When you use the Download Configuration pick action to perform a configuration download (see Download Configuration) and select the All Configuration option, a Cold Reset is performed. However, if you select the Changed Configuration Only option, Geo SCADA Expert will perform a restart in accordance with the Restart Level of the modified configuration. This level depends on the type of configuration changes that have been made since the configuration was last downloaded to the outstation.
If you need to determine what restart Geo SCADA Expert will issue to a SCADAPack E outstation after a Changed Configuration Only download, generate a temporary version of the configuration file. When you generate the file, ensure that the Full Configuration File check box is clear in the File Options window (see Generate Configuration and Profile Files for Diagnostic Purposes). The Restart Level of the temporary Geo SCADA ExpertConfig file will indicate if a Cold Reset will be performed. Depending on the types of configuration changes that have occurred, the restart level will be one of the following:
- Config—The outstation processes the configuration file that Geo SCADA Expert downloads. This adds any new points, updates the properties of existing points, and deletes any points that no longer exist in the Geo SCADA Expert database.
Any points that are currently in use by IEC 61131-3 applications are not fully deleted from the outstation’s configuration until the outstation is Cold Reset.
- Config & Cold Reset—The outstation processes the configuration file that Geo SCADA Expert downloads. This adds any new points, updates the properties of existing points, and deletes any points that no longer exist in the Geo SCADA Expert database. Following this, an orderly shutdown and restart of the outstation is performed—this is the equivalent of power cycling the outstation. Any event data that is stored in the outstation’s Event Buffer is retained.
A Cold Reset drops the outputs of the outstation. Binary outputs are turned off, and analog outputs drop to their calibrated zero count (typically 4mA).
- Config & Warm Reset—The outstation processes the configuration file that Geo SCADA Expert downloads. This adds any new points, updates the properties of existing points, and deletes any points that no longer exist in the Geo SCADA Expert database. Following this, the outstation’s DNP3 driver is restarted. Any event data that is stored in the outstation’s Event Buffer is retained.
Further Information
Restart levels that apply to files other than configuration files: see Restart Level.