Add a Collector Instance

Before you begin

  • Install collectors.
  • For an iFIX collector, ensure that iFIX is running in a Windows-service mode. For more information, refer to Working with iFIX Collectors.
  • If the destination of a collector is an Azure IoT Hub device, ensure that the device is running.

About this task

Before you begin using a collector, you must add an instance of the collector. You can add multiple instances of the same collector or instances of multiple collectors where you have installed the collectors. To add multiple instances of a collector, perform the steps provided in this topic once again.

This topic describes how to add a collector instance using Configuration Hub. You can also add a collector instance using the RemoteCollectorConfigurator utility, which does not require you to install Web-based Clients.

Procedure

  1. Access the system to which you want to add a collector instance.
  2. Select Collectors.
    A list of collectors in the system appears.

  3. Select .
    The Add Collector Instance: <system name> window appears, displaying the Collector Selection section. The MACHINE NAME field contains a list of machines on which you have installed collectors.
  4. In the MACHINE NAME field, select the machine in which you want to add a collector instance.
  5. In the COLLECTOR TYPE field, select the type of the collector whose instance you want to add, and then select Get Details.
    The INSTALLATION DRIVE and DATA DIRECTORY fields are disabled and populated.
  6. Select Next.
    The Source Configuration section appears. For an OPC collector, the source configuration is automatically populated. And, if you have selected File Collector, the Destination Configuration section appears. If that happens, skip to step 8.
  7. In the HISTORIAN SOURCE SERVER field, enter the machine name of the source server from which you want the collector to collect data. As needed, enter values in the USERNAME and PASSWORD fields to connect to the server.
    For cloud collectors, a different set of fields appear. In that case, enter values in the available fields.
  8. Select Next.
    The Destination Configuration section appears.
  9. In the CHOOSE DESTINATION field, select the destination to which you want the collector to send data. By default, Historian Server is selected.
  10. Depending on the destination you have selected, provide values in the available fields, and then select Next.
    The Collector Initiation section appears. The COLLECTOR NAME field is disabled and populated.
  11. In the RUNNING MODE field, select one of the following options.
    • Service - Local System Account: Select this option if you want to run the collector as a Windows service using the credentials of the local user (that is, the currently logged-in user). If you select this option, the USERNAME and PASSWORD fields are disabled.
    • Service Under Specific User Account: Select this option if you want to run the collector as a Windows service using a specific user account. If you select this option, you must enter values in the USERNAME and PASSWORD fields. If you have enabled the Enforce Strict Collector Authentication option in Historian Administrator, you must provide the credentials of a user who is added to at least one of the following security groups:
      • iH Security Admins
      • iH Collector Admins
      • iH Tag Admins

    If you choose the first two options, you can also configure the collector to start automatically when you start the computer, or, in the case of iFIX collectors, whenever you start iFIX.

  12. Select Add.
    The collector instance is added, and appears in the Collectors list. A shortcut is created for each instance of the following collectors so that you can open them at a command prompt:
    • The iFIX collector
    • The iFIX Alarms and Events collector
    • The OPC Classic Alarms and Events collector
    • The OPC Classic DA collector
    • The OPC Classic HDA collector

What to do next

Specify the tags whose data you want to collect using the collector. In the CHOOSE CONFIGURATION field in the Destination Configuration field,
  • If you have selected Historian Configuration, access Historian Administrator, and manage the tag configuration. For information, refer to Configure Tags.
  • If you have selected Offline Configuration, modify the offline configuration file of the collector. By default, this file is available in the following location: <installation folder of Historian>\GE Digital\<collector name>. For information, refer to Creating Offline Configuration XML file.