UI needs to operate after disconnection from servers

[Lfleming]

(WinCC OA 3.15 P015)

Hi Guys,

I'm currently working on a RsView conversion project.
One of the requirements based on the extant system is that when the client has lost connection to both redundant servers (In such cases as a laptop)
The Client is still able to navigate mimics and display "OFFLINE" within our Navi_module.

Currently, when we disconnect our client from the network (By pulling out the network cable) the WinCC OA Timeout popup appears, and the SCADA is not responsive.

Is there a potential work around for this problem?

• Popup needs to not appear upon disconnection

• Navigation of mimics must be possible.

• Scripts executed by the client must still be executed.

[leoknipp]

In WinCC OA client must have a connection to the server. Otherwise an operation is not possible.
For a proper execution of scripts a connection to the server might be necessary. E.g. If you do a dpGet() or a dpConnect() the functions returns an error if the server is not accessible and therefore the script will not be executed as it is done if data can be accessed.

Switching panels normally also works only if a connection to the server is established as the UI panel functions are doing a dpSet() to the elements for the_Ui-datapoint.
There are also functions available to open a panel without connection to the server but these functions are only used in special applications. e.g. the Project Administration.

What is the use case of displaying a panel which will not show any data (if there is no connection to the server)?
Why is there a requirement to switch panels if you cannot do any operation?

Best Regards
Leopold Knipp
Senior Support Specialist

[Lfleming]

Hi Leopold,

Our requirements are to replicate the exact functionality of the original system.

The use case of navigating and executing scripts is that certain buttons must allow the user to open local third party applications, overlaying the SCADA even when the network is down.

Once the network cable is down, the WinCC OA reconnecting panel appears, preventing the user from interacting with the system, and after a period of 2 minutes the UI shuts down.

Is there a way to prevent just the popup appearing or preventing the UI shutdown?

Best Regards,

Liam

[leoknipp]

With the config entry fatalDialogSeconds = <int> you can define how long the dialog shall be displayed when the connection is lost.
As long as the dialog is opened you cannot start commands in the UI.

You can possibly use the following solution:
-- In a script of the main panel you do a connect to _Event.Heartbeat.
This dp element is set by the Event Manager.
-- In the script you check if the value was updated within the last X seconds.
-- If there is no update done the UI has lost the connection to the Event Manager
-- With a system() call the third party applications are started

Best Regards
Leopold Knipp
Senior Support Specialist