Bridging the Gap: Integrating PI System with Aveva Connect Using ConnectDR AF plugin

In today’s data-driven industrial landscape, the ability to seamlessly integrate on-premises systems with cloud-based platforms is paramount. Aveva Connect, Aveva’s cloud-based time series database, offers a robust solution for storing and analyzing vast amounts of operational data. To bridge the gap between your existing PI System and Aveva Connect, the Aveva Connect Data Reference Plugin (ConnectDR) provides a powerful and efficient solution.

What is ConnectDR?

The Aveva Connect Data Reference Plugin for AF (ConnectDR) is a custom AF Data Reference that enables PI AF to interact directly with Aveva Connect Data Services. Think of it as the PI Point Data Reference (PI Point DR) for the cloud. While PI Point DR connects to the PI Data Archive, ConnectDR connects to the Aveva Connect Sequential Data Store, retrieving data via HTTP requests.

Key Features and Use Cases:

ConnectDR offers a range of capabilities, including:

• Retrieve snapshot data: Get real-time values.
• Retrieve recorded values: Access historical data.
• Retrieve interpolated values: Estimate values between recorded points.
• Retrieve summary values: Calculate aggregates like averages and maximums.
• Write values: Store PI Analysis output in Aveva Connect.

These features enable various use cases, such as:

• Visualizing trends and snapshot values in PI Vision.
• Calculating maximum and average values for specific time intervals.
• Storing PI Analysis output directly in Aveva Connect.

Important Note: ConnectDR does not replicate data from Aveva Connect to the PI Data Archive. It retrieves data on demand, ensuring a real-time connection to your cloud data.

Configuration

Setting up ConnectDR is straightforward and involves registering a DLL as an AF plugin, which takes a few minutes. Once the AF plugin is registered, it will be available to be selected and used by any AF attribute. Here’s a step-by-step guide about how to set up the AF configuration database and the config string:

Setting up the AF Configuration Database

• Obtain your Namespace Id, Tenant Id, Resource, Client Id, and Client Secret from the Aveva Connect Data Hub (https://datahub.connect.aveva.com).
• Open Aveva Connect Server Explorer and connect to your AF Server.
• Click “Add” to add a new Aveva Connect Server, entering the necessary credentials.
• Verify the server element creation within PI System explorer under OCS\Servers. The Client Secret is encrypted for security.

Setting up the ConfigString

• Create an AF attribute and select “Aveva Connect” as the Data Reference.
• Click “Settings…” to open the ConfigString editor.
• Select the configured Aveva Connect Server from the AF Configuration database.
• Enter the Aveva Connect Stream Id to specify the data stream in the cloud.
• You should now be able to retrieve snapshot and time series data from Aveva Connect within PI System Explorer (Figure 1).

Figure 1 – Configuring the attribute using ConnectDR

Final Thoughts

ConnectDR provides a seamless and efficient way to integrate your PI System with Aveva Connect’s cloud-based time series database. By leveraging HTTP requests, ConnectDR enables real-time data retrieval and write capabilities, enhancing your operational insights and analysis. The simple installation and configuration process makes it easy to extend the capabilities of your PI System and unlock the potential of Aveva’s cloud-based data services. This hybrid solution empowers you to leverage both your on-premises PI System and the scalability and flexibility of Aveva Connect, providing a comprehensive view of your operational data.