Connect to an OSIsoft PI Asset Framework server

You must have the OSIsoft PI Asset Framework (AF) software development kit (SDK) installed on the same computer in which you installed AVEVA Process Simulation to successfully connect to a PI AF server, and therefore to the PI databases.

You can connect to a PI AF server to add attributes from the PI AF server as tags in your tag collections. Attributes from a PI AF server can include equipment configuration information and process data. In some cases, the process data is PI point data pulled from a PI Data Archive server. Currently, the Tag Collection Editor supports only PI AF attributes that:

• Reference a PI point.

• Are single-precision real values (that is, the Value Type in PI AF is Single).

• Are double-precision real values (that is, the Value Type in PI AF is Double).

Each attribute resides in a parent element, which typically represents a physical piece of equipment. When you search for PI AF attributes in the Tag Collection Editor, you must search for the PI AF element to load a list of available attributes.

Connect to a PI AF server

1. Install the PI AF SDK on the same computer on which you installed AVEVA Process Simulation.

   You can access the PI AF SDK from the PI AF installation package. Please see the PI AF documentation for more information on how to install the PI AF SDK.

2. Open any AVEVA Process Simulation simulation.

3. Open the External Data Manager.

   

4. Create a new tag collection.

   

5. Select the tag collection, and then select Define.

   The Tag Collection Editor appears.

   

6. In the General area, in the Provider list, select OSI PI (AF Attributes).

7. In the Server box, enter the name of the PI AF server and database that you want to connect to. Separate the server name and database name with a backslash (\).

   

8. (Optional) In the AF Root box, enter the root path for an element that contains numerous attributes that you want to add to the tag collection.

   When you use the controls on the Tags Configuration toolbar to add a tag to the tag collection, the software copies the text in the AF Root box into the Tag Name box. This allows you to quickly append the text to specify the desired attribute instead of entering the full attribute name, which is typically a long string.

   The AF Root text does not affect the attributes that appear in the Tags Browser when you search for an attribute. That is, a tag search finds attributes from any root path as long as the attribute meets the search criteria.

   If you change the AF Root, then the software updates all tags that include the old AF Root path to use the new AF Root path. You should perform another tag check after you change the AF Root.

   Tip: The Tag Name box always shows the short name for the attribute (Element|Attribute format) instead of the full attribute name until you edit the Tag Name. However, you can hover over the Tag Name to see the full attribute name on the tooltip.

9. Select Search or Check all tags to establish a connection to the server.

   The Server badge indicates the connection status.