Redundant servers

To help ensure that critical data remains available to clients in a distributed automation system, even during server disruptions, the

FactoryTalk

platform enables several built-in features that support system availability.

Configuring a local cache file enables a client computer to continue to run when disconnected from the network directory server, using a local cache of directory information. While disconnected, the client cannot change directory information, such as areas, servers, and user accounts. However, a cache does not provide continuity of service in the event of server failure.

To decrease the risk of service interruption due to server failure,

FactoryTalk

applications can include two types of servers that can be made redundant through standard configuration options:

Each of these types of servers can be hosted one the same or on different computers on the network. Once configured, each redundant pair of servers is available to all clients participating in the same network application. Adding additional client computers does not require any additional configuration.

Data servers, such as

OPC

data servers and device-based servers (

FactoryTalk Linx

), allow clients to access information in programmable controllers, in other hardware devices, and from other data servers that comply with the

OPC

-DA (OLE for Process Control – Data Access) 2.0 specification.

Use

FactoryTalk Administration Console

or

FactoryTalk View Studio

to set up redundancy options for data servers.

OPC

UA Server redundancy is configured independently of the

FactoryTalk

platform.