Clean dist installation preparation
- TCP/IP settings
- license files
- brand.properties
- most secure communication (SSL/TLS) configuration
All other data is deleted from the file system, including station bog files, Px files, modules, etc. Note that the unit’s SSL/TLS private key information is also deleted. In addition, installing a clean dist deletes all configured platform users, restoring the factory-default platform credentials and port (3011).
For any JACE configured for platform "Ssl Only", you should change this State to "Disabled" before installing a clean dist file. Otherwise, after the JACE reboots from the clean dist installation, a platform connection fails. See .
NOTE: Cleaning also deletes the !security folder, which in 2013 update releases (e.g. AX-3.7u1) contains files used for encryption of "client passwords" in any hosted station. If cleaned, any previous station save (config.bog) for that AX-3.7u1 host will have non-working client passwords when re-installed. This happens because an AX-3.7u1 host will generate new (and different) key files when it first initializes. In this case, you will need to re-enter all such passwords (e.g. the Password in the ClientConnection container of a NiagaraStation, or the Password in an OutgoingAccount under the EmailService), to have it work again. For related details in this document, see Security update 1 changes to backup dist usage
Therefore before installing a clean dist file, make sure to backup station files plus any other items on the controller you wish to keep. You should always backup (export) certificate keys of any SSL/TLS-configured unit, such that if the controller needed to be replaced (hardware swap-out), you could re-import those keys.
Note that after installing a clean dist, you must always recommission the controller for
Each clean dist file has the suffix -clean in its name. They are installed in your Sys Home !cleanDist folder—apart from other dist files under your software database.
Figure 23. Clean dist file shown selected in the Distribution File Installer
Clean dist files appear listed with a “WARNING” in the Description, as shown in the one selected in the figure above. Only the appropriate one for the currently opened platform will be selectable.