nodes, eliminating the need to connect to each one to make local updates, or to employ shared folders as a means of distribution. To use this feature:
  • The nodes must be running iFIX 2023 or later and be registered to a Configuration Hub server.
  • The user must be a member of the Project Administration group (scada.project.admin) in Configuration Hub.

Procedure

  1. Log into Configuration Hub.
  2. From the NAVIGATION pane, click the chevron for the iFIX node from which you want to copy (the “source” node) the components and/or settings.
  3. Click the vertical ellipsis. From the menu that appears, click Deploy. This will open the Deploy panel.
  4. The Selected Projects section will list all nodes to which components and/or settings can be deployed (the “target” node). Enable the checkboxes to select the “target” node(s). Any nodes not listed here may not be running the required version of iFIX or be registered to a Configuration Hub server.
  5. Use the checkboxes for Components To Deploy, Settings and Advanced to enable the selection of specific items to be deployed to the target node. Note: The Advanced section contains only one item, Node Names. Exercise caution when selecting this item, as nodes on the same network must have unique names.
  6. Within Components To Deploy, the items Pictures and Tag Groups are selected by default as they are the most common items deployed between nodes. For these two components, when selected, a Selected: button will indicate how many specific items are currently selected. Click the button to refine the list of specific items to deploy. A selection window will appear (for example, Select Pictures to deploy).
    Important: The deployment of pictures from subfolders is not supported. Only pictures in the PIC folder can be deployed.
  7. Use the check boxes to select the specific items to be deployed. Click Add.
    Note: When you choose Preferences, be aware that only iFIX User Preferences are included. It does not include Node and SCU local startup settings.
    Important: The following Settings cannot be deployed to View nodes (only to SCADA nodes): Drivers and Failover.
  8. Once all items have been chosen, click Deploy.
  9. Once the deployment has completed, click Close.
  10. To see the items copied on the target node, select the target node from the NAVIGATION pane. Expand the node by clicking the chevron. Click the name of the panel into which you deployed the component/setting (for example, if you deployed a picture, select HMI). Click the tab for the panel in the main viewing area of the interface. Click the refresh icon (icon image to be inserted here) to update the list. Note that the new components/settings have been deployed to the target node, but are in an unpublished state.
  11. For the new components/settings to take effect, they must be published on the target node.