DCS system upgrade issues
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The DCS operation stations that were used in the past all ran on the XP operating system, but XP is no longer being produced; new computers are equipped with Windows 7. There are DCS systems from Hollyland, Control System, and Yokogawa. After communicating with the technical staff from these manufacturers, it was learned that for Yokogawa systems, upgrading to Windows 7 operation software is possible by replacing the main controller. However, there is yet no effective solution for Control System’s ECS100 system, as well as Hollyland’s FM and SM systems. I wonder if anyone else has encountered such problems; it would be great to exchange ideas on this topic.
Our factory is jx_100, and there are no issues with upgrades at the moment
Yes, the upgrade issue is urgent, and we don’t have a good solution yet; we’re keeping an eye on it
Advantech seems to have industrial PCs that support XP as well
I think this issue can be viewed in the following way: 1. First of all, it’s possible to install Windows 7 on a new computer; installing XP isn’t impossible either. Of course, if one has to buy new hardware for which there are no XP drivers, that’s another matter. It is also possible to purchase an industrial computer directly. 2. For users in industrial networks, stability is of utmost importance; even without an internet connection, security can still be maintained. Moreover, XP no longer receives updates for the personal version, but I remember that industrial control boards still get updates (as far as I recall). 3. If you really need to use Win7, there is a compatibility mode available that you can try. 4. There are also ways to work around this issue if necessary. In summary, I don’t think this is actually a problem
Each manufacturer provides software compatible with various system versions; you just need to communicate with the manufacturer, install the appropriate version of the software, back up the original project, and copy it over for reuse. But it might be necessary to replace the software dongle; taking it back to the manufacturer for an upgrade should not be a problem.
1. XP simply does not receive patch updates, but it remains stable for everyday use. 2. Upgrading to WIN7 is costly; it requires licenses and even the replacement of hardware or computers, with no clear economic benefits, so managers will not approve it
Operating system upgrades may not yield obvious benefits, but they are necessary for systems that lack spare parts to replace those that are damaged or expensive; otherwise, it will be too late to upgrade in haste once a problem does occur.
The ECS100 allows for the upgrade of its control software, with a version compatible with Win7.
Upgrading is no problem. Just! There are issues regarding whether parking is needed and the cost of upgrades. Manufacturers will be very enthusiastic upon hearing about the upgrade. . . {:1_90:}
All the control stations here were upgraded to Windows 7 in 2014, and the VF software was also updated to a new version with fresh patches applied. All replacements were done online, without shutting down the equipment. It should be noted that: 1. Backups need to be prepared in advance, including database backups as well as trend backups. 2. Consult with the central control system regarding the compatibility between the new software version and the older one. Especially for logic function blocks, it’s a problem if they cannot be backward compatible. Additionally, the central control unit’s ECS100 can be upgraded to ECS700 using the adapter card COM712, with the software being changed to VisualField. In this case, it’s necessary to stop the machine, but after that there’s no need to worry about the operating system or the control station, and the ECS100 cards can still be used.