Web HMI Server Priority Assignment for SCADA Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SCADA web HMI systems with active/active redundant architectures face challenges in load balancing and cost reduction, as they require manual settings for server prioritization and fail-over operations, leading to potential load imbalances and increased operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A SCADA web HMI system with a dynamic server connection priority list management system, where HMI clients and servers share a table defining connection priorities, allowing clients to automatically connect to the server with the highest priority, ensuring balanced loads and reducing manual settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual settings for server prioritization and fail-over operations are implemented in active/active redundant architecture, then high reliability is achieved, but load balancing deteriorates and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic server connection priority list management where the server connection priority list is automatically updated based on real-time server load status. The management server dynamically adjusts connection priorities without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to adapt to changing load conditions while maintaining both high reliability through fail-over capabilities and optimal load balancing across servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the management server continuously monitors server load status and automatically adjusts the server connection priority list accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that load balancing is maintained while preserving reliability, as the feedback from load monitoring triggers automatic priority adjustments without manual settings.
2Reliability
If manual settings for server prioritization are implemented, then fail-over operations are ensured, but device complexity and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the management server automatically generates and updates the server connection priority list based on monitored load status. This eliminates the need for manual configuration and reduces operating costs while maintaining fail-over operations. The system serves itself by automatically adjusting priorities without human intervention, reducing both complexity and operational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the server connection priority list and automatically updating it before load imbalances or failures occur. This proactive approach ensures fail-over operations are ready when needed without requiring manual settings at the time of events, reducing device complexity and operational complexity.
3Productivity
If dynamic server connection priority assignment is implemented, then load balancing is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary that handles the complexity of dynamic priority assignment. The management server automatically monitors load status and updates the server connection priority list, shielding the HMI servers from the complexity of load balancing calculations. This intermediary approach improves load balancing while containing system complexity within the management server rather than distributing it across all system components.
Data Source
AI summary
A SCADA web HMI system dynamically distributes server connection priority lists from web HMI servers to HMI clients in accordance with order of assignment which takes load balancing into account. As a result, preliminary settings associated with connection priority do not need to be made on the HMI clients. Also, since the server connection priority lists are assigned to the HMI clients in accordance with the order of assignment which takes load balancing into account, the numbers of clients connected to the individual web HMI servers are equalized and the load balancing can be ensured. The SCADA web HMI system can reduce the operating costs necessary in client settings while ensuring redundancy and load balancing of servers.