WITS Field Devices take their configuration from a bulk configuration file, which can be:
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A 'regular' bulk configuration file. This contains the vendor-specific configuration as well as the configuration that is defined in the matching incremental configuration file (see Incremental Configuration File - Content and Syntax).
ClearSCADA receives a bulk configuration file as part of a WITS configuration upload or configuration import. While ClearSCADA does not use the bulk configuration file, it does store it. If a download configuration is initiated, ClearSCADA compares its version of the bulk configuration file to the version of the bulk configuration file on the Field Device. If the versions are different, ClearSCADA downloads its bulk configuration file to the Field Device.
You can also use ClearSCADA to export a bulk configuration file, see Export Configuration.
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A template bulk configuration file. A template bulk configuration file is similar to a 'regular' bulk configuration file, except that it omits any settings that are specific to a particular Field Device. For example, a template bulk configuration file will not contain a DNP3 address, IP address or serial number, as these are specific to one Field Device. As template bulk configuration files do not contain any device-specific settings, they can be shared by multiple Field Devices. The vendor of the Field Device will provide a tool for configuring the device-specific settings of each Field Device.
In ClearSCADA, a template bulk configuration file can be imported into a WITS Outstation in a Group Template. The imported configuration is then shared automatically with matching Outstations (in Group Instances of the Group Template). For more information, see Using a WITS Template Bulk Configuration File.
As with 'regular' bulk configuration files, ClearSCADA stores a template bulk configuration file.You can use ClearSCADA to download or export a template bulk configuration file if required.
When saving a bulk configuration file in a Configuration Application, or exporting a bulk configuration file from ClearSCADA, you need to use the correct filename syntax.
The Water Industry Telemetry Standard defines the bulk filename syntax as:
<name>_<version>.<extension>
Where:
- <name> is a descriptive name, such as a description of the Field Device's location
- <version> is a free-format version string, up to 16 characters in length.
For example:
BVPump1_20080107.bcf
MPReservoir_V32.dat
Further Information
Bulk Configuration and Incremental Configuration Files - Generation and Transfer