FAST/TOOLS Features

FAST/TOOLS has a true client/server architecture, not limited to stand-alone stations, and allowing distributed functionality. Front-end nodes give the possibility to reduce the load of the host by pre-processing data on remote locations and passing through only relevant data. The Server systems can run one or more I/O-drivers per node, e.g. a configuration could be an application running up to 70 I/O-drivers at the same time on one node, with e.g. only three telephone lines available to connect to the 70 remote PLC devices.

Where system availability is a primeissue FAST/TOOLS can be configured to run in a redundant configuration.
Several redundancy concepts are available, illustrating the flexibility of FAST/TOOLS.
Networking can be configured redundantly eg, redundant networks between server and clients and/or
between server and PLC’s or RTU’s.

Some features of FAST/TOOLS:

• Multi-page alarming functionality with sorting options based on priority or time, adjustable acknowledging/reset options, rerouting of alarms, paging use for alarming
• Object oriented engeneering; make one class and use it as many times as needed (objects)
• Object oriented graphics; no need to update symbols separately, one change in a symbol updates all copies
• Predefined trend-pages for most common trending configurations
• On-line editing (adding/removing) of graphics, item (tag-) definitions, reports, I/O-drivers
• Communication scheduling, based on time or availability of communication lines for distant PLC/RTU-stations
• Automatic data-archiving of historical data on tape and clean-up of diskspace
• Unlimited I/O-count (the largest working system has over a million database items). Up to 255 different I/Odrivers can run in parallel on one machine
• Open interfaces (XML, OPC and ODBC) e.g. used for reporting/ MIS-functionality/Web-enabling
• Report distribution to remote locations
• Fine-tuning tools to optimise performance e.g. coping with bursts
• Communication links via traditional copper wires, high-speed optical fibers, radio or satellite
Time synchronisation from GPS or PLC/RTU including time distribution to other nodes