Niagara 4 FAQs

Questions and answers specifically about Niagara 4.

Q: Why does an installation have so many “homes”?

A: The multi-homed directory structure results in improved security. Because configuration data is separated from runtime data, users do not require full access permissions to the installation. This allows administrators flexibility in regulating access. For more details on the homes, refer to the Niagara Platform Guide.

Q: The new station that I just created does not show-up in the Application Director view. How am I supposed to start the station?

A: The New Station Wizard creates the station in your Workbench user_home. To start the station in the Application Director you must first copy the station, using the platform Station Copier, to the platform daemon user_home .

Note: This scenario is true for early Beta versions. However in later versions the final (Finish) step of the wizard includes several action-on-Finish options, one of which is: Copy station to secure platform for “localhost” on Finish. If selected, on finishing the wizard closes and the platform Station Copier appears.

Q: Why on my Supervisor PC am I required to make a local platform connection and the Station Copier to copy (transfer) a station to the daemon user home from my Workbench user home, when I could more easily just use Windows Explorer to copy and paste folders and files there?

A: Bypassing platform tools, even with “localhost” operations, increases security risks. In the example cited, if you simply copy and paste a station folder using Windows Explorer, client passwords in that station are left in a portable format. Whereas if you use the Station Copier, those passwords become encrypted with the unique keyring files for the opened platform.

Q: Will other Windows users with admin privileges who log on to the PC where the installation exists be able to see the Start menu shortcuts, installation folders, etc?

A: The shortcuts are visible only to the original installer. Other administrator-level users, logged on to the Windows PC, can make their own shortcuts to Workbench, etc., or simply navigate to the installation folders to start Workbench. The result is that the user gets their own unique Workbench niagara_user_home (C:\Windows\users\userName\Niagara 4.x, a separate location from that of the user who installed the framework.

Different Windows logons have different niagara_user_homes, which is by design, it protects any passwords you may be using. This also means that sharing backups (and other items) with other users requires some thought.

Q: Is it possible to use Workbench with an earlier release of Niagara installed on a controller?

A: No. You need to use a version of Workbench that is compatible with the software on the controller. However, a remote AX-3.8 controller can be integrated in the Niagara 4 Supervisor's station, where you can discover points, schedules, and histories. Also if the Supervisoris configured for provisioning, it can do provisioning tasks on a remote AX-3.8 controller . Refer to the Niagara AX to N4 Migration Guide for related details.