Test and Production Environments

Environment Overview

Installing Plant Applications involves installing several different servers that communicate with each other.

The servers can be installed on one computer for testing, or they can be distributed in a network to create production environments. Before installing the software for a new installation, decide what your environment will be and what its architecture will look like.

A list of prerequisite software for Plant Applications 8.0 is included in the Preparing to Install Plant Applications section. For information about using Plant Applications in a clustered environment with Microsoft server failover technology for highest availability of the Plant Applications Server, see Appendix B: Cluster Installation and Configuration.

Test Environment

A simple Plant Applications installation employs a single computer for testing. In most cases, this environment is not suitable for production, because the architecture does not scale well. However, it may be satisfactory for very low-frequency and low-transaction environments.

Test Environment Checklist

Your environment should include the following installed or upgraded software:

  • Supported version of Microsoft Windows Server.
  • Latest service pack update (Windows update).
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7 for Plant Applications 8.0.
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 for Workflow 2.6.
  • SQL Server 2012 Native Client 11.4.7001.0.
  • IIS 8.0 or higher with ASP.NET and FTP for Plant Applications Web Reports. Configure the HTTPS binding if required. If necessary, uninstall WebDAV Publishing.
  • Supported browser. Plant Applications legacy reports and web parts are not supported in Chrome.
  • Microsoft Office with Excel for SQL Server and Web Engines.
  • SQL Server and latest service pack.
  • Hardware key and software licenses.
  • Proficy Application Server and Web Server, which installs Workflow.
  • Plant Applications Server software.
  • Plant Applications Report (Web) Server software for Web Server reports.
  • SSL Security Certificates.
  • Plant Applications client applications.
  • Historian or another historian, and all service packs.

Standard Production Environment

A standard production environment representing the most common architecture for production sites to deliver performance is shown in the image below.

Install the following servers and components on separate computers: Plant Applications Server, Plant Applications Report Server (Web Server) reports, historian, and clients. Although the Plant Applications Server and a Web Server can be installed on the same machine, performance may be affected.

Unified Manufacturing Database (UMDB)

  • Supported version of Microsoft Windows Server.
  • SQL Server.
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.

Proficy Plant Applications Server Computer

Your environment should include the following installed or upgraded software.

  • Supported version of Microsoft Windows Server.
  • Latest service pack update (Windows update).
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7 for Plant Applications 8.0.
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 for Workflow 2.6.
  • SQL Server 2012 Native Client 11.4.7001.0.
  • IIS 8.0 or higher with ASP.NET and FTP for Plant Applications Web Reports. Configure the HTTPS binding if required. Ensure WebDAV Publishing is uninstalled.
  • Microsoft Office with Excel for SQL Server and Web Engines.
  • Hardware key and software licenses.
  • Proficy Application Server which installs Workflow components.
  • Plant Applications Server software.

Plant Applications Report (Web) Server

  • Supported version of Microsoft Windows Server.
  • Latest service pack update (Windows update).
  • Microsoft Office with Excel for Web Engines.
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7 for Plant Applications 8.0.
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 for Workflow 2.6.
  • SQL Server 2012 Native Client 11.4.7001.0.
  • IIS 8.0 or higher with ASP.NET and FTP for Plant Applications Web Reports. Configure the HTTPS binding if required. Ensure WebDAV Publishing is uninstalled.
  • Plant Applications Report (Web) Server software for Web Server reports.
  • SSL Security Certificates.
  • Supported browser. Plant Applications legacy reports and web parts are not supported in Chrome.
  • Install additional components:

Once software is installed, you need to create Services user accounts to start with their own Windows user account and apply the Login As Service policy.

Historian Server

  • Windows Server (refer to Historian documentation for version requirements).
  • Refer to Historian documentation for system requirements and software configuration.
  • Historian or another historian, and all service packs.

Plant Applications Administrator Computer

These requirements typically apply to the client computer as well.

  • Supported version of Microsoft Windows Server.
  • Latest service pack update (Windows update).
  • Microsoft Office with Excel.
  • SQL Server and latest service pack.
  • Plant Applications Administrator.
  • Supported browser. Plant Applications legacy reports and web parts are not supported in Chrome.
  • Plant Applications UI support in Workflow Client:
    • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7 for Plant Applications 8.0.
    • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 for Workflow 2.6.
    • SQL Server 2012 Native Client 11.4.7001.0.
    • IIS 8.0 or higher with ASP.NET and FTP for Plant Applications Web Reports. Configure the HTTPS binding if required. Ensure WebDAV Publishing is uninstalled.
    • Proficy Application Server which installs Workflow.

Plant Applications Client Computers

  • Supported version of Microsoft Windows Server.
  • Latest service pack update (Windows update).
  • Plant Applications Client.

OperationsHub UAA

  • Supported version of Microsoft Windows Server or Client.
  • Latest service pack update (Windows update).
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7 for Plant Applications 8.0.

Plant Applications Universal Client Computer

  • Supported version of Microsoft Windows Server or Client.
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7 for Plant Applications Universal Client 8.0.

High-Volume Production Environment

In a high-volume production environment with a high number of transactions or a high reporting volume, Plant Applications web engines can be installed on separate machines to increase performance throughput.

High-production environments can also employ Plant Applications installations on multiple machines. The following image shows an example of a high-volume production environment for Plant Applications.

SOA services reside on the Proficy Server, which is also called the Plant Applications Server.