Limitations on Using Proficy Products in Microsoft Azure

Be aware of the following limitations when using Proficy products within a Microsoft Azure cloud environment:
  • Server Redundancy supported by the CIMPLICITY product is not feasible in the Microsoft Azure cloud environment.
  • Enhanced Failover supported by the iFIX product is not feasible in the Microsoft Azure cloud environment.
  • Microsoft Azure does NOT support Broadcast or Multicast features (neither does AWS). This can create issues with CIMPLICITY projects communicating between Azure images. To work around this limitation in CIMPLICITY:
    • Update Windows hosts file with the IP addresses of the remote computers.
    • Update CIMHOSTS file with the IP addresses of the remote computers. This can be done on the Host tab in the CIMPLICITY Options.
    • Configure the PROJECT_ID project global parameter for each project with a unique ID. This is required to browse point data for multiple projects running on the same host.
      • Browse for points by IP address using PROJECT_ID.

        Example: 10.155.127.138*T

        where T is the PROJECT_ID. Use of an asterisk before the PROJECT_ID is required when running multiple projects at that IP address.

      • Use the Point expression format when using an IP address.
        Example: '\\10.155.127.138*T\PointName1'
        Note:
        Be sure to use single quotes around the expression.
      • Browse for points in the CIMHOSTS entry using the PROJECT_ID.

        Example: HOSTNAME*T

      • Use the Point expression format when using CIMHOSTS name.

        Example: '\\HOSTNAME*T\PointName1'