Geo SCADA 2023 Upgrade Strategy

[sbeadle]

Home  Back  

• Introduction
• Preparing to Upgrade Geo SCADA Expert
• Database Version Emulation
• Upgrade a Lone Geo SCADA Expert Server
• Upgrade a Multi-Server Geo SCADA Expert System
• Upgrade Your ViewX Clients
• Upgrade Your Virtual ViewX Server
• Upgrade Your WebX Clients

Introduction

To maintain Geo SCADA Expert's position as a leading SCADA solution, we operate a policy of continuous development. This means that, periodically, we release Geo SCADA Expert Upgrades and Monthly Updates that:

• Add new features
• Improve existing features
• Allow Geo SCADA Expert to interact with a wider range of devices
• Correct issues found.

If you have been provided with an update or upgrade, you will need to install it on your existing server(s) and clients:

• Make a backup, obtain the new version of software and check the Release Notes.
• Refer to the section that describes your server architecture:
• Upgrade a Server in a Lone Server Architecture.
• Upgrade Servers in a Multi-Server Architecture.
• Upgrade your Clients.
• Upgrade your Virtual ViewX Server (if required).
• Upgrade your WebX Clients (If required).

Preparing to Upgrade Geo SCADA Expert

Before you upgrade your system, you will need to obtain the required update files. These include updates for any extensions that you may be using with your system.

• Make a backup of your database. (This is a precautionary measure ---you will only need to use your backup if a problem occurs). For information on making a backup, see 'Back Up the Database' in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Server Administration.
• Get updates for any Third Party extensions that you have on your Geo SCADA Expert system. An extension is a collection of installable features, for example, extensions are often collections of related drivers.

You can use the Server Status Tool to find out which extensions (if any) you have installed on a Geo SCADA Expert server. The installed extensions are listed in the General>Extensions section. You can also see information about the Version and the Publisher of each extension (see 'Extensions' in the 'General System Status Information' section of the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to the Server Status Tool).
For information about the extensions that are installed on a ViewX client, select the File menu followed by the Help option, and then the About option. This displays the About window. Select the Extensions tab to view a list of the extensions that are installed on the client.
If you right-click on an extension, you may be able to access an Update Information option. This option is only available if it has been provided by the Publisher, and may provide details and download information about any available updates.
If the Update Information option is unavailable, you should contact the Publisher. You can access the publisher's contact details by right-clicking on the extension and then selecting Support from the context-sensitive menu.
The Publisher may provide you with updates for the extension only. Alternatively, the extension may repackage Geo SCADA Expert, in which case both Geo SCADA Expert and the extension are upgraded together.

• Get updates for any Third Party DDK drivers (and SDK drivers) that you use on your Geo SCADA Expert system.

You can use the Server Status Tool to find out which DDK or SDK drivers (if any) you have installed on a Geo SCADA Expert server. In the General>Modules section, look at the Publisher details. Those modules that are not published by Schneider Electric are Third Party drivers which may be from an extension, DDK driver or SDK driver (see 'Modules' in the 'General System Status Information' section of the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to the Server Status Tool).
If you right-click on a Third Party module, you will be able to access a Support option. You may also be able to access an Update Information option (this option is only available if it has been provided by the Publisher). These two options may provide information that indicates whether the driver is a DDK or SDK driver. If not, they will provide contact details which you can use to get assistance.

• Get updates for any Third Party applications that you use with Geo SCADA Expert (where required).

There may be significant differences between your current and new versions of Geo SCADA Expert. For example, the new version may include changes to the database schema. These differences can affect any Third Party applications that you use with Geo SCADA Expert. So you may need to update your Third Party applications to be compatible with the new version of Geo SCADA Expert.

• Read the Geo SCADA Expert release notes. These may contain important information relating to upgrading specific version of Geo SCADA Expert you are currently running.

You can also find useful upgrading information on the Geo SCADA Expert installation disk. When you insert the disk and the Geo SCADA Expert display is shown, select the More Information option, and then select the Upgrading your existing Geo SCADA Expert installation option from the list provided. This displays a web page containing upgrading details and a link to the Upgrading Strategy information in the Resource Center.

• If your system uses WebX clients, you need to consider how the latest ActiveX control will be installed.
• If using Legacy WebX (or IIS WebX on a separate server), Internet Explorer is configured to allow ActiveX controls to be downloaded, the WebX client will get the latest ActiveX control from the Geo SCADA Expert server. This takes place automatically the first time a WebX client connects to an upgraded Geo SCADA Expert server. However, if Internet Explorer is prohibited from being able to download ActiveX controls, you will need to use the Geo SCADA Expert DVD to upgrade each WebX client.

You need to be aware that a WebX client is unable to connect to the system until you have installed the latest ActiveX control.

When you have made the recommended preparation, you can proceed to install your Geo SCADA Expert upgrade. Please refer to the section that describes your system architecture:

Database Version Emulation

These instructions do not cover the new feature added in Geo SCADA 2021 which performs database version emulation to save database files in an older format for upgrade rollback. Please refer to the product help for details on using this feature.

Upgrade a Lone Geo SCADA Expert Server

When you have the appropriate update files for Geo SCADA Expert and any extensions, DDK drivers, and Third Party applications, you can upgrade your Geo SCADA Expert system.

ATTENTION: Read the Geo SCADA Expert release notes for your version of Geo SCADA Expert before starting the update process. The release notes may contain important details about installing updates for your specific version of Geo SCADA Expert.

In this section, we explain how to upgrade your Geo SCADA Expert servers using separate installers for:

• Geo SCADA Expert
• Extensions
• DDK drivers
• Third Party applications (that target Geo SCADA Expert).

To upgrade your lone Geo SCADA Expert server:

• First, undertake the appropriate preparation (see the first section in this document 'Preparing to Upgrade Geo SCADA Expert').

With correct preparation, you will:

• Find out about any version-specific details relating to your current version and the new version of Geo SCADA Expert.
• Make a backup which can be used to restore your system should an unexpected issue occur.
• Obtain the required upgrade files so that the upgrade can be completed as efficiently as possible.
• Shutdown Geo SCADA Expert on your Geo SCADA Expert Server. (The installation process requires the Geo SCADA Expert server to be shutdown).

For information on shutting down a server, see 'Start and Stop the System Server' in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Server Administration.

• Install the Geo SCADA Expert update on the Geo SCADA Expert server. To do this, run the Setup.exe file which is part of the Geo SCADA Expert update. When you run Setup.exe, the installer will run and install the correct files for the server's operating system (64 bit or 32 bit).
• Install updates for any extensions. (Skip to step 5 if your system does not use extensions).

To install an extension, run the installer application supplied with the extension upgrade.
If you do not update all of the extensions, Geo SCADA Expert may not run correctly.

• Install updates for any DDK drivers. (Skip to step 6 if your system does not use DDK drivers).

The Geo SCADA Expert update includes the latest version of drivers created by Schneider Electric. However, if your system has DDK drivers created by a Third Party organization, you will need to install the appropriate updates. This is because DDK drivers are associated with a specific version of Geo SCADA Expert---when you upgrade Geo SCADA Expert, the DDK drivers need to match the new Geo SCADA Expert version.
If you do not update all of the DDK drivers, Geo SCADA Expert may not run correctly.

• Install updates for any Third Party applications that are associated with a specific version of Geo SCADA Expert. (Skip to step 7 if your system does not use any Third Party applications with Geo SCADA Expert).

For information on any Third Party applications that you use with Geo SCADA Expert, please contact the publisher of the application.

• Restart the Geo SCADA Expert server.

For information on restarting a server, see 'Start and Stop the System Server' in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Server Administration.

• If your Geo SCADA Expert server is connected to clients that run an older version of Geo SCADA Expert, you should enable server emulation. This will allow the clients to continue to function as expected while they are awaiting upgrade. Any new features in the Geo SCADA Expert upgrade will be unavailable on the clients until the clients have been upgraded.

For information on enabling server emulation, see 'Server Emulation' in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Server Administration.

• Upgrade your Geo SCADA Expert license.
• Upgrade your Geo SCADA Expert clients:

• If you previously enabled Server Emulation, log on to the Server Configuration Tool and clear the Present a different server version to clients check box (*System Configuration>Emulate Server Version*). This disables the server emulation feature.

You have now upgraded your Geo SCADA Expert server and clients.

Upgrade a Multi-Server Geo SCADA Expert System

The below instructions apply to a Geo SCADA Expert system with clients, and those without. If you have a multi-server Geo SCADA Expert system that has clients, we recommend that you use server emulation during the upgrading process. Server emulation allows clients that are running older versions of Geo SCADA Expert to connect to a server that has been upgraded. By using server emulation, you can minimize the amount of time clients are unable to access the system during upgrading.

ViewX/WebX Clients:
If you are running a multi-server Geo SCADA Expert system without connected clients, you can omit steps 8, 14 and 15 from the list below.

ATTENTION: Read the Geo SCADA Expert release notes for your version of Geo SCADA Expert before starting the update process. The release notes may contain important details about installing updates for your specific version of Geo SCADA Expert.

To upgrade a multi-server Geo SCADA Expert system:

• First, undertake the appropriate preparation (see the first section in this document 'Preparing to Upgrade Geo SCADA Expert').

With correct preparation, you will:

• Find out about any version-specific details relating to your current version and the new version of Geo SCADA Expert.
• Make a backup which can be used to restore your system should an error occur
• Obtain the required upgrade files so that the upgrade can be completed as efficiently as possible.
• Shutdown Geo SCADA Expert on your Standby Server.

You need to shutdown the Standby server first because:

• The installation process requires the Geo SCADA Expert server to be shutdown.
• Upgrading the Standby servers before the Main server reduces the number of Changeovers required. As a result, the upgrade process is more efficient. This is especially important with some simple drivers, as there can be a loss of data during the Main-Standby Changeover. By reducing the number of Changeovers, you minimize the amount of potential data loss.

When you upgrade a multi-server architecture, you will need to stop the Main server so that you can install the upgrade. When you stop the Main server, a Changeover occurs automatically, and one of the Standby servers switches to become Main.
During the Changeover, the drivers on the new Main server will start-up and begin scanning their devices. On larger systems, it can take a certain amount of time for the drivers to start. This can result in there being a delay before Geo SCADA Expert can resume scanning the devices again.

By upgrading all of the Standby servers before the Main server, you can apply the upgrades with just one Changeover taking place. This minimizes the amount of time that the drivers are unable to scan their associated devices.
If you upgraded a Main server before the Standby servers, multiple Changeovers may be required. This is because you would have to shutdown more than one Main servers (when you shutdown the first Main server, one of the Standby servers will switch to Main).

For information on shutting down a server, see 'Start and Stop the System Server' in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Server Administration.

• Install the Geo SCADA Expert upgrade on the Standby server. To do this, run the Setup.exe file which is part of the Geo SCADA Expert update. When you run Setup.exe, the installer will run and install the correct files for the server's operating system (64 bit or 32 bit).
• On the Standby server, install updates for any extensions. (Skip to step 5 if your system does not use extensions).

To install an extension, run the installer application supplied with the extension upgrade.
If you do not update all of the extensions, Geo SCADA Expert may not run correctly.

• On the Standby server, install updates for any DDK drivers. (Skip to step 6 if your system does not use any DDK drivers).

The Geo SCADA Expert update includes the latest version of drivers created by Schneider Electric. However, if your system has DDK drivers created by a Third Party organization, you will need to install the appropriate updates. This is because DDK drivers are associated with a specific version of Geo SCADA Expert---when you upgrade Geo SCADA Expert, the DDK drivers need to match the new Geo SCADA Expert version.

If you do not update all of the DDK drivers, Geo SCADA Expert may not run correctly.

• On the Standby server, install updates for any Third Party applications that are associated with a specific version of Geo SCADA Expert. (Skip to step 7 if your system does not use any Third Party applications with Geo SCADA Expert).

For information on any Third Party applications that you use with Geo SCADA Expert, please contact the publisher of the application.

• Upgrade the license on the Standby server.
• Configure the Standby server to emulate the older version of Geo SCADA Expert that is being used by the clients:
• Run the Server Configuration Tool and log on.
• Browse to System Configuration>Emulate Server Version
• Select the Present a Different Server Version to Clients check box.
• Use the Version combo-box to choose the version of Geo SCADA Expert that the client PCs run (the older version of Geo SCADA Expert).
• In the tree-structure, right-click on the icon for the server, and then select the Apply Changes option from the context sensitive menu.

This allows the clients to connect to the Standby server, even though they are running an older version of Geo SCADA Expert.

• Restart Geo SCADA Expert on the Standby server (for information on restarting a server, see 'Start and Stop the System Server' in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Server Administration). Wait for the server to fully synchronize with the Main server and go into the Standby state.
• Repeat steps 2-9 inclusive for each of the other servers in the architecture. You should start with any other Standby servers.
• After completing the upgrades of all of the Standby servers, you should shutdown the Main server. This will cause a Changeover and one of the Standby servers will become the new Main server. As all of the Standby servers have been upgraded, they are able to synchronize with the new Main server (they all run the same version of Geo SCADA Expert).

The server that was formerly the Main server has now stopped.

• On the server that was formerly the Main server, install the Geo SCADA Expert update, and update the extensions, DDK drivers, and Third Party applications as required. (Use the same techniques as when you upgraded the Standby servers).
• Restart the server that was formerly the Main server. It now runs as a Standby server and it synchronizes with the new Main server.
• When each of the servers have been upgraded, you can upgrade each client in turn.
• When the clients have all been upgraded, you need to disable the server emulation feature on the servers. To do this, repeat step 8 on each server, only this time clear the Present a Different Server Version to Clients check box. When you have applied this change to each of the servers, the clients and servers will all use the same version of Geo SCADA Expert.

Upgrade Your ViewX Clients

To upgrade your Geo SCADA Expert client:

• First, undertake the appropriate preparation (see the first section in this document 'Preparing to Upgrade Geo SCADA Expert').

With correct preparation, you will:

• Find out about any version-specific details relating to your current version and the new version of Geo SCADA Expert.

** Specifically, check whether there are any changes to the startup XML file for ViewX, which is often used for multi-head setup.

• Obtain the required upgrade files so that the upgrade can be completed as efficiently as possible.
• On the Geo SCADA Expert client, close all Geo SCADA Expert applications (ViewX, Client Configuration Tool, and so on.)
• Close any other applications that are accessing Geo SCADA Expert.
• Install the Geo SCADA Expert upgrade. To do this, run the Setup.exe file which is part of the Geo SCADA Expert update.
• Install updates for all extensions. (Skip to step 6 if the client does not use extensions).

To install an extension, run the installer application supplied with the extension upgrade.
If you do not update the extensions, Geo SCADA Expert may not run correctly.

• Install updates for any Third Party applications that are associated with a specific version of Geo SCADA Expert. (Skip to step 7 if you do not use Third Party applications with Geo SCADA Expert).

For information on any Third Party applications that you use with Geo SCADA Expert, please contact the publisher of the application.

• Restart your Geo SCADA Expert applications.
• Restart any Third Party applications that use Geo SCADA Expert.
• Repeat for each Geo SCADA Expert client on your Geo SCADA Expert system.

Upgrade Your Virtual ViewX Server

To upgrade your Geo SCADA Expert Virtual ViewX Server:

• First, undertake the appropriate preparation (see the first section in this document 'Preparing to Upgrade Geo SCADA Expert').

With correct preparation, you will:

• Find out about any version-specific details relating to your current version and the new version of Geo SCADA Expert.
• Obtain the required upgrade files so that the upgrade can be completed as efficiently as possible.
• On the Geo SCADA Expert Virtual ViewX Server, stop the IIS Virtual ViewX Web Site and close all Geo SCADA Expert applications (ViewX, Client Configuration Tool, and so on.)
• Install the Geo SCADA Expert upgrade. To do this, run the Setup.exe file which is part of the Geo SCADA Expert update. When you run Setup.exe, choose the Install Virtual ViewX and Prepare Virtual ViewX options.
• Install updates for all extensions. (Skip if the client does not use extensions).

To install an extension, run the installer application supplied with the extension upgrade.
If you do not update the extensions, Geo SCADA Expert may not run correctly.

• Install updates for any Third Party applications that are associated with a specific version of Geo SCADA Expert. (Skip if you do not use Third Party applications with Geo SCADA Expert).

For information on any Third Party applications that you use with Geo SCADA Expert, please contact the publisher of the application.

• Reboot your server to start your Geo SCADA Expert Virtual ViewX applications.
• Restart any Third Party applications that use Geo SCADA Expert.
• Repeat for each Geo SCADA Expert Virtual ViewX Server on your Geo SCADA Expert system.

Upgrade Your WebX Clients

If you use WebX clients (Legacy WebX or IIS WebX), you will need to upgrade them after you have upgraded your Geo SCADA Expert server. During the Geo SCADA Expert upgrade process, a new WebX ActiveX control is installed on the server. For WebX clients to be able to connect to the server, they must also have the new ActiveX control installed.

If your WebX clients are able to download an ActiveX control, the upgrade will take place automatically when they connect to the Geo SCADA Expert server. Each WebX client will download the required ActiveX control from the Geo SCADA Expert server and install it. For this to happen, Microsoft Internet Explorer must be configured to have the Download Signed ActiveX Controls feature enabled.

If your company security policy prohibits the downloading of ActiveX controls, the WebX clients will be unable to download the required ActiveX control from the server. You will need to upgrade the WebX clients by using a Geo SCADA Expert software DVD (follow the instructions on each 'page' of the installer).

Go: Home Back