PI connector

The PI connector library provides connection to and data retrieval from PI servers and specified PI data sources. You can add a PI connector anywhere in the hierarchy.

Elements

The PI connector library contains the following items:

• Data source

• Data connection

• Group

• Status variable

• Variable

Guidelines

• Install the PI AF client on the local machine where AVEVA Production Management is installed in order for the PI connector to function. If you do the application installation process without installing the AF client, stop the service and install the AF client. You don't need to uninstall and reinstall the application. It should work when you restart the service.

Connecting and disconnecting

• Start a PI data source to initiate connection to the respective PI server.

• Stop a PI data source to disconnect it from the respective PI server.

• If a connector becomes disconnected, the update to the stream of stored values stops. When it regains communications with the PI server or restarts, it queries the PI server from the time it lost connection, but not earlier than the cache duration that is set in the historical services property.

PI user authentication

• Implicit - (Default) This is where you can leave the user name and password properties empty. This authentication uses a network trust or the current user account mapping to authenticate. You need to configure the PI server to allow for such connections.

  Note: This is the recommended security best practice.

• Explicit - This is where it is required to provide a user name and password, and configure the PI user in the PI server.

If you can't connect, make sure the user credentials you use have the correct authentication permissions on the PI server.

Related topics

• Add and configure a PI data source

• Add and configure a PI data connection

• Add and configure a PI group