1. JCOP Review Closeout March 13, 2003 Chip Watson, Robin Lauckner,
Jim Olsen, Hans von der Schmitt

2. Overall Excellent review materials & presentations
Significant accomplishments thus far, in the framework, tools, and applications
Reaching an important transition point from development towards deployment
Only one outstanding technical concern, with several possibilities for resolution
Didn’t find anything important that the team and management were not already aware of

3. PVSS / SCADA
PVSS appears to be a capable tool with a number of useful features
Distributed architecture; separation of supervisory & control functions
Support for Windows & Linux
Device oriented data management
Open architecture (text config files, API)
Standard SCADA tools (archiving, trending, GUI tools, …)
Scalability is one remaining concern
Some early indications of problems
Several possibilities for resolution
(additional studies needed to clarify real issues)

4. SMI++
Finite State Machine is clearly an appropriate and proven tool for detector controls
SMI++ within the JCOP framework provides nice support for
Hierarchical (and distributed) state machines
Partitioning of the control system
Ownership (and sharing) of a partition
Flexibility:
SMI++ for all of online is elegant
Integration with non-SMI++ agents (DAQ) is possible

5. JCOP Framework Hides some of the complexity of PVSS (good)
Integrates SMI++ functionality
Integrates support for a number of network protocols: OPC, DIM, <future: DIP>
Standardizes many style issues (color, alarm types, etc.) aiding useability
Multiple views of DCS (physical, logical)
Still needs better means of configuring large numbers of devices (in development already)
Still unclear: conditions and configuration databases

6. Device Support Support for CERN specified field buses
High and Low Voltage devices
Abstract device model
Supported on CAEN, ISEG, Wiener, …
ELMB
Generic, rad hard I/O points (standard software)
Custom software to re-use in GCS
PLC’s
=> Already good support for a large number of the devices needed.

7. Applications Gas Control System Detector Safety System Rack Controls
Good opportunity for savings (23 systems), and good job at achieving consensus on most of the requirements
UNICOS tools for PLC + / -
Detector Safety System
Rack Controls

8. Schedule All major components appear to be on track.
Staffing may be tight in some places, but not uncomfortably so (for now)
A current reference document, which is updated and shared by management and technical staff, does not exist.

9. Management Steering Board Executive Board Strong project leader
Sub-project teams
Many external interfaces (a challenge)
Experiments (non-JCOP part)
Service groups: GCS, JVOC, …
Accelerator

10. Transition
JCOP is now moving from primarily development towards deployment
Positive: find bugs, obtain feedback
Negative: drain on R&D effort
Current structure may need to evolve to reflect this
Technical coordination across experiments, for example sequencing gas system installation and commissioning
Decisions on resource allocations for deployment and long term support

11. Recommendations
Set up a persistent testbed for testing current and future releases of PVSS and the JCOP framework and tools, including scalability (multiple large memory machines)
Perform additional studies to better understand PVSS scalability, especially for hierarchical systems as envisaged for LHC (will help in discussions with ETM)
Plan to support multiple releases of PVSS and the JCOP software – this is necessary so that the detectors can independently maintain their own release control
Pursue at least basic access controls, with a strong preference for device server level implementation

12. Recommendations
Work with the detectors to ensure the staging of deployment of JCOP software into the detectors, preferably with each of the detectors involved by the end of the year.

13. Recommendations
Develop / negotiate a support and maintenance plan for both near-term (deployment phase) and long-term, with clear ownership and staffing commitments (suggest within 6 months)
JCOP framework, devices, tools
SMI++
ELMB
UNICOS
GCS, DSS, RCS, …

14. Recommendations
Conditions databases and configuration databases remain areas of opportunity for common solutions and savings, and a sub-project to further investigate this should be initiated soon or the opportunity will be lost.

15. Recommendations
Identify an appropriate forum to deal with installation and commissioning conflicts in the DCS, particularly the gas sub-systems (Installation Committee / Board, preferably an existing body ?)

16. Recommendations
Separate the functions of information exchange and coordination from the functions of high level management
Coordination Board (the details)
GLIMOS, Controls Coordinator, DAQ Coordinator, Technical Coordinator, liasons to external groups, JCOP project leader (+ others as needed)
Oversight Board (high level responsibility, resource allocations)
One representative of each detector
One representative of each division

17. Thanks Presentations were interesting
Atmosphere is congenial (esp. coffee)
Weather is terrific