Workbench Installation Guide

Centra Workbench (V3.12 onwards)

Create and Customize User Interfaces for Router Control

snellgroup.com
Centra Workbench www.snellgroup.com Workbench Installation

Introduction

Description
This guide describes the system requirements and procedures for installing Centra
Workbench.

Fig 1. shows two typical installation scenarios:

• A standalone installation where everything resides on a single PC.

• A distributed installation where the database and SQL server are installed on the
server PC, and client PCs have individual components that connect through the
network to the database.

Standalone PC
SQL
Database Server

Workbench Management
Studio

Server
SQL
Database Server

Network

PC1 PC2 PC3

Workbench Management LiveRunner
Studio* Client

* Management Studio may be installed on any, or several, PCs on the network.

Fig 1. Installation on a single PC or on a Network

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System Requirements
The software can run in any resolution. We recommend that you use a resolution of
1920 x 1024 for Run mode, and a minimum of 1024 x 768 for Workbench (1280 x 1024 is
ideal).

Recommended specification:
27B

• A PC running MS Windows XP SP2 or higher (Vista, Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit)

• A multi-core processor (>1. 6 Ghz).

• 2 GB RAM.

• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory
(minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.

System performance is dependent on PC’s available resources. The PC should be as “clean”

as possible from other running processes.

Note: For Windows 7, the user must have local Administration rights for installing and running
Centra Workbench.

Minimum Installation Requirements

For a distributed installation, the minimum installation requirement consists of the mandatory
items and the LiveRunner component.

For a standalone installation, the minimum installation consists of the mandatory items and
the SQL Server Express component.

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Installing Centra Workbench

Installation
Note: During the installation process additional screens may display, due to the nature of
different operating systems and initial PC setups. Refer to the Troubleshooting section to
see what actions to take in the event of these screens displaying.

1. Insert the Centra Workbench DVD into the CD-ROM drive. The installation application
starts automatically. If it does not, browse to the installation CD-ROM and click
WorkbenchInstaller.exe.

2. The end user license agreement (EULA) displays.

Fig 2. License Agreement

3. Read through the license, and click I Agree.

4. The Choose Components screen displays.

Fig 3. Choose Components

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5. Select the Centra Workbench components that you want to install and clear those that
you do not want to install. Table 1. lists the available options.

Note: Greyed-out ( ) items are mandatory. The installer checks to see whether the item is
already present, and only installs it if it is not found.

Component Description Required Required

for Client for Server
MSI 4.5 Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 9 9
NET Framework 3. 5 SP1 NET Framework 3 5 SP1 9 9
NET Framework 4 NET Framework 4 9 9
Visual C++ 2010 Visual C++ Redistributable 9 9
Windows Powershell Microsoft's task automation framework
that integrates with the .NET 9 9
Framework
SQL DB Tool Used to backup/restore/create
Databases. Can be used in place of
the SQL Management Studio
Core Files Core Installation files 9 9
Workbench The Centra design and configuration
9
files
Live Runner The Centra live control and monitoring 9
Rules Server The Centra rules server application
Logging Tools Tools and utilities for viewing and
gathering log messages
Example Resources Example screen files and database
Controllers Windows and embedded controller
executable files
Pbak Deploy Tool Used to upgrade software on
embedded controllers
Documentation Manual and Getting Started guide in
PDF format
Table 1. Installation Components

Note: For SQL installation on a server, refer to the readme.rtf file on the DVD
(MCM\Resources\Installers\readme.rtf) for the various dependencies.

6. Click Next.

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7. The Install Location screen displays.

Fig 4. Install Location

8. Either accept the default destination or browse to a new destination.

9. Click Install. The selected components begin to install.

Note: During the installation, do not close the installation wizard or the Centra Configuration
Helper. Wait until the entire setup process is complete before exiting the install wizard and
Centra Configuration Helper.

10. Once the installation is almost complete, the Centra Configuration Helper displays in
a new window.

Fig 5. Centra Configuration Helper

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The Centra Configuration Helper indicates the status of each of the Centra
Workbench components. The components can be in one of three states:

• Green: The component installed correctly.

• Orange: Optional item that has not been installed.

• Red (yellow during update): Required by Centra Workbench, but not yet installed.

11. If the Centra Configuration Helper indicates that all components are installed correctly
(green), click OK. The Configuration Helper screen closes, and the Completing
installation screen dislpays.

If the Centra Configuration Helper displays components that have not installed (red)
these need to be manually installed before continuing. See Manually Installing
Components on page 8.

Note: If you try to run Centra Workbench while there are components marked as red, an error
message displays.

Finish the Installation

Fig 6. Completing Installation

If you do not wish to start the Centra Workbench immediately untick the Launch Workbench
tick box.

• Click Finish.

See Starting Centra Workbench on page 18.

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Manually Installing Components

Centra Configuration Helper Display

The Centra Configuration Helper graphically shows the installation status of the Centra
Workbench Components.

The Centra Configuration Helper is also available from the Windows Start Menu:

Start | All Programs | Snell | Centra | Utilities | Configuration Helper

Each component has information about its status.

• Click on to expand each component’s details.

• Click on to close the component details.

The different components are listed in Table 2.

Computer Displays information about the PC on which the Centra

Workbench is installed.
Microsoft Data Access Displays information about the MDAC such as installed yes/no,
Components (MDAC) Version number and whether or not the MDAC installation
meets the requirements of Centra Workbench.
Visual C++ Redistributable Displays information about the Visual C++ installation.
SQL server [1] Displays information about the SQL server such as installed
yes/no, version number and type of installation.
SQL Server[1] Management Displays information about the SQL Server Management
Studio Studio.
Workbench Database Displays information about the Workbench Database and
allows connection changes.
Licensing Database Displays information about the Licensing Database.
Table 2. Centra Workbench Components

[1] Not required for distributed systems.

Note: Until you connect to a Workbench Database and Licensing Database, these components
display in red as, required but not installed.

Support
If you have problems with the installation at any time and you contact customer support
(customersupport@snellgroup.com), you may be asked to provide information about your
installation.

• Click Copy to Clipboard, and paste the information into the email.

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Computer
Displays information about the PC on which the Centra Workbench is installed.

Fig 7. Installed Computer Component

If this component installs but displays orange, check that the PC conforms to the system
requirements at the beginning of this guide. See System Requirements on page 3.
.

Microsoft Data Access Components

Displays information about the Microsoft Data Access components, for example, version
number and installation status.

Fig 8. Installed Microsoft Data Access Components

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This component is required to run the Centra Workbench. If the component displays as red
the installation was incomplete. Restart the installation.

Visual C++ Redistributable

Displays information about the Visual C++ Redistributable component, for example, version
number and installation status.

Fig 9. Installed Visual C++ Redistributable Component

This component is required to run the Centra Workbench. If the component displays as red
the installation was incomplete. Restart the installation.

SQL Server
Important: The version of SQL Server on the installation DVD is 2008 R2. If you already have SQL
Server 2005, it is not essential to upgrade. However, the default database on the
installation DVD is version 2008 R2 and cannot be imported to the 2005 or 2008 version.

If any version of SQL server is installed, the Centra Workbench Installation Helper displays
this component as installed (green).

The SQL Server is optional. For a server installation where the database server is elsewhere
on the network, do not install this component.

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Fig 10. SQL Server Component

• To install the SQL Server or to upgrade from the 2005 version on a standalone
installation, click Click here to install the SQL Server Express Edition.

An install wizard starts and runs through several screens installing both the SQL
Server and SQL Server Management Studio. Do not interrupt the wizard.

Once the wizard is complete, both the SQL Server and SQL Server Management
Studio components display green.

SQL Server Management Studio

• To install the SQL Server Management Studio on a server installation, click Click
here to install the SQL Server Management Studio Express Edition.

For a standalone PC this SQL Server Management Studio component is also installed
automatically when the SQL Server wizard is run. See SQL Server on page 10.

Workbench Database
Important: The Workbench database must be installed on the server. Therefore, unless already
installed, you must install SQL Server Express and SQL Server Management Studio (or
optional SQL DB Tool) on the server.

Centra Workbench requires a working connection to the Workbench database. Until you
connect to the database, the Centra Install Helper displays the connection as red (required by
Centra Workbench, but not yet installed).

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Fig 11. Workbench Database

There are two options for connecting to a Centra Workbench database:

• Create a new blank database.

• Connect to an existing database either locally or on the network.

Create a New Workbench Database

To create a new Centra Workbench Database:

1. Expand the Workbench Database section.

2. Click Click here to create databases and permissions. A command window

displays briefly and connects to the database.

3. From the Centra Install Helper, click the Refresh button.

4. The Workbench Database displays green (installed correctly).

Connect to an Existing Workbench Database

If you have an existing Workbench database, you must provide the file path, and login
credentials:

1. Expand the Workbench Database section. Click Click here to alter database
connection settings.

2. The Connection String Editor dialog box displays.

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Fig 12. Workbench Database Connection Settings

3. Either, type the server details, or edit the Database Connection String..

Note: The Server Name can be an IP address or a name. On a standalone PC only, the Server
Name must also contain “\SQLEXPRESS” at the end.

4. Click OK.

5. From the Centra Install Helper, click the Refresh button.

6. The Workbench Database displays green (installed correctly).

Licensing Database
Important: The Licensing database must be installed on the server. Therefore, unless already
installed, you must install SQL Server Express and SQL Server Management Studio on the
server.

Centra Workbench requires a working connection to the Licensing database. Until you
connect to the database, the Centra Install Helper displays the connection as highlighted red
(required by Centra Workbench, but not yet installed).

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Fig 13. Licensing Database

There are two options for connecting to the Licensing database:

• The database is installed locally as part of the Centra Workbench core installation.

• Connect to an existing database either locally or on the network.

Connect to the Example Licensing Database

To connect to the Licensing database:

1. Expand the Licensing Database section.

2. Click on ‘Click here to create databases and permissions’. A command window

displays briefly and connects to the database.

3. From the Centra Install Helper, click the Refresh button.

4. The Licensing Database displays green (installed correctly).

Connect to an Existing Licensing Database

If you have an existing Licensing database, you must provide the file path, and login
credentials:

1. Expand the Licensing Database section.

2. Click on ‘Click here to alter database connection settings’.

3. The Connection String Editor dialog box displays.

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Fig 14. Licensing Database Connection Settings

4. Either, type the Server details (including file path), or edit the Database Connection
String.

5. Click OK.

6. From the Centra Install Helper, click the Refresh button.

7. The Licensing Database displays green (installed correctly).

Managing Databases Using the SQLDBTool

The SQLDBTool simplifies the management of databases. It allows for the creation of new
blank databases and the backup and restoring of existing databases.

The SQLDBTool is available from the Windows Start Menu:

Start | All Programs | Snell | SQLDBTOOL | SQLDBTool

Fig 15. SQLDBTool Screen

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Create a Blank Database

1. Select the server name from the drop down list at the top of the screen.

2. Click Connect and Get Databases.

3. Type a name for the new database in the Target database field.

4. In the Operation section of the screen ensure that the Backup Mode radio button is
selected.

5. Browse to the path of where the backup files for the database are to be saved.

6. Click Create Database.

Restore a Database
1. Ensure the Restore Mode radio button is selected.

2. Click Retrieve file names from backup.

3. Click Restore Database. When prompted to Overwrite existing database, click Yes.

4. When the restore is complete, a dialog box displays. Click OK.

Backup a Database
1. Ensure the Backup Mode radio button is selected.

2. Browse to the path of where the backup files for the database are to be saved.

3. Click Backup Database.

Create a Blank Database Using SQLMS

To create a new database, you must have SQL Server Express and SQL Server
Management Studio installed on the server.

To create a new database:

1. Start SQL Server Management Studio. You are prompted to confirm the server name
and login credentials.

2. Right-click the databases node in the object explorer and select New Database.

3. Type the name of the database in the Database name field (the default is
Workbench).

4. Click OK.

No further configuration of this database is required. The Workbench application configures

the remainder of the database settings and builds all of the tables.

Install Default Databases

Important: The default databases on the installation DVD are SQL version 2008 and cannot be
imported to 2005. To install the Centra Workbench default databases, you must upgrade to
SQL Server 2008.

When a Centra Workbench database is converted to SQL Server 2008, it is not possible to
revert back to SQL Server 2005. Therefore, if you have an existing version of the Centra
Workbench database, it is important that you make a full backup before upgrading.

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The default databases each have several example controllers and hardware panels, and are
on the installation DVD. To install the sample database:

1. Browse to the installation CD-ROM and open the Nucleus Default Configurations
folder. The example databases are in .zip folders.

2. Right-click the required .zip file and select Extract All… the Extraction Wizard
displays. Click Next.

3. Browse to an appropriate location for the files, and click Next. A .bak file is extracted
to the selected location. Click Finish.

4. Make sure that Centra Workbench is not open.

5. Open SQL server management express and connect to the server.

6. Expand the Databases folder. Right-click on the Workbench database and select
Tasks | Restore | Database.

7. In the Source for restore section, select From device and click the (browse)
button. The Specify Backup dialog box displays, click Add.

8. Locate the .bak file, select it and then click OK.

9. In the Specify Backup dialog box, click OK.

10. Select the file from the Select the backup sets to restore section of the Restore
Database dialog box.

11. In the Select a page section, click Options. Select Overwrite the existing database
and Leave the database ready to use…(RESTORE WITH RECOVERY).

12. Click OK, and close SQL server management express. The first time that you start
Centra Workbench, you must Update the Database.

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Starting Centra Workbench

Start the Workbench Application

When the Centra Install Helper indicates that all required components have installed correctly,
you can start the Centra Workbench.

If you did not launch the Workbench from the installer, do one of the following:

• Double-click the Workbench icon on the desktop.

• Start the program from the Windows Start menu. The path to Workbench in the Start
menu is:

Start | All Programs | Snell | Centra v3 | Workbench

The first time that you start Centra Workbench, the database must be updated. Fig 16. shows
the initial screen. This screen displays whenever you install a new version of Centra
Workbench, or make changes to the database. For example, if you install one of the sample
databases.

Important: If you have not made any changes and this dialog box displays, contact your system
administrator.

Fig 16. Update Database

To view the differences between the databases, click the button. The Database Analyzer
screen displays, showing the parts of the database that will change when you update the
database, see Fig 17.

Note: You cannot start Centra Workbench without agreeing to update the database.

Fig 17. Database Analyzer - Example list of possible changes

1. Click Update Database, and the enter password dialog box displays. Type the
Database Update password. The default Database Update password is “workbench”.

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Note: The password is case-sensitive; by default, all lower-case. A progress screen displays,
indicating that the database update is in progress. The database update can take several
minutes to complete.

2. Click OK. The login screen displays, see Fig 18.

Fig 18. Login Screen

Log In to Workbench
When Workbench is first installed, there are only two users, see Table 3.

User Password
admin admin
user (none required)
Table 3. Default Users

Note: If you are using a touch-screen interface, an on-screen keyboard is available. Click on the
keyboard symbol.

1. Type a user name.

2. Type a password, if required.

3. Click Login or press the Return key. The home screen displays, see Fig 19.

Fig 19. Initial workbench Administration Screen

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Home Screen
The Home screen provides access to the various Workbench functions.

You can open the Workbench functions from the icons on the screen, toolbar buttons or
menu, see Fig 20.

Fig 20. Home Screen (with Full Access)

LiveRunner
LiveRunner an optional component of the Centra Workbench installation. LiveRunner is the
Centra live control and monitoring (run mode) client. It makes it possible to run a screen
without running Centra Workbench.

LiveRunner is available from the Windows Start Menu:

Start | All Programs | Snell | Centra | LiveRunner

The Login Window displays, see Fig 21.

1. Type a user name.

2. Type a password, if required.

3. Click Login or press the return key.

Fig 21. LiveRunner Log-in

Note: You must assign an Initial Screen to a user otherwise an error message displays when the
user logs in to LiveRunner. This error also displays if you try to enter Run mode.

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Command Line Parameters

You can create a shortcut to LiveRunner that includes several command-line parameters so
that the shortcut displays a specific screen. The options are:

-username (or -user or -u) followed by a Centra Workbench user name.

-password (or -pass or -p) followed by the matching Centra Workbench password.

-fullscreen (or -f) = Run in full screen mode

To create a shortcut:

1. From Windows, browse to C:\Program Files\Snell\Workbench\LiveRunner.exe.

2. Create a shortcut to LiveRunner.exe.

3. Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties.

4. At the end of the Target (after the …LiveRunner. exe”), type the required
command-line parameters.

5. Click OK.

6. Double-click the shortcut to open the screen.

Configuration Helper Utility

The Configuration Helper can be accessed from the Start menu, in case further configuration
is necessary afer the initial installation.

Configuration Helper is available from the Windows Start Menu:

Start | All Programs | Snell | Centra | Utilities| Configuration Helper

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Add a Controller

Adding a New Controller

In this example a Pyxis router is added. Select the settings relevant to your controller.

1. Click Add Controller and the Controller Wizard displays.

Fig 22. Controller Wizard - Select Controller Type

2. From the drop down list, click Nucleus Controller (2450).

3. Click on the appropriate radio button according to the configuration required.

To Configure a New Router on the Network:

1. Select the first radio button I have a controller available on the network and I need
to copy to my local settings.

2. Click Next.

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Fig 23. Controller Wizard - Set Controller Name

3. Type a name for the controller.

4. Edit the IP Address and Port to match those set in the CompactFlash in the controller.

If these are unknown, extract the CompactFlash from the controller and place it into a
card reader to view the IP address. Refit the CompactFlash back into the controller.

5. Click Next.

Fig 24. Controller Wizard - Check Details

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6. Confirm that details for the controller configuration are correct.

7. Click Finish.

8. The controller is configured.

Fig 25. Controller Added

To Configure a New Controller for Future Use:

1. Select the first radio button I am working offline and want to create a new
controller to use at a later time.

2. Click Next.

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Fig 26. Controller Wizard - Set Controller Name

3. Type a name for the controller.

4. Edit the IP Address and Port to match those set in the CompactFlash in the controller.

If these are unknown, extract the CompactFlash from the controller and place it into a
card reader to view the IP address. Refit the CompactFlash back into the controller.

5. Click Next.

Fig 27. Controller Wizard - Set Router Type

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6. Click the radio button to Use a Factory Or User Default.

7. From the Router Type drop down list, click Pyxis.

8. From the Router Configuration drop down list, click on the relevant row for the router
which has the closest specification to the router you are configuring.

9. Click Next.

10. A summary screen displays. If any of the parameters on this screen are incorrect,
click Previous to return to the screen that requires amendment. Edit the details, and
continue through the Controller Wizard as before.

11. Click Finish.

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Troubleshooting

Introduction
This section describes the extra screens that may display during the installation process on
different operating systems, or when installing on a PC that already has a Centra Workbench
installed.

User Account Control

On Windows 7, the User Account Control screen displays when starting the installer.

Fig 28. Allow Changes

• Click Yes to continue.

.NET Framework 4 Installation

If your PC does not have ".NET Framework 4." the Workbench installer will install the required
files.

Fig 29. Restart PC

You must restart your PC when prompted.

• Click Yes to restart the PC.

The PC will reboot and the installation restart automatically after logging into the PC.

If you click No another prompt displays asking you to restart the PC to proceed. Now you
have to cancel the Workbench installation yourself, reboot your PC and then once logged in
restart the installation manually.

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Windows Installer
The Windows Installer screen may display during the installation process.

Fig 30. Windows Installer Screen

• Click OK. The installation continues.

Install Checker
If the Install Checker screen displays, it is probably due to you not having Administration
rights on your PC for when the Configuration Helper starts.

Fig 31. Install Checker Screen

To run the Centra Configuration Helper, open:

Start | All Programs | Snell | Centra | Utilities | Configuration Helper

• Right-click on Configuration Helper and select “Run as Administrator”.

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Fig 32. Run as Administrator

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