The AX SoftJACE is NiagaraAX Framework software that runs on a user-supplied PC, providing many of the same benefits as a JACE controller. Depending on the SoftJACE host PC’s Windows operating system, you may select a 32-bit (or if applicable) 64-bit SoftJACE installation. The PC must meet the minimum requirements stated in the AX SoftJACE data sheet, and be dedicated to the SoftJACE application, that is a single-purpose host. Additional host requirements apply—see Host PC Requirements.
A SoftJACE running AX-3.7 or AX-3.8 supports enabling secure (SSL and/or TLS) connectivity to its Niagara platform and station. Station access applies to both Workbench/Niagara station (Foxs), as well as browser (HTTPS) access to the station, the latter via its standard Web User Interface feature.
The SoftJACE package consists of a software installation CD (or downloaded SoftJACE image) and this document. At the SoftJACE
PC, you typically use a CD/DVD drive and local console (keyboard, mouse, and monitor) for the initial software installation.
Alternatively (and if so enabled), you can use a Windows “Remote Desktop Connection” to transfer SoftJACE installation image
files to the SoftJACE host PC, and then run the setup.exe or setup_x64.exe install executable remotely, over such a connection.
Thereafter, to complete startup configuration, you need to access the SoftJACE host remotely using a platform connection from Workbench running on a another NiagaraAX PC, such as a Supervisor or NiagaraAX engineering workstation.
As with any JACE controller using NiagaraAX, an AX SoftJACE is not licensed to run full Workbench, meaning it cannot perform
“client platform operations,” nor operate as a full engineering workstation. Therefore, the station for a SoftJACE is typically
engineered on another NiagaraAX PC, then installed and started over a network connection using NiagaraAX platform tools. See
the next section Options and drivers for related details.