Items in Add Custom Device dialog box

Items in the dialog box include:
  • (Parent)
    (Read-only) This field shows the name of the container into which the custom device is being added.
  • Description
    (Optional) Type a description for the custom device asset. The description shows in the
    Archive
    tab when the custom device asset is selected. The description can be a maximum of 260 characters.
  • Name
    Enter a unique and meaningful name for the device. This name shows in the asset tree. The software defaults to
    Custom Device
    . The name must be unique within the parent container. That is, you can have two devices with the same name in the asset tree, they just can't be in the same container. If you add a device into a container that has a device of the same name, FactoryTalk AssetCentre appends a number (like
    _2
    ) to the device name to ensure uniqueness.
    Asset names can be a maximum of 260 characters. The characters \ / : * ? " < > | are not allowed. The character pair &# is not allowed. A space, tab, underscore (_) or dollar sign ($) cannot be the first character in a name, but can be used elsewhere in the name. The following Microsoft Windows device names cannot be used as asset names, whether upper or lower case, with or without the colon: CON:, PRN:, AUX:, NUL:, COM1:, COM2:, COM3:, COM4:, COM5:, COM6:, COM7:, COM8:, COM9:, LPT1:, LPT2:, LPT3:, LPT4:, LPT5:, LPT6:, LPT7:, LPT8:, and LPT9. For example,
    Auxiliary Line
     would be a valid name whereas
    Aux Line
     would not.
  • Backup Data
    Specify the backup binder to use for Backup or Backup and Compare operations. FactoryTalk AssetCentre uses a binder to store backup files for custom devices. To specify a binder, click in this field and then click browse_button_small. The
    Backup Data Browser
     dialog box opens.
    In most cases, when configuring a custom device for the first time, a backup binder does not exist yet. In this situation you can choose to leave Backup Data unspecified or specify a binder containing an empty folder.
    If you do not specify a backup binder
    , one is automatically created the first time a backup schedule runs for this device. The file name is
    AssetName_Backup
    , where
    AssetName
    is the name of the custom device asset as given in the
    Name
    field in this dialog box. The new backup binder is placed under the custom device in the asset tree. The schedule is also updated to use the new binder.
    If you want to specify a binder containing an empty folder
    , create an empty folder on your computer or on a network location, and then use the
    Backup Data
     field to add a binder specifying the empty folder as the
    Source
     Folder.
  • Catalog Information
    (Optional) Enter the catalog number of the device to which you are (or will be) connected.
  • Configuration Data
    Click in this field and then click browse_button_small to select a binder for the device. This associates the binder with the device in FactoryTalk AssetCentre and adds the file to Archive. The binder should contain the project necessary for Backup or Backup and Compare schedules.
  • Device Name
    (Optional) Enter the name of the custom device to which you are (or will be) connected.
  • Firmware Revision
    (Optional) Enter the firmware revision of the custom device to which you are (or will be) connected.
  • Hardware Revision
    (Optional) Enter the hardware series and revision of the custom device to which you are (or will be) connected.
  • Hardware Type
    (Optional) Enter the type of device to which you are (or will be) connected.
  • Manufacturer
    (Optional) Enter the manufacturer of the custom device to which you are (or will be) connected.
  • Agent Group
    Click in this field and then click browse_button_small to select the agent group for the device.
    • When adding the device under the root, the default value of Agent Group is
      System Default
      .
    • When adding the device under a container, the default value of Agent Group is
      Inherit from parent: the parent container’s Agent Group property
      .
  • Asset Number
    (Optional) Enter an asset number for management or inventory purposes.
  • Location
    (Optional) Enter information about the custom device's location in your facility.
  • Serial Number
    (Optional) Enter the custom device's serial number.
  • Arguments (<ARD>)
    (Optional) To configure the Arguments (<ARD>) for Backup (or Backup and Compare) schedules, click in this field and then click browse_button_small. The
    Argument Editor - Backup
     dialog box opens. Enter the arguments and click
    Check
     in the dialog box to preview the final command line. Make sure that the folder or file location for
    Arguments (<ARD>)
     is C:\Users\Public\RockwellSoftware\AssetCentre.
    TIP:
    To complete the final command line, you also need to specify the
    Command
     and
    Arguments (<ARG>)
     in
    Options dialog box: Custom Devices
    .
  • Backup Location
    (Optional) Enter a name for a new backup folder, a path to a backup folder, or a path to an existing backup file. Make sure that the folder or file location for
    Backup Location
     is C:\Users\Public\RockwellSoftware\AssetCentre.
    If you enter a name for a new backup folder, for example,
    New Backup.
     FactoryTalk AssetCentre creates a subfolder named
    New Backup
    with the specified name in the backup location you designate in
    Options dialog box: Custom Devices
    . The custom device backup files are stored in this new subfolder.
    If you enter a path to a backup folder, for example,
    C:\Users\Public\RockwellSoftware\AssetCentre\New Backup
    . The custom device backup files are stored in this designated
    backup folder.
    If you leave it blank, the custom device backup files are stored in the backup location you designate in
    Options dialog box: Custom Devices
    .
  • Custom Configuration
    The configuration information of custom devices to which you are (or will be) connected. To browse the detailed custom configuration information, click in this field and then click browse_button_small. The
    Custom Configuration
     dialog box opens.
  • Arguments (<ARD>)
    (Optional) To configure the Arguments (<ARD>) for compare operations, click in this field and then click browse_button_small. The
    Argument Editor - Compare
    dialog box opens. Enter the arguments and click
    Check
     in the dialog box to preview the final command line. Make sure that the folder or file location for
    Arguments (<ARD>)
     is C:\Users\Public\RockwellSoftware\AssetCentre.
    TIP:
    If the
    Device Argument <ARD>
    item is not added into the right combo box in the
    Command Editor - Backup
     dialog box, this field is not editable.
    To complete the final command line, you also need to specify the
    Command
     and
    Arguments (<ARG>)
     in
    Options dialog box: Custom Devices
    .
  • Report Location
    Enter a file name or a new path to store the compare report. Make sure that the folder or file location for
    Report Location
     is C:\Users\Public\RockwellSoftware\AssetCentre.
    If you enter a name for a new report folder, for example,
    New Report
    . FactoryTalk AssetCentre creates a subfolder named
    New Report
    with the specified name in the report location you designate in
    Options dialog box: Custom Devices
    . The custom device report files are stored in this new subfolder.
    If you enter a file name, for example,
    report.pdf
    . The custom device report file is stored in the report location you designate in
    Options dialog box: Custom Devices
    .
    If you enter a path to a report folder, for example,
    C:\Users\Public\RockwellSoftware\AssetCentre\New Report
    . The custom device report files are stored in this designated
    report folder.
    You can also designate a path to a report folder by clicking browse_button_small. Browse the folder to store report files, and then click
    OK
    .
    If you leave it blank, the custom device report files are stored in the report location you designate in
    Options dialog box: Custom Devices
    .
  • Arguments (<ARD>)
    (Optional) To configure the Arguments (<ARD>) for post-backup operations, click in this field and then click browse_button_small. The
    Argument Editor - Post Backup
     dialog box opens. Enter the arguments and click
    Check
     in the dialog box to preview the final command line. Make sure that the folder or file location for
    Arguments (<ARD>)
     is C:\Users\Public\RockwellSoftware\AssetCentre.
    TIP:
    To complete the final command line, you also need to specify the
    Command
     and
    Arguments (<ARG>)
     in
    Options dialog box: Custom Devices
    .
  • Properties Configuration
    (Optional) This box shows the number of default extended properties configured by the
    Options dialog box: Extended Properties
    . To configure extended properties for the asset, click in this box, and then click browse_button_small. In the
    Extended Properties
     dialog box, edit, add, or delete extended properties.
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