Deployment Overview

A deployment server can hold one or more folders with files that are automatically deployed to one or more viewers whenever they are modified. The deployment insures that the viewers automatically have the latest file version.

A summary overview of one deployment server synchronizing files with one viewer is as follows.

1 Deployment server setup.
2 Viewer setup.
3 CimSync.exe source files deployment.
4 CimSync.exe configuration file deployment.

Deployment server setup

The deployment server requires two basic components.

A A shared folder with files that are periodically updated and need to be deployed to one or more viewers. Note: The shared folder will be accessed by the Viewer by a UNC path that is identified in the Deployment Configuration Editor.
B A shared folder with a configuration file, gefdepl.dplcfg, that lists the details of the deployment configuration.
Note: Gefdepl.dplcfg is created on a CIMPLICITY server or Viewer and is always saved to the installation\Data directory.
...\Program Files\Proficy\Proficy CIMPLICITY\Data. However, it can be used on any server designated as the deployment server.
  • The deployment server does not have to be a CIMPLICITY server.
  • The configuration file location is entered in the file when it is being configured.

Viewer setup

The viewer requires four basic components.

A A UNC path to the server's shared files folder. Notes
  • The viewer must have read access to the deployment server source files folder.
  • You can also map a drive to the folder; however it is recommended that you use a UNC path, which is not dependent on each viewer.
B A local folder with a configuration file, gefdepl.dplcfg, that lists the details of the deployment configuration.
Note: On the Viewer, this file must always be located in the installation \Data directory.
...\Program Files\Proficy\Proficy CIMPLICITY\Data.
C A local folder that holds the files for the viewer to use.
D A file, CimSync.exe, that implements the deployment.
Note: This file is installed with CIMPLICITY.

CimSync.exe source files deployment

CimSync.exe does the following.

A Detects changes or additions to files using the UNC path to the deployment server's source files folder.
B (After a specified time period) Deploys the files to a temporary folder on the Viewer. Note: The temporary folder insures that all the source files are transferred correctly and provides a more stable environment than the network for them to be deployed. The files are deployed at one time to the target folder or folders. Updating all of the involved files at one time will insure that the integrity of any dependence among them is maintained.
C Deploys the file to the viewer's target file folder where it overwrites existing files and adds new files.

CimSync.exe configuration file deployment

CimSinc.exe does the following.

A Detects a change in the gefdepl.dplcfg file using the UNC path to the deployment server's configuration file folder.
B (If the viewer is set to have the configuration file synchronized with the deployment server) Deploys it immediately a temporary folder on the viewer. Note: The temporary folder insures that all the source files are transferred correctly and provides a more stable environment than the network for them to be deployed. The files are deployed at one time to the target folder or folders. Updating all of the involved files at one time will insure that the integrity of any dependence between the configuration file and other files is maintained.
C Overwrites the existing gefdepl.dplcfg version in the viewer's installation \Data directory.
D Reads the new configuration file version and uses the new parameters from that point on.