Platform overview

In Workbench, when you open a platform connection to a Niagara host (whether controller or Supervisor), that host’s available platform functions are listed in the platform’s Nav Container View, as shown below.

Figure 1. Platform functions listed in Nav Container View

Each platform function has its own Workbench view (plugin); you access it by simply double-clicking. Most of the same platform views exist whether a platform connection to a controller or a Supervisor, with these exceptions:

If you open a local platform connection at your computer, note that some platform views appear to be missing, for example the Distribution File Installer, File Transfer Client, and Software Manager are not in the list. These views have no application when working at your computer—instead, you simply use Windows Explorer.
For any Windows-based platform, a User Manager view is available. This view is not available if the platform is a QNX-based JACE or a Linux-based Supervisor.
For any QNX-based JACE platform, a GPRS Modem Configuration view is available. This view is not available if the platform is a Windows-based JACE or a any Supervisor.
Starting in AX-3.7, some platforms may have a Certificate Management view. This view appears only for a host licensed for SSL. This view is unavailable of the older QNX-based JACE platforms that run the IBM J9 Java VM (JACE-2, JACE-4, JACE-5 series).
In AX-3.8, some QNX-based JACE platforms may have an IEEE 802.1X Configuration view. This view appears only if the host is licensed for IEEE 802.1X, with the platIEEE8021X module installed.
A JACE with an installed WiFi option has two related platform views: WiFi Configuration and WiFi Certificate Manager. Currently, a JACE-700 is the only applicable platform.
Starting in AX-3.6 (3.6.44 or later), platform support was added for Niagara R2 configuration and upkeep of retrofit board R2JACE-403 and JACE-545 controllers (also known as JACE-603 and JACE-645 controllers). A related R2 Platform Tool view is available only in a platform connection to these two models (if configured for Niagara R2). Refer to the T-RB-603 and T-RB-645 Retrofit Board Install Guide for information.

Also, a few of the platform views differ depending on platform type. See “About platform differences” for details.

The following sections provide additional background on Niagara platform access:

About a platform connection
Provisioning versus platform interface
Types of platform views
About platform differences

NOTE: If your 3.7 or later Niagara Workbench has been enabled for Sedona Framework TXS 1.2 (via the Sedona Installer tool), note any platform connection to a remote AX host provides yet another platform view: the Sedona Environment Manager. Note this platform view appears regardless if the remote host is configured with Sedona-related modules (nsedona, sedonanet, etc.).Refer to the NiagaraAX Sedona Framework TXS-1.2 Installer Guide for details on the Sedona Installer tools in Workbench, and (if enabled for Sedona TXS 1.2) the NiagaraAX Sedona Framework TXS 1.2 Networks Guide for complete details on the Sedona Environment Manager.

Platform overview

Figure 1. Platform functions listed in Nav Container View

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