connection of different OPCServer AC800M to the same controller
We want to upgrade the version of windows to 2008 and thus the OPCserver of AC800M to version 5.1.
In the current installation are present 3 controller with 5.0.2/4 and its relative version of compact control builder, and 1 controller AC800M HI in the same version 5.0.2/4 and the 800xA station with Control Builder.
I'd like to know if I upgrade just the opcserver to 5.1, will I have problem with the 3 controller in 5.0.2?
For what I've seen in the documentation this could be done (starting from 5.0 and later),
but there is a statement that worries me in the same documentation
As written in the CBM 5.1.0.x Release Note document:
“etc..etc.... All Control Builders and OPC Servers must be of the latest version in a running installation.”
This mean that even in case I can connect to these controller with an OpcServer 5.1, this is not supported as in the plsnt installation there are even 2 engineering station with OPCServer in 5.0.2 release (that we can't upgrade..)?
thanks in advance for your support
Answers
Its true that during normal production; all software components should be of the same version. That is the only combination that is fully tested and certified.
However, during upgrade, certain mixtures of old and new software is allowed to be mixed together. This is called "coexistence" - an intermediate state during the software upgrade process.
E.g. a brand new 5.1 system will be able to present data from a controller that has been downloaded from 5.0 and is running 5.0 firmware.
Please read in the Upgrade User's Guide and release notes about the software versions allowed during "coexistence". Not all combinations are allowed.
However, you must not misuse coexistence, e.g. plan to run in coexistence mode permanently. Its intended to assist upgrades in systems that run 24x7.
An AC800 OPC server in "800xA mode" (not including Compact HMI) is *very* dependant on that the aspect server it is connected to have the most recent versions of the application downloaded to the controller. E.g. a 5.1 system connected to a controller in coexistence will "go blind" if new download is made to the controller from 5.0. So once you begin using coexistence you must be very careful about when and how you download to the controllers. To leave coexistence, upgrade HW-libraries to 5.1 version, upgrade firmware and finally download from 5.1 and then the controller will be "5.1" (and old 5.0 system will be "blind").
Your regional ABB support team shall be able to assist you with explaining the options if you need additional details.
/Stefan
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