What's the difference between a DCF and FWN file for backing up / restoring ION 75/650 Frameworks?

[JamesAZZO]

In ION Setup, before updating a firmware, we tried to backup an ION 7550 with a big custom framework by saving the template as a DCF file. Once that complete, we went to upgrade the firmware, choose the backup DCF file, and restore. The problem is - it didn't restore the framework except for some very patchy stuff and basically ruined our 7550 custom framework that we thought was backed up. Now we don't have the original framework anymore, but we have this DCF file, which we're unsure of actually having the custom programming that was in there before.

Can anyone provide any advise on how to do this? It's a critical application unfortunately, and we're losing data by the minute! Please help. and I are pretty desperate atm. Assuming or got any advice? Anyone else have experience backing up or restoring ION frameworks using ION Setup?

[Robert_Lee]

Hi James,

     Fundamentally the DCF file is a binary format used specifically by ION Setup which was developed a long time ago by myself prior to when the FWN format was developed by the SPM/ION:E team.  ION Designer maintains FWN formats which includes graphical components which are not present in the ION Setup which is why the formats are not similar.

As for you situation, how did you develop the custom framework?  Did you use ION Designer?  If so, did you also save the framework as a FWN?  Did you remember to send your changes to the device (if not, then the custom framework only existed in ION Designer and not the actual meter).  ION Setup can both read the DCF and FWN formats so if you still have the FWN file of the framework, then you could download that.

However, I would overly caution using both ION Setup and ION Designer from the same PC.  ION Designer makes some assumptions and there are certain conditions where downloading templates can cause ION Designer to not update its view of the device's configuration so using ION Setup in conjunction with ION Designer has some pitfalls.

My recommendation is if a user has a good understanding/knowledge of ION and feels comfortable using ION Designer, then to do template development with that software platform.  Once development is completed, you could use ION Setup to "extract" the DCF and download it to another device (alternatively I'd recommend also saving the setup as a FWN as well).

If you want to e-mail me the DCF (robert.lee@ca.schneider-electric.com), I could examine the DCF to see if the custom programming is still present (provided you give me some details of what was custom).

[Yu_Diao]

Robert,

If we transfer the customized framework in the form of DCF file from one meter to another, will

we loss all the grouping and the module placement? I vaguely recall that, all the customized

functions worked fine in the new meter, but, when opened the it in Designer, all the customized

modules just were put all together and made it harder to figure out the original logic behind

them.

Is this what it is supposed to be or just I did this wrong?

Regards,

[Robert_Lee · Accepted solution]

Yes, the grouping windows and module placements are stored on the PC (and not on the ION meter).  I believe they're stored in the CONFIG/DIAGRAMS/ND sub-folder and you will see a file for the original meter that should match the name of the meter as defined in Management Console with a .CFG extension (ex. GROUP1.MyION7650.CFG).  You should make a copy of that file using Windows Explorer and rename it to match the device name of the other meter that you pasted the DCF to (the CFG file contains all of the module grouping and placement information while the device itself will have the list of the actual modules).

[alister_brunsde]

Hi James,

I hope you've got the framework all sorted out, I just wanted to add a little tip/trick here. We invest quite heavily in designing custom meter and VIP frameworks, these frameworks are our IP and once deployed at a customer site we have no way of protecting that IP. So one solution is to zip up the .CFG files into a password protected zip file. This has no effect on the framework functionality but as you've found, when the meter is opened in Designer, the framework mapping (.CFG) file does not exist so the modules are grouped by type which makes navigation/reverse engineering/modification very difficult.

Regards

Al

[sesa126789]

Hi Robert,

     I am looking for if restore to a new meter not same one, can you help to describe it ?

[Robert_Lee]

Hi Eddic,

If you are attempting to copy a template from a different model of device (ex. 7650 to 7550), then I would strongly suggest using ION Designer and saving the template as a FWN.  ION Designer has the capability of storing/pasting information that exists on different but similar devices while ION Setup is a bit more restrictive.  Be aware that certain module classes do not exist on all device platforms so errors may appear and the template may have to be checked/adjusted post-paste due to differences between the devices.

If you are just attempting to replace a device with the exact same model, then both ION Setup and ION Designer can accomplish this by saving the template to a DCF or FWN and then pasting that same file back onto the device.  One thing you should do prior it to make sure if you want to retain your accumulated energy readings (ex. kWh Del), then you will need to record those values prior and manually RegEdit those readings back into the other meter to restore them otherwise the new meter will likely start at zero.