Systems and methods for automated commissioning of virtualized distributed control systems

{
  "publication_number": "US2015095788A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Systems and methods for automated commissioning of virtualized distributed control systems",
  "abstract": "Systems and methods for automated commissioning of virtualized distributed control systems are disclosed. An example method includes accessing a data structure including a list of configuration names for network cards associated with first and second host servers of a virtual process control environment. The first and second host servers implement virtual machines corresponding to workstations for a process control system. The example method also includes when configuring the first host server, assigning a first name to a first one of the network cards associated with the first host server. The example method further includes when configuring the second host server, assigning the first name to a second one of the network cards associated with the second host server based on a user selection of the first name from the list of configuration names. The second host server is configured after the first host server.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method comprising: accessing a data structure comprising a list of configuration names for network cards associated with first and second host servers of a virtual process control environment, the first and second host servers implementing virtual machines corresponding to workstations for a process control system; when configuring the first host server, assigning a first name to a first one of the network cards associated with the first host server; and when configuring the second host server, assigning the first name to a second one of the network cards associated with the second host server based on a user selection of the first name from the list of configuration names, the second host server being configured after the first host server. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the list of configuration names with the first name when configuring the first host server. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of configuration names includes the first name before being accessed. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying the list of configuration names for the network cards to a user for selection; and altering a connection status indicator of the second one of the network cards when the user plugs a cable into the second one of the network cards. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second host servers are communicatively coupled as a cluster and communicatively coupled to a shared storage. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the data structure comprises internet protocol information for each the first and second host servers corresponding to ones of the configuration names in the list of configuration names, the method further comprising assigning the internet protocol information corresponding to the first name for the second host server to the second one of the network cards when configuring the second host server. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first and second host servers are server blades to be installed in a chassis with the shared storage integrated therein. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: displaying a list of current names assigned to network ports associated with the network cards; and displaying a graphical representation of the chassis to a user, the graphical representation visually identifying a location of a first one of the network ports selected by a user from the list of current names. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving inputs from a user to create a new virtual machine to serve as a new workstation in the process control system; retrieving a virtual machine template corresponding to the new workstation; and automatically configuring the new virtual machine based on the inputs and based on the virtual machine template; and implementing the new virtual machine in the virtual process control environment. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a visual schematic of virtual network connections implemented in the virtual process control environment, the virtual network connections represented by lines between icons representative of at least ones of virtual machines, virtual switches, or the network cards associated with the first and second host servers. 11. A system comprising: a host configuration module to access a data structure comprising a list of configuration names for network cards associated with first and second host servers of a virtual process control environment, the first and second host servers to implement virtual machines corresponding to workstations for a process control system; and a network card name assigner to assign a first name to a first one of the network cards associated with the first host server when the host configuration module configures the first host server and, after configuring the first host server, to assign the first name to a second one of the network cards associated with the second host server based on a user selection of the first name from the list of configuration names when the host configuration module configures the second host server. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first name is added to the list of configuration names when the host configuration module configures the first host server. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the list of configuration names includes the first name before the host configuration module configures the first host server. 14. (canceled) 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the first and second host servers are communicatively coupled as a cluster and communicatively coupled to a shared storage. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the data structure comprises internet protocol information for each the first and second host servers corresponding to ones of the configuration names in the list of configuration names, the system further comprising an internet protocol address designator to assign the internet protocol information corresponding to the first name for the second host server to the second one of the network cards when the host configuration module configures the second host server. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second host servers are server blades to be installed in a chassis with the shared storage integrated therein. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a user interface to: display a list of current names assigned to network ports associated with the network cards; and display a graphical representation of the chassis to a user, the graphical representation visually identifying a location of a first one of the network ports selected by a user from the list of current names. 19 - 20. (canceled) 21. A tangible computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least: access a data structure comprising a list of configuration names for network cards associated with first and second host servers of a virtual process control environment, the first and second host servers implementing virtual machines corresponding to workstations for a process control system; when configuring the first host server, assign a first name to a first one of the network cards associated with the first host server; and when configuring the second host server, assign the first name to a second one of the network cards associated with the second host server based on a user selection of the first name from the list of configuration names, the second host server being configured after the first host server. 22 - 23. (canceled) 24. The storage medium of claim 21, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to: display the list of configuration names for the network cards to a user for selection; and alter a connection status indicator of the second one of the network cards when the user plugs a cable into the second one of the network cards. 25. The storage medium of claim 21, wherein the first and second host servers are communicatively coupled as a cluster and communicatively coupled to a shared storage. 26. The storage medium of claim 25, wherein the data structure comprises internet protocol information for each the first and second host servers corresponding to ones of the configuration names in the list of configuration names, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to assign the internet protocol information corresponding to the first name for the second host server to the second one of the network cards when configuring the second host server. 27 - 30. (canceled)"
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "H04L 41/0806",
    "G05B 19/41845",
    "G05B 2219/31018",
    "G05B 2219/32345",
    "G06F 2009/45562",
    "G06F 2009/4557",
    "G06F 3/04817",
    "G06F 3/0482",
    "G06F 9/45533",
    "G06F 9/45558",
    "H04L 41/085",
    "H04L 41/0883",
    "H04L 41/0895",
    "H04L 41/0897",
    "H04L 41/22",
    "H04L 41/40",
    "H04L 43/0811",
    "Y02P 90/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "FISHER ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS INC"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-09-26",
  "publication_date": "2015-04-02",
  "priority_date": "2013-09-27",
  "application_number": "US-201414497608-A",
  "family_id": "51842772",
  "citations": [
    "US2003220838A1",
    "US2009248897A1",
    "US2010036948A1",
    "US2011055375A1"
  ]
}