FIO: Configuring the Module

The FIO module is useful for retrieving tag data from two types of text files:

·      Row-column, delimited formatted text files.

These files are formatted in the conventional Excel .csv style format where the rows represent a sample entry and the columns represent a specific tag. This results in a matrix of tag values, with each value being addressable through a row, column index.

·      Proprietary output files which do not conform to row-column delimited schemas. This will include any output file that does not conform to a row, column addressable format like that of the example table above. IDX uses regular expressions to parse files of this type.

Therefore, in order to use the FIO module, a minimum requirement of a data source capable of generating a file of one of the above types is required.

Adding an FIO service

Configuration using the IDX MMC Configuration Tool

·      Start your IDX Configuration Tool located at Start -> IDXOnline -> IDX

·      The configuration tool will automatically start displaying all defined groups and Servers which have been previously registered in the configuration tool.

·      If creating a new IDX service, first connect to a machine by first creating a group and then connecting to a local or remote IDX server configuration database. Once the server has been added, the existing server services and their state will be displayed beneath the server. A new service can be added by right-clicking on the server name. Enter a unique service name and configure any service parameters to your requirements. When done, select the service name you just added on the server and select the DMs node.

·      If you wish to add and an FIO Interface to an existing IDX service, which should be listed in the window if available, select the service you wish to add the FIO Interface to and select the DMs tab.

·      Under the DMs tab, add a new DM. From the Type field selection tab, select the DM_FIO module if you wish to configure an FIO Interface. Perform the relevant DM interface configurations.

·      Once the relevant DM has been added to the DM list, add any additional DM interfacing modules as required. This process can be repeated/revisited at any stage.

·      Select the IDX Slots node:

o     For new IDX services, no slots will have been defined. In this case, add and configure new slots as required. Slots can also be imported from a file using the Import DB Slots function. Note that slots are universally pooled in an IDX service, in other words, all service DM’s can interact with them. Double click on slots in the list to configure their properties.

o     For existing IDX services, a number of slots may have already been added to the slots list. In this case, add additional slots if necessary or configure slot actions under the DM Actions node.

·      For the FIO Interface, slot actions need to be configured for each slot to be read/interacted with. This is done under the DM Actions node.

·      Under the FIO Interface DM Actions node, add a new action. Slots with actions already assigned will not appear in the slot drop-down list. Select a slot for which an action is to be defined and define the action type under the DM Action Type drop-down field tab. Slots can be defined as read, write or read-write. Apply the action to the slot using the OK button. Once an action has been added, certain DM-specific properties need to be defined for the slot. Once configured, the action is added to the slot.

·      Once all slots have been configured with their respective actions (in the client case) and all required slots have been added, the new DM’s must be activated. Do this by selecting the added DM node, right-clicking and then selecting Load DM. Once loaded, the DM node image will change to a green arrow state. DM’s can be dynamically loaded/unloaded using this method.

·      Once the required DM’s are activated, the IDX Service must be started, if not already running. Right-click on the respective Service node and then Start IDX Instance to start the service.

Configuration using the Legacy Configuration Tool

·      In the IDX Configuration Utility, under the Services tab, select the IDX service to which you wish to add the logger service and select the DMs tab.

·      Add a new DM to the list of existing DMs. Select the DM_FIO module from the Type drop-down selection.

·      Configure the DM properties according to requirements. Click OK to accept changes.

·      Select the DM_FIO entry on the DM list. Select the DM Actions tab.

·      All existing slots for the current IDX service will be displayed. Add read (R) actions to all the slots which must be read from the file (Note: Actions in FIO are always read, since no purpose is served writing values to the file).

·      For each action added, the FIO action properties must be defined.

·      Once all slot actions have been defined, Export DM Actions to the running configuration files.

·      Activate the FIO DM, by selecting its checkbox under the DMs tab.

·      Export the slot and DM configuration information to the running configuration by clicking on the Export Service Configurations (DB + DMs) button under the Services tab. Start the IDX service, if it is not already running, by selecting the service and clicking Start.

Additional Topics

·      FIO Configuration Examples