Overview

DataXchange can monitor the current connection time and return the value to the RTV

Connection Time Monitoring

There is a ‘connect time’ variable for each source that we poll. Here is a list of all of the connect time variables.

There are Connectivity Status database variables that are also polled.

All of these variables are licensed at the Bronze level.

Upon a successful connection to associated Source the current time is written to the connect time variable. 

The following expression is then used to store the most recent connection time in a PCSDB Custom Variable.

([Focas.connect_time] > [Focas.prev_connect_time])

With the Result

[PCSDB.send_custom_variable_value] {equipment_connect_time}

Now the time stamp is held in a PCSDB variable instead of the Equipment Source Variable. If a connection to the equipment Source is lost we lose the ability to do expression relating to the equipment Source, but we can still do expression relating to the PCSDB Source. We now have the ability to take actions related to the amount of time that the PCSDB time stamp has not changed. 

Connection Monitoring Notifications

Connection Monitoring addresses the issue if the DataXchange Service loses its connection to a Source. If DataXchange loses a connection to a Source all expressions for that Source stop evaluating. Due to this, the equipment associated with the source stays in the last known status and there’s no notification to anyone that there’s an issue. Connection Monitoring allows action to be taken when this scenario occurs.

For example, an email can be sent if the connection time stamp has not been updated in the last 5 minutes

Create the expression:

([PCSDB.custom_variable_value_time(equipment_connect_time)] > 500) AND ([PCSDB.prev_custom_variable_value_time(equipment_connect_time)] < 300)

With the Target of Email

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