Running PMCS DDE Server as an NT Service

The DDE Server (as well as other PMCS Servers such as Event Server and Waveform Server) can be set to run as an NT Service, rather than as an application. Running the DDE Server as an NT Service requires more skill as a Windows 2000 SP2 system administrator, but does provide two advantages:

1.Logging off the machine does not hinder the DDE Server's ability to collect from devices or distribute data to client applications, since NT Services continue to run even when the machine is logged off.

2.A measure of enhanced security is provided, since the ability to stop and start applications is restricted to users with Administrator-level privileges.

When installed as NT Services, PMCS Servers can only be started or stopped using Windows 2000 SP2's Services control panel. Typically, the applications launch when the system is powered up, and continue to run "behind the scenes" until stopped by an Administrator or the machine is shut down. All the usual ways (such as the Close button in the upper right corner of the window and the File: Exit command) to exit the programs are disabled when run as a Service.

If you wish to run the PMCS DDE Server as an NT Service, this option must be selected during the PMCS installation. See GEH-6514 Read This Book First for InTouch and DEH-211 Read This Book First for Cimplicity. It should be noted, however, that not all HMI software is fully compatible with NetDDE when running as an NT Service; please check the PMCS software Release Notes for details.

DDE Server User’s Guide

Chapter One - Introduction 5

Page 10
Image 10
Black Box GEH-6510 manual Running Pmcs DDE Server as an NT Service