Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Historian SE 3.0 UniInt Interface User Guide - Manual (Page 21)

UniInt Interface User Manual 15
Historian Point Configuration
What are Historian Points?
The Historian point is the basic building block for controlling data flow to and from the
Historian Data Archive. Whereas a point in geometry has coordinates associated with it that
define its position in space, a Historian point has attributes associated with it that determine
the source and destination of data, the means by which the data is transmitted, how the data
is stored in Historian, etc. A single point is configured for each measurement value that
needs to be archived. For example, one point can be configured to store temperature readings
from a thermocouple. Another point could be configured to store temperature readings from
a second thermocouple.
The purpose of most UniInt based interfaces is to move data from a device to Historian and,
to a lesser extend, to move data from Historian to a device. Rockwell Automation publishes
more than 400 standard interfaces to Historian so the list of devices is long on diverse. Each
interface uses specific Historian point parameters for configuring data collection on a per
point basis. The interface manual will have to be consulted for information on a specific
interface. This section will list the attributes that are common to most interfaces. Each
interface is different so check the interface manual to ensure the interface does not deviate
from the standard use of these attributes.
Points for UniInt-based interfaces can be split into two broad classes: interface points and
UniInt points. Interface points are the main means of controlling data transfer for an
interface. As the name implies, the configuration of interface points depends upon the
interface in question. UniInt points are used exclusively by UniInt for moving standard data
such as I/O Rates, performance and health monitoring information, or control points such as
Failover Control points (UniInt failover is discussed starting on page 71).
Interface Points
Interface points can be subdivided into input points and output points. A Historian point is
called an input point when the flow of data is from some external source to the Historian
Data Archive specified with the /host command-line parameter. A Historian point is called
an output point when the flow of data is from the Historian Data Archive to a destination
that is external to the Archive. The mechanism for determining which points are input points
and which points are output points is specific to each interface. Please consult the interface