Hardware requirements

• For the optimal performance of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre system, computers running FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server, FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client, or FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent are recommended to meet or exceed the following hardware requirements.

Type	Description	CPU	RAM
Operator Workstation	FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client	Intel® Core™ i5 Standard Power processor	4 GB
Engineering Workstation	FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent	Intel Core i5 Standard Power processor	8 GB
System Agent	FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent	Intel Core i5 Standard Power processor	8 GB
Application Server	FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server	Small systems: Intel Core i5 Standard Power processor	8 GB
		Medium to large systems: Intel® Xeon® quad-core family processor	8 GB

• For display resolution, 1024x768 or higher resolution is required.

Product compatibility

FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00 is compatible with the following Rockwell Automation products. For the latest compatibility information, refer to the Rockwell Automation Product Compatibility and Download Center .

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server

• FactoryTalk Activation version 4.04.14 or later
• FactoryTalk Services Platform version 6.20.00 or later

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client

• FactoryTalk Services Platform version 6.20.00 or later
• FactoryTalk Linx version 6.20.00 or later
• RSLinx Classic Lite version 4.20 or later
• (optional) RSLogix 5 version 8.00 or later, RSLogix 500 version 8.40 or later, RSLogix 5000 version 16 or later, Studio 5000 Logix Designer version 21 or later, FactoryTalk View Studio Enterprise version 12.00 or later, or any other version released as part of CPR 9 or later
• (optional) FactoryTalk View ME Transfer Utility version 12.00 or later if your system includes PanelView Plus and MobileView operator interfaces
• (optional) DriveExecutive Lite version 5.02 or later

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent

• FactoryTalk Services Platform version 6.20.00 or later
• FactoryTalk Linx version 6.20.00 or later
• RSLinx Classic Lite version 4.20 or later
• RSLogix 5000 Compare Tool version 3.40.01.118 or later
• UDC version 4.06 or later
UDC will be installed by default as FactoryTalk AssetCentre installation.

• FactoryTalk View ME Transfer Utility version 12.00 or later if your system includes PanelView Plus and MobileView operator interfaces
• DriveExecutive Lite version 5.02 or later
• For Disaster Recovery functions, the programming software for your devices MUST be installed on the agent computer.

Asset	Compatible Software	Version
PLC-5	RSLogix 5	8.00 or later
SLC 500, MicroLogix	RSLogix 500	8.40 or later
ControlLogix, CompactLogix	Studio 5000 Logix Designer	21.00 or later
	RSLogix 5000	16.00 or later
	RSLogix 5000 Compare Utility or Logix Designer Compare Tool	8.12
PanelView Plus, MobileView	FactoryTalk View ME Transfer Utility	12.00
	FactoryTalk Linx (formerly known as RSLinx Enterprise)	6.20
FactoryTalk View Site Edition	FactoryTalk View Studio Enterprise	12.00
Rockwell Automation drives	DriveExecutive Lite	5.02 or later
PowerFlex Drive	UDC	4.06




Operating systems

FactoryTalk AssetCentre has been tested on the following operating systems:

Important:

Turn off the Windows updates on production computers. Installing Microsoft Service Pack release or Windows operating system updates may affect the operation of Rockwell Automation software installed on the computer. To avoid this problem, see Knowledgebase Document ID: QA2151 - Microsoft Patch Qualifications .

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server

• Windows Server® 2019 Datacenter Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2019 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 Datacenter Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 Standard Edition (64-bit)

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client and Agent

• Windows Server 2019 Datacenter Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2019 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 Datacenter Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Windows® 10 IoT Enterprise Edition 2019 LTSC (64-bit)
• Windows 10 Enterprise Edition v1903 and v1909 (64-bit)
• Windows 10 Professional Edition v1809, v1903, and v1909 (64-bit)
See the Windows Lifecycle FAQ and Windows as a Service (WaaS) topics on the Microsoft Web site for details regarding servicing requirements and other important information.

• Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel v2004 (64-bit)
Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel is governed by the Microsoft Modern Lifecycle Policy. Refer to the Microsoft Web site for details.

• Windows 7 Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1 (32-bit, 64-bit)
• Windows 7 Professional Edition with Service Pack 1 (32-bit, 64-bit)

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client

• For Windows Operating Systems:
Please reference the list of compatible Microsoft Windows Operating Systems list under FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client.

• Android version 9
• iOS version 13.3.1

Software requirements

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server

The following are minimum software requirements for FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 11.0 or later
The version 11.0 is recommended for Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019 operating systems.

SQL Server databases

FactoryTalk AssetCentre has been tested on the following SQL Servers:

• Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express Edition (64-bit)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Standard Edition with Service Pack 2 (64-bit)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Standard Edition with Service Pack 3 (64-bit)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition with Service Pack 4 (64-bit)

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client

The following are minimum software requirements for FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 11.0 and later
The version 11.0 is recommended for Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019 operating systems.

• (optional) Editing software for Siemens S7 processors, such as SIMATIC Manager

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent

The following are minimum software requirements for FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 11.0 and later
The version 11.0 is recommended for Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019 operating systems.

• (optional) SIMATIC NET if you want to connect to Siemens S7 processors via MPI (Multi Point Interface) or PROFIBUS protocol

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client

The following are minimum software requirements for FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 11
• Google Chrome version 81
• Apple Safari version 13.0.4
• Mozilla® Firefox® version 75
• Microsoft® Edge™ version 80

High Resolution Display Support

Windows 10 v1703 or later is the recommended operating system if running this software with a 2K or 4K High Resolution Display.

Preferred operating systems

Preferred operating systems are prioritized for support, testing, and post-release patch qualifications. These operating systems are preferred for this release:

• Windows 10 Professional (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2016 Standard (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2019 Standard (64-bit)

Rockwell Automation Test Environment

Rockwell Automation tests software products under a standard configuration of operating systems and antivirus software. For additional information see the Knowledgebase Document ID: PN24 - Rockwell Software Products and Antivirus Software .

Security requirements

To help meet secure system design requirements review these publications:

• Configure System Security Features User Manual  (publication SECURE-UM001)
• System Security Design Guidelines  (publication SECURE-RM001)
• Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) Design and Implementation Guide  (publication ENET-TD001)

FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00 has the following new and enhanced features:

New features

• Asset Inventory displays firmware metadata
Asset Inventory displays the Most Current Minor Release and Most Current Major Release for Rockwell Automation devices along with links to Release Notes, Product Notices, and Product Safety Advisories.

• Run Disaster Recovery schedules on Wide Area Networks with a limited connection
Both FactoryTalk Agents and RSLinx Gateway can be deployed at remote sites to support Disaster Recovery operations, Backup, Backup and Compare, and Change Detect with a minimum 2048 KB connection.

• New devices added to Rockwell Automation Disaster Recovery
  • E300 Overload Relay asset allows you to run a schedule that backs up E300 Overload Relay data.

• PowerFlex Drive asset type adds support for PowerFlex 755T in a backup schedule.
• Stratix asset type supports adds support for Stratix 5800 managed switch in a backup schedule.

• Periodic database index rebuild
Automatically analyze index fragmentation and rebuild FactoryTalk AssetCentre database indices to optimize database performance.

• WinMerge Integration
Integrate WinMerge as a compare engine as the default for ASCII-based files.

• Automatic Device Descriptive Analytics (ADDA) support
FactoryTalk AssetCentre logs Automatic Device Descriptive Analytics (ADDA) events from FactoryTalk Alarms and Events and displays them in the Diagnostics and Health log view.

• Archive Check-out Integration with ThinManager Client
After configuring ThinManager Client, you can use FactoryTalk AssetCentre’s Archive check-out capability through ThinManager Client.

Enhanced features

• Simplifying installation process
New installations of FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server installation require that the Windows account of the user performing the installation, or a Windows group of which the user performing the installation is a member, is assigned the Microsoft SQL Server System Administrator role before attempting the installation. This change is optional for Upgrade installations.

• Log Viewer displays more entries
Support to display up to 5000 log entries of each log type.

• Larger Systems enhancement
Allow a FactoryTalk AssetCentre system to run with up to 50 agents arranged in up to 50 agents groups, and up to 150 concurrent thick clients.

• Rename RA Motor Control
Rename RA Motor Control asset as PowerFlex Drive asset to clarify the devices supported by the asset type.

• Working folder setting with %USERPROFILE%.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre supports to set system working folder with the environment variable %USERPROFILE%.

• When Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0 is disabled and TLS 1.2 is enabled, the FactoryTalk AssetCentre service cannot start. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 8.00.00. [171286]
In this release, the FactoryTalk AssetCentre service starts successfully with Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0 disabled and TLS 1.2 enabled.

• An Asset Inventory scan will show the computer name of the agent running the scan as part of the device's address. In the Asset Inventory window, click Sync to determine if an asset already exists in the asset tree. If the computer name of the agent does not match the computer name of the asset's addressing information, the device will not be recognized. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.10.00. [167260, 171348]
In this release, the computer name is ignored when comparing the addressing information upon clicking Sync.

• If the archive versions of an asset reach the configured maximum number of versions in Archive, running a schedule of such assets will lead to poor system performance. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.10.00. [137944]
In this release, the number of archive versions will not affect system performance.

• Using the Archive Cleanup Wizard or Archive Cleanup Utility to remove binder archive versions will lead to poor system performance in a large system with many binders, binder versions, and many files in each binder. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.10.00. [120933]
In this release, the number of binders, binder versions, and files will not affect system performance.

• Files within a binder are deleted from previous archive versions if the option of maximum number of versions of Archive is turned on. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.10.00. [83042]
In this release, files within a binder will not be deleted from previous archive versions.

• When the SQL Server that FactoryTalk AssetCentre uses is configured for a non-default port, the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client doesn't work. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.10.00. [76428]
In this release, FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client works properly when the SQL Server is configured for a non-default port.

• Running backup schedules of Generic FTP Device assets cannot back up files part of whose names are the same as other file names. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.10.00. [68502]
In this release, the files part of whose names are the same as other file names can be backed up.

• Running a schedule of RA Drive assets fails with the "Device Not Found" error message. After the addressing information is configured properly, intermittent failures occur. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.10.00. [65656]
In this release, schedules of RA Drive assets run successfully without error messages or failures.

• Schedules of Custom Device assets fail after running for a period of time and continue to fail until the Agent Controller service is stopped and restarted. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.00.00. [59947]
In this release, schedules of Custom Device assets run properly.

• Search reports cannot be printed in the landscape format. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 5.00.00. [44726]

In this release, two options, Portrait and Landscape, can be selected as the print format.

• The FactoryTalk AssetCentre system does not report changes in FactoryTalk View Site Edition SED file when running a FactoryTalk AssetCentre Backup and Compare schedule. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 9.00.00. [Jira 847117]

  There is currently no workaround for this anomaly.

• After changing the installation path, the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Import Export Utility is still installed in the default path, which is C:\Program Files (x86)\Rockwell Software\AssetCentre Tools\AssetCentre IE Utility or C:\Program Files\Rockwell Software\AssetCentre Tools\AssetCentre IE Utility. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 8.00.00. [184115]
  There is currently no work around for this anomaly.

• An agent controller restarts once the backup and compare schedule of RA Motor Control devices completes. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.10.00. [44742]
  There is currently no work around for this anomaly.

• If the RSLinx Classic Ethernet/IP driver's name includes quotation marks, scanning devices using Asset Inventory with the Scan devices using CIP check box selected only discovers the selected device node. All devices located under the selected node are not discovered. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.00.00. [357066]
  To avoid this problem, don't use quotation marks in the name of RSLinx Classic Ethernet/IP driver used for Asset Inventory scanning. If quotation marks exist in the name of RSLinx Classic Ethernet/IP driver, restart RSLinx Classic to fix this problem.

• A Disaster Recovery schedule task will fail with a communication error when a ControlLogix asset’s Addressing Info communication path is set using FactoryTalk Linx and the ACD file being used as the Archive master version contains a default communication path set using RSLinx Classic. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 395662]

• When configuring a PanelView asset's Addressing Info, if a device other than a PanelView is selected, several extraneous error messages may display. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 9.00.00. [Jira 242271]

  To avoid this problem, choose the proper device type when configuring the Addressing Info of a PanelView asset.

• A PanelView Plus or MobileView Disaster Recovery schedule will fail with a communication error message, if the Address Info is not set for the device using FactoryTalk Linx Browser located on the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent computer. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 395652]

  To avoid this problem, after configuring the Addressing Info property of a PanelView Plus asset or a MobileView asset, the user must browse for the device in FactoryTalk Linx Browser from the FactoryTalk AssetCentre agent computer when the agent computer is not collocated with the FactoryTalk AssetCentre client.

• When the Report Incremental Differences option is enabled for a Logix 5000 controller asset within a Disaster Recovery schedule, the task will fail if the controller firmware version does not match the firmware version of the ACD file associated with the Incremental Checkpoint label. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 806906]

  To avoid this problem, you can do the following steps:

  1. After upgrading or downgrading a Logix 5000 controller’s firmware, open the FactoryTalk AssetCentre archive to check in the ACD file that matches Logix 5000 controller firmware version.
  2. Select Add Label to move the Incremental Checkpoint, and then select the Allow reuse of existing labels check box.
  3. In the Label box, enter the label name exactly as Incremental Checkpoint.

     The Disaster and Recovery schedule will now run successfully.

• FactoryTalk AssetCentre has limited support for 4K displays, when display scaling is greater than 100%. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 355367]

  To avoid this problem, set the display scaling to 100% and restart the computer.

• When uninstalling FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent, FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent will remain in the Control Panel, Add/Remove until all supporting applications (for example, RSLogix 500) are also removed. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 488955]

  To resolve this problem, uninstall all software installed together with FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent 10.00.00 installation and then it will be removed.

• When repairing a FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent installation on a computer upon which Logix Designer Compare Tool is not installed, FactoryTalk AssetCentre will generate a nuisance warning message indicating that Logix Designer Compare Tool requires that Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 to be installed. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 566002]

  This issue currently has no work around. The behavior does not adversely impact the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent installation repair process.

• When running a schedule with many assets (for example, 500 assets), the Agent status will not be displayed correctly in the Agent Groups view. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 289723]

  There is currently no workaround for this problem.

• When launching FactoryTalk AssetCentre client, the system does not display a warning about activation licenses that will soon expire or have expired. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 476394]

  There is currently no work around for this anomaly.

• When performing a remote installation of the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client or Agent, it is not possible to remotely open the HTML-based Release Notes or online Help using the Microsoft Edge browser. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 562034]

  To avoid this problem, use a different browser such as Chrome or Internet Explorer.

• When repairing a FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent installation on a computer upon which .NetFramework 3.5 is not installed, the installation user interface does not reflect the correct status of both the Tools check box and its sub-items’t. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00. [Jira 489044]

  To resolve this problem, manually select the Tools check box or its sub items'.

• Cannot access FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client with Safari in private mode on iOS devices. When using Safari in private mode on an iOS device, an attempt to log on to the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Web Client, an error message displays and cannot be closed. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.00.00. [44752, 359324]

• When performing an Asset Inventory WMI to scan the software, with the Changes only option selected, the scan can not detect installation changes for applications that do not maintain installation information (for example, you uninstall the software today and then install it on another day). First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 7.00.00. [358777]

  There is currently no work around for this anomaly.

• Cannot modify or uninstall the software FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client or FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent application by double-clicking Setup.exe in the installation package and selecting AssetCentre Custom Installation. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 8.00.00. [46429]

  To modify or uninstall the software components, go to the Programs and Features list of the Control Panel.

• When a Logix5000 Controller device is added to an existing container that is part of a Change Detect schedule, the new Logix5000 Controller device is not added to the schedule. First identified in FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 9.00.00. [144020]

  To avoid this problem, move the newly added Logix5000 Controller device out of the container and add it back again.

FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00 has the following changes in functionality since the last release:

Process device capabilities removal

Starting from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00, process device capabilities are not supported.

After upgrading from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 9.00 or earlier to version 10.00, General DTM Device, Equipment, Instrument, Loop, System, and Test Instrument process devices are not available in the asset catalog. The Process Device Configuration Field Edition, ProcalV5 Data Source Configuration, and Procal DB Connector Installer will be removed.

If Process Device Configuration is required for your system, we recommend you considering Endress+Hauser FieldCare which offers a comprehensive tool for managing process instruments called FieldCare SFE500. Endress+Hauser FieldCare is scalable, which allows to fulfill tasks from Device Setup to Plant Asset Management. FieldCare can be used with instruments communicating via Profibus-PA, Foundation Fieldbus, and HART.

All calibration records and information are retained in ProCalV5, thus the previously existing process device assets will be displayed in the asset tree. You can still cut, copy, and paste the existing process devices in the asset tree. However, their hardware and asset properties will be disabled. The ProCalV5 Company and ProCalV5 Linked Item properties of Instrument, Equipment, Loop, System, and Test Instrument are removed from the asset properties dialog box. Process devices will still consume the capacity activation. If you are still owning FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Management, we recommend you contacting the following vendors for more solutions:

• Prime Technologies (https://www.primetechpa.com/)
• CompuCal (https://compucalcalibrations.com/)

The following are the application notes for FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00.00.

Disaster Recovery schedule tasks fail with Device Not Found recorded in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Event log

When a Logix controller asset’s Addressing property was configured using RSLinx Classic, Disaster Recovery schedule tasks may start failing with Device Not Found recorded in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Event log.  Rebooting the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent(s) will temporarily address the error; however, the task failures will eventually return.

This behavior is addressed in a RSLinx Classic patch. See technote BF27867 for additional details.

Secure communication with TLS and SSL protocols

Windows implements SSL and TLS through Schannel Security Support Provider (SSP). The Schannel SSP implementation of the TLS and SSL protocols use algorithms from a cipher suite to create keys and encryption information. Starting from FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 9.00, the operating system's capability is used to automatically filter out the unsecure ciphers.

• For all cipher suites listed for different operating systems, refer to Cipher Suites in TLS/SSL (Schannel SSP) .
• If you have a preference on the cipher suites and need to customize the priorities in group policy, refer to Prioritizing Schannel Cipher Suites .
• To enable or disable specific ciphers in the registry, refer to How to restrict the use of certain cryptographic algorithms and protocols in Schannel.dll .

VeriSign Universal Root Certification Authority certificate

If the VeriSign Universal Root Certification Authority certificate does not exist on the local computer, the certificate is installed while installing Rockwell Automation software. Use Microsoft Management Console (MMC) to view the certificate in Console Root > Certificates (Local Computer) > Trusted Root Certification Authorities > Certificates.

Unattended or silent install

Use command-line parameters to perform an unattended or silent installation of the software.

Command-line parameters

The following table identifies the installation command-line parameters. Command-line parameters are case-insensitive. However, if a specified value includes a space, be sure to enclose the value in quotation marks (for example, "value with spaces").

Error codes

The following table identifies the error codes that can be returned by an installation.

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client

• All FactoryTalk AssetCentre clients must have identical RSLinx Classic communication driver configurations.
• When performing backups or backup and compares on Generic FTP devices containing subdirectories, the FTP device must support both the "DIR" and "ls" commands.
• To verify, use the Command Line Prompt to log onto the FTP device. Once logged in, type DIR and press Enter, and then type ls and press Enter. You should see the same results for each command issued.

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Agent

• The agent installation now provides the ability to create and set security credentials needed for secured Logix editors.

• If you enable the security option for RSLogix 5, which is used by the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Recovery agent, you must install a service patch.
For details, see Knowledgebase Document ID: BF20056 - RSLogix 5 7.x Patch for comms path getting erased, which breaks FactoryTalk AssetCentre.

• If you enable the security option for RSLogix 500 using a version prior to 8.10, which is used by the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Disaster Recovery agent, you must install a service patch.
For details, see Knowledgebase Document ID: BF20057 - RSLogix 500 7.20/8.00 Patch for comms path getting erased, which breaks FactoryTalk AssetCentre .

• FactoryTalk AssetCentre agents belonging to the same agent group must meet the following requirements:
  • Have identical RSLinx Classic and FactoryTalk Linx (formerly known as RSLinx Enterprise) communication driver configurations.
  • Be able to communicate with all assets configured for use with that agent group.
  • Have all programming software products installed that are required by the assets configured for use with that agent group.
  For example, if an agent group supports both SLC 500 and Logix 5000 controllers, then each agent belonging to that agent group must have both RSLogix 500 and the appropriate version of RSLogix 5000 or Logix Designer installed.

The amount of clients, agents, and agent groups qualified within one FactoryTalk AssetCentre system

The following is the amount of clients, agents, and agent groups qualified within one FactoryTalk AssetCentre system at the same time. More clients, agents, or agent groups running will impact the system performance.

• Client: 150
• Agent: 50
• Agent groups: 50
• Agent computers in each agent group: 5

Synchronizing life-cycle information with the Rockwell Automation life cycle website

To synchronize life-cycle information, the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server and client communicate directly with the Rockwell Automation life cycle website. To enable this function, ensure that the external address https://api.rockwellautomation.com is accessible by the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server and client.

Synchronize life-cycle information in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre server and client with the data on the Rockwell Automation life cycle website. For more information about securely accessing the Rockwell Automation lifecycle website from your OT zone-based FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server, please refer to this document Cloud Connectivity to a Converged Plantwide Ethernet Architecture https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/td/enet-td017_-en-p.pdf  in Rockwell Automation Literature Library.

FactoryTalk Directory asset compare

Differences are always found between two FactoryTalk Directory backup files after a Backup and Compare schedule, even though no changes are made to the FactoryTalk Directory. This is because the BAK files include timestamp information, which is detected as a difference during the binary compare of the backup files.

Event Log Attachment Extractor

The Event Log Attachment Extractor utility cannot properly extract event log attachments in the following two cases:

• For Backup and Compare schedules that compare both backup data and configuration data, the event log attachment of the configuration data cannot be extracted by the Event Log Attachment Extractor utility.
• When running a Backup and Compare schedule on the Generic FTP device with a custom compare engine, only the last compare report attachment can be extracted.

About Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express Edition with Advanced Services (x64)

FactoryTalk AssetCentre v6.10 or higher supports Microsoft SQL Server Express. Some FactoryTalk AssetCentre catalog numbers contain Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express Edition with Advanced Services (x64), which is a free and unlicensed edition of Microsoft SQL Server. This is intended for storing the FactoryTalk AssetCentre database. SQL Server 2012 Express Edition with Advanced Services (x64) has the following limitations:

• 10GB database size limit

• 1GB memory limit for SQL Server database engine
• 4GB memory limit for reporting services
• Maximum compute capacity limited to the lesser of 1 socket or 4 cores
• No SQL agent services
• No integration services
• No business intelligence tools
• No SQL profiler
• Limited reporting services capabilities

FactoryTalk AssetCentre also supports other versions of SQL Server as described in this Release Notes.

You may upgrade to Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition, which is a licensed edition, by purchasing from the following list of Rockwell Automation catalog numbers:

• 9319-DBSVRCALENE - FactoryTalk Database License Server Client Access License (CAL)
• 9319-DBADCALENE - FactoryTalk Database License 1 CAL
• 9319-DBCOR4ENE - FactoryTalk Database License 4 Core
• 9319-DBADCOR2ENE - FactoryTalk Database License 2 Core

The licenses in the previous catalog numbers can be used only with Rockwell Automation products, including FactoryTalk AssetCentre. More information on SQL Server licensing with Rockwell Automation products can be found in Knowledgebase Document ID: IN31446 - FAQ: Using Microsoft SQL Server with Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Products .

Alternatively, you may purchase licenses for a supported version and edition of SQL Server from Microsoft. A complete comparison of SQL Server 2012 Editions can be found here: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993(v=sql.110) .

Install product updates

For the latest Product Updates and Patch information, refer to Knowledgebase Document ID: QA15600 - FactoryTalk AssetCentre Patch Roll-up for 3.0 and later .

You can subscribe to be notified when new product updates, or patches are released via the Knowledgebase by clicking below the Knowledgebase answer title.

To directly download software or firmware updates, and patch roll-ups , go to Product Compatibility and Download Center.

Security requirements

For information on the security considerations when using Rockwell Automation products, including

• File extensions created by Rockwell Automation software, firewall rules, and service dependencies, see Knowledgebase Document ID: PN826 - Security considerations when using Rockwell Automation Software Products.
• TCP/UDP ports used by Rockwell Automation products, see Knowledgebase Document ID: BF7490 - TCP/UDP Ports Used by Rockwell Automation Products.