Using a WITS Template Bulk Configuration File

The simplest way to use Group Templates for WITS configuration is to use a template bulk configuration file. This special type of configuration file represents the configuration for an entire Field Device, but it does not contain any settings that are specific to a particular Field Device. This means it can be shared between multiple Field Devices. For example, a template bulk configuration file contains the settings for a Field Device's points, but does not include the IP Address, as the address is unique to each Field Device.

As a template bulk configuration file can be shared, it can be imported into an Outstation in a Group Template (in ClearSCADA). This can then be used as the base configuration for Group Instances.

You can use a bulk template configuration file in conjunction with ClearSCADA's Group Templates feature if:

• Your Field Device supports template bulk configuration and you do not want to upload the configuration into ClearSCADA. (Template bulk configuration and configuration upload are mutually exclusive).

  You can check if your Field Device supports them by examining its Device Profile - look for the Supports Template Bulk Configuration entry (see Display a WITS Device Profile).

• You have multiple Field Devices with the same points and configuration.

If you have multiple Field Devices with different configuration, then template bulk configuration files are unsuitable. However, if your Field Devices have many configuration settings that are the same, you can create a Group Template for each 'common' configuration (see Group Templates for Part of a Field Device's Configuration) For example, if you have multiple pumps in your system, you can create a Group Template for the points used to control and monitor an individual pump. You can then create a Group Instance of this Group Template for each pump. In this scenario, a template bulk configuration is unsuitable, as the number of pumps is likely to vary between Field Devices.

To use a WITS Template Bulk Configuration file with ClearSCADA's Group Templates and Instances feature:

1. Use the Field Device vendor's Configuration Application to create a template bulk configuration. This configuration will be shared between the Field Devices and must not contain any settings that are specific to a particular Field Device, such as its DNP3 address. Save the configuration as a template bulk configuration file and matching incremental configuration file.
2. Log on to ViewX via a user account that has the Configure permission.
3. Create a Group Template in your ClearSCADA database. (Select Create New and then select Group and then select Group Template. For more details, see Configure a Group Template in the ClearSCADA Guide to Core Configuration).
4. Create a WITS Outstation item in the Group Template. (Select Create New and then select DNP3 and then select WITS and then select <outstation type>. For more details, see Configuring a WITS Outstation.)

5. Import the template bulk configuration file and matching incremental configuration files into the WITS outstation (see Import Configuration). ClearSCADA creates the Outstation's points and profiles in the Group Template (if they do not already exist).

   NOTE: Please take care when selecting the bulk configuration file, as ClearSCADA cannot verify that the file you select is a template bulk configuration file.

6. If your Field Devices have any shared application programs, create the required WITS Application Program items in the Group Template. Import the required program file into each Application Program item (see Import Program).
7. Configure any required Property Overrides for the items in the Group Template (see Property Overrides in the ClearSCADA Guide to Core Configuration).

   NOTE: Do not configure a Property Override for the Outstation's DocumentContent property. This property represents the bulk configuration file and is to be shared by each of the Group Instances. If you create a Property Override for the DocumentContent property, any future changes to the bulk configuration file will not be replicated to the Group Instances of the Group Template.

   This completes the creation of the Group Template. You can now create Group Instances of the Group Template for each individual Field Device.

8. Create a Group Instance for a particular Field Device, and then associate it with the Group Template (see Configure a Group Instance in the ClearSCADA Guide to Core Configuration). Configure the settings for which there are Property Overrides, such as the Outstation Set, DNP3 Address and IP Address.
9. Install and configure the Field Device so that it can communicate with ClearSCADA. To do this, you will need to use the tools provided by the Field Device vendor. You need to include those settings that are specific to this Field Device as these are not included in the template bulk configuration file.
10. Download the configuration to the Field Device, this will include the template bulk configuration file.

    NOTE: You cannot upload a template bulk configuration file from a Field Device. This is because a bulk configuration file is the complete configuration for the Field Device, and so includes the specific settings for the Field Device.