Asset Backup Scheduler — Overview and Introduction
Asset Backup Scheduler is a standalone, add-on application for Control Architect that fully automates the collection of configuration assets from multiple Data Sources across your Process Control Network (PCN). This online-backup solution eliminates the need for manually attended exports and file transfers, dramatically reducing the time and cost associated with maintaining up-to-date Configuration Collection snapshots.
Licensing Note: Asset Backup Scheduler is a separately licensed add-on module and is not included in the standard Control Architect installation. Contact your sales representative for pricing and licensing details.
How It Works
Asset Backup Scheduler runs silently in the background on a configurable periodic schedule. At each scheduled interval, the application automatically connects to the configured Data Sources across your PCN and harvests the required configuration assets. Once all assets are collected and written to the configured Network Share location, the application signals the Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service, which in turn automatically triggers Control Architect to generate a new Configuration Collection snapshot in MongoDB — with no manual intervention required.
Key Capabilities
Capability
Description
Scheduled Automation
Backup jobs are configured with a start time and duration and will execute automatically on the selected days of the week without any attended operation.
CDA Configuration Export
Connects to the Honeywell PKS Engineering Tools to export the Control Data Access (CDA) configuration from the ps_erdb SQL Server database.
SCADA Configuration Export
Queries the SCADA QBDB SQL Server database to export Analog, Digital, Accumulator, OPC, CDA, and Channel point configurations as JSON files.
OPC Integrator File Collection
Copies OPC Integrator online group and item definition files from the configured network share location.
Graphic Files Collection
Copies Display graphic configuration files from the configured network share path.
Asset Files Collection
Copies Alarm Groups, Assets, Network, and System Alarm Group configuration XML files.
History Files Collection
Copies historian configuration files from the configured network share path.
LCN Data Collection
Supports automated collection of Honeywell LCN (Local Control Network) configuration data using EC command file generation and TCP-based file transfer from the Honeywell History Module (HM).
Control Architect Integration
Once collected assets are available, Control Architect automatically detects and generates a new Configuration Collection snapshot — no manual trigger required.
Job History
Every backup run is recorded in a persistent job history log with full status, start/end times, duration, and detailed activity messages.
Watchdog Testing
A built-in Watchdog test function validates end-to-end communication between the scheduler and the Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service before live backup runs are executed.
Supported Data Sources
Honeywell PKS / Experion — CDA configuration via SQL Server (ps_erdb)
Honeywell SCADA — Point configuration via SQL Server (QBDB)
Honeywell LCN — Local Control Network nodes via EC command files and TCP file transfer
OPC Integrator — Online group and item definition files via network share
Display Graphics — Graphic configuration files via network share
Asset Configuration — Alarm groups, asset, network configuration XML files via network share
Historian — History configuration files via network share
Integration with Control Architect
Asset Backup Scheduler works alongside an existing licensed installation of Control Architect. The application does not replace Control Architect; instead, it feeds it a continuously refreshed set of configuration assets that Control Architect then uses to build Configuration Collection snapshots automatically. The Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service runs as a Windows service and monitors the designated output location. When Asset Backup Scheduler deposits a completed asset collection, the Monitor Service signals Control Architect to begin snapshot generation immediately.
Tip: Use the built-in Watchdog Test function to verify that the end-to-end signal path between Asset Backup Scheduler and the Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service is working correctly before putting the scheduled backup into production. See Watchdog Testing for details.
