Distribution File Installer

This platform view is used to install .dist (distribution) files. A Supervisor PC prepared to install distribution files is sometimes referred to as an engineering workstation.

A backup .dist file includes not only the entire station folder, but all other configuration information that may be customized for the platform. This allows for a complete restoration of a station from the one backup file.

Typically, you make a station backup from a Workbench station connection (a station is running, and has the BackupService). In the Nav tree, right-click the opened station, and select Backup Station.

Less typical is an offline backup from the Platform Administration view.

By default, the framework saves station backup .dist filesin your Workbench User Home, in a ~/backups folder.

Use this view for either of these two tasks:

To install a clean .dist file. This downgrades a controller to an older Niagara 4 release level, or restores it to a known empty state. Following a clean .dist install, you must commission the controller again, as this wipes out the file system—almost all software, as well as all station files—leaving the controller in an empty near-factory state.

Note: Do not use this view to upgrade a controller. Instead, use the Commissioning Wizard in the controller. The Commissioning Wizard is a right-click option on a platform when opened in Workbench.