How to Install Packages

Using the Package Management system, 3rd party software packages can be installed on remote machines for use with inmation component services.

In this following example, the PI-Bridge service will be deployed using an installed Connector service. The instructions are still relevant for the deployment of other packages using the Package Management system.

  1. Select a Connector in the I/O Model to open it in the Object Properties panel.

    As we are installing the PI-Bridge package in this example, it is useful to use a Connector that is installed on a machine with an OSI-PI system.

  2. Expand the Package Installer Property compound in the Object Properties panel.

    Package Installer Property Compound

  3. Click on the "+" by Packages to add a new package configuration.

    Add Package Configuration

  4. The Package Name and Package Version properties must match the distinctive name of the package .zip file in the system package store. The system package store is the packages directory in the inmation.root directory. Navigate there to see the available packages.

  5. For this example, we will install the inmationPIBridge package (the inmationPIBridge-net35 package is for installation on .NET 3.5 systems). Enter the Package Name and Package Version properties from the package .zip filename.

  6. You can also enter an Instance Name. This is useful if you are planning to install more than one instance of the same package underneath the same Connector.

  7. Keep the Automatic Update option checked and leave the other options empty as default.

  8. Click Apply to begin installation.

  9. The package is transmitted over to the service package store. The time it takes for this to happen will depend on your network speed so be patient! The Package Installer Status field will be updated as transmission occurs. When the package has been received the Package Installer Status can be viewed by right clicking on it and selecting JSON Viewer from the context menu.

    If any errors occur during transmission or installation, they will be displayed in the Package Installer Status field. The problem can then be identified and fixed.

  10. Once the package is received it is installed under the Connector. To check the installation, connect to the machine that is running the Connector service and navigate to the root directory and go to work → conn → packages → installed.

  11. The Package is installed in a directory made up of the Package Name and Instance Name. Any other packages that are installed will be located in the the Service Package Store of the chosen component in the same manner.

Once the PI-Bridge package is installed you will be able to use it to interface with OSI PI Servers and use the History Transfer Objects and the Batch Record Datasource to access and transfer data.

The System Documentation contains more information on the Package Management system.