Install the interface service with PI ICU

PI ICU provides a user interface for creating, editing, and deleting the interface service.

Service configuration

• Service name

  The Service name box shows the name of the current interface service. This service name is obtained from the interface executable.

• ID

  This is the service ID used to distinguish multiple instances of the same interface using the same executable.

• Display name

  The Display name text box shows the current name of the interface service. If there is currently no service for the selected interface, the default Display name is the service name with a "PI-" prefix. Users may specify a different Display Name. AVEVA suggests that the prefix "PI-" be appended to the beginning of the interface name to indicate that the service is part of the AVEVA suite of products.

• Log on as

  The Log on as text box shows the current "Log on as" Windows User account of the interface service. If the service is configured to use the Local System account, the Log on as text box will show LocalSystem. Users may specify a different Windows User account for the service to use.

  Note: In order to assure that PI buffering functions properly, the user specified in the "Log on as" portion of the Service tab must be a member of the "PI Buffering Administrators", or the "PI Buffer Writers" user groups. A virtual service account can be added to those local groups, just like with any local/domain account. Failure to add a user to at least one of these user groups could result in a failure to buffer data. For more details, see the PI Buffer Subsystem user guide.

• Password

  If a Windows User account is entered in the log on as text box, then a password must be provided in the Password text box, unless the account does not require a password.

• Confirm password

  If a password is entered in the Password text box, then it must be confirmed in the Confirm password text box.

• Dependencies

  The Installed services list is a list of the services currently installed on this machine. Services upon which this interface is dependent should be moved into the Dependencies list using the arrow. For example, if API Buffering is running, then "bufserv" should be selected from the list at the right and added to the list on the left. To remove a service from the list of dependencies, use the arrow, and the service name will be removed from the Dependencies list.

  When the interface is started (as a service), the services listed in the dependency list will be verified as running (or an attempt will be made to start them). If the dependent service(s) cannot be started for any reason, then the interface service will not run.

  Note: See the PI Message Log and Windows Event Logger for messages that may indicate the cause for any service not running as expected.

  Add arrow. To add a dependency from the list of Installed services, select the dependency name, and select the add arrow.

  Remove arrow. To remove a selected dependency, select the service name in the Dependencies list, and select the remove arrow. The full name of the service selected in the Installed services list is displayed below the Installed services list box.

• Startup Type

  The Startup Type indicates whether the interface service will start automatically or needs to be started manually on reboot.

  • If the Auto option is selected, the service will be installed to start automatically when the machine reboots.

  • If the Manual option is selected, the interface service will not start on reboot, but will require a manual start of the service.

  • If the Disabled option is selected, the service will not start.

    Generally, interfaces are set to start automatically.

• Create

  The Create button adds the displayed service with the specified Dependencies and with the specified Startup Type.

• Remove

  The Remove button removes the displayed service. If the service is not currently installed, or if the service is currently running, this button will be grayed out.