By now, I’m sure you’re aware of the Cogent DataHub v8 release. Since announcing the release date, we have had many good questions from existing users like you.
This blog post will address the most common questions we have received and provide the answers you need to plan your DataHub V8 migration.
If you're an existing DataHub user, it's natural to have some questions about what the DataHub V8 release means for you. The following answers should assist you as you make decisions about your current DataHub installations and as you plan to upgrade to V8. If you'd like to find out more about the new features available in DataHub V8, click here to see our features blog post.
1. Can DataHub V8 connect to DataHub V7?
Yes, you can easily tunnel data between DataHub v8 and v7. You can even send OPC UA data from DataHub v8 to v7 and it will appear like any other data in the v7 DataHub.
2. Can I run Version 7 and Version 8 together on the same computer?
No. When you install DataHub V8 on a system that is already running V7, the process will install V8 on top of V7. The configuration from V7 will be transferred to the new DataHub V8.
3. Can I roll back to Version 7 after installing Version 8?
In most cases, a user that upgrades to Version 8, can choose to go back to Version 7 without any difficulty. However, any WebView pages that are saved using WebView v8 will be converted to the new file format, which means you will not be able to edit them in WebView v7. For that reason, if you are currently using WebView in V7, I would recommend saving a copy of your configuration files prior to the upgrade.
4. How long will Version 7 continue to be supported?
With the release of DataHub Version 8, we will also be setting the date for the end-of-life of Version 7. Effective March 1st, 2020, we will no longer provide support for DataHub Version 7. We will continue to provide technical support to users who are on the support plan until March 1st, 2020, but all new features and product improvements will only be available in DataHub Version 8. For this reason, we highly recommend that you upgrade to DataHub Version 8 in order to receive the latest security and product upgrades.
5. What if my Version 7 licenses are currently on the support plan?
Any license that is currently on support can request a Version 8 upgrade license code. The Version 8 upgrade license will unlock the same features the user currently has purchased in Version 7. For example, if you want to upgrade a DataHub Logger v7 license, then you will receive a DataHub Logger V8 license, with all of the same features you were previously entitled to. Then you can purchase new features like OPC UA or Camera Support as add-ons.
6. How do I request an upgrade license?
Upgrade licenses are linked to the existing v7 license codes, so to generate an upgrade license, we require your original license key. To request an upgrade license, please click here to send the existing license code to our team.
If the license is eligible for an upgrade, we will generate an upgrade license key that is based on the original v7 license. You can find the license key numbers in the file named licenses.lic, located in the user’s configuration directory on the DataHub machine:
C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Cogent DataHub
7. My license is not on maintenance, can I upgrade to Version 8?
You can buy support for your Version 7 licenses at any time. Once the licenses are on support, you can request an upgrade license free of charge. Please contact us with your license number for a quote to get your license back on Support & Maintenance.
8. Can I add OPC UA to a Version 7 license?
No, the OPC UA feature is only available on DataHub V8. You will need to upgrade your license to Version 8 first and then purchase the DataHub OPC UA Add-on license.
9. What is included with the OPC UA Add-on license?
This implementation of OPC UA is focused on the functionality most requested for industrial process control applications, which is secure, real-time data communications. With this in mind, our OPC UA support in the Cogent DataHub includes UA Server and Client support for Data Access, including Discovery, Address spaces, On-demand, Subscriptions, and Events.
The DataHub’s OPC UA Server and OPC UA Client support is fully-integrated with all other DataHub features. For example, this allows the DataHub to act as a UA-to-DA bridge, a database logger for UA, a way to display UA data in WebView pages and more.
10. Has the Cogent DataHub passed OPC UA Certification?
Not yet. We have successfully completed OPC Interoperability testing in Japan, and have passed the OPC compliance test tools. We expect to send the application for lab certification soon.
11. I purchased the full Cogent DataHub V7 license, do I get OPC UA with the upgrade?
Yes! Any full Cogent DataHub license (COGDH) that is on support, can request a Cogent DataHub V8 license, which includes the OPC UA feature.
I hope you were able to find the answers to your Cogent DataHub V8 questions. If not, please use the blog comment form below to submit any unanswered questions and we will get back to you with the answers.
