About the properties in the Device Properties dialog box

Use the
Device Properties
 dialog box to configure the properties for the asset.
Description
(Optional) Type a description for the asset. The description will be shown in the
Archive
tab when the asset is selected in the asset tree.
Name
The name of the asset as it appears in the asset tree. The name must be unique within the parent container. That is, you can have two assets with the same name in the asset tree, they just can't be in the same container. If you add an asset into a container that has an asset of the same name, FactoryTalk AssetCentre will append a number (like _2) to the asset 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 asset 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 Processor
 would be a valid name whereas
Aux Processor
 would not.
Addressing Info
Specifies the asset's location on the control network. Click in this box and then click browse_button_small to browse the network for the asset. When you have selected the desired asset, click
Select
.
For a Siemens controller, Schneider controller, FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Software), robot, FactoryTalk Directory, Generic FTP Device, a remote computer, or an Allen-Bradley Stratix Switch, you cannot browse for the addressing information. Clicking the browse button opens a dialog box for you to type the addressing and communications information pertinent to that type of device.
For Mitsubishi controllers, the addressing information is provided by the backup file and cannot be directly edited in the
Addressing Info
 dialog.
If you are disconnected from the control network, you cannot browse for the device address. Later, when you are connected to the control network, edit the device's properties to specify the device address. This does not apply to Siemens controllers, Schneider controllers, FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Software), robots, Generic FTP Devices, remote computers, and Allen-Bradley Stratix Switches for which you must manually provide the addressing information.
Authentication
Click in this box and then click browse_button_small to configure the user credentials for the physical device.
This property only applies to Allen-Bradley E300 Overload Relay.
Backup Configuration
It specifies the backup settings for the asset, including FactoryTalk user name and password, data to back up, and encryption for the backup file. To fill in this box, click in the box, and then click browse_button_small. The
Backup Configuration
dialog box opens. Click
Help
in the dialog box for instructions.
This property applies to FactoryTalk Directory and FactoryTalk View Site Edition assets.
Backup Data
Specifies the backup binder or file to use for Backup or Backup and Compare operations for these asset types. The Backup Data binder or file is used to store backup files and is used in Compare operations in Disaster Recovery schedules. To fill in this box, click in the box and then click browse_button_small. The
Backup Data Browser
 dialog box opens. Click
Help
in the dialog box for instructions.
This property applies to Generic FTP devices, Siemens controllers, Mitsubishi controllers, Schneider controllers, Allen-Bradley E300 Overload Relay, Custom Device, Allen-Bradley PowerFlex Drive, Asset Inventory, FactoryTalk Directory, Allen-Bradley Stratix Switch, FactoryTalk View Site Edition, FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Embedded), and FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Software).
In most cases when first configuring an asset, a backup binder or file does not exist yet. In this situation, you can choose to leave
Backup Data
 unspecified or you can specify a binder or file.
TIP:
For Mitsubishi controllers, you must specify a backup file before performing the disaster recovery task because the addressing information is provided by the backup file.
  • If you do not specify a backup binder or file
    , one is automatically created the first time a backup schedule runs for this asset. The filename is
    AssetName_Backup
    , where
    AssetName
     is the name of the asset as given in the
    Name
    box in the asset properties dialog box. The new backup binder or file is placed under the asset in the asset tree. The schedule is also updated to use the new binder or file.
  • If you want to specify a binder containing an empty folder
    , first create an empty folder on your computer or on a network location. Next use the
    Backup Data
     box to add a binder specifying the empty folder as the
    Source
     Folder.
  • If you want to specify a backup file
    , select a specific file on your computer or on a network location, and then add it as the backup file for an asset.
    TIP:
    To perform Disaster Recovery operations for a Generic FTP asset containing subdirectories, the FTP device must support the DIR and LS commands. To verify this, use Command Prompt in Windows to log on to the FTP device. Type
    DIR
    and press
    Enter
    . Then type
    ls
    and press
    Enter
    . Both commands should issue the same results.
Catalog Information
The manufacturer's catalog number for the asset. Depending on the type of asset, this box may be read-only and filled in when browsing for addressing information.
Change Detect Capable
The software sets this value when you browse for the controller in the
Addressing Info
box. If the controller supports and is configured for change detection, then this value is set to
True
. If not, it is set to
False
. If this box is empty it means that the
Addressing Info
 box has not yet been used to browse for the controller.
When this value is set to
False
or
blank
, the controller is not shown in the list of assets when setting up a Device Monitor - Change Detect schedule.
This property only applies to Allen-Bradley Logix 5000 Controllers.
Configuration Data
The file, folder, or binder specified here serves as the master file depending on the type of asset.
Click in this box and then click browse_button_small to select the file, folder, or binder for the asset. This associates the file, folder, or binder with the asset in FactoryTalk AssetCentre and adds the file, folder, or binder to
Archive
. You cannot clear this box once a file, folder, or binder has been specified. You can delete the file, folder, or binder from the Asset View or specify another file, folder, or binder for the Configuration Data.
Device-specific information:
  • For robot assets, you must use a folder for the Configuration Data.
  • For remote computers, Siemens controllers, Generic FTP Devices, and Custom Devices, you must specify a binder. You can create the binder while filling in the Configuration Data. Use the
    Add
     button in the
    Configuration Data Browser
     dialog box.
  • For Siemens S5 Controllers, binders must include only one project. A binder including more than one project may result in unexpected behaviors, such as comparisons being made against the wrong project.
  • For Siemens S7 Controllers (STEP7), binders must include only one project. When setting up which program to use for Disaster Recovery schedules, you will not be able to select a program if more than one project is in the binder.
  • For Allen-Bradley PowerFlex Drive assets, binders must include the entire project folder, which is created using the Unified Device Configuration component (that is installed with Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench software). The entire project folder of an Allen-Bradley PowerFlex Drive device should include the Unified Device Configuration project folder, including the *.idf file, the *.iuux file, and the *.ccwsln file. A binder lacking of one or more of the necessary files above may result in failure when running Backup (or Backup and Compare) schedules.
    TIP:
    In FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00 or later, process device capabilities are not supported.
    When upgrading from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 9.00 or earlier with General DTM Device or Instrument in the asset tee, these assets'
    Configuration Data
     property will become read-only, but can still reflect changes made to the file path. If you delete the configuration data, the box will show "Invalid File" and the data cannot be added back in.
Controller Family
Shows the supported controller family of Siemens S7 Controllers.
This property only applies to a Siemens S7 Controller (TIA Portal).
Device Name
The name of the physical asset. This could be different than the name as it appears in the asset tree. Depending on the type of asset, this box may be read-only and filled in when browsing for addressing information.
For remote computers, this box is not included.
DTM Addressing Info
(Read-only) It only shows when upgrading from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 9.00 or earlier if process device capability was activated back then. Starting from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00, process device capabilities are not supported.
 If this box was previously configured, it will show "No file selected" upon the upgrade.
This property only applies to General DTM Device and Instrument.
Firmware Revision
The firmware revision of the asset. This is only applicable to certain asset types, such as Allen-Bradley SLC 500 controllers. Depending on the type of asset, this box may be read-only and filled in when browsing for addressing information.
TIP:
For Allen-Bradley Stratix Switches, the box is read-only.
The value in the
Firmware Revision
 box is the CIP revision of the Stratix Switch if it is added manually. The value varies from that if the asset is added or updated by Asset Inventory with the SNMP scanning mode, which shows the software version of an IOS release. To see the corresponding relationship between the firmware revision (CIP revision) and the software version of an IOS release, refer to the release notes for Stratix Switches on the Product Compatibility and Download Center (PCDC) page.
For remote computers this box is not included.
Hardware Revision
The hardware revision or version number of the asset. Depending on the type of asset, this box may be read-only and filled in when browsing for addressing information.
For remote computers, this box is not included.
Hardware Serial Number
(Read-only for most asset types) The serial number of the asset. This box can only be changed by browsing for or changing the addressing information. For Allen-Bradley E300 Overload Relay and Stratix Switch, this is filled in automatically if all the addressing information entered in the
Authentication
 dialog box of Allen-Bradley E300 Overload Relay and
Stratix Switch Address
 dialog box is valid.
(Optional) For Siemens S7 Controller (TIA Portal), Mitsubishi controllers, and Schneider controllers, enter information about the serial number of the hardware.
For remote computers, this box is not included.
TIP:
The value in the
Hardware Serial Number
 box is the CIP serial number of the Stratix Switch if it is added manually. The value varies from that if the asset is added or updated by Asset Inventory with the SNMP scanning mode, which shows the serial number of an IOS release.
Hardware Type
(Read-only for most asset types) The type of asset. This box can only be changed by browsing for or changing the addressing information.
(Optional) For Siemens controllers, Mitsubishi controllers, Schneider controllers, and Generic FTP Devices, enter information about the type of hardware. For example, enter the MLFB number for a Siemens controller.
For remote computers, this box is not included.
MAC Address
(Read-only) The MAC address of the asset. This is filled in automatically if all the addressing information that specified in the
Select Device for Asset Type
 dialog box is valid.
This property only applies to Rockwell Automation devices.
If you cannot get the MAC address of Allen-Bradley PLC 5 or SLC 500 using the CIP scan, see
Cannot retrieve the MAC address and hardware serial number of the Allen-Bradley PLC-5 or SLC 500 controllers using a CIP scan
in Unexpected schedule contents or results.
For remote computers, this box is not included.
Manufacturer
The manufacturer of the asset. Depending on the type of device this box is read-only or optional.
Manufacture Date
(Read-only for most asset types) The manufacture date of the asset. This is filled in automatically if all the addressing information specified in the
Select Device for Asset Type
 dialog box is valid.
This property applies to Allen-Bradley Logix5000 Controller, Allen-Bradley PowerFlex Drive, Allen-Bradley PanelView, Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus, Allen-Bradley MobileView, Allen-Bradley E300 Overload Relay, RA Drive, and FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Embedded). For Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, Allen-Bradley PLC-5, and Allen-Bradley SLC 500, this property is not supported. This property is only retrievable for those devices that are manufactured after the enhanced CIP identity object is introduced.
(Optional) For FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Embedded), enter information about the manufacture date.
Operating System
(Optional) Enter the operating system of the remote computer.
This property only applies to Remote computers and FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Software).
Program Name
Read-only
Shows the name of the Siemens SIMATIC S7 program selected in Configuration Data, along with related information. The format is: Project Name\Station Name\CPU Name\Program Name.
This property only applies to Siemens S7 Controller (STEP7).
Scanning Configuration
Click in this box and then click browse_button_small to configure the scanning properties for Asset Inventory. Three scanning modes include scan devices using CIP, scan devices using SNMP, and scan software using WMI.
This property only applies to Asset Inventory.
Security Configuration
Click in this box and then click browse buttonto configure the security settings.
This property applies to Mitsubishi GX Works2, Mitsubishi GX Works3, and FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Embedded).
Selected Device
(Read-only) Shows the name of the selected PowerFlex Drive device, which is configured in the
Configuration Data Browser
 dialog box.
This property only applies to Allen-Bradley PowerFlex Drive.
Series
(Read-only for most asset types) The series of the asset. This is filled in automatically if all the addressing information specified in the
Select Device for Asset Type
 dialog box is valid.
This property applies to Allen-Bradley Logix5000 Controller, Allen-Bradley PowerFlex Drive, Allen-Bradley PanelView, Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus, Allen-Bradley MobileView, Allen-Bradley E300 Overload Relay, RA Drive, and FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Embedded). This property is only retrievable for those devices that are manufactured after the enhanced CIP identity object is introduced.
(Optional) For Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, PLC-5, and SLC 500, enter information about the series.
TIA Portal Version
Shows the supported TIA Portal version of Siemens S7 Controllers.
This property only applies to Siemens S7 Controller (TIA Portal).
Warranty Number
(Read-only) The warranty number of the asset. This is filled in automatically if all the addressing information specified in the
Select Device for Asset Type
 dialog box is valid.
This property applies to Allen-Bradley Logix5000 Controller, Allen-Bradley PowerFlex Drive, Allen-Bradley PanelView, Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus, Allen-Bradley MobileView, Allen-Bradley E300 Overload Relay, RA Drive, and FactoryTalk Optix Runtime (Embedded). For Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, Allen-Bradley PLC-5, and Allen-Bradley SLC 500, this property is not supported. This property is only retrievable for those devices that are manufactured after the enhanced CIP identity object is introduced.
Agent Group
Click in this box and then click browse_button_small to select an Agent Group for the asset. The agent group name beginning with "<Remote>" means that agents are in a remote FactoryTalk Directory. Make sure the assets and agents are in the same FactoryTalk Directory.
Asset Number
(Optional) Enter an asset number for management or inventory purposes.
Communication Path
(Read-only) It only shows when upgrading from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 9.00 or earlier if process device capability was activated back then. Starting from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00, process device capabilities are not supported.
Location
(Optional) Enter information about the asset's location in your facility.
Serial Number
(Optional) Enter the asset's serial number.
Upload Directory
Specify the directory in the robot from which files will be uploaded during a Disaster Recovery operation. This property only applies to ABB Robots.
  • To specify the root directory, leave this box blank.
  • To specify a directory other than the root, type the directory name followed by a slash (/). For example, if you want to use a robot directory called
    Data
     you would type:
    Data/
Only files in the specified directory are uploaded for the Disaster Recovery operation. Subdirectories are ignored.
Backup
  • Arguments (<ARD>)
    (Optional) To configure the Arguments (<ARD>) for Backup (or Backup and Compare) schedules, click in this box 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.
    TIP:
    If the
    Device Argument <ARD>
     item is not added into the right combo box in the
    Command Editor - Backup
    dialog box, you can still click browse_button_small, but the
    Argument Editor - Backup
     dialog box 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.
  • 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. You can also click browse_button_small to locate a new backup folder, a path to a backup folder, or a path to an existing backup file.
    • 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 which you designate in the 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,
      D:\FactoryTalk 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 box and then click browse_button_small. The
    Custom Configuration
     dialog box opens.
Compare
  • Arguments (<ARD>)
    (Optional) To configure the Arguments (<ARD>) for compare operations, click in this box 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.
    TIP:
    If the
    Device Argument <ARD>
    item is not added into the right combo box in the
    Command Editor - Backup
     dialog box, this box 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.
    • 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,
      D:\FactoryTalk 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.
Post Backup
  • Arguments (<ARD>)
    (Optional) To configure the Arguments (<ARD>) for post backup operations, click in this box 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.
    TIP:
    If the
    Device Argument <ARG>
     item is not added into the right combo box in the
    Command Editor - Post Backup
     dialog box, you can still click browse_button_small, but the
    Argument Editor - Backup
     dialog box 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.
Extended Properties
  • Properties Configuration
    (Optional) This box shows the number of extended properties, which could be configured by the
    Options dialog box: Extended Properties
     or specifically configured for a single device. 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.
Controller I/O
  • Controller I/O Listing
    (Optional) This box shows the number of configured I/O modules associated with the Allen-Bradley Logix 5000 Controller, MicroLogix Controller, PLC-5 Controller, or SLC 500 Controller device. To configure I/O modules, click in the box, and then click browse_button_small. In the
    Controller I/O
    dialog box, add or delete I/O modules. For Allen-Bradley Logix 5000 Controller device assets, you can automatically load I/O modules from the latest or pinned version of the configuration data file.
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