Overview

Runtime Execution is the production environment where your FrameworX solution operates in real-time. The Runtime engine (TServer) processes all solution logic, manages communication with field devices, executes scripts, logs data, and serves information to clients. Runtime provides high-performance execution with built-in redundancy, diagnostics, and hot-reload capabilities for 24/7 industrial operations.

Core Architecture Components

Three-Tier Architecture



Runtime is the execution layer that brings your solution to life:

  • Launched from - Solution Center with selected execution profile
  • Loads - Solution configuration from database
  • Executes - All modules in real-time coordination
  • Serves - Data to multiple client types simultaneously
  • Integrates - With field devices and enterprise systems

Runtime Architecture

TServer (Runtime Engine)

Core execution service managing all runtime operations:

  • Module Coordination - Synchronizes all solution modules
  • Memory Management - Optimized tag database in RAM
  • Thread Pool - Parallel execution of tasks
  • Event System - Real-time event propagation
  • Communication Layer - Client and device connections

Runtime Modules

Each module runs as coordinated subsystem:

  • Tag Processor - Real-time value updates and calculations
  • Device Manager - Field communication scheduling
  • Alarm Processor - Condition evaluation and notification
  • Historian Service - Time-series data collection
  • Script Engine - Task and expression execution
  • Client Server - Multi-client connection management

Execution Profiles

Development Profile

For testing and debugging:

  • Full Diagnostics - Verbose logging enabled
  • Online Configuration - Hot-reload changes
  • Performance Monitoring - Detailed metrics
  • Break Points - Script debugging support
  • Simulation Mode - Test without devices

Validation Profile

For system testing and validation:

  • Production Logic - Real execution paths
  • Limited Diagnostics - Balanced logging
  • Change Tracking - Configuration audit
  • Test Clients - Controlled access
  • Performance Baseline - Establish metrics

Production Profile

For live operations:

  • Optimized Performance - Maximum throughput
  • Security Enforced - Full authentication
  • Minimal Logging - Only errors and warnings
  • Redundancy Active - Hot-standby enabled
  • Auto-Recovery - Self-healing features

Starting Runtime

Startup Sequence

  1. Initialize Database - Connect to solution database
  2. Load Configuration - Read all module settings
  3. Allocate Memory - Create tag database in RAM
  4. Start Services - Initialize each module
  5. Connect Devices - Establish field communications
  6. Accept Clients - Enable client connections

Startup Options

  • Normal Start - Standard production operation
  • Test Mode - With Designer connection
  • Maintenance Mode - Limited functionality
  • Cold Start - Clear retained values
  • Warm Start - Preserve runtime values

Command Line Parameters

TServer.exe [solution] [options]
  /solution:path     - Solution file path
  /profile:name      - Execution profile
  /port:number       - Server port
  /redundancy:mode   - Standalone or primary/backup
  /trace:level       - Diagnostic level

Server Components

Tag Runtime Database

High-performance in-memory database:

  • Real-time Updates - Microsecond timestamp resolution
  • Value Caching - Minimize device reads
  • Quality Codes - OPC-compliant quality
  • Change Detection - Event on value change
  • Retentive Storage - Preserve through restart

Communication Manager

Handles all external connections:

  • Device Channels - Concurrent device polling
  • Client Connections - Multiple simultaneous clients
  • Protocol Handlers - Native driver execution
  • Buffer Management - Store-and-forward capability
  • Connection Pooling - Optimize resources

Event Processor

Central event handling system:

  • Event Queue - Priority-based processing
  • Event Routing - Targeted distribution
  • Event History - Audit trail maintenance
  • Event Actions - Triggered responses
  • Event Filtering - Reduce noise

Module Execution

Device Module Runtime

  • Polling Scheduler - Optimized scan cycles
  • Event Subscriptions - Unsolicited data
  • Error Recovery - Automatic reconnection
  • Data Buffering - Handle communication loss
  • Protocol Statistics - Performance metrics

Alarm Module Runtime

  • Condition Evaluation - Real-time checking
  • State Machine - Alarm lifecycle tracking
  • Notification Engine - Email, SMS, audio
  • Acknowledgment - User interaction tracking
  • Alarm History - Complete audit trail

Historian Module Runtime

  • Data Collection - Configurable rates
  • Compression - Dead-band and swinging door
  • Store and Forward - Handle database outages
  • Aggregation - Automatic calculations
  • Data Aging - Automatic archival

Script Module Runtime

  • Task Scheduler - Time and event triggers
  • Expression Engine - Real-time calculations
  • Class Libraries - Loaded assemblies
  • Error Handling - Exception management
  • Performance Monitoring - Execution timing

Client Types

Rich Client (.NET)

Full-featured Windows desktop client:

  • Direct Connection - TCP/IP to TServer
  • Full Graphics - WPF rendering engine
  • Local Scripts - Client-side execution
  • Multiple Monitors - Extended desktop
  • Offline Capability - Cached operation

Web Client (HTML5)

Browser-based zero-install client:

  • WebSocket Connection - Real-time updates
  • Responsive Design - Desktop to mobile
  • Cross-Platform - Any modern browser
  • Secure Connection - HTTPS/WSS
  • No Plugins - Pure HTML5/JavaScript

Mobile Client

Native iOS and Android applications:

  • Optimized Interface - Touch-friendly
  • Push Notifications - Alarm alerts
  • Offline Mode - Store and sync
  • GPS Integration - Location awareness
  • Camera/Barcode - Data input

Data Client

Programmatic access for integration:

  • REST API - Read/write tag values
  • GraphQL - Complex queries
  • WebSocket - Real-time subscriptions
  • OPC UA - Standard protocol
  • MQTT - IoT integration

Performance & Diagnostics

Performance Metrics

Real-time monitoring of system health:

  • CPU Usage - Per module breakdown
  • Memory Consumption - Tag database size
  • Network Traffic - Client and device bandwidth
  • Disk I/O - Historian and log writes
  • Thread Count - Active execution threads

Diagnostic Tools

Runtime Trace

Detailed execution logging:

  • Module Traces - Individual module activity
  • Communication Trace - Protocol messages
  • Script Trace - Execution flow
  • Performance Trace - Timing analysis
  • Error Trace - Exception details

Info Monitor

Real-time status dashboard:

  • Module Status - Running/stopped/error
  • Client List - Active connections
  • Device Status - Communication health
  • Alarm Summary - Active alarm counts
  • Performance Graphs - Trending metrics

Property Watch

Live tag monitoring:

  • Tag Values - Real-time updates
  • Quality Codes - Communication status
  • Timestamps - Last update time
  • Write Source - What changed value
  • Statistics - Min/max/average

Log Files

Persistent diagnostic information:

  • Server Log - Main runtime events
  • Module Logs - Individual module files
  • Error Log - Exceptions and failures
  • Audit Log - Security and changes
  • Performance Log - Metrics history

Hot-Standby Redundancy

Configuration

Primary and backup server setup:

  • Shared Database - Common configuration
  • State Synchronization - Real-time mirroring
  • Virtual IP - Transparent failover
  • Heartbeat Monitor - Health checking
  • Split I/O - Load distribution

Failover Process

Automatic switchover on failure:

  1. Failure Detection - Heartbeat timeout
  2. Backup Activation - Assume primary role
  3. Client Redirect - Automatic reconnection
  4. State Recovery - Restore last values
  5. Notification - Alert administrators

Synchronization

Keeping servers aligned:

  • Configuration Sync - Database replication
  • Runtime Values - Memory synchronization
  • Alarm States - Active alarm mirroring
  • Historical Data - Redundant collectors
  • Client Sessions - Connection state

Online Configuration

Hot-Reload Capability

Change configuration without stopping:

  • Tag Addition - Add new tags live
  • Display Updates - Modify screens
  • Script Changes - Update logic
  • Device Modifications - Adjust polling
  • Security Updates - User management

Online Change Process

  1. Make Changes - In Designer test mode
  2. Validate - Check for conflicts
  3. Apply Online - Send to runtime
  4. Verify - Confirm activation
  5. Save - Persist to database

Limitations

Some changes require restart:

  • Database connection strings
  • Server port numbers
  • Redundancy configuration
  • Module enable/disable
  • License changes

Security & Access Control

Authentication Methods

  • Windows Authentication - Active Directory integration
  • Forms Authentication - Built-in user database
  • Certificate Authentication - Smart cards/certificates
  • Two-Factor - Additional verification
  • Single Sign-On - Enterprise SSO integration

Authorization Levels

  • Administrator - Full system control
  • Engineer - Configuration changes
  • Supervisor - Operational control
  • Operator - Basic operation
  • Viewer - Read-only access

Security Features

  • Encrypted Communication - TLS/SSL
  • Audit Trail - Complete activity log
  • Auto-Logout - Inactivity timeout
  • IP Filtering - Connection restrictions
  • Password Policy - Complexity requirements
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