Platform overview

In Workbench, when you open a platform connection to a Niagara host (whether JACE or Supervisor), that host’s available platform functions are listed in the platform’s Nav Container View, see Figure 1.

Figure 1. Platform functions listed in platform’s Nav Container View

Each platform function has its own Workbench view (plugin); you access it by simply double-clicking. Most of the same platform views exist whether a platform connection to a JACE or a Supervisor, with these exceptions:

If you open a local platform connection at your computer, note that some platform views are “missing,” e.g. the Distribution File Installer, File Transfer Client, and Station Copier. The views have no real application when working at your computer—instead, you simply use Windows Explorer.
For any Windows-based platform, a “User Manager” view is available. This view is not available if the platform is a QNX-based JACE or a Linux-based Supervisor.
For any QNX-based JACE platform, a “GPRS Modem Configuration” view is available. This view is not available if the platform is a Windows-based JACE or any Supervisor.
Starting in AX-3.7, some platforms may have a “Certificate Management” view. This view appears only for a host licensed for SSL. This view is unavailable for any of the older QNX-based JACE platforms that run the IBM J9 Java VM (JACE-2, JACE-4, JACE-5 series).
In AX-3.8, some QNX-based JACE platforms may have an “IEEE 802.1X Configuration” view. This view appears only if the host is licensed for IEEE 802.1X, with the platIEEE8021X module installed. (This is another option unavailable for any older QNX-based JACE platform with IBM J9 Java VM.)
A JACE with an installed WiFi option has two related platform views: WiFi Configuration and WiFi Certificate Manager. Currently, a JACE-700 is the only applicable platform.
Starting in Workbench AX-3.6 (build 3.6.44 or later), platform support was added for Niagara R2 configuration and upkeep of “retrofit board” R2 JACE-403 and JACE-545 controllers, also known as “JACE-603” and “JACE-645” controllers. A related “R2 Platform Tool” platform view is available only in a platform connection to these two models (if configured for Niagara R2). Details are not in this document. Refer to the Retrofit Board Niagara R2 Install & Startup Guide for information.

Also, a few of the platform views differ depending on platform type. See About platform differences for details.

The following sections provide additional background on NiagaraAX platform access:

If your 3.7 or later Niagara Workbench has been enabled for Sedona Framework TXS 1.2 (via the Sedona Installer tool in Workbench), note any platform connection to a remote NiagaraAX host provides yet another platform view: the Sedona Environment Manager. Note this platform view appears regardless if the remote host is configured with Sedona-related modules (nsedona, sedonanet, etc.). Refer to the NiagaraAX Sedona Framework TXS-1.2 Installer Guide for details on the Sedona Installer tool in Workbench, and (if enabled for Sedona TXS 1.2), the NiagaraAX Sedona Framework TXS 1.2 Networks Guide for complete details on the Sedona Environment Manager.