Manage Data Archive with administration tools

Several graphical interface tools and utilities are available to you to administer Data Archive and PI Server. You can also use powerful PI Server command-line utilities to administer PI Server and Data Archive.

For information about Data Archive utilities, see Data Archive Reference.

PI System Management Tools (PI SMT) is a graphical user interface that you can use to perform many Data Archive administration tasks, including configuring security settings, managing archives, building and configuring points, and viewing message logs.

PI System Management Tools is included in theData Archive installation. For information on how to download PI System Management Tools PI see the knowledge base article, "How do I download PI System Management Tools (PI SMT)" on the customer portal.

To run PI SMT, select Start > All Programs > PI System > PI System Management Tools.

PI Builder

PI Builder is a Microsoft Excel add-in that allows you to work with PI Asset Framework and Data Archive objects in bulk. Use PI Builder to create, delete, and edit PI objects, such as points, elements, and attributes.

In PI Server 2014 and later, PI Builder replaces PI Tag Configurator.

For more on PI Builder, see the PI Server topics under PI Builder.

PI Interface Configuration Utility (ICU)

PI Interface Configuration Utility (ICU) is a point-and-click tool for configuring PI interfaces. To configure an interface with the ICU, you must run it directly on the interface node. This means you must install the ICU on each interface node.

ICU is included in the PI SMT installation, see the knowledge base article: How do I download PI System Management Tools (PI SMT)? on the customer portal.

To run the ICU, select Start > All Programs > PI System > PI Interface Configuration Utility.

PI Collective Manager

Use PI Collective Manager to manage high availability (HA) collectives in Data Archive. You can create PI Server collectives, configure existing collectives and their servers, and view the status of collectives.

PI Collective Manager is included in the PI SMT installation.

To run Collective Manager, select Start > All Programs > PI System > PI Collective Manager.

PI SDK Utility

Many clients and some interfaces communicate with the Data Archive server through the PI SDK. PI SDK Utility provides troubleshooting features, such as checking connectivity, performing point searches, viewing message logs, and enabling tracing. PI SDK Utility replaces About PI-SDK.

To run PI SDK Utility, select Start > All Programs > PI System > PI SDK Utility.

PI System Explorer

PI System Explorer provides a graphical user interface for creating, editing, and managing PI AF objects and assets, including analytics and event frames, in PI AF server. Use PI System Explorer to create and manage your asset framework, including PI AF databases, elements, and templates. If you are new to PI Asset Framework, start with PI System Explorer.

To run PI System Explorer, select Start > All Programs > PI System > PI System Explorer.

Buffering Manager

Buffering Manager helps you set up buffering with the PI Buffer subsystem. When upgrading from an older version of the PI Buffer subsystem or from API Buffer Server, Buffering Manager helps ensure that buffering is configured properly for existing interfaces. After upgrading, you can also use Buffering Manager to add Data Archive servers or collectives that will receive buffered data.

With Buffering Manager, you can also:

• Modify buffering settings for the computer that Buffering Manager is running on, specific servers, and collectives receiving buffered data.

• View buffering status, estimated buffer capacity, number of events sent and queued, and any point errors for servers and collectives.

• Export files containing detailed information about the status of buffering on a computer.

• View messages with additional information for troubleshooting issues.