System overview

FactoryTalk Updater Agent collects information and activation license data from the Rockwell Automation software installed on the computer. Install the FactoryTalk Updater Agent on each computer that requires data collection. FactoryTalk Updater Agent is installed by default with most Rockwell Automation software. FactoryTalk Updater Agents collect and store software inventory, activation data and activation transactions to a local database. The FactoryTalk Updater Agents update the FactoryTalk Updater Server database once a minute if there have been any changes since the last transmittal. If the connection between FactoryTalk Updater Agent and FactoryTalk Updater Server is lost, the FactoryTalk Updater Agent database buffers and persists data locally. When the connection is reestablished, the FactoryTalk Updater Agent transmits all the new data to the FactoryTalk Updater Server.

FactoryTalk Updater Server communicates with online FactoryTalk Updater Agents to receive collected data and saves it to the FactoryTalk Updater Server database. To avoid issues, limit FactoryTalk Updater Server installations to one instance per intranet with a maximum of 100 connected FactoryTalk Updater Agents. FactoryTalk Updater Server connects to the Product Compatibility and Download Center to retrieve the latest software information. A user sign-in from FactoryTalk Updater Client is not required for FactoryTalk Updater communication to PCDC. FactoryTalk Updater uses its own Rockwell certification to authenticate with PCDC.

FactoryTalk Updater Client displays information collected by the FactoryTalk Updater Server. The FactoryTalk Updater Client presents most information visually. Export data to a .csv file. Some large data sets, such as Add On Profiles, are not displayed on the screen and require an Export to a .csv file. Monthly rollup patch deployment requires an administrator to sign in to the FactoryTalk Updater Server and PCDC.