Introduction to PI APS

PI AutoPointSync (PI APS) is a tool for synchronizing the PI Server points for an interface with the tag definitions in the data source associated with the interface. The following diagram shows the relationship of PI APS to other parts of a PI System.

PI APS Overview

For simplicity, only one data source and interface are shown. Real PI Systems are commonly interfaced to multiple data sources, which are frequently different types. An actual data source can be any measurement or instrumentation system (for example, distributed control systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), or SCADA systems) or another historian system.

The dotted arrows represent the flow of process data between the data source and PI Server. Most of this data is a time-series of actual measurements from the process. Process data is transferred by either a classic interface or PI COM Connector. A PI point is configured in the PI Server for each tag in the data source.

The PI APS Overview figure is intended to show data flows, not the node where the classic interface or PI COM Connector is installed. This manual uses interface as a generic term for either a classic interface or a PI COM Connector. If the interface is a PI COM Connector, it must be installed on the PI Server node. Classic interfaces, however, can be installed on:

• PI Server

• a dedicated interface node

• a shared node with PI APS

• the data source itself

PI APS operates in parallel with the interface. Instead of transferring process data, however, PI APS transfers point attribute information or entire point definitions.

Note: An important difference is that interfaces collect data in real time, but PI APS does not synchronize points in real time.

The solid arrows in the figure represent the flow of attribute data. As data source tag definitions change or are deleted, PI APS can either report them or automatically modify or delete PI points to reflect these changes. In addition, PI APS locates tags on the data source that do not yet have points in the PI Server and can either report them or automatically create PI points for them.

PI APS provides many options to configure its operation for each registered interface instance. Some options apply to the interface instance, such as the types of actions that PI APS is permitted to make automatically. Other options apply to individual PI points, such as whether PI APS is permitted to synchronize the point as a whole and, if so, the specific attributes that it is allowed to change. PI APS logs all automated actions and changes for auditing by the administrator.

Note: When an interface instance is registered, PI APS synchronization options are preset to non-automatic selections and the default per-point synchronization settings are preset to disable synchronization on each point.

The preset options are designed to prevent PI APS from changing the PI point database until explicitly enabled. While the preset selections for default per-point synchronization settings are in effect, synchronization is disabled for points created or discovered by PI APS until you manually enable synchronization for those points.