iFIX 6.1 Configuration Guide
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CONFIGURATION FOR THE JOB
Introduction
iFIX is a proven, innovative flagship HMI/SCADA software product from GE Digital. iFIX can boost equipment uptime and product quality by improving operator reaction time through rapid problem identification, preventing operator mistakes, and providing intelligent warning.
Used in dozens of diverse industries ranging from water / wastewater to life sciences, and food & beverage / consumer goods to specialty chemicals, iFIX:
- Is an open and flexible client / server application that provides supervisory control of process equipment
- Provides high speed scanning, alarm and control
- Offers a complete library of visualization tools to support any situation
- Supports enterprise scale and highly distributed architectures
- Provides the operator with the right information at the right time to help keep the plant running in a highly efficient manner.
What is new?
iFIX 6.1 is an update that continues the journey of open standards, rapid application development, and enterprise support.
The specific features for the iFIX 6.1 release include:
- OPC UA client driver option
- Web Configuration Hub
- iFIX Embedded is now iFIX for IOT
- New Client Configurations
- Update to the High-Performance Dynamos to include Smart Alarm Limits
- Auto log-in (single sign-on) for Windows Users
- Improved Proficy Historian Aliasing
- Support for Windows Server 2019
Please refer to the New Features topic in the iFIX IPI (Important Product Information) section of the iFIX Electronic Books for a full listing.
Diagram Description: A process overview diagram illustrating the flow of materials and processes. It shows inputs like FEED, storage (INTERM. STORAGE), mixing (MIXERS), and output/processing units (CENTRI, HEAT EXCHANGER).
Configuring the HMI/SCADA iFIX Server Node
iFIX servers come in three different versions:
- iFIX for IOT (formerly iFIX Embedded)
- iFIX Standard: a standalone version, no network
- iFIX Plus: networked version
For each server, then pick the core capability: development, runtime, read only, blind server. Then select the number of points you need. Servers are scalable, from 75 I/O points up to unlimited.
| Server Type | Capability | Points/Size | Options | Includes | Add-ons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iFIX for IOT | Runtime Only | Starter 100 / Small 500 / Medium 1500 / Large 5000 | E-Sig / Network / OPC UA Client Driver / Add'l OPC UA Connections | Basic drivers, OPC UA Server. IGS Basic included on all but Starter | OPC UA Server, Recipe Manager, Productivity Pack, Security Synch., Auto Alarm Manager and Basic drivers |
| iFIX Standard (standalone) | Dev / Runtime | 75 / 150 / 300 / 900 / 1500 / 10K / 30K / Unlimited | E-Sig / iPower / OPC UA Client Driver / Add'l OPC UA Connections | Basic drivers, OPC UA Server. IGS Basic included on all but Starter | OPC UA Server, Recipe Manager, Productivity Pack, Security Synch., Auto Alarm Manager and Basic drivers |
| iFIX Plus (Networked) | Dev / Runtime / Blind Server | 75 / 150 / 300 / 900 / 1500 / 10K / 30K / Unlimited | E-Sig / iPower / OPC UA Client Driver / Drivers / SCADA Synch / TS Clients / Add'l OPC UA Connections | Basic drivers, OPC UA Server. IGS Basic included on all but Starter | OPC UA Server, Recipe Manager, Productivity Pack, Security Synch., Auto Alarm Manager and Basic drivers |
Deployment Scenarios: The diagram also indicates deployment scenarios such as Client (Thick/Thin/IOT), On SCADA / Server, Dev-Runtime / Dev-Read Only / Runtime Only / Runtime -Read Only, and # of Clients (Thin TS).
Note: Bold text in the original document indicated new functionality in iFIX 6.1.
iFIX Product Features by Server Type
| Features | Description | iFIX for IOT | iFIX Standard | iFIX Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Database Blocks | This includes the following Blocks: AA, AI,AO,AR,BL,CA,DA,DC,DI,DO,DR,ETR, EV,FN,MDI,PG,SS,TM,TR,TT,TX | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Control Database Blocks | Includes the following Blocks: BB, DT, LL, PID, RB, RM | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| SQL Database Blocks | Includes the following Blocks: SQD, SQT | Added with N/A | ❌ | ❌ |
| SPC Database Blocks | Includes the following Blocks: SC, SD, HS, PA | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Graphics | User Interface with Dynamos, Objects, Data Links, Animations | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Classic History | Default iFIX Historical Package | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Historian Essentials | 2500 points / 200-day Buffer + a number of permanent Historian tags depending on server size | 2500 pt / 200 day | 2500 pt / 200 day | 2500 pt / 200 day |
| Basic Drivers | Number of Drivers that can be run from a Single SCADA Node | IGS Only | ❌ | ❌ |
| Networking | This is iFIX Networking. Connecting one iFIX Node to another. | Option | N/A | ❌ |
| Recipe Builder | This feature allows Users to define Recipes (for ex. Table of Setpoints for Batch Upload or Download), for Batch applications | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| AB Productivity Pack | Pre-built Database Blocks and Graphic Faceplates and Dynamos for PID, Timer and Counter for AB PLCs | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Security Synchronizer | Allows Users to synchronize iFIX Security with Microsoft Windows Security | N/A | ❌ | ❌ |
| High Availability | Allows iFIX to run on Stratus Servers | N/A | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Alarm Manager | This feature allows Reporting of Alarms from a Remote SCADA Node into the Alarm History of Central SCADA Node | N/A | N/A | ❌ |
| SCADA Synchronization | Failover options between two SCADAs that synchronizes the Tag Database and Alarms | N/A | N/A | Option |
| Electronic Signatures | 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance Feature. Allows users to Track Changes and maintains Audit Trail | N/A | Option | Option |
| iPower | Power T&D application with special graphical tools to build a Power Grid HMI | Option | Option | Option |
| iFIX Toolkits | API extensions for custom interfaces into iFIX | N/A | Option | Option |
| IGS Basic | IGS driver that allows access to basic device protocols | ❌ | Option | Option |
| DNP3 | DNP3 driver | Option | Option | |
| ROC | ROC RTU driver | Option | Option | |
| 61850 | IEC 61850 Driver | Option | Option | |
| BacNET | BacNET Driver | Option | Option | |
| LNS | Lonworks Driver | Option | Option | |
| Win911 | Win911 V3.1 Essentials Add-on (basic alarm escalation capabilities) | ❌ | Option | Option |
Configuring the HMI/SCADA iFIX Options
On-node Clients
On-node iClient TS clients are limited to 10 per node by default. Would you require additional Thick Clients or more than 10 Thin-Terminal Services Clients, contact your local sales representative. You can include up to 253 Thin-Terminal Services Clients on the same node (two are included by default). Also, for Thin-Terminal Services Clients, while Electronic Signature is priced per Server, iPower is priced per Client.
Additional OPC UA Connections
Maximum allowed per node is 10; two are included.
SCADA Synchronization
This option is for your High Availability SCADA Solution, on both the Primary (Standard License) and the Backup (Backup License) Node.
Electronic Signature and iPower
Pricing for these options will be a percentage of the iFIX configuration.
WIN-911 Add-on
WIN-911 is an alarm notification package for iFIX. It is the most widely used alarm notification platform in Industry and IIoT, deployed at over 10,000 facilities, in 70 countries and on six continents.
You will receive separate activation codes for these assets, allowing for this to be deployed on different nodes from the iFIX node, or it can be installed on the same node.
The WIN-911 Add-on option is available free of charge: WIN-911 Essentials edition is included in your order if you ask when placing the order.
The Premier and Enterprise levels are available for order as a paid option.
For a High Availability SCADA Solution, the WIN-911 Add-on is only required on the Primary Node.
Note that WIN-911 needs to be installed on an iFIX node, which can be a read client node, and will not operate independently. Please refer to the respective product literature for more information.
Proficy Historian Add-on
Proficy Historian is software that collects industrial data at very high speed, stores it securely, distributes it and allows for fast retrieval & analysis. It is a foundational element of your Digital Transformation
You will receive separate activation codes for these assets, allowing for this to be deployed on different nodes from the iFIX node, or it can be installed on the same node.
The Proficy Historian add-on option is selected by default when ordering, providing you with a Proficy Historian Essentials license. When ordering a High Availability SCADA Solution, Proficy Historian Essentials with 1000 Points and a Redundant Collector must be ordered.
Note that the Proficy Historian and WIN-911 Add-ons options are not available for demo (expiring) licenses.
iCLIENTS: WHAT'S NEW IN iFIX 6.1?
The read-only version is now broken into two separate licenses: Runtime or Development.
We have added an IOT Thick Runtime Only iClient.
| Previous | New with 6.1 and for all versions | Thick iClient | IOT Thick | Thin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development | Development/Runtime | ✔️ | N/A | ✔️ |
| Runtime | Runtime Only | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Read Only | Runtime/Read Only | ✔️ | N/A | ✔️ |
| Development/Read Only | ✔️ | N/A | ✔️ |
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry.
©2020 General Electric. All rights reserved. *Trademark of General Electric. All other brands or names are property of their respective holders. Specifications are subject to change without notice. 01 2020
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