System 800xA Training

Chapter 20 Import and Export

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 20 Import and Export ................................................................................................................................................ 1

20.1 General Information ................................................................................................................................................... 2
20.1.1 Objectives............................................................................................................................................................ 2
20.1.2 Legend................................................................................................................................................................. 2
20.1.3 Reference Documentation .................................................................................................................................... 2
20.2 Backup Methods......................................................................................................................................................... 3
20.2.1 Cloning / Imaging ................................................................................................................................................ 3
20.2.2 Windows Backup ................................................................................................................................................. 3
20.2.3 800xA System Backup / Restore........................................................................................................................... 3
20.2.4 Import/Export ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
20.2.5 Disaster Recovery ................................................................................................................................................ 4
20.3 Import / Export ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
20.3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
20.3.2 User Interface ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
20.3.3 Precautions and Limitations ................................................................................................................................. 7
20.3.4 Exporting Data..................................................................................................................................................... 7
20.3.5 Hints for Exporting Data .................................................................................................................................... 10
20.3.6 Importing Data................................................................................................................................................... 11
20.3.7 How to Place Aspects when Importing ............................................................................................................... 15
20.3.8 Creating a Difference Report.............................................................................................................................. 18
20.3.9 Dependencies..................................................................................................................................................... 20
20.3.10 Resolving Errors .............................................................................................................................................. 21

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20.1 General Information

20.1.1 Objectives
On completion of this chapter you will be able to:
• Describe the different backup and restore methods
• Use the import / export tool

20.1.2 Legend
> Indicates when you go from one menu to a sub-menu
Italic Indicates object and file names
“ “ Indicates dialog box buttons, tabs, menus etc.
Bold Indicates important topics
Indicates start/explanation of student activity

20.1.3 Reference Documentation

3BSE046784 Industrial IT 800xA – System
Maintenance

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20.2 Backup Methods

The backup and restore procedure consists of two different parts
• Backup of standard Windows system
• Backup of the System application data

20.2.1 Cloning / Imaging

There are several software packages available for backing up a complete disk or
partition. For example, Norton Ghost is a cloning software that is often used. The
result will be a compressed file that then could be copied to a CD disk or other
computer’s disk.
It is recommended that cloning/imaging software be used to save (and restore if
necessary) an image of workstation hard drives after installation of third party
software and/or after installing all software.
However, it is important to understand the limitations associated with these utilities.
In some cases, such as corrupted data, corrupted software, or hard disk failures, these
utilities can be useful. While in other cases, such as replacing a workstation these
utilities may be of limited use.

20.2.2 Windows Backup

Windows backup tool could be used to backup specific file directory. It is useful for
backup of important operating system files. The backup repetition can be automated.
It is not possible to move a total Windows backup from one node to another. The
800xA system contains computer node specific data that the backup was taken from.
Thus this method is not recommended for making the full backup, but only used for
system messages and basic history data.

20.2.3 800xA System Backup / Restore

The 800xA system’s Backup/Restore tool is for backing up and restoring the Aspect
Directory and historical data. It is not for backing up operating system or 800xA
software. Backups can be either full or incremental (incremental backups require an
initial full backup). Backups are always made on a running system, but you have to
stop the system to perform a restore.
The data is stored in afw files. Make sure that your local disk has enough space to
store the backup. After this you should always store your backup in another location
than the 800xA system.
NOTE! It is recommended to take the 800xA backup regularly.

Information Manager is the appropriate tool to archive historical data. There is also a
way to backup basic history data, which is explained later on in this chapter.

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20.2.4 Import/Export
The Import/Export tool can be used to save 800xA objects and aspects information
one portion at a time. The data is saved as objects and aspects in archive files (.afw)
outside of the running Aspect Directory. This tool can be used to transport
applications between different 800xA Systems. For example:
• Import data from scratch
• Save user defined objects and aspects
• Use the Find Tool in Plant Explorer and export the results

The Import/Export Tool should NEVER be used for the purposes of performing
backups of your system. There are limitations on the number of total objects that the
tool can handle and it is difficult maintain the necessary dependencies between objects
and aspects that are threaded through a system.
The main difference to the backup tool is that individually exported portions of 800xA
information can be imported back into the original system or into a completely
different system while backed up 800xA information can only be used to restore a
complete system.

20.2.5 Disaster Recovery

Note that some information specific to certain functional areas is not saved during an
800xA system backup. The information that must be saved manually, such as
Foundation Fieldbus, Information Management, Asset Optimization, PC Network,
PLC Connect, 800xA for Harmony etc.
It must be stressed that recovering a complete System 800xA including Domain
Controller, historical data etc. is a quite complex task.
NOTE! More information can be found in the course T305
“System Administration and Installation”.

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20.3 Import / Export

20.3.1 Introduction
The Import/Export tool allows objects to be stored and restored with their aspects. The
data is saved in structured afw-files. It is also possible to view the contents of an
archived file.
The Import/Export tool should be used to transport small applications in the form of
object types and/or object instances between configurations.

The three common ways of using the Import/Export Tool are:

• Use the tool to import data from scratch.
• Save user defined objects and aspects off line.
• Use the Find Tool in Plant Explorer and export the results.

The Import/Export tool is a good tool for safe keeping of configurations. Use the tool
to backup all project specific objects and aspects in an afw file. If for any reason these
objects become corrupt or lost, then the tool can be used to import them back into the
system again.

20.3.2 User Interface

You can call the Import/Export tool in two ways:

• Click on the icon in the Engineering Workplace

• Select Start > Programs > ABB Industrial IT 800xA > System > Import
Export
The user interface is designed to resemble the Engineering Workplace as much as
possible.

NOTE! The Import/Export tool has two views; Overview and

Structured View. Please refer to the Online Help for
more information.

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The Overview view presents the entity and entity extensions in the archive. This view
gives a simplified overview of items such as libraries and control applications. In the
case where the archive does not contain any entities this view is disabled.

Entity Area Object Browser Aspect List

Info Area

The view Structured View presents all objects and aspects arranged in structures. The
aspects of the selected object are shown in the aspect list. The optional Info Area at
the bottom shows the dependencies that are required in order to import the objects and
aspects into a system or messages generated during export/import.

Info Area

Object Browser Aspect List

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20.3.3 Precautions and Limitations

1. Do not export or import very large amounts of aspect objects at one and the same
time. It is very time consuming and as the Import/Export tool loads the system
significantly, you should avoid doing this for longer time periods.
2. The export is completed only after saving data on the archive file (the tool holds
only references to Aspect Directory).
NOTE! Always complete exporting by “File > Save”.
3. Drag and drop is only used for exporting data. Dragging an object or aspect from
the Import/Export Tool to Plant Explorer is not the same as doing an Import.
NOTE! Dragging to Plant Explorer only makes a copy of the
object or aspect (new GUID will be created).
4. Reservation state of objects and aspects influences the import.

NOTE! Reservation of an object or aspect by another user

prevents the import (overwriting)

20.3.4 Exporting Data

Exporting objects and aspects are done by drag and drop from the Engineering
Workplace into the Import/Export tool.
Examples: Sources of export are the Control Structure and Functional Structure

After dragging and dropping the “Add Items” dialog appears as shown below in a few
different use cases. The dialog shows a summary of what was dropped and in what
context.

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Case 1: Top level object Sxx_Control_Network is dropped:

Case 2: Lower level object Applications is dropped:

Case 3: Only one aspect Graphic Display is dropped:

It is also possible include or exclude dependencies, children or extensions.

• “Children” is only available when an object or an entity has been dropped.
• “Extensions” is only available when an entity has been dropped.
• “Include dependencies” means objects and aspects from other structures will be
included in the archive as well. For example, the alarm list is dependent on the
Alarm List Configuration aspect. When an alarm list is exported, it is important
that the Alarm List Configuration is included. Otherwise the Alarm List aspect
will not work correctly when imported later on.

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Pressing the “OK” button starts the pre-export. The messages (if any) in the lower part
of the dialog window are categorized in Errors, Warnings and Information.

After clicking the “Done” button (or using the “Close when finished” checkbox) the
main window shows the objects and aspects which are now ready to export finally.

Case 2 (case 1 is similar): Lower level object Applications was dropped:

Case 3: Only one aspect Graphic Display was dropped:

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Select “File > Save” from the menu to write the data into an archive file (.afw). Check
the messages – if there are any, then press “Done to close the dialog.

20.3.5 Hints for Exporting Data

When saving objects and aspects, only export data which has been added as part of the
project. The following list shows some typical data that need to be exported.
• Library Structure
Only your own defined objects and aspects
e.g. History Log Templates, Alarm & Event Configurations
• Object Type Structure
Only your own defined libraries (one file per library)
• Control Structure
Control Network object with no children
Control Project object with no children
Each application (one file per application / export all)
Controllers object with children
• Functional Structure
One file per Functional area
• Location Structure
One file per Location area
• Workplace Structure
Only your own defined workplaces
• User Structure
Only your own defined / modified objects and aspects
e.g. User Groups, Workplace Profile Values
• Admin Structure
Only the modified aspects on your Domain object
e.g. Logover Settings, Audit Trail Configuration
• Aspect System Structure
Only your own defined objects and aspects
e.g. User Role Bindings and Permissions
NOTE! Please refer to section “Import and Export Alternatives”
in the manual “Basic Control Software” and to section
“Additional Information” in the manual “Maintenance”.

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20.3.6 Importing Data

Be extremely careful when importing objects and aspects into a running system.
Overwriting running objects with incorrect versions could cause unexpected results.

Click “Open” to open and start loading an archive file of type afw:

Click the “Done” button (or use the “Close when finished” checkbox) to close the
dialog.

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There are basically 3 ways to select the items to be imported.

1) Import All: The “Import All” button starts the import of the entire archive.

2) Import a single aspect or an object with the related children: Click right on the
item to be imported and select “Import…”

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3) Best praxis for the advanced users: Remove and Import All
A bigger archive like a part of the project can be imported this way into the system.
Select the unwanted objects, aspects, dependencies (hold down the <Ctrl> key and
click left). Click right on selection and use Remove.

After removing use Import All button to start the import.

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A dialog window with two folders will appear, showing some summary information.

Several options are given when selecting “Import Options”. “Include Dependencies”
enables the import of object or aspect related dependencies (if they were included at
the export). This option has to be used with caution in order to avoid overwriting
objects or aspects which belongs to system or are newer than the ones in import file.
NOTE! Normally only “Include Children” should be activated.
Click the “Finish” button to continue the started the import.

Click the “Done” button (or use the “Close when finished” checkbox).

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20.3.7 How to Place Aspects when Importing

The following examples assume that two graphic display aspects need to be imported.
They are place on the Sxx_TempStorage1 object in the original export file.

Since Sxx_TempStorage1 is not available in the new system, we want to place them on
a different object Sxx_TempStorage2 when doing the import.

1. Open the afw file with two Graphic Display aspects and select “Import…”

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2. Deselect “Include Dependencies” and press “Finish” to continue:

3. Click “Yes” to place the object manually:

4. Click right and select “New Insertion Point”:

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5. Select an object (insertion point) and click “OK”.

6. Click “OK” to place the aspect on the new object:

7. Press “Done” as soon as the import succeeded.

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The end result is like a copy (new GUI was created). In case of a graphic display, it
needs to be deployed.

20.3.8 Creating a Difference Report

Before importing an afw file, we could check the difference between the file that is
going to be imported and the current system. It is also possible to compare two
different archive (afw) files.
Press the “Differences” button or select it from the context menu for a certain object
or aspect.

Select the target system/archive and the source system/archive.

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The difference report is shown in a separate window.

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20.3.9 Dependencies
The Import/Export tool is dependency aware and dependencies can be shown using
the “Dependencies” button. For example, if your Control Structure contains a user-
defined custom object type and you export the instance, the object type will be
exported automatically as well (unless this feature has been turned off).

Graphic Display aspect exported without dependencies:

Graphic Display aspect exported with dependencies:

During an import, the imported file might be dependent on a specific version of the
System, a System Extension or a Library. In this case, it is necessary to resolve the
dependencies by installing them - before continuing the import.

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20.3.10 Resolving Errors

While importing, there might be situations where a decision has to be made for the
import to be able to continue. One common situation is when the parent of the object
that’s being imported, does not exist in the system.
In such a case the following dialog will be presented, as we have seen earlier.

Another example may be if an aspect already exists in the system, and the same aspect
has been marked for an import. In this case it needs to be resolved with a decision to
replace the aspect, skip the import for that and then continue with the rest of the
import.

NOTE! Every decision made is logged and visible in the Message

window.

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