DNP3 WITS Driver Guide - Import Configuration (List of WITS-Specific Actions)

Import Configuration

Associated with: WITS Outstations.

Security permission required to access this pick action: Configure.

NOTICE

INCORRECT CONFIGURATION

Always verify that the configuration you are importing is the correct configuration for the Outstation. If you import incorrect files, the incorrect configuration may replace any correct configuration that is already in place in ClearSCADA. For this reason, take care when selecting the import configuration files and when choosing Merge or Replace.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in incorrect configuration.

You can use the Import Configuration action to import a WITS Field Device's configuration into ClearSCADA. Typically, you will need to use the Import Configuration action as part of your chosen configuration strategy (see WITS Configuration Strategies)

NOTE: If you are going to import the configuration, and the Outstation or any of its points or profiles are in a Group Instance, you need to be aware of:

Property Overrides
If the necessary Property Overrides are not defined, ClearSCADA will be unable to write the changes to the database and the import process will be unsuccessful. For more details, see Property Overrides in the ClearSCADA Guide to Core Configuration.
The Point Conversion Process
As part of the import process, ClearSCADA may need to change the type of existing points in the ClearSCADA database. For example, it may convert an Analog Input into a Minimum point so that it matches the configuration being imported. This conversion cannot take place if the point is in a Group Instance, as its type is determined by the matching point in the Group Template. For more details, see Importing/Uploading Configuration - Point Conversion.

If an import fails as a result of missing Property Overrides or point conversions being required, ClearSCADA lists the configuration errors in a configuration report (see Configuration Reports for WITS Field Devices). There are no changes made to the ClearSCADA database.

When you select the Import Configuration action, the Import Configuration window is displayed. It can contain the following settings:

Import Configuration - WITS Outstation

Mode—The Mode setting allows you to choose whether the imported configuration will overwrite any existing configuration changes (for the WITS Outstation and its points and profiles in the ClearSCADA database).

Choose Merge if you want ClearSCADA to preserve any changes you have already made to the configuration (in ClearSCADA). When ClearSCADA merges the new configuration (being imported) with the current configuration (in the database), it only updates those incremental configuration records that have not already been modified. If any part of a record has already been changed in ClearSCADA, the entire new record will be discarded and the existing changes preserved. For details on the incremental configuration records, see Incremental Configuration File - Content and Syntax.

For example, let's say you import the initial configuration for a Field Device into ClearSCADA and then change an alarm limit for an analog point (in the ClearSCADA database). When you initiate the next import configuration, selecting Merge will mean that ClearSCADA will detect that the alarm limit has been modified. It will import every incremental configuration record except the record for the alarm limit that was changed.

Choose Replace if you want the imported configuration to overwrite the entire configuration that is already in place for the Outstation, its points and its profiles.

NOTE: If the import includes configuration that does not exist in ClearSCADA, ClearSCADA creates the appropriate items and configuration automatically. If the configuration already exists in the ClearSCADA database, ClearSCADA just updates the configuration settings to match those of the import.This applies for both Merge and Replace.
Incremental Configuration File—Choose the incremental configuration file to import. This is the incremental configuration file that matches the bulk configuration file and is created by using a Configuration Application.
Bulk Configuration File—Choose the bulk configuration file to import. This file is created by using a Configuration Application and its filename has to have the correct syntax for the import to succeed (see Bulk Configuration File - Content and Syntax).

If your Field Device does not support configuration download, the Bulk Configuration File field is not shown.

When you select the OK button, ClearSCADA begins the import process. It updates/replaces the existing configuration for the Field Device's Outstation, Points and Profiles using some or all of the configuration from the imported incremental configuration file.

NOTE: If the import process is unsuccessful, no changes are made to the configuration and an error report is generated. The report indicates the reasons for the import failure (see Configuration Reports for WITS Field Devices).