Introduction

The .vmc file created by the vsmStudio software is called configuration. It contains all project-specific settings for the VSM control system. This chapter covers the basic configuration file settings and handling.

Start a new Configuration

To start creating a new configuration file, click on the page icon (1) in the main menu bar or select "New" from the File drop-down menu (2).


The Settings window(1) will then open.


Define the size of Primary Virtual Matrix

The number of Sources and Targets (2) describes the size of the systems "Primary Virtual Matrix". This setting can be modified later. Please note that shrinking the size later may have an effect on already created Signal Path resources.




Operational Settings

Settings that can be done in this view are related to the preferred operational mode of the control system. We differentiate between a rather static where resources usually are always identified as the same, and more dynamic systems, like an OB truck, where every day a new Production type requires, e.g. different labelling of same resources.

If the system is operated e.g., in an OB-Van, the options "Only use Labels stored within the configuration." and "Only use Storage-groups stored within the configurations." (1) are recommended to be checked. If both attributes are checked, labels and storage groups are saved within the configuration file.


If the entire system is operated in a Datacenter or Studio-Facility, these attributes may not be applicable and should not be selected. Then, the system will not only save labels and storage groups within the configuration, but also create additional files locally on the server. These files can be found in the vsmStudio subfolder Storage. This ensures that only the newest labels and storage groups are used during studio operations, independent of the configuration currently loaded.


The option "Load current configuration at program startup." (1) can only be selected after the initial Configuration process is finished. If set, this option allows this configuration to be loaded automatically once vsmStudio is started. This option is recommended for Single Server installs only and in general must be handled with care. In Cluster applications it may interfere with the Cluster redundancy and if this checkmark is set on a previously stored file version of the configuration that is currently worked on, after a restart a wrong or undesired configuration may be loaded. Changing this setting requires saving the Configuration afterwards. vsmStudio will load the last configuration on which the attribute was activated until it is set and saved within another configuration file.

Retention limits for Log Files and Alarms

This section of the Settings window allows to set limitations for the saving of Log Files and Alarms (1). By default, the retention limit for Log Files is set to 999 Days (2) and a maximum  of 999 GigaBytes (3). If this limit is reached, the system will commence deleting old Log Files. The used hard drive space can be modified and defined anywhere between 12 GigaBytes and 999 GigaBytes. Log Files are saved in the vsmStudio folder LogFiles.
If the Alarm management function is activated, alarm notifications will be included in the log file. For those, a separate limitation can be set (4), anywhere between 7 Days and 998 Days. The storage limitations are the same as those for Log Files.

Finish the Settings dialog and proceed with Next (1).

Layer Settings

An important foundation of any vsmStudio Configuration are Layers. Therefore the guided setup process will lead to the Layer Setup (1). Please refer to the respective documentation on vsmStudio - Layers. Once the Layer configuration is done or skipped at this time, finalise the initial setup with Finish (2).




Save a Configuration


Save the open Configuration to file by click on the floppy disc icon (1) in the main menu bar or select "Save" or "Save As..." from the File drop-down menu (2). The configuration file can be saved anywhere. By Transferring the configuration across the vsmStudio cluster (3), the configuration is also saved locally.

Load a Configuration

Load a configuration by click on the folder icon (1) in the main menu bar or select "Open" from the File drop-down menu (2). Select a file location and file and proceed with Open.


It is possible to already start the load process for another configuration while a configuration is still running. A warning  dialogue will pop-up to notify the User (1). Proceed with OK (2).

 


The name of the currently running Configuration file is displayed in the top right corner of the main toolbar (1), next to the Server name.


Close a Configuration

Close a configuration by selecting "Close" from the File drop-down menu (1).


All above settings can also be found under vsmStudio - System Properties.



Changing this setting requires saving the Configuration afterwards. vsmStudio will load the last configuration on which the attribute was activated until it is set and saved within another configuration file.