Overview

You can perform an analysis of the complete system project by using the analyze button in the toolbar of the Topology Manager or analyze PACs by using the Analyze context menu command.

The software may also perform an analysis automatically when you use certain commands, for example, to edit or build the control project.

The analysis checks the consistency of communication and/or hardware configuration data that is managed at the Topology Manager level (such as IP addresses, ports, communication-related attributes, logical networks, and/or hardware compatibility) against a set of predefined rules. The scope of the analysis depends on the object that is analyzed.

The global result of the analysis is shown in the ACTIVITIES tab of the notification pane and if incorrect configurations are detected, details are available in the OPERATION DETAILS tab.

While an analysis is in progress, you or other users connected to the same system project can modify the attributes of devices or logical networks but changes may not be taken into account in the analysis.

NOTE: Depending on the number of devices, their type, and the number of logical networks that the system project contains, the analysis make take several minutes to complete.

Scope of the Analysis

The table outlines the scope of the analysis depending on the objects on which the analysis is performed.

Analyzed object

Scope of the analysis

The system project that is open

The communication configuration of the complete system project (networking) and the devices it contains.

Includes hardware configuration aspects.

Applies only to data managed at the Topology Manager level.

One or more PAC

Analyzes the configuration of the PAC and its dependencies such as scanned devices.

Includes hardware and communication aspects.

Applies only to data managed at the Topology Manager level.

Analysis Principle

Rules are grouped in categories and each rule is assigned a priority. The software performs the analysis in an iterative way. In each iteration, it checks the configuration of the selected objects against one rule of each category.

The analysis ends when the objects have been checked against each rule of each category.

Rules that are not satisfied trigger a notification in the notification pane. The ID of each rule is indicated.

NOTE: The setting of the Under Construction attribute of a device can limit the extent of the analysis or exclude the device completely.

Result of the Analysis

When an analysis is performed, it creates an entry in the ACTIVITIES tab showing Analyze in the Activity column.

When the software initiates the analysis, it shows incorrect configurations also in a notification.

Once the analysis is complete, either icon appears for this entry.

Icon

Description

The software did not detect incorrect configurations and there are no alerts. Details are available.

There is at least one alert for communication and/or hardware configurations. You can see details in the OPERATION DETAILS tab.

The software has detected at least one incorrect configuration. You can see details in the OPERATION DETAILS tab.

Because of the iterative analysis method that is used, you may see several notifications for the same object.

The table describes the types of notifications that appear for each entry in the OPERATION DETAILS tab and their impact. Double-click an entry to highlight the object in the open views and panes.

Detection

Icon

Description

Incorrect configuration

You must correct the configuration before you can perform actions on the control project.

Example:

The IP addresses of a CPU module are not configured. This prevents you from editing or building the control project.

Alert

You can perform actions on the control project but the current configuration may have an impact on the execution.

Example:

A device has a port that is disabled but connected by a physical link. Communication with this port is not possible.

Correcting Incorrect Configurations

Similarly to the way the software performs the analysis, it is recommended to fix incorrect configurations in an iterative way.

Start by fixing incorrect configurations one by one for each logical network (if applicable). Fixing these may solve other less severe incorrect configurations for this logical network and/or incorrect configurations of devices.

Once you have fixed an incorrect configuration, perform a new analysis and repeat the process.

When no more incorrect configurations for logical networks are reported, start fixing those of devices. Perform an analysis each time you modify a configuration.

NOTE: Typically, when you use a command, which triggers an analysis, the command will execute only once you have fixed incorrect configurations that have been detected. Alerts are ignored.

Performing an Analysis

To perform an analysis of the system project or PACs and view detailed results, proceed as follows.

Step

Action

1

Open the system project.

2

Optionally, you can lock the system project so that no changes can be made while the analysis is in progress.

3

To analyze:

  • The system project: Click the analysis button in the toolbar.

  • One or more PACs: Select the Analyze command in the context menu of each PAC.

Result: The analysis starts and an entry appears in the ACTIVITIES tab.

4

If the analysis detects an issue, double-click the entry.

Result: Details are shown in the OPERATION DETAILS tab.

5

Refer to the description of rules that are not satisfied by using their ID.

Canceling an Analysis

To cancel an analysis that is in progress, right-click the entry in the ACTIVITIES tab that corresponds to the analysis and select Cancel.

No global nor detailed results are available when you cancel an analysis.