Specifications

6 – Dividing the System into Areas
92 R400
Areas
The PlantScape database can be partitioned into areas to control access to a
particular section of the plant or process. These areas might match actual physical
areas or sections of a site or building.
Only Stations or operator IDs configured to have access to a given area are able
to monitor (or control) points, alarms and custom displays for that area.
The PlantScape database contains a system area. System items such as printers,
channels, and controllers, are automatically assigned to the system area.
Using areas is optional, unless you are implementing the Distributed Server
Architecture option (see “Configuring Distributed Server Architecture” on
page 335) or if you are using point servers.
Areas are identified by their 2-character area code. Each area must have a unique
area code. Area codes are not case-sensitive; A1 and a1 represent the same area.
To use areas, you need to enable and configure areas, then ensure all points
configured in the server database are assigned to an area. You assign points to an
area by specifying an area code when you define the point in Quick Builder. If
you leave the area code blank, the area code is assumed to be the first 2
characters of the point ID. If the first 2 characters do not relate to a configured
area, you receive an illegal area code warning message.
After configuring areas for your system, you can:
• Assign points to an area by specifying the appropriate area code when you
define the points in Quick Builder
• Configure area profiles (as described in “Area Profiles” on page 93)
• Assign areas to Station (as described in “Assigning Areas to Stations” on
page 222)
• Assign areas to an operator ID, if you are using the Operator-Based Security
option (as described in “Assigning Areas to Operators” on page 222)
• Assign areas to a report (as described in “Configuring Reports” on page 239)
• Assign areas to a custom display, if you are using the Custom Display option
(as described in “Assigning Areas to Displays” on page 223)
Defining and Enabling Areas
To configure areas you need to be logged on to Station with a security level of
MNGR.
plscpcg.book Page 92 Monday, May 28, 2001 10:11 AM