A Workbench direct (or tunneled) platform connection to a Niagara host, either JACE or Supervisor, provides various functional views, as shown in Figure 1.
In addition to the platform views listed below, a Commissioning Wizard is available as a right-click platform option. This
wizard provides a “step-by-step” method to perform a sequence of platform tasks used for NiagaraAX commissioning of a new JACE controller, or when upgrading NiagaraAX in a JACE. For more details, see “About the Commissioning Wizard” in the JACE NiagaraAX Install & Startup Guide. Starting in build 3.6.44 of AX-3.6, Workbench platform support of “retrofit board”-equipped JACE-403 and JACE-545 controllers
(JACE-603 and JACE-645) was added, allowing for Niagara R2 configuration. In this case, the platform “Commissioning Wizard” is not used. Instead, an “Install Niagara R2” wizard and new “R2 Platform Tool” platform view are available. Refer to the Retrofit Board Niagara R2 Install & Startup Guide for complete details.
The following sections summarize the various NiagaraAX platform functions and views, including typical usage:
-
To start, stop, restart, or kill a station on the Niagara platform. Output from the station displays in the view pane, useful for monitoring and troubleshooting. You also configure a station’s “Auto-Start” and “Restart on Failure” settings from this view.
-
(AX-3.7 or later) This platform view appears if the host is licensed for SSL with the “crypto” feature, and has the necessary modules. Use it to import signed certificates into the platform’s key store and trust store (for SSL or TLS secure connections), and to perform other related functions.
-
Allows for DNS IP addresses to by dynamically updated (DDNS), an option sometimes used for JACE hosts—although infrequently.
-
Used to restore a “backup”
.distfile to the target JACE, or to install a “clean dist” file to downgrade a JACE to a known bare minimum state. (Do not attempt to use this to upgrade a JACE—instead, you must use the Commissioning Wizard, as mentioned in the previous Note). -
To copy files between your Workbench PC and the remote Niagara platform (in either direction). For example, you use this platform view when editing a JACE controller’s “
system.properties” file—once to copy it from the JACE to your Workbench PC (for local editing), then afterwards to copy it back to the JACE. See system.properties notes. -
(When connected to a QNX-based JACE) To configure the wireless GPRS modem option card (General Packet Radio Service) that may be installed in a JACE-2,-3,-6,-7 series controller.
-
IEEE 802.1X Configuration
(Applies only if an AX-3.8 “Hotspot” JACE that is licensed for IEEE 802.1X, with
platIEEE8021Xmodule). To configure settings for the JACE to allow it to join an IEEE 802.1X wired-authentication network. Refer to the Engineering Notes 3.8 document NiagaraAX IEEE 802.1X Configuration. -
To install text-based Niagara lexicon files from your Workbench PC to the remote Niagara platform, to either provide non-English language support, or customize English lexicons to globally change display tags. Starting in AX-3.7, lexicons are also distributed as software modules (.jar files), which are installed using the platform Software Manager view instead.
-
To review, install, save, or delete licenses and (license) certificates on the remote Niagara platform.
-
To review, install, update, or uninstall “Niagara modules (.jars)” on the remote Niagara platform. The Software Manager compares modules installed on the connected platform against those available (locally) on your Workbench PC.
-
To perform configuration, status, and troubleshooting of the Niagara platform daemon. Included are commands to change time/date, backup all remote configuration, and reboot the host platform. Also included are functions to modify the login credentials and TCP port monitored by the platform daemon, and (if applicable) to enable and/or require a secure (SSL) platform connection.
-
To install (copy) a station from your Workbench PC and the remote Niagara platform, including different file-level options. Also to backup (copy) a station in a remote platform to your Workbench PC, or to delete a remote station. You can also easily rename any copied stations.
Starting in 2013 update releases (e.g AX-3.7u1), password storage methods changed. This can affect usage of the Station Copier,
especially if installing a saved station to a different host than the original (saved) host. For complete details, refer to
the document NiagaraAX 2013 Security Updates.
-
To review and configure the TCP/IP settings for the network adapter(s) of the Niagara platform.
-
Applies to remote Win32 platforms (e.g. JACE-NXT). To access host Windows OS user and group accounts, including ability to add or delete users/groups, change passwords and group members.
-
WiFi Certificate Manager, WiFi Configuration
Applies to remote JACE with installed WiFi option (currently, a JACE-700 only). Used to configure the 802.11b/g wireless interface provided by the WiFi option.
-
To navigate among all files and folders under the platform’s Niagara root (system home) directory, including the ability to make local copies on your PC.
In some cases, you may also have a Sedona Environment Manager platform view listed too. See the related Note in the section Platform overview.