Restrict search by setting PI AF database search roots

As an administrator, you can restrict users from searching specific nodes of a PI AF database by setting any asset in a database as the search root. Once an asset is set as a search root, users will only be able to search that asset and its children, and will be prevented from searching the rest of the data hierarchy above the search root. Setting the search root does not prevent users from seeing data above the search root if such assets are part of an existing display.

Note: PI AF database versions below 2.10.5 only support name matches in searches. PI AF database versions 2.10.5 and above support name and description matches in searches. Sites with a mix of PI AF database versions support description matches if the server version is 2.10.5 or higher.

1. On the AVEVA PI Vision Administration website, select User Settings on the navigation tree.

2. Select the Set Database Search Root tab.

3. From the list of databases, select a PI AF database.

   A table opens with the database tree next to a list of users.

4. In the Database column, expand the database hierarchy, and find and select the asset that you want to set as the search root.

5. In the User column, select the check box next to each user for whom you want to make the selected asset a search root.

   

   Note: Only users who have accessed at least one display in AVEVA PI Vision appear in the User column.

6. Select Save.

   Note: You can set the search root directly in Microsoft SQL by creating a semicolon-delimited file with the following format: AF server name; database name; user name; element path, where the element path is af:\\ServerName\DatabaseName\ElementName.

   The SQL code for the stored procedure is provided in [PIPC]\PI Vision\Admin\SQL\SP_SetSearchRoot.sql. For example:

   DECLARE @return_value int
   EXEC @return_value = [dbo].[ImportUsersSearchRoots]
   @path = [path to the semicolon delimited file]
   SELECT 'Return Value' = @return_value
   GO