I am new to ABB Advant DCS and try to get my ways around that what sorts of backup requires on ABB advant system. We have AC160 system, AC450 Systems, Engineering stations, Operator stations, Information management system. What sorts of routine backup these systems required and how to do the backups for each separate systems and nodes.

If somebody can explain, will be really appreciated.

Thanks
Will

 

Well, assuming that you have AdvaCommand for Unix or NT Operator stations, you should have most of the tools already in place.

Hopefully, you have at least one station with "Central Backup" licensed. This will back up all your AC450 controllers to a single station. Once you back up your controllers you can run a backup to tape for that station. Your AC100 series (including AC110 and AC160) backups are the AAX and BAX source code files. It is vital that you don't loose this code as the controller can't be rebuilt without it.

How often you back up depends on how often you are changing your software, but weekly is typical. Really, your decision is driven by how much data you can afford to loose if the system dies on you. Operator Stations can usually be backed up less frequently if the software and graphics are not changed. Typically your OS graphics are backed up along with the station where your Central Backups are located.

Backup PC based Engineering stations using disk imaging software like Acronis or Ghost.

Unix based IMS is also backed up to tape. Again weekly may be often enough.

You should keep several copies of your backup tapes, including at least one off-site in case of a major on site disaster.

If you have an 800xA system, there's no direct equivalent to Central Backup for Advant Controllers, so the controllers need to be backed up manually. The 800xA servers and clients should be backed up using disk imaging software (Acronis is highly recommended). Note that the built in 800xA backup is in no way a complete protection and system recovery from this alone can be quite difficult. Acronis images can be used to restore individual clients and servers without rebuilding the whole system.

You should give some consideration to how you would recover all or part of your site if a rack room burned to the ground or your tape store got flooded or even complete destruction of all or part of your control system.

In summary, backup your controllers with Central Backup. Backup your OS & IMS with tapes (or DVD's if you have PC systems). Disk image your Engineering station. Keep copies off site. Have a disaster recovery plan. Make sure you back up EVERYTHING !

Rob
www[.]lymac.co.nz

 

Thanks Rob

I appreciate the info. but still need some more information.
We have an engineering station from where our former engineer used to backup the system so I am assuming that's the central backup station.
Now how to actually back-up the AC450,OS,ES,and IMS?? where to go and what commands are??

I have backup the AC160 using FCB>File>Generate Source code. which has generated .AAX and .BAX files for DB and PC. is this is the only required backup for AC160??? or anything more to be done??

Sorry I am being very silly asking this sort of questions, but I have no choice.

Thanks
Will

 

Then it sounds like you don't have "Central Backup". It's a licensed feature that automatically schedules your AC450 backups. Its an option installed on an Advant OS and you might consider contacting ABB to get a license to use it.

So, you will need to use the Engineering PC On-Line builder command "DUAP" to back up each AC450 controller manually. Once you've done that, you can image the engineering PC.

Yes, the .AAX and .BAX files are the only backups for AC160

If you have UNIX OS, ES and IMS, the "Station Backup" function is on the System Config D-Keys. You should have at least one SCSI tape drive somewhere. Make sure its address is 3 (the default) plug it in and re-boot the station to make it active.

If you have NT based systems, shut down the station, boot it using an Acronis or Ghost Boot Disk and image both C: and D: disks

Rob
www[.]lymac.co.nz