Types of platform views

Workbench platform connections to a host, either remote controller or Supervisor, provides various functional views.

 NOTE: In addition to the platform views listed below, a Commissioning Wizard is available as a right-click platform option. This wizard provides a step-by-step method to perform a sequence of platform tasks used to prepare a new controller, or when upgrading the software in a controller. For details, see “ the JACE Niagara 4 Install and Startup Guide

The following sections summarize the various platform functions and views, including typical usage:

  • Application Director

    To start, stop, restart, or kill a station on the platform. Output from the station displays in the view pane, useful for monitoring and troubleshooting. You also configure a station’s Auto-Start” and Restart on Failure settings from this view.

  • Certificate Management

    To import signed PKI certificates into the platform’s key store and trust store for TLS secure connections, and to perform related functions. Refer to Niagara Station Security Guide.

  • Distribution File Installer

    To restore a backup .dist file to the target controller, or to install a clean dist file to wipe the file system of a controller to a near-factory minimum state. This view is available when connected to a remote host.

  • File Transfer Client

    To copy files between your Workbench PC and the remote platform (in either direction). For example, you use this platform view when editing a controller’s system.properties file—once to copy it from the controller to your Workbench PC (for local editing), then afterwards to copy it back to the controller. This view is available when connected to a remote host.

  • Lexicon Installer

    To install file-based Niagara lexicon sets from your Workbench PC to the remote platform, to provide non-English language support, or to customize English display of selected items. In Niagara 4, usage of this view and file-based lexicons may be atypical.

  • License Manager

    To review, install, save, or delete licenses and (license) certificates on the remote Niagara platform.

  • Platform Administration

    To perform configuration, status, and troubleshooting of the Niagara platform daemon. Included are commands to change time/date, backup all remote configuration, and reboot the host platform. Also included are functions to modify platform users, specify the TCP port monitored by the platform daemon, and various settings for a secure (TLS) platform connection.

  • Software Manager

    To review, install, update, or uninstall “ Niagara modules (.jars)” on the remote Niagara platform. The Software Manager compares modules installed on the connected platform against those available (locally) in Sys Home on your Workbench PC. This view is available when connected to a remote host.

  • Station Copier

    To install (copy) a station from your Workbench User Home to a remote platform (or if a Supervisor, to the local PC’s daemon User Home). Also to backup (copy) a station to your Workbench User Home, or to delete a remote station. You can also rename stations.

  • TCP/IP Configuration

    To review and configure the TCP/IP settings for the network adapter(s) of the Niagara platform.

  • Remote File System

    For read-only access to folders and files on the remote platform, including all those under its system home (Sys Home) and daemon User Home.