GSW Sp7 Ifsb Master
GSW Sp7 Ifsb Master
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Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the participant will be able to:
▪ Gain basic knowledge to configure Spectrum Power 7 Independent Front End (IFS).
▪ Provide an IFS overview with base functionality and communication Protocols supported.
▪ Provide an overall understanding of the IFS displays and uses.
▪ Provide an overall understanding on how to model IFS data in IMM.
▪ Execute IFS user functions.
Target Audience: Person, who independently maintain RTU communications and are responsible for new RTU data
integration. Communications Administrators, System Hardware Maintainers/Administrators, Operations Support
Personnel
Prerequisites:
▪ Fundamental Data Communication Knowledge
▪ Familiarity with RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
▪ Familiarity with Spectrum Power 7 database fundamentals
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Agenda
01 Independent Front-End System
03 User Interface
04 Exercises
03 User Interface
04 Exercises
Remote Substation
▪ A SCADA system is responsible for the monitoring,
supervision, and control of large geographical areas.
▪ Each substation supervised may contain hundreds
(or thousands) of telemetered data that must be
reported to the control center for situational
awareness.
▪ Telemetered data is usually generated by the
equipment installed at the substation, such as: PLC
units, instrumentation transformers, switches,
protection devices, meters, etc.
▪ Digital, Analog, and Counter data will be typically
processed and stored in a Remote Terminal Unit
(RTU).
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Communications in the SCADA context
Communication Links
▪ Communication link is defined as a channel that connects
two devices, or more, with the purpose of data exchange.
▪ Several types of communication medium between the
receiver and transmitter can be used: Radio, Microwave,
Spread-spectrum, Twisted-pair, Fiber-optics, Dial-up,
Leased-Line, etc.
▪ Once data is collected and stored at the RTU, a
communications infrastructure must support data
exchange over long distances.
▪ In general, there is no better or worst communication
medium to be implemented. There are several factors
that may affect such definition, such as: distance, number
of devices, costs, technology, response and transmission
time, etc.
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Communications in the SCADA context
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Spectrum PowerTM 7
Independent Front-end System (IFS)
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Base Functions (IFS)
▪ Data Acquisition
▪ Requests and process data from external devices
▪ Data Preprocessing
▪ Implemented by protocol. Example: threshold limitation, characteristics curves, point inversion
▪ Time Processing
▪ For chronologically relevant information.
▪ Error Messages and Quality Flags
▪ Evaluate message and data reliability
▪ Line-Level Redundancy
▪ Allows both servers to communicate with the RTUs. Both have the same priority.
▪ Listening Mode
▪ Supports parallel operation with other Masters
▪ Connection of Data Concentrator
▪ Scalability
▪ Online Engineering Data Activation
▪ Information Model Management (SP7)
▪ Scan Groups
▪ Determines what types of data the Master wants to receive and the periodicity
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What is a communication protocol?
▪ In the utility context, a protocol is simply the language the RTUs, computers,
and other devices use when they communicate with each other.
▪ The world’s first protocol was the Morse code.
▪ The communication protocols have many features intended to ensure reliable
interchange of data over an imperfect communication channel.
▪ SCADA communication protocols are designed specifically for the reduced reliability
communications links typically employed with SCADA systems and to provide secure
transmission of data. The protocols employ error detection and message retry
techniques.
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Why do we need communication protocols?
▪ The communication protocol will establish the “language” in which two (or more)
devices must follow in order to properly communicate.
▪ As long as the transmitting device follows a predefined set of rules for sending the
data, the device at the receiving end is able to translate the signal into meaningful
data.
▪ The concept of “open standard” based protocols has been receiving increased
attention from the power systems industry, once it provides interoperability between
devices and systems from different vendors.
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Spectrum PowerTM 7
Communication Protocols (Standard)
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Spectrum PowerTM 7
IFS Highlights
Highlights Benefits
• Uses “off the shelf” asynchronous serial multi-port hardware • Saves and protect your investments, no proprietary hardware
components.
• Process interface with distributed system architecture • Flexible and redundant system configuration
• Integral component of Spectrum Power 7 • Configurable „to the last bit“ with Spectrum Power 7
• Online data update • IFS data updates are activated in real-time environment with minimum impact
(reset of affected lines only)
• Secure and high performing support of IP based protocols • Flexible and economic process data transfer by using common
(IEC 870-5-104, DNP3i) communication network
• Support of standard and manufacturer specific protocols • Protects your investment, high flexibility
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Agenda
01 Independent Front-End System
03 User Interface
04 Exercises
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IFS IP and Serial Connections: IEC Connections Overview
WAN/LAN
TCP/IP
Connection
Router
IEC 104
Server Server
Multiport Multiport
Serial Connection
Line Splitter
Modems
Network
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS - Sample Port Server Setup
Ethernet/GSM/ Serial to
IFS Ethernet
Intranet RTU
Server Converter
TCP/IP Serial
Connection Connection
With IEC104 the RTU communicates directly via TCP/IP
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS - Hardware
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS - Hardware
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IFS Redundancy: IFS Block Redundancy
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IFS Serial Connections: IFS Point to Point Connections
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IFS Serial Connections: IFS Point to Point Connections
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IFS Serial Connections: IFS Multi-drop Connections
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IFS Serial Connections: IFS RTU Node Connection
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IFS Serial Connections: IFS Dial-up Connections
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IFS Serial Connections: IFS Radio Connections
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IFS TCP/IP Connection: IEC104
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IFS IEC 101/104 Slave Function, IEC101RTU and IEC104RTU
Spectrum PowerTM 7
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IFS IEC 101/104 Slave Function, IEC101RTU and IEC104RTU
▪ The mapping between Spectrum Power internal address and protocol address for the slave
RTU can be done separately per object in the database, or as a copy of an existing master
RTU.
▪ If a copy of an existing master RTU is going to be used, it is only necessary to define which
RTU is the master RTU. No point definition is necessary for the slave RTU in this case. Note
that the slave RTU data points will have the same protocol addresses as the master RTU.
▪ If the slave RTU is going to send data from several master RTUs, a new set of mapping
between the Spectrum internal address of an object and the protocol addresses must be
done. The mapping is done the same way as for a master RTU.
▪ Commands can also be sent from the remote control center via the IECRTU to a RTU
connected directly to Spectrum Power.
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Agenda
01 Independent Front-End System
03 User Interface
04 Exercises
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Spectrum PowerTM 7
IFS Status Display > IFS Lines
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Spectrum PowerTM 7
IFS Status Display > IFS RTUs
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Spectrum PowerTM 7
IFS Status Display > IFS RTU Data
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Spectrum PowerTM 7
IFS Status Display > Show / Hide Columns
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Agenda
01 Independent Front-End System
03 User Interface
04 Exercises
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM - Information Model Management
The instance PI is a folder instance that organizes configuration data for different communication types
Relevant to IFS
PI Instance Tree
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM - Information Model Management
▪ IFS RTUs
the IFS RTUs must be added to
appropriate IFS Channels
▪ IFS Points
IFS Points can be linked to a
Characteristic Curve if needed
▪ Characteristic Curves
use for measurement and can be
defined at any time.
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM – IFS Channels
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM – IFS Channels
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM – IFS redundant Channels
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM - IFS RTU
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM - IFS RTU
only DNP3
only DNP3
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM – IFS Point
▪ The IFS Point Data defines the data that is received from
the associated IFS RTU
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM – IFS Point
only DNP3
only DNP3
only for IEC slave protocols
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM – IFS Scan Group
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM – IFS Characteristic Curves
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM – Pseudo Station – IFS Pair
IFS Pair
▪ When you define an IFS Pair, a B2Block for each front-
end computer is inserted automatically into the IFS
Pseudo station. The naming convention IF<Pair Id>1
and IF<Pair Id>2 is used.
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM - IFS Pseudo Station - IFS Channel
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM - IFS Pseudo Station – IFS RTU
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication
IFS – IMM - IFS Pseudo Station
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Spectrum PowerTM 7 – Communication right click on Job name
IFS – IMM – Online Data Activation
The IMM single instance editor only changes data in the IMM database.
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Agenda
01 Independent Front-End System
03 User Interface
04 Exercises
Objective: Set up an IFS Channel in IMM and verify the channel appearance on the IFS Lines Display
Steps:
1. Select or create a new Job in IMM.
2. Navigate to an IFS Pair (/PI/IFS)
3. Open the Context Menu and Press “New”. Select “IfsIPChannel” or “IfsSerialChannel”
4. Define a name for the channel (maximum 16 characters). Press button OK.
5. Introduce the channel settings as desired:
1. Device Type
2. Baud Rate (serial channel)
3. Channel ID
4. IP address (IP channel) 10.240.50.130
5. Character Size (serial channel)
6. Configuration Type
7. Parity (serial channel)
8. Protocol ID
9. Port Number 2406, 2407, 2408, 2409, 2410, 2411, 2412, 2413
6. Prepare/Transfer/Activate Job
7. Validate that the new channel appears on the IFS Lines Display
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Lab: IFS IMM – Create an IFS RTU
Objective: Set up an IFS RTU in IMM and verify the RTU appearance on the IFS RTU Display
Steps:
1. Select or create a new Job in IMM.
2. Navigate to an IFS Channel (/PI/IFS)
3. Open the Context Menu and Press “New”. Select “IfsRtu”
4. Define a name for the RTU (maximum 16 characters). Press button OK.
5. Introduce the RTU settings as desired:
1. ASDU Address choose one number 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
2. GI Time-out Value
3. Link Address (serial channel)
4. ASDU Address Size 2 bytes
5. Link Size 0 bytes
6. Info Object Address Size 3 bytes
6. Prepare/Transfer/Activate Job
7. Validate that the new RTU appears on the IFS RTUs Display
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Lab: IFS IMM – Create a RTU Data Point
Objective: Set up an IFS RTU Data Point in IMM and verify the RTU appearance on the IFS RTUs Data Display
Steps:
1. Select or create a new Job in IMM.
2. Navigate to an IFS RTU (/PI/IFS)
3. Open the Context Menu and Press “New”. Select “IfsPoint”
4. Define a name for the Point. Press button create instance.
5. Introduce the Point settings as desired:
1. Monitor Type: e.g. Single Pole Indication
2. Monitoring Address MvMoment 10000, 10001, … Digital 1000, 1001, 1002, …
3. Add a mandatory SCADA link for association, “Links to other objects”, IfsPoint_LinksTo IFS- Linked To (Info).
4. Optional, link to an instance of type CharacteristicCurveGroup for “Links to other objects”, IfsPoint_HasIn In
Curve.
6. Prepare/Transfer/Activate Job
7. Validate that the new Point appears on the IFS RTUs Data Display
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Lab: IFS IMM – Incoming data processing
only possible if RTU
simulation is available
Objective: Have an RTU simulator to communicate with IFS and verify telemetered data showing up in the IFS
displays.
Steps:
1. Have and analog and digital point defined in the RTU simulator connected to IFS
2. Make sure the point address is defined in the IMM Model (IfsPoint) and connected to a SCADA point
3. Establish communication between the IFS and the RTU simulator
4. One the IFS Display, select IFS RTU Data tab and in the drop-down menu select the RTU in which the simulated
points belong to.
5. Verify if the point “Value” changes once the telemetered points is toggled or modified in the RTU simulator
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Lab: Manual Switching Redundant IFS Servers
only possible if redundant
IFS servers are available
Objective: Manual switchover of channel between IFS servers
Steps:
1. Check in the Lines display which active channel is operating
2. Manually reconnect the Channel to IFS2 by editing the Lines display and assigning the IFS2
server and save
3. Disconnect the communication path from the Channel to IFS1.
Manually reconnect the RTU to IFS1 by using the RTU status and control display.
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Lab: Automatic Switching Redundant IFS Servers
only possible if redundant
IFS servers are available
Objective: Automatic switchover of channel between IFS servers
Steps:
1. Observe in the Lines display that there are active connection on both IFS servers
2. Run down the IFS1 with STOPSOS
1. BaSiDi > System > Status
2. Clicking the Restart button in the IFS 1 server.
3. Restart the IFS1 with INITSOS
1. Both IFS are running in dual process mode.
2. On the System Status (BaSiDi > System > Status) display
3. Both IFS are active
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Lab: Manual Blocking of RTU
only possible if RTU
simulation is available
Objective: RTU goes down, failure is detected, points marked as not renewed
Steps:
1. The communication is UP and Running (Oper State=UP)
2. Block the RTU by right clicking the RTU row and selecting OFF for the RTU on the IFS RTU display
(BaSiDi > Communication > IFS RTUs)
▪ The failure of the connected RTU is detected and displayed on the Resource Summary (BaSiDi >
General > Resource Summary)
▪ The communication is DOWN (Oper State=DOWN) in the Lines and RTU display
▪ All the points configured for the RTU are marked not renewed in the RTU Data display
3. Unblock the RTU by right clicking the RTU row and selecting ON for the RTU on the IFS RTU display
▪ The availability of the RTU is detected and a GI request is sent to the RTU (reported on the Resource
Summary)
▪ The communication is UP again (Oper State=UP) in the Lines and RTU display
▪ The not renewed marks are removed from the objects
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Lab: IFS Configuration using IMM Import
Steps:
1. Select the IfsPair to export and right-click on it in the IMM Instances pane.
2. Select Export hierarchy from the context menu and enter the pathname of a file in the Export Dialog pane.
3. Select XDF for Output format and select Include subtree.
4. If Include GUID is selected, uncheck the box.
5. Edit the exported XML file for the new data to be imported.
6. Create an IMM job for the Import.
7. In the job, select File -> Import -> XML to server from the IMM menu bar and enter the import file name in
the Import Dialog pane.
8. If Include object identifier (GUIDs) is selected, uncheck the box.
9. Click OK.
10. Execute the IMM validate, prepare activation, transfer, and activate steps to move the data into the online
operational database.
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