To run Field Edition, from Windows Start menu, select All Programs > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client > PDC Field Edition.
5 Install FactoryTalk AssetCentre agents
This chapter describes:
Before you install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software
Install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software
Configure for security-enabled RSLogix family software
Check whether the agent software is current
Before you install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software
Agents are programs that communicate with the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server and perform scheduled tasks on behalf of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server. Agents allow work to be distributed and shared among multiple computers to spread processing load and speed up operations. When a server needs an agent to perform a task, it locates the computer running the operation and assigns the task to that agent. The agent then reports the task’s completion to the server. The Search feature, as well as purchased capabilities, such as the Disaster Recovery capability, require the use of agents to perform scheduled operations.Where to install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software
Agents can be installed on any computer that: is capable of running the agent software (see “Agent computer requirements” on page 7).
is connected to the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server
runs the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server, or the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client.
If you intend to perform a large number of Disaster Recovery operations, we recommend the following limitations on your network:
Items Mximum
Agent computers 15 Agent groups 10
If items exceed the limits (for example, if you need more than 15 agent computers, more than 10 agent groups, or more than five agent computers in each agent group), contact Rockwell Automation.
If scheduled operations are taking longer than desired to complete, you may need install more Disaster Recovery agents. To estimate the number of necessary FactoryTalk AssetCentre agents in your system, see Rockwell Automation Knowledgebase Answer ID 106118.
If your system uses PanelView Plus operator interfaces, you must install RSLinx Enterprise and the FactoryTalk View ME Transfer Utility software on every agent computer in the system. RSLinx Enterprise must be version 5.00.00 or later. FactoryTalk View ME Transfer Utility is a separate installation. The installation is included on the FactoryTalk AssetCentre installation DVD in ME Transfer Utility\METUSetup.exe.
Also, for Disaster Recovery functions, the agent computer MUST have the appropriate RSLogix family software for your devices.
Install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software
To install a FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent:
1. Log on to the agent computer as an administrator or as a user with administrative privileges.
2. If necessary, close all open Windows programs.
3. Install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software by using:
the installation DVD, follow the steps below:
a. Place the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation DVD in the computer’s DVD drive.
You must have the appropriate RSLogix family software for your devices installed on the agent computer to run Disaster Recovery schedules.
b. Run D:\setup.exe, where D:\ is the drive containing the DVD.
c. Select AssetCentre Agent, and click Next.
d. Go to step 4.
the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server website, follow the steps below:
a. Open Internet Explorer, and in the Address field, type the following:
http://servername/rockwellsoftware/assetcentre
where servername is the name of your FactoryTalk AssetCentre server computer. For example, if your FactoryTalk AssetCentre server computer name is MYSERVER, type the following:
http://MYSERVER/rockwellsoftware/assetcentre
b. Press Enter. Internet Explorer shows a page from the server that allows you to install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software.
You can also select AssetCentre Custom Installation to install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre software. See “Custom install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre software.” on page 78
If you are using SSL, then start the address with https:// instead of http://.
If you install the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software on the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server computer, type the following in the Address field:
http://localhost/rockwellsoftware/assetcentre
If Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 is not installed on your computer, the page also provides the installation of .NET Framework 4.0. Follow the on-screen instructions to install .NET
c. Click Install AssetCentre Agent on this computer. The installation automatically starts when the download completes.
d. Go to step 4.
4. The general order of the installation is:
Select software products to install
Setup Wizard terminates applicable Rockwell Automation software
User identification
License agreement
File Location
Ready to Install
Automatic installation of prerequisites
Installation of necessary Rockwell Software
FactoryTalk Services Platform
If Internet Explorer shows an error message that it cannot connect to the install web page, try bypassing the proxy for local addresses. Also make sure that IIS is running on the server. For information on running IIS see “Web page for installing the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client and agent cannot be shown” on page 90.
If in one of the following situations:
- Internet Explorer shows a warning about opening possibly unsafe content or downloading possibly unsafe files
- Windows SmartScreen prevents the installation
Add the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web site (URL above) to your Trusted Sites. See your Internet Explorer documentation for more information.
Select software products to install
The FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software is automatically installed with the appropriate underlying Rockwell Automation software products.
The grayed-out and selected check boxes indicate that the software will be automatically installed.
Clicking any of the software product shows its status in the right window. Status messages may include that the software product will be installed, and whether it is already installed and will be upgraded.
Setup Wizard terminates applicable Rockwell Automation software
During the installation, the Setup Wizard identifies Rockwell Automation software that will be replaced. The program automatically terminates the programs listed in the following dialog box.
Click Next to proceed.
This procedure could shut down your process applications! It is possible that your factory automation system will become inoperabable. Be certain that you have prepared for this downtime and all of your company’s systems are prepared for these applications to be terminated.
User identification
In this screen, you need set up user information for the administrator of the application.
User Name and Organization are optional and not required for installation.
License agreement
End-user license agreements (EULA) spell out your rights and responsibilities. The individual license agreements are listed above the text box.
When all license agreements have been viewed, click Accept All. If you click Decline, it will halt the installation process.
File Location
Select the location for Rockwell Automation software. If needed, select from the list to browse to another drive location.
When ready to proceed, click Next.
Ready to Install
The Setup Wizard shows the prerequisites and Rockwell Software that will be installed.
Configuration Summary indicates the software that will be included in the installation process.
Prerequisite Software is required on the computer to support the Rockwell Software applications.
Rockwell Software are the software to be installed together with the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent software.
Clicking any of the prerequisites or Rockwell Software will show a description in the Description window. The bottom of the screen shows the total hard drive space required for the selected application, as well as the space required for all products that will be installed.
When ready to proceed, click Install.
The All selected products size does not include the Prerequisite Software size.
Automatic installation of prerequisites
The FactoryTalk AssetCentre Setup Wizard automatically detects required applications and installs those that are not on the computer.
Installation of necessary Rockwell Software
After installing prerequisites, the Setup Wizard automatically installs all the software products selected previously.
During the installation, the Setup Wizard prompts you to configure FactoryTalk Directory.
If your FactoryTalk Directory server is on another computer, click Select FactoryTalk Directory Server, and specify the server computer.
If the current computer is your FactoryTalk Directory server, click Continue.
When all the software products are installed, click Next.
Complete the installation
When all the software products are installed, the setup complete window opens. Click Finish..
The Installation Summary content varies, depending on what you selected to install.