1. FactoryTalk View SE: Setting Up your System and Using VBA.
Shawn Boike
Technical Support Engineer

2. Conference Call Information
Dial (866) Conference ID:
Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Agenda
Domain or Workgroup? Sample configurations and considerations when deploying an SE system
2. An introduction to display based Visual Basic for Applications with example
This seminar will discuss two topics related to FactoryTalk Site Edition. It is our assumption the audience has a working knowledge of FTView SE especially with regard to deploying a project and display creation.
These two subjects
The first subject discusses the two available Windows networks, workgroups and domains, a brief description of how those networks are created, and functional requirements when an SE application is deployed.
The second subject is Visual Basic for Applications within the SE environment
All references to Knowledgebase articles are listed
at the end of the presentation
Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Networks – Domains or Workgroups
Within Windows you are offered two types of networks:
Workgroup
Microsoft Windows definition of their simple configuration of computers known as a peer-to-peer network
P2P networks allow resource and file sharing between computers that belong to the same network
Workgroups are not managed and information is shared first come, first served
Domain
A logical group of computers that share a central directory database called an Active Directory
The Active Directory (also known as a Domain Controller) controls the authentication of the users and computers within the Domain
Information paths are defined and managed which builds a more stable network
Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. Workgroup Client FTSP Directory FTView SE Server Client
User – Admin
Password - Rockwell
Client
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
To create a workgroup simply attach the PC’s to a switch, ensure their IP addresses are all in the same subnet (if they are not being bridged with a router), then configure their system properties to connect to the same workgroup name
Configuration is easy to configure, but no central point for maintenance and control.
Low cost since it only requires the PCs themselves, but limited to 10 PC maximum
Although not required for some network applications, time synchronization is very difficult and essential for SE functionality
Install FTView SE Application, server, clients
FTView SE considerations
Add common user to Admin group. This will help the client authenticate to the server
Configure the HOST file on each PC (C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc) with the IP address and name of each PC. SE uses name resolution and if the client or server does not have an IP address for a PC name, it will fall to the HOST file to tell it. Keeping it up to date will ensure a proper connection.
On any XP PC, disable Simple File Sharing (Windows Explorer, Tools, Folder Options). SFS disables the needed security placed on windows folders.
Do not use Fast User Switching. Uncheck the boxes from Start>Control panel>Users>change the way this user logs into windows
On Server 2008, Vista, Windows 7 turn off UAC (start>administrative tools>local user policies)
When making Windows Linked users, be sure you keep the PC names constant. If the PC name changes the user will corrupt.
User – Admin
Password - Rockwell
User – Admin
Password - Rockwell
FTSP Directory
FTView SE Server
RSLinx Enterprise
Client
Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Domain
Core Switch
Clients
Active Directory/
Domain Controller
FTView SE
HMI Server 1
FTView SE
HMI Server 2
FTView SE
Data Server
FactoryTalk
Directory
Domains can be large sets of computers in network segments either on the same subnet through multiple segments.
Set up computers within their segments connected to switches and routers
Establish the Active Directory
Add PCs to the Domain
Configure Group Policies, Proxy servers, etc
This provides a more stable platform since there is one point to manage users and policies, but sometimes those policies have adverse effects on an SE install since often the people who manage the Domain are not the people who manage the SE application
SE Considerations
Add the FT directory to the domain
Add the SE servers (HMI and Data) and install clients
If domain is across several subnets connected with routers, open port 2222 for TCP and UDP to allow Live Data to flow from data server to client.
Keep the time well synchronized
Keep PCs and users authenticated and part of the domain, avoid “DMZ” situations
Keep backup AD server. If one goes down the Windows action of multi-master replication can cause a lot of unwanted traffic on the network
Avoid Group policies that could interfere with the SE server-client activities such as IIS and DCOM
Slow network applications can be the result of a poorly managed domain.
Rockwell recommends a Domain configuration if possible regardless of the number of computers
Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. A Brief Word About IIS and DCOM
Internet Information Service is required for a Network SE App
Default installation is different across operating systems
Please refer to Knowledgebase article for a complete list of Windows OS and IIS installation procedures
Distributed Component Object Modeling (DCOM)
No longer needed by Tag DB, but can be used by 3rd part OPC servers
Other SE components still use it (Datalog Reader), do not block it with a policy
IIS is essential to a FTView Network application (A local app does not need it). The needed components are often not installed with several operating systems.
Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. A Beginner’s Guide to SE VBA
Assume a working knowledge of VBA (i.e. for Excel) or VBScripting
Codes like Visual Basic, but conforms to the SE Object Model
Display Objects are Exposed to Visual Basic Programming
Most API’s available like ADO
Not launched as separate program, but runs when a display is opened or an element activates
Client based. No VBA on server
Use VBA SPARINGLY and only if SE cannot provide the needed function
It is intended to enhance the project, not as the development platform
Refrain from Forms
Each open client will run same VBA
Example – How to make a popup happen on an event
Visual Basic for Applications was created by Microsoft to enhance its office products. We have incorporated VBA into SE to enhance the ability of SE to meet our customers needs
Although VBA runs within the SE client, you can access the client model from an external VB program. Refer to Knowledgebase article for more information
During the example I will go through a small project and make several mistakes a beginning programmer could make.
Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

9. Knowledgebase Articles
FactoryTalk View SE Best Practices TOC Knowledgebase Article 37110
Recommendations for Writing Visual Basic for Applications in RSViewSE
VBA Error Handling for Communication Events Tips & Best Practices
Installing IIS for FactoryTalk View SE v5.10
Gaining Access to the SE Display Client Object Model Using a Custom Visual Basic (VB) Executable
Copyright © 2011 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

10. Thank You