Upgrading Metasys to Metasys 12
Each new version of Johnson Controls Metasys has added features. Upgrading Metasys to a newer version requires some basic steps to help ensure the system works properly once the upgrade is completed. We are currently running a split system and replaced the webserver along with upgrading the software.
An upgrade of this size requires several series of steps that must be followed correctly for the upgrade to work properly. This article is intended to help you better understand the problems that may occur and possible solutions that can help you with your upgrade process.
Each organization has different operating procedures and organizational structure that can affect the overall process of the update. It would be better to read the entire article to better understand the overall process of upgrading.
People you need on your team
There are a lot of related technologies that play into the overall operation of a Metasys server. Upgrading Metasys or installing it on a new machine highlights the skills in various areas that are needed. It is very possible that many of these skills can be contained in one or two individuals depending on how your organization is structured. I will briefly mention some of the skills needed to help make the upgrade process as smooth as possible.
One of the first people you will need on your team is a System or Server Administrator. It goes without saying that if you are installing a new server you need someone to physically install and configure the machine prior to the installation of Metasys. This individual will be responsible for setting up the computer name and installing the server operating system.
As part of the process of upgrading Metasys we replaced the webserver in our system. The Systems Administrator installed the new machine and set it to a temporary name and IP address. We were then able to access the machine using remote desktop to begin the process of moving files. We have added things such as control drawings to our system that allows us to access them directly from Metasys. Once the files were loaded, the Systems Administrator unplugged the old machine and set the new machine to match the name and IP address of the old machine.
SQL database admin may be the same person who sets up your server but they need to be very skilled in the function of SQL database operations. They will need administrator level access to the database and be able to set up administrator credentials to be used by Metasys. Again, a lot of this may be accomplished by a couple of people, depending on your organization’s structure.
If you are running a split ADX server you must have the right credentials for the servers to communicate properly. During the installation of the Metasys software, you will need to enter the credentials of the SQL database as well as the server name into the system during the install. The ADX will attempt to access the database before the process can continue.
Last but certainly not least, you MUST have a very skilled Johnson Controls Service Technician who is familiar with installing Metasys. This is not the place where you try to use someone who is inexperienced. If they are training someone, they need to be right there with them because the JCI tech is the key to bringing all of the other elements together for a successful installation of Metasys. They must know how to troubleshoot the database if issues arise during the install.
Consider future expansion of your system
Newer features that get added to the system can help to streamline your operation and give you more flexibility in pulling data from your system. It is important to have an idea of the direction you want to take your system by deciding the type of information you want from it and how you want to use that data.
Do you need utility usage broken down from a series of utility meters into a single report? Do you need a list of alarms sent directly to a specific group of techs? All of these are decisions that only you can make about your system.
As technology changes, the way you use your system will change. Many organizations rely heavily on data analytics from their system to make decisions. Other organizations simply want to know when something isn’t working properly. Focus on the most important aspect of your system and how it can work for you better.
Check hardware compatibility
It goes without saying that the hardware MUST be compatible with Metasys. You do not need to go by the minimum system requirements only. You need to add a little more horsepower to your machine to get the performance you will want.
The ADX will be influenced heavily by the number of users, the amount of trends and other data that is pulled from the system. There must also be plenty of storage space for the data as well.
Graphics and other components of Metasys that we use take up a lot of system resources. If you don’t have the horsepower in your server, you will not be happy with the results of the upgrade.
New Machine Requires the proper version of Windows Server, Net Framework and SQL Server
Obviously, we are not going to be able to run the newest version of Metasys on a Windows 95 machine. We must make sure all of the related software is at the right version to meet system requirements. Your Systems Administration should be able to help you with this process
Before installing the Metasys software, check the version of Net Framework currently running on your system. Make sure it matches the version needed by the Metasys operating system by installing any updates. Also ensure you have the proper version of Windows Server to match the requirements as well. SQL Server may be able to be updated directly from Windows Update.
Not having the prover version of the related software will cause issues with installation and operation of your new system. Spend the time to make sure everything is properly configured.
There are security features that must be met even when the proper software is installed on your system. Johnson Controls technicians must go through a checklist of features on your system, turning on some and turning off others in order to get the system to operate properly. Any one of those steps done improperly will result in a failed installation of the software.
New Machine Machine Tag
If you are replacing an existing machine with a new one, the Machine Tag must be updated in the Johnson Controls system or you will not be able to license your version of Metasys. Remember when I mentioned you need a skilled JCI technician? This is one reason why. The JCI tech will need to update he Machine Tag in the Johnson Controls License portal and may even need help from the Field Service Center to accomplish the task.
It is possible that changing the machine tag may be done by removing the old tag from the server that was replaced before trying to add it to the new server. Unfortunately, due to our organizational structure, we were unable to keep the other machine online the way we wanted it to be temporarily.
Coordinate with people who may need access to the system
It is important to coordinate upgrading Metasys with everyone who may need access to the system. There will be periods that the system is unavailable. It is also important to know of any potential issues within your site that would require access to the system as well.
If there is a lot of scheduling that needs to be done or reports to be created on a particular day, that may not be the best time for the upgrade. The process of upgrading Metasys is stressful enough without creating additional problems for yourself.
Upgrade SCT First and create backups of your database
The SCT database software should be upgraded prior to upgrading the Metasys operating system. Once you have upgraded the SCT server to the newest version, create a backup of your entire site.
If possible, I would recommend having a couple copies of the SCT database on a couple different machines. Johnson Controls technicians usually make a copy of your system on their own laptops prior to upgrading your system in the event of an issue.
You will need the backup of your database to load onto the new ADX server once you have installed the new version of Metasys operating system.
Upgrade Metasys Software
Once you have completed running backups of your system and ensured all other system requirements are met, you can begin the installation of the new version of Metasys.
As mentioned earlier, if you are running a split ADX, you must enter the name or IP address of the database server as well as credentials into the SQL database. If you are using the name of the database server instead of the IP address, make sure your IT department has properly updated their DNS server properly to identify the correct IP address assigned to your database server. TRUST ME, this can be aggravating if not done.
Using the computer name instead of just the IP address has its advantages BUT THE DNS SERVER USED BY YOUR ORGANIZATION MUST HAVE IT PROPERLY LISTED!!! If you use the name and your IT department has the name pointed at a different IP address, the process will fail.
The reason I bring this up is because our IT needed to change the IP address of our database server due to network security changes. One step that was briefly overlooked was the DNS server they use. They didn’t update the DNS to point the name at the new IP address and lets just say we had issues. Once the change was made we were able to proceed properly.
Load SCT Database and troubleshoot any issues
After Metasys has been installed on your machine, it is a good idea to reboot it before proceeding. After you reboot your server it is time to load your SCT database backup back into your system.
Once your database is loaded into the ADX make sure all of your devices are communicating properly. Check the overall function of your system and troubleshoot any issues. Again, this is where a skilled JCI technician really earns their pay.
Once everything is back online and running you can finally relax and begin catching up on the necessary work that was delayed due to the system being unavailable for a while. But congratulations are in order to everyone involved in updating Metasys on your system.