AX HAWK Controller Swap

"Since it’s an AX HAWK, licensing can be tricky because they are no longer available. However, if you’re using a new HAWK running Niagara 4, you should be able to migrate the station to run on that.

Here is the full Niagara Guide:docAXtoN4Migration.pdf

However for the best approach, here is an abbreviated process, back up the HAWK onto your PC and then follow the steps outlined in this guide. Keep in mind that you’ll need a copy of Niagara 4 for this process.

If you want to include the alarm and history files in the backup, follow these steps in Workbench:

1. Open the station and access the BackupService property sheet.

2. For each AX-3.8 station to be migrated (whether host or Supervisor), adjust the BackupService properties:

   • Exclude Files: remove *.hdb; *.adb;

   • Exclude Directories: remove file:^history and file:^alarm

3. If the Supervisor station is configured for provisioning, adjust its BackupService properties as well:

   • Exclude Files: remove backup

This approach allows you to bring over prior station backups to the new N4.0 Supervisor."

Run the migration tool

Included with Niagara 4 Supervisor or engineering workstation is a command-line utility that you run from a console. This utility is known as the N4 migration tool or migratory.

The Niagara console is found in C:\Niagara\Niagara-4.x.x.xxx\bin\console.exe or in Stat - Niagar 4.x folder - console

"The migration tool processes a source file, usually an AX-3.8 station backup in .dist format, and produces a migrated N4.0-compatible station folder. To complete the process:

1. Use Workbench to establish a platform connection to your target platform (e.g., a converted controller).

2. Install the migrated station using the N4.0 platform Station Copier.

Key points to keep in mind:

• The original source backup .dist file remains unaltered, regardless of the migration outcome.

• The migration output is saved in a different location, accompanied by a text log file containing execution details.

• AX-3.8 doesn’t need to be installed on the same PC; you only need the path to the source backup .dist files.

• Run the migration tool from the standalone Niagara Console window, typically accessed via the Windows Start menu.

Additionally, here’s a log generated during the migration of a simple Supervisor station backup. Note that running the migrator within the embedded Workbench Console isn’t supported, as it doesn’t handle necessary user inputs (such as passphrase-encrypted passwords) correctly."

Example migration tool processing a Supervisor station backup

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------–-
C:\Niagara\Niagara-4.x.xx.xx>n4mig C:\niagara\niagara-3.8.111\backups\
backup_Supvsr_150526_1545.dist
INFO [15:48:41 26-May-15 EDT][sys.registry] Up-to-date [92ms]
INFO [15:48:41 26-May-15 EDT][sys.registry] Loaded [32ms]
INFO [15:48:42 26-May-15 EDT][sys] Niagara runtime booted
("C:\Niagara\Niagara-4.1.xx.xx") on Win-23A9-FCD0-B958-4E02
[15:48:42 26-May-15 EDT][migration]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[15:48:42 26-May-15 EDT][migration] Migrating station
backup_Supvsr_150526_1545.dist to backup_Supvsr_150526_1545.dist
Station to be migrated: Supvsr
-------------------------------------------------------–---–---–---–---–---–---–--
Migrating station Supvsr to Supvsr
Migration Templates:
1: Controller Migration Template (ControllerMigrationTemplate.ntpl)
2: Supervisor Migration Template (SupervisorMigrationTemplate.ntpl)
You can also use 'c' for default Controller and 's' for default Supervisor template.
Please select a Migration Template: 2
Using Migration Template SupervisorMigrationTemplate.ntpl
Completed Migration
Source: C:\Users\John\Niagara4.0\Rocket Industries\migTemp\Supvsr
Target: C:\Users\John\Niagara4.0\Rocket Industries\stations\Supvsr
Migration Report: C:\Users\john\Niagara4.0\Rocket Industries\stations\Supvsr_miglog _1505261548.txt
Important Migration Notes - see Migration Report for details
Using Migration Template SupervisorMigrationTemplate.ntpl
config.bog: REMOVED all uses of type niagaraDriver:NiagaraFoxService in bog

"In the given example, the migration tool was launched using only the ‘n4mig’ command and the path to the source backup .dist file (e.g., C:\niagara\niagara-3.8.111\backups\backup_Supvsr_150526_1545.dist). No additional options or explicit migration output location were specified. As depicted, the migration template wasn’t provided, resulting in the tool pausing and prompting for the migration template (1 or 2). Once the template was entered, the tool resumed processing and successfully completed the migration.

During processing, the migration tool provides information related to the backup .dist file. By default, the migration output is saved in the stations folder of your Workbench User Home, as illustrated in the figure below."

"In the provided example, observe that the migration process generates a ‘Supvsr’ folder along with an associated log file within the stations folder. The target station name is automatically derived from the station name found inside the station backup .dist file.

The log file (migration report) contains entries detailing source and target locations for written items, performed actions, and other relevant information. If necessary, you can utilize command line options to enhance the level of log detail.

I understand this information can be overwhelming, but please give it a try if possible, and feel free to share your progress. Once the station is operational in N4, we’ll verify (and remain hopeful) that a newer N4 HAWK can support all your required networks."

James Heapy