Learn about Windows Credential Manager for authentication

As a security best practice, PI Interface for ABB 800xA stores any credentials that you enter during interface configuration to Windows Credential Manager. PI Interface for ABB 800xA uses these credentials to authenticate with:

• PI Data server

• PI Asset Framework

• The batch interface data source

Storage of credentials within Windows Credential Manager benefits you by:

• Caching credentials for future authentication, so that you do not have to re-enter them.

• Removing any reference to passwords within the interface instance .ini file.

• Encrypting the credentials.

  Tip: For more information on where to configure credentials that PI Interface for ABB 800xA uses for authentication, see:

• Learn about server information tab

• Learn about source tab

Credential creation

When you configure an interface using the PI Event Frames Interface Manager (see links in tip above), PI Interface for ABB 800xA temporarily writes the credentials that you enter to the applicable .ini file. These settings remain in the .ini file until you start the interface.

After you start PI Interface for ABB 800xA, it makes the following updates:

• All credentials are saved to Windows Credential Manager.

• Within the interface .ini file, any reference to passwords are removed.

Credential storage

After you start PI Interface for ABB 800xA, the credentials that it uses for authentication with PI components and data sources are listed in Windows Credential Manager.

The following table lists credentials for PI Interface for ABB 800xA:

Notes:

X is a placeholder for an interface instance Service ID.

Y is a placeholder for a data source instance number.

To update credentials

If you need to update the credentials that the interface uses for authentication, edit the configuration settings for the instance using PI Event Frames Interface Manager.

1. From Interface Selection, select the applicable PI Interface for ABB 800xA instance.

2. From Server Information, update the credentials used to authenticate with PI Data server or PI Asset Framework.

3. From Source, update the credentials used to authenticate with a data source.

4. Select Save Settings.

   Result: The credentials are updated within the instance configuration. Restart the interface to update the credentials within Windows Credentials Manager.