Distribution File Installer

The Distribution File Installer is one of several platform views used to install dist (distribution) files. A dist file is a zip that contains other files and a manifest that describes the contents of the distribution. For technical details, see the “Distributions” section in the online Niagara Developer Guide.

Use this view for either of these two tasks:

To restore a locally available backup .dist file to a remote controller. Such a restore can be initiated using the Backup command from the platform’s Platform Administration view, or more commonly from the BackupService in the station running on that host. For details, see “Restoring a backup dist”.

NOTE: In AX-3.7U1, backup .dist file restoration to a host other than the original host may first require manual editing. See Security update 1 changes to backup dist usage. However, in AX-3.8 this sort of editing is unnecessary. For further details, refer to the NiagaraAX 2013 Security Updates engineering notes document.
To install a clean dist file (or conversion dist file). This downgrades a controller to an older release level, or restores it to a known empty state. For example, using a conversion dist file you can downgrade a JACE-8000 controller from Niagara 4 to AX-3.8U1. Following a clean (or conversion) dist install, you must recommission the controller, as this wipes the file system (almost all Niagara software, as well as all station files), leaving the controller in an empty near-factory state. For details, see “Wiping clean a JACE (clean dist)”.

NOTE: Do not use this view to upgrade a controller. Instead, use the Commissioning Wizard to upgrade Niagara in a controller. The Commissioning Wizard is a right-click option on a platform when opened in Workbench. See “Upgrading a JACE”.

CAUTION: If a station is already running on the remote host, any dist file install requires that all applications be stopped, after which all are invariably overwritten. After selecting a dist file, the Installer provides a confirmation dialog for this, as shown here. When you finalize the install (click Finish), the Installer automatically stops the station, then continues with the distribution file install process. Before finalizing any dist installation, make sure that any controlled equipment, which might be adversely affected by the station stopping (and the removal of software) is put in a manually controlled state.

Figure 18. Stop station dialog in Distribution File Installer

The following sections provide more details on the Distribution File Installer:

Distribution File Installer

Figure 18. Stop station dialog in Distribution File Installer

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