PowerFactory Installation Options
PowerFactory Workstation License
PowerFactory Workstation License is a standalone solution which is shipped with a free single-user database and is preferably installed locally, on the user’s hardware. This is the option with the fastest performance as database access is directly managed via fast local hard disk I/O, thereby avoiding any LAN traffic.
Typical Single-User Workstation Installation with local single-user database
Although it is technically possible to store the PowerFactory database on any network drive, this is not recommended as it requires high-speed LAN capabilities and might exhibit less reliability regarding database integrity when the LAN connection is unexpectedly interrupted.
Typical Single-User Workstation Installation with remote single-user database
Multiple Single-User Licenses
DIgSILENT PowerFactory software offers a number of licensing mechanisms. The Workstation License is a Single-User License and is operated via a local USB port hardlock. The hardlock is programmed to include those functions licensed to the user. The locally attached hardlock is only accessible by the locally installed Workstation License.
Typical multiple Single-User Workstation Installation
If you have purchased several Workstation Licenses, the USB hardlock installation is required on all computers where the Workstation License is to be used. Of course, if PowerFactory is installed on more computers than there are USB hardlocks available, only those installations can be used simultaneously where the USB hardlock is plugged-in at that point in time.
PowerFactory Server License
PowerFactory Server License comes with additional features which are not available with the PowerFactory Workstation license:
- Provision of a License Server which can be installed centrally managing any independent number of licensed functions. The License Server comes with only one single USB hardlock holding all licensed functions. The License Server must be accessible for all PowerFactory installations via a network IP-address.
- Support of multi-user database operation, featuring the simultaneous access of all connected users to a single database. The Server License comes with database drivers for both databases; MS-SQL and ORACLE (the database servers themselves are not included).
- The Server License can be executed in a Client-Server (Application Server) environment such as MS Sever 2003/2005 or CITRIX, which has the advantage of centralized software installation and maintenance – a typical requirement of modern IT infrastructures.
Multi-User License via License Server
The Multi-User License Server gives more flexibility than the single USB hardlock (holding all licenses). This solution provides a license server which is to be installed as an MS Windows Service on any computer in a network that is accessible from the users’ computers via an IP address. This computer could be one of the users’ computers but is recommended to be a separate computer located in a secured room.
Upon login, the PowerFactory software on the user’s computer connects to the license server via a LAN to access the license. The license server administrator assigns certain PowerFactory functions to each user when the login procedure is executed. This facilitates the purchase of the optimal number of licenses depending on users’ needs.
Typical Multi-User installation with License Server
An optional feature of the Multi-User License Server is the Floating License which allows the temporary transfer of a user license from the license server to a local PC. This option is typically required when a user is travelling with his/her laptop, thereby preventing him/her from accessing the license server. When downloading the floating license to a local machine, the license will disappear from the license server and will move to the local PC until the user reconnects to the license server. The floating license is time-limited and, if not reconnected to the license server, will automatically “fly back” to the license server after a defined time.
Multi-User installation with License Server and Floating License Option
Note:
A clear advantage of the License Server is its ability to host a different number of licenses for certain functions. This allows a more economical solution which considers the simultaneity of users. The allocation of functions is made upon user login and not upon the execution of a certain PowerFactory command. This philosophy is based on the notion that upon successful login and allocation of functions, those functions should be available to the user throughout the entire PowerFactory session.
Multi-User Database
Centralized data handling is supported by a multi-user database featuring the simultaneous access of all connected users to a single data source. Currently, database drivers for MS-SQL and ORACLE are available. This execution option is designed for PowerFactory installations with a large number of users requiring access to the same project data and, who would benefit from the PowerFactory team-working tools such as Master Project management, Project Versioning, Project Deriving along with Project Compare- and Merge tools, which make concurrent model building and data entry very easy.
Typical Multi-User installation with License Server and Multi-User Database
In the configuration shown above, the execution of the PowerFactory software will still take place on the user’s local PC while the multi-user database resides on a special high-speed database server.
Application Server
A further step often required in large companies with tens or hundreds of users is the centralized installation and execution of the PowerFactory software, the database and the License Server. This Application Server installation is currently supported for MS Server 2003/8 and other server add-ons such as CITRIX. The figure below shows a typical example of such a centralized installation environment.
Typical Application Server Installation with a multi-user database
License Overview
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Workstation License |
Server License |
Educational & Research License |
Student / Private Use License |
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Local Installation |
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Appl. Server Installation |
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Local Hardlock |
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License Server |
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Floating License (optional) |
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Local Single-User Database |
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Central Multi-User Database |
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Installation Requirements
PowerFactory requires no special hardware or additional software to guarantee good performance. However, taking into account that solving power system analysis tasks is far beyond standard office applications, the following hardware is recommended:
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Workstation Licenses: |
17-23” monitor with min. 1280x1024 pixel resolution Intel/AMD CPU with 2.0 GHz or higher 1 GB available hard disk space * 0.5 -3 GB main memory available for the PowerFactory process ** * Required hard disk space will heavily depend on the number of projects handled, number of objects (e.g. size of the network modelled), number of scenarios, etc. Total disk space requirements are therefore determined individually. ** The required main memory capacity will heavily depend on the network size and the type of calculations being performed. A typical memory requirement would be between 0.5-1.0 GB exclusively for executing PowerFactory unbalanced load flow, fault analysis and stability for a 5000-bus system. Supported operating systems are Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista. |
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Application Server: |
Application Server hardware requirements are similar to those defined for workstation installations, taking into account that main memory requirements will be duplicated according to the number of simultaneous users. In addition, the number of CPUs is correlated with the number of simultaneous users. Supported operating systems are MS Windows Server 2003/8 and CITRIX. Multi-User database support is available for MS SQL 2005/2008 and Oracle Server 10.x and 11.x with Client 11.1. |
