Product Update

800xA 6.0, Released

Executive Summary
800xA Version 6.0 is now released.
800xA 6.0 is the culmination of 10 years of software and hardware development
providing the best and most full featured control system in the world.
This new 800xA release provides users with improved protection against cyber
threats, lower total cost of ownership and possibility to improve productivity and
profitability. 800xA 6.0 adopts the latest operating system technologies to ensure
long term support for years to come.
This release supports new installations of 800xA only. Support for upgrades to 800xA
6.0 from earlier versions of 800xA will be added in a later release during 2015 which
will be communicated accordingly.
To assure fast access to the software the media is now available for orders in BOL.
The 800xA wizard is required to place orders for projects. The wizard will be available
in February 2015, availability will be announced through the normal wizard update
channel.
Products Concerned
System 800xA, version 6.0
System Licensing
To make it easier for users to only pay for the functionality that is required in an
800xA system and to enable tracking of system hardware to improve lifecycle
services such as bulletin communications, the 800xA licensing model is updated in
version 6.0.
This updated model has two phases for 800xA systems: 1) The design phase which
is when the design and initial engineering of a system is done and 2) The production
phase where a system is controlling production on a users site.
The phase of a system is controlled by the license. While a system is in the design
phase there is no license enforcement and therefore the system will have a license
that allows all of 800xAs functionality and features to be used on the project. During
this phase, a report will be generated periodically that indicates what features are
being used in the system.
At a certain point in the project, typically during site commissioning, the license must
be changed from design to production. At this time, a production license will be
downloaded from SoFa based on the functionality/features used in the system. At this
point licensing will be enforced as it was in previous releases of 800xA.

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Hardware Licensing
Monitoring of hardware is introduced in 800xA 6.0. This is where hardware
components such as controllers, IO modules, and communication interface cards will
have a license associated with the System IDentifier (SID).
Licensing for these modules will be simplified by having a single article number
representing the hardware and the required license.
NOTE: The System Identifier (SID) will play a key role in this updated licensing
model and continues to be important through the systems lifecycle. All hardware,
software, and future expansions of a system will be licensed to a specific SID. The
SID will be the first item ordered on a project when the 800xA Wizard is used. All
further hardware and software additions will be associated with that SID through the
wizard. This enables better tracking of the hardware and software used in each
system.
Life Cycle related information
800xA 6.0 requires Microsoft Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012R2.
800xA 6.0 can be used together with Microsoft Office 2013.
Visual Basic Process Graphics (VBPG) is not supported in System 800xA 6.0.
VBPG based graphics needs to be replaced by Process Graphics 2 displays
before moving applications to 800xA 6.0.
Release Description
Highlights of the 800xA 6.0 release includes the following:
System Enhancements
System 800xA version 6.0 utilizes the latest operating systems available,
Microsoft Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2.
In order to improve the efficiency during installation, 800xA 6.0 is delivered on
a new media using Solid State Drive technology. The new media delivers
improved performance in a secure and tamperproof format and is displayed as
a CD ROM drive in Windows explorer. Integrity checks are in place to discard
any tampered media prior to installation.
Installation of System 800xA has been improved to save time, provide better
consistency between nodes and better utilize the performance increase in
modern PC hardware having multiple core processing.
Configuration and deployment is done centrally from one of the system
nodes.
Deployment of the configuration is fully automated, unattended and
parallel.
There are less restrictions when combining functionality in physical
machines i.e. 800xA nodes.

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 Node installation information and configurations are stored centrally and

is part of a system backup, which allows simple reinstallation of the
entire system, or individual nodes.
Access to information such as installed version, revision, feature pack
and functions for each node can be done centrally.
Extending the system with a new client or a redundant server can be
done through the system configuration console in an unattended
fashion.
To make it easier to reach the 800xA applications, in a way familiar to the
800xA users, an 800xA Start Menu is available on the Windows 8.1 desktop.
Cyber Security
ABB recognizes that security is a continuously changing landscape. System 800xA
continues to evolve and has improved in a number of security related areas:
All software is digitally signed to provide a proof of origin and to protect
against tampering.
Microsoft Windows UAC (User Account Control) is now enabled across the
entire system.
System 800xA 6.0 is compatible with Microsoft Windows DEP (Data Execution
Prevention). DEP is a security feature preventing malicious code from
executing in data memory.
The latest 3rd party software components have been utilized to increase
product lifecycle and security.
The firewall security configuration has been analyzed and improved. This has
reduced the required firewall exceptions.
Improved support for Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC) across the
client/server network. IPSEC allows secure isolation of 800xA node
communications from other network communication.
Operator Interface
The Trend feature is enhanced with the possibility to tilt the supporting lines
using the slope function, automatic scaling function in trend displays and
coloring of trend curve in alarm state.
Alarm list readability has been improved by allowing color grouping of alarm
lines in alarm list.
New advanced PG2 graphical elements are available that allow information to
be efficiently presented within an operator display that support grids, tabs and
scrolling.
Alarm awareness light control can be used to create ambient light color
following the colors of alarms in the alarm list.

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Engineering
AC800M Engineering Improvements
In the Control Properties aspects, it is now possible to define initial values
for variables of data type time and date_and_time.
Simplified Upgrade step for Function Designer Diagrams.
Support of Diagram Types in Function Designer is introduced.
Consolidated workflow on how to transfer Signal Parameter data.
The Diagram editor has been enhanced with the following:
o Improved line routing
o Connection dialogs remember their last position
o Enhanced auto complete functionality
o Clearer display of online values
Process Engineering Tool Integration
Support for Intergraph SmartPlant Instrumentation 2013 (Version
10.0).
Batch Management
Improved support for large batch applications as 800xA now supports the
following:
Improved parallel batch handling execution engine.
Use of database mirroring to improve batch server redundancy.
Use of Class IDs for separating batch alarms to allow messages to be
more easily separated by process areas.
Safety
Objects in a High Integrity controller running version 6 or later can be operated
using Safe Online Write from a Multi System Integration subscriber system.1
PROFINET IO interface module, CI871, is now available to be used in non-SIL
application in the AC 800M High Integrity. 1
Fieldbus and Device Management
Managing field devices is easier with the addition of a Device Library Wizard
which updates all required nodes with new or updated DTMs automatically.
A new Linking Device LD800 HSE approved for mounting in Ex-hazardous
areas of Zone 2 / Division 2 and corrosive atmospheres (G3 coated).

Before the AC 800M High Integrity controller can be put into operation, any NON-CERT marked High Integrity firmware in the
controller must be replaced with the TV certified version, available approximately 3 months after release of System 800xA 6.0.

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Control & I/O

It is now possible to run up to 25 Soft Controllers simultaneously on the same
PC making it easier to create an off-line, non-production environment replica
of your automation system.
Redundant controllers can now be separated up to 200m, by the introduction
of the communication bus extension module BC820. The PM to be used
together with BC820 is PM866A.
The AC 800M controller can now act as a point-to-point MODBUS RTU slave.
This removes the need to have PLCs and other data bridge solutions when
communicating to a MODBUS master.
Hardware library support for universal motor controller UMC100 via CI871
Profinet is now enhanced with the ability to use acyclic data for diagnostic
retrieval. This reduces the load on the network.
Earlier Generation Controllers
800xA for Melody
There is now support for S+ Melody Controller PM 877
800xA for Symphony Plus Harmony
Harmony Tag Configuration data is now stored directly in the Aspect
Directory. The SQL Server based Harmony Configuration Server
Database is no longer needed and has been eliminated.
A new Uploader replaces the now obsolete Harmony Tag Importer
Exporter and Harmony Synchronizer. The Uploader allows for importing
or exporting Harmony Tag Configuration data directly to the Aspect
Directory.
Harmony Tag Configuration data is now included in Aspect Directory
Backup and Restore operations, eliminating the need to perform
independent Harmony Backups and Restores.
Bulk changes to Harmony Tag Configuration can now be made using the
standard 800xA Bulk Data Manager, eliminating the need for the
separate Harmony Bulk Data Manager utility.
Harmony Tag Configuration changes can now be made in an
Engineering Environment and later deployed to the Production
Environment.
Support has been added for the following Symphony Plus hardware
modules:
PNI800 Plant Network (PN800) Interface
HPC800 Controller
SPIEB800 INFI-Net to PN800 Plant Network Bridge

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800xA for Advant Master

Enhanced Cyber Security with updated firmware of the MasterBus300
communication unit PU410.
Support for Central Backup, Alarm Refresh and Entities for controller node
objects.
800xA for MOD 300
Enhanced Cyber Security with updated firmware of the eDCN (PU410) and
DCN (PU412) communication units.

Software media
The following media options are available for 800xA version 6.0:
3BSE079233R600 USB Solid State Drive
3BSE078932R600 DVD/CD Media kit

How to order
System 800xA 6.0 is available for new installations as well as for all 800xA customers
with valid Automation Sentinel Maintain Plus agreements. Please note that upgrades
will be supported at a later date during 2015, to be announced later.
The 800xA configuration wizard will be available in February 2015. To make it
possible to get started with the engineering before the 800xA wizard is available,
please order the 800xA Media box (3BSE079233R600) using Business Online (BOL).
The media box will be delivered together with a System Identifier (SID) and a working
800xA 6.0 license in engineering phase.
When the wizard becomes available it will be possible to order additional items and
finally move the system into Production phase.

Support
For more information, refer to the following documents that can be found in ABB
Library and Solutions Bank.
System 800xA 6.0 Release Notes
System 800xA 6.0 Release Notes New Functions and Known Problems
(2PAA111899-600)
System 800xA 6.0 Release Notes Resolved Issues (2PAA112277-600)
The following documents describe the complete product offering
System 800xA 6.0 System Guide
Functional Description (3BSE038018-600)

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 Technical Data and Configuration (3BSE041434-600)

For more information about control systems, use the following link
http://www.abb.com/800xA

Yours Sincerely,

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