Runtime Execution

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.

Where It Fits in the Platform

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

Initialize Database - Connect to solution database
Load Configuration - Read all module settings
Allocate Memory - Create tag database in RAM
Start Services - Initialize each module
Connect Devices - Establish field communications
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:

Failure Detection - Heartbeat timeout
Backup Activation - Assume primary role
Client Redirect - Automatic reconnection
State Recovery - Restore last values
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

Make Changes - In Designer test mode
Validate - Check for conflicts
Apply Online - Send to runtime
Verify - Confirm activation
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

Best Practices

Startup Procedures

Verify database connectivity before starting
Check license validity and limits
Start in maintenance mode for initial testing
Monitor startup sequence for errors
Confirm all modules initialize properly

Performance Optimization

Size memory appropriately for tag count
Optimize device polling rates
Use event-driven updates when possible
Archive historical data regularly
Monitor and adjust thread pool settings

Maintenance Operations

Schedule regular backups
Monitor log file sizes
Archive old historical data
Update security certificates
Test redundancy failover periodically

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely Cause	Solution
Runtime won't start	Database connection issue	Check connection string and SQL server
High CPU usage	Excessive polling or scripts	Review device scan rates and script efficiency
Client can't connect	Firewall or port issue	Verify port is open and not blocked
Memory growth	Memory leak or retention	Check retentive tag settings and script objects
Slow performance	Database or network bottleneck	Analyze performance logs and network traffic
Failover not working	Network or configuration issue	Verify heartbeat network and redundancy settings
Values not updating	Device communication failure	Check device status and communication logs

AI Assistant Data

<details> <summary>Structured Information for AI Tools</summary>

json

{
  "module": "Runtime Execution",
  "category": "Platform Architecture",
  "purpose": "Production execution environment for real-time operations",
  "components": {
    "core": "TServer.exe",
    "modules": ["Tag Processor", "Device Manager", "Alarm Processor", "Historian", "Script Engine"],
    "profiles": ["Development", "Validation", "Production"],
    "redundancy": ["Standalone", "Hot-Standby", "Load-Balanced"]
  },
  "clientTypes": [
    {"type": "Rich Client", "platform": ".NET/Windows"},
    {"type": "Web Client", "platform": "HTML5/Browser"},
    {"type": "Mobile Client", "platform": "iOS/Android"},
    {"type": "Data Client", "platform": "API/REST/OPC UA"}
  ],
  "performance": {
    "tagCapacity": "Unlimited with proper sizing",
    "clientConnections": "Unlimited based on hardware",
    "pollingRate": "10ms minimum",
    "eventResolution": "1ms"
  },
  "diagnostics": [
    "Runtime Trace",
    "Info Monitor",
    "Property Watch",
    "Performance Logs"
  ],
  "security": {
    "authentication": ["Windows", "Forms", "Certificate", "SSO"],
    "encryption": "TLS/SSL",
    "audit": "Complete activity logging"
  }
}

</details>

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