This guide walks you through the complete solution lifecycle from development through production deployment. Learn to manage versions, migrate between environments, and maintain solution integrity across all stages.
Prerequisites:
- Understanding of three workspaces (Solution Center, Designer, Runtime)
- Familiarity with execution profiles
- Basic knowledge of solution architecture
Solution Lifecycle Overview
The Three Stages
| Development → |
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| Validation → |
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| Production |
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The Three Workspaces
| Solution Center → |
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| Designer → |
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| Runtime. |
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↓
| Solution Configuration |
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| Database (.dbsln) |
Development Stage
Initial Development
Creating the solution:
- Solution Center → New Solution
- Select appropriate template
- Configure in Designer
- Use Development profile
Development environment characteristics:
- Local SQLite databases
- Full diagnostic logging
- Simulation data enabled
- Unrestricted editing
- Test mode available
Development Workflow
- Configure modules progressively:
- Define tags and templates
- Setup device connections
- Create displays
- Add business logic
- Test incrementally:
- Use Test Mode (F5)
- Verify each module
- Check integrations
- Monitor performance
- Version control:
- Regular backups
- Track changes
- Document modifications
- Tag development versions
Validation Stage
Moving to Validation
Preparation steps:
- Complete development features
- Build solution (F6)
- Export/backup development version
- Create validation environment
Validation profile setup:
Database: Test SQL Server
Historian: Limited retention
Security: Test credentials
Clients: Limited access
Database: Test SQL Server Historian: Limited retention Security: Test credentials Clients: Limited access
Database: Test SQL Server Historian: Limited retention Security: Test credentials Clients: Limited access