Delta Watch: Upgrading to v3.1

Simple step-by-step guide for upgrading Delta Watch.

Describes the update process from v2.15 to v3.1.

This article should also be used for updating your current DW v3.x installation

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Delta Watch: Upgrading to v3.1

Introduction

With the introduction of Delta Watch v3.1 there are some significant changes made in the software. Many of these changes are ‘behind the scenes’ improvements, and a few have changed the user interface. Most notably we have done away with the Manual and automated network modules, and created 2 new modules called ‘Networks’ and ‘Epochs’. Some of these changes require the user to perform some adjustments to the setup of Delta Watch after the database is upgraded to the new version. This document covers the steps required for this process. You can check your current Delta Watch version in the menu item Menu: Help -> About Delta Watch.

This document covers upgrading from DW v2.15 to DW v3.1 If you are on an older version then please update first to DW v2.15.117 also available on myTopcon.

We strongly suggest that if you are upgrading an existing Delta Watch system, which is used to actively process data, that you contact Topcon support for advice and possibly assistance with the process.

 

NOTE:

Although this page is in English and the screenshots used are for the English language in Delta Watch, the process is the same and functions will be found on the same locations in other language versions. However, it might be easiest to switch your DW temporarily to English when performing the update process. This can be done under the menu item ‘Languages’ in your Delta Watch program.

Preparation

a) License file update

If you have a valid DW v2.15 license file then you do not need a new license file in order to update to this latest version

 

b) Free space

As with any database (DB) where continuous data is fed into it, we need to keep an eye on the available disk space. The upgrade process does offer you the option to make a backup of the current DB before upgrading. We strongly advise you to do so, but you have to make sure that there is enough space to perform this action.

To check how much space is required, you multiply the current DB size by 2 and add 500MB to the value.

The resulting figure is a safe value to install the new DW and create a backup copy of your DB. You can check the size of your current DB in your ‘Topcon Delta Watch/Database’ folder. Your database will be a file called ‘TUNIS.FDB’

This would also be the ideal time to clean-up your data and reduce your DB size; BEFORE you upgrade! Please look for ‘Delta Watch – DB Management’ for details.

 

c) Select the right time

Delta Watch will perform most of the database conversion actions but as it will make backups and need to copy the DB this might take some time depending on your DB size and system performance.

Make sure you do the upgrade process at a quiet time.

Alternatively, if your current DW installation does not exceed 500 sensors and/or 5 project you could use a second computer and completely prepare the DB on this. The trial version of DW could be installed on a computer on which DW was not installed before. Now make a copy of your current DB and transfer this temporarily to this second computer, make sure the folder structure being used and the drive names are completely mirrored on this second computer. Now start DW v3.1, let it do its automated DB upgrade and then follow the rest of the document to do any manual adjustments, if required. You can also check the importing and exporting using a few new datasets. Once all is satisfactory you can then close down the active DW, upgrade to v3.1, transfer the DB and start DW again.

NOTE:   Whenever making a copy of the DB or putting a copy back, ensure DW is completely closed and not running. There is always a second file in the Database folder called ‘SCHEDULER.FDB’ make sure this file is always copied together with your DB.

 

Install the new version

  • Download the latest DW version from myTopcon, simply visit the Delta Watch product page and click on the download button
  • Close down the currently running Delta Watch, this might take some time if it is currently processing some data. Please be patient and let it close down by itself to avoid DB corruption.
  • Start the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Choose not to start DW at the end of the update process

 

TIP:        Install DW over existing installation

If you choose to simply update your existing installation using the same program folder then it is sufficient to update only the core libraries of DW. During the update process select ‘custom installation’ and un-check the ‘Additional files’

Installed DW in a different location?

If you had chosen to install DW in a different location on the same computer, then you will need to transfer your DB files first. To do so, navigate to the database folder of your previous installation and manually copy the files ‘TUNIS.FDB’ and ‘SCHEDULER.FDB’ to the database folder of the new installation.

NOTE:   As you have chosen for this process be aware that DW has not made a DB backup for you. It is advised to do this yourself. Simply copy/archive the above mentioned files to a safe place making a note of the version of DW these were from and at what date it was made.

Don’t forget to update any ‘start menu’ items, shortcuts, or batch files, etc that are used for launching Delta Watch.

 

Move your license file

If you installed the new DW version in a different location then you would need to move your license file. The file can be found in the ‘Topcon Delta Watch/Configuration’ folder and is called ‘Tunis.lic’. Move this from the old installation to the new installation.

 

First time start of Delta Watch

Start DW, it will now start the automated part of the update process. Depending on the size of your DB and current configuration this could take anywhere between just a few to several minutes. When the process is finished, DW will continue to load as normal. At this point we can start the rest of the configurations, if any.

Converting Meteorological data table from pre-v3.1.91 versions

This step is only required if your previous DW version is older than v3.1.91 and you are now updating to a version of v3.1.91 or higher.

Check in the left bottom corner if you are logged on as user ‘Administrator’,user Administrator

Using below figure as a guide:

  1. Navigate to the section Administration > System Configuration > Support
  2. Click on the Execute button for the line ‘Fix Meteorological data’
  3. A terminal window will open, read it carefully and then press ‘y’ if ready.

Follow any instructions in this terminal screen, depending on the DB size and number of sensors it might take some time. When the DB correction is finished it will tell you to ‘Press any key to continue’. You should only execute this function once.

Limit Messaging/alarming configuration only at one place

Alarm messages can now only be configured from one place. Before, it was possible to do it in Administration > Projects > Standard E-Mails and in Administration > Point and Limit Management > Limit Monitoring. Now it is only possible in the latter. If you previously had configured sending of alarm messages from within the PROJECTS module you will have to reconfigure these in Administration > Point and Limit Management > Limit Monitoring.

See figure on the right marking the items that have been removed.