Install PI AF Client

Use this procedure to perform a new installation of PI AF Client using the setup kit.

Important: After installation, make sure to review the best practice note at the end of this topic.

Before you start the installation:

• Download the install kit. See Download the PI AF Client install kit.

• If you are running the PI AF Client install kit on the same host computer as the PI AF server, install PI AF server first.

• To enable OpenID Connect (OIDC) and ensure server connections to Data Archive and AF server, set up the required AIM certificates and TLS certificates on all PI AF Client machines.

• If you intend to install PI ProcessBook or PI WebParts, install PI SDK before you install PI AF Client.

• If you intend to install PI Builder on this computer, you must install Microsoft Excel 2010 SP2 or later first. If Microsoft Excel is not present, PI Builder cannot be installed.

• Ensure that you have closed all PI AF client applications before you start the PI AF client installation program.

• Ensure that you have administrative privileges on the computer.

  Note: You can also perform a silent installation. See Learn about a PI AF Client installation through the command line.

1. Log into the PI AF Client host computer with an account with administrative privileges.

2. Go to the directory where you downloaded the PI AF Client install kit.

3. Double-click the PI AF Client Install kit executable file.

   The Welcome to the PI AF Client Installation window opens.

4. Click Next to continue.

   The Installation Directories window opens. The PIHOME and PIHOME64 fields display the default locations for 32-bit and 64-bit client applications.

5. Accept the default installation directory or specify a new installation directory for either installation type.

   1. Click Browse next to the installation type (either 32-bit or 64-bit).

      The Change current destination folder window opens.

   2. Specify the desired destination folder.

      Navigate to an existing folder in the Look in... dropdown field, or use the Up one level button. If you want to create a new folder in the installation directory, click Create a New Folder. Or specify an installation directory path in the Folder name field.

   3. Click OK.

6. Click Next to continue.

   The PI Customer Experience Improvement window opens. It gives you the option to help improve our products by reporting data anonymously.

7. Choose whether you want to participate and click Next to continue.

   The Default Server Information window opens.

8. As an optional step, enter the computer name of the default PI AF server in the Default Asset server field.

9. Enter the computer name of the default Data Archive server in the Default Data server field.

   Note: This is mandatory.

10. Click Next to continue.

    The Select Features window opens.

11. In the Select Features window, select the PI AF Client features and components you want to install:

    Option	Description
    PI AF SDK .NET 4	Required. Provides programmatic access to the Data Archive and PI AF server, and is used by PI AF client applications.
    PI System Explorer	Optional. A graphical user interface tool for accessing the PI AF server and Data Archive. It includes AFImport and AFExport utilities.
    Management Plug-in	Optional. A plug-in to PI System Explorer for managing analyses and notifications in the PI AF server. Requires that PI System Explorer be installed.
    AF Collective Manager	Optional. AF Collective Manager provides a graphical user interface for creating, editing, and managing PI AF collectives.
    PI Builder	Optional. An Excel add-in that provides configuration and access to the Data Archive and PI AF server.
    PI AF User Documentation	Optional. Provides PI System Explorer documentation in compiled help format and documentation for AF SDK.
    Language Packs	PI AF Client MUI pack.

    Choose from the following actions:

    • To select a single feature, click and select

    • To select a feature, together with dependent features, click and select

    • To deselect a feature, click and select

12. Click Next.

13. In the Ready to Install the Application window, carefully review the PI AF Client features you have selected, as well as the servers under Default Settings you have selected for the PI AF server and Data Archive. If you need to change anything, click Back and modify your selections.

14. Click Install.

    You may be prompted by a User Account Control message to allow the installation to run. Click Yes to allow the installation to continue.

15. Click Yes to allow the installation to continue from the UAC prompt.

    The Updating System window opens, displaying the installation progress.

16. Click Next and, in the Installation Complete window, validate that all modules have installed successfully.

17. Click Close.

18. Validate the PI AF client installation by running the PI System Explorer client application.

    Note: As a best practice after installing PI AF Client, review the default connection settings for PI System Explorer to make sure they meet your organization's security policies. For instructions on how to view connection settings, see Manage connection preferences for PI System Explorer. In particular, review the options for the Server name resolution behavior setting, which defaults to Auto Add for both AF Server and Data Archive. Auto Add is enabled by default, but could result in connections being attempted to unknown or untrusted endpoints in some scenarios. Consider disabling the Auto Add option if connecting to external or untrusted resources.