The Export CDA Configuration job exports the Honeywell PKS Control Data Access (CDA) configuration from the ps_erdb SQL Server database. This job is executed using the Honeywell PKS Engineering Tools batch process, which is invoked automatically by Asset Backup Scheduler as part of the backup run sequence.
What Is Exported
The CDA export retrieves the full set of strategy and template definitions required to represent the Experion PKS control strategy configuration. The export queries the ps_erdb database for:
Strategy names from the STRATEGY table, filtered by applicable template component types (C, N, L, E, P, M)
Control strategy class names from the Template table
The resulting output files are generated in a temporary folder during the export process and are then compressed and transferred to the configured Network Share location for pickup by the Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service.
Prerequisites
Honeywell PKS Engineering Tools must be installed on the host workstation. The export process relies on the Engineering Tools executables located at:
A valid SQL Server connection string for the ps_erdb database must be configured in Settings and must test successfully before a backup run is initiated.
The backup run must be executed under a Windows user account with sufficient permissions to access the Engineering Tools executables and write to the temporary output folder. The process is launched with elevated privileges (runas verb) where required.
Export Process
When the Export CDA Configuration job runs, Asset Backup Scheduler performs the following steps automatically:
1. Validates the SQL Server connection to the ps_erdb database. If the connection cannot be established, the job is marked as Failed and the backup run continues with the next job (if configured to do so).
2. Locates the Honeywell PKS Engineering Tools batch executable in the standard installation path. If the executable cannot be found, the job is marked as Failed.
3. Constructs the required arguments for the Engineering Tools batch process, including the SQL Server connection string and the target temporary output folder path.
4. Executes the batch process asynchronously, with support for cancellation and a configurable timeout tied to the scheduled job's End Time. Output and error messages from the batch process are captured and displayed in the Activity Messages panel in real time.
5. If the process produces more than 100 lines of output, only the first 50 and last 50 lines are retained in the Activity Messages panel to prevent display overflow.
6. On successful completion, the exported files are compressed into a ZIP archive and transferred to the CDA Configuration sub-folder within the configured Network Share.
Monitoring Export Progress
Export progress is reported in real time via:
The Step Progress Bar — shows the CDA job step advancing through the pipeline
The Activity Messages panel — displays timestamped messages from the export process, including any errors or warnings generated by the Engineering Tools batch process
Output Location
Output Destination
Details
Network Share Sub-Folder
[Network Share Folder]\CDA Configuration\
File Format
ZIP-compressed archive of the Engineering Tools export output files
Important: The CDA export job requires elevated process execution privileges. If the host user account does not have sufficient permissions to launch the Engineering Tools batch process with administrative rights, the job will fail. Ensure Asset Backup Scheduler is run under an account with local administrator privileges.
Tip: Use the Test Connection button in Settings to verify SQL Server connectivity before initiating a manual or scheduled backup run. A failed connection will cause the CDA export job to fail immediately.
Common Failure Causes
Issue
Likely Cause
Resolution
Job marked as Failed — connection error
The SQL Server ps_erdb database is unreachable
Verify the connection string in Settings and test the connection. Check network access and SQL Server service status.
Job marked as Failed — executable not found
Honeywell PKS Engineering Tools are not installed in the expected path
Confirm Engineering Tools installation and path configuration.
Job marked as Failed — timeout
The batch process exceeded the scheduled job's End Time window
Increase the End Time duration on the scheduled appointment to allow more time for the export to complete.
Job marked as Failed — access denied
Insufficient privileges to launch the Engineering Tools process
Run Asset Backup Scheduler under a local administrator account.
