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FactoryLink

EDI Drivers
Utility Program

April 30, 2003


February 2, 2004
This document contains proprietary information of Axisware LLC and is based on information available at the
time of publication. While efforts have been made to be accurate, the information contained herein does not
purport to cover all details or variations in hardware or software, nor to provide for every possible contingency
in connection with installation, operation, or maintenance. Features may be described herein which are not
present in all hardware and software systems. Axisware LLC assumes no obligation of notice to holders of this
document with respect to changes subsequently made.

Axisware LLC makes no representation or warranty, expressed, implied, or statutory with respect to, and
assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, sufficiency, or usefulness of the information
contained herein. No warranties of merchantability or fitness for purpose shall apply.

Copyright © 1998 – 2004, Axisware LLC, TX, USA.


All Rights Reserved
Table of Contents
1 WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS..................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Upgrading FactoryLink.........................................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Installing a Product...............................................................................................................................................................1
2 DISTRIBUTION CD-ROM CONTENTS...........................................................................................................................2
2.1 \Win32i................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
2.2 \Manuals............................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.3 \Sample................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
2.4 \Backup1 & \Backup2...........................................................................................................................................................2
3 SOFTKEY PROTECTION.................................................................................................................................................. 3
3.1 Available Product License Types......................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Standard License...................................................................................................................................................................3
3.3 Hot Stand-by License.......................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.4 Demonstration License......................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.5 SoftKey Product Installation and Validation........................................................................................................................ 4
3.6 Explanation of installation, configuration and validation sequences....................................................................................4
3.7 The normal validation procedure..........................................................................................................................................4
3.8 Temporary Installations........................................................................................................................................................ 4
3.9 Reinstalling a Validated Product.......................................................................................................................................... 5
3.10 Backing up a Validated Product......................................................................................................................................... 5
4 UTILITY PROGRAM.......................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Before starting the Utility program.......................................................................................................................................6
4.2 Starting the Utility Program..................................................................................................................................................6
5 UTILITY PROGRAM FUNCTIONS..................................................................................................................................7
5.1 Install specific product..........................................................................................................................................................7
5.2 Create an install directory for a specific product..................................................................................................................7
5.3 Install a demonstration version of a product.........................................................................................................................7
5.4 Restart ‘grace’ period for a product......................................................................................................................................7
5.5 Generate configuration sequence for a product.................................................................................................................... 7
5.6 Enter a validation sequence for a product............................................................................................................................ 7
5.7 Display status of all installed protocol modules................................................................................................................... 7
6 ERROR MESSAGES............................................................................................................................................................ 9
6.1 File Access Errors.................................................................................................................................................................9
6.2 Unable to Perform Function Errors...................................................................................................................................... 9
6.3 Other Errors........................................................................................................................................................................ 10
7 SOFTKEY RUN-TIME MESSAGES................................................................................................................................11

8 PHONETIC ALPHABET................................................................................................................................................... 12
Contacting Axisware

We want your experience with our software to be pleasant. If you experience any problems or have any
comments or suggestions to make, please contact us

This product was previously a Bullet Software or Nova Technologies product and is now an Axisware product.
Axisware L.L.C. has assumed all responsibilities for this product: when you see a reference to Bullet Software
or Nova Technologies please consider it a reference to Axisware. We appreciate your patience and apologize
for any inconvenience this may cause.

Axisware LLC
3213 Peppertree Pl.
Plano, TX 75074, USA

http://www.axisware.com

T: +1-(214)-764-1876
F: +1-(214)-764-1878

support@axisware.com
sales@axisware.com
Utility Manual 1

1 Warnings and Recommendations

We recommend that a multi-platform save of any applications be performed before installing any FactoryLink
related product including Axisware/Bullet Software products.

1.1 Upgrading FactoryLink

When upgrading FactoryLink, on a system that has a 3rd Party product installed, including those of
Axisware/Bullet Software, perform a multi-platform save of any applications before installing the new
FactoryLink Software. Always re-install the 3rd party software before restoring the applications.

1.2 Installing a Product

The following steps are recommended in all cases when installing an Axisware or Bullet Software product.
They may be required when upgrading to a new product version.

1. Shut down FactoryLink, by exiting the Run Manager, Application Editor, Configuration Manager
and any other FactoryLink related activities. If any part does not shutdown successfully, reboot the
PC.
2. Perform a multi-platform save of any applications.
3. Run the Utility program to install the product.
4. Perform any finishing steps as outlined on screen at the end of the installation process, or detailed
in the specific product manual.
5. If editing of any “config.sys” file is required, or if the install procedure states that the system must
be restarted before the product will function correctly, restart the PC.
6. Restore the application from the multi-platform save file created in step 2 above. If conversion is
required due to a FactoryLink upgrade, do the conversion.
7. Run the Configuration Manager and check the product tables for any additional fields that may
need editing.
8. Run the application.

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www.axisware.com support@axisware.com
Utility Manual 2

2 Distribution cd-rom contents

The distribution cd-rom contains Axisware and Bullet Software drivers, manuals and sample applications, in
the following subdirectories:

2.1 \Win32i

\Win32i contains the product files for the Windows platform versions.

2.2 \Manuals

This directory contains PDF format versions of the product manuals, and this manual utility.pdf. Each Manual
is identified by the driver's 4-character ID followed by the standard .pdf extension.

Gehc GE Fanuc Ethernet TCP/IP


Pcim GE Fanuc Genius Bus PCIM
Sdkt SST 5136-SD A-B Data Highway/Data
Highway+
Snpx GE Fanuc SNPX Serial
Sylk Square-D SY/LINK

2.3 \Sample

This directory contains multi-platform save files of the sample applications for each product. Each application
is identified by the product’s 4-character ID followed by the standard .mps extension. The directory is further
divided into sub-directories, based on the FactoryLink version.

Use the FactoryLink Restore Application utility to load the appropriate sample application for your
environment.

2.4 \Backup1 & \Backup2

These directories contain extra copes of the distribution files. Should you have a problem reading any portion
of the distribution files from the CD, you can use “X:\Backup1\” or “X:\Backup2\” in place of “X:\” to access
these files. Running the Utility program from one of these directories will ensure that the product files from
that directory are accessed.

© Axisware LLC, 1998-2004.


www.axisware.com support@axisware.com
Utility Manual 3

3 SoftKey Protection

Axisware and Bullet Software products require a license for each FactoryLink station using the product at run-
time in a non-temporary environment. The demonstration version should be sufficient to handle temporary or
configuration use, and does not require an individual license. Products are protected against unlicensed use via
SoftKey Protection.

The purpose of SoftKey protection is to make unlicensed use difficult; not to impose problems on legitimate
customers. There are valid reasons for re-installing products to a target which does not contain the previously
validated copy, for example, replacing a hard drive or upgrading a PC. In this case the normal validation
procedure must be followed. Axisware maintains a database of validation sequence requests. If Axisware
considers the number of validation requests to be questionable, you may be asked the reason for the request.

3.1 Available Product License Types

3.2 Standard License


Grace period: 15 days

Normal general purpose, single FactoryLink station. This is the one used most often.

3.3 Hot Stand-by License


Grace period: 15 days

Designed for users who wish to have either a stand-by disk or PC ready to replace or repair a station.
Requirements are:
 At least one Standard License.
 An explanation of stand-by procedure from the End User on company letterhead, explaining how
they will ensure that no more FactoryLink stations are in use than the number of Standard
Licenses.

3.4 Demonstration License


Grace period: 3 days

Demonstration versions are the same as standard products, but with the following limits:

Three-day Grace Period: Each time the demonstration version is installed it will start for three days.
Demonstration versions can not be validated. You can continue to re-install or to restart the grace
period indefinitely to get additional three-day periods.

Maximum of 50,000 Successful Packet Transactions: A count is initiated each time the run-time
product is started. After 50,000 successful packets have been processed each additional successful
packet transaction will report a “demo limit reached” error to FactoryLink. Reads and writes will report

© Axisware LLC, 1998-2004.


www.axisware.com support@axisware.com
Utility Manual 4

the demo limit reached error only if successful at the driver level, failures will report as usual. This
results in the application being unable to read, while still allowing writes for an orderly shutdown. The
purpose is for temporary evaluation, demonstration, or support.

3.5 SoftKey Product Installation and Validation

An installed product must be validated before the grace period expires in order to continue to start successfully.

3.6 Explanation of installation, configuration and validation sequences

The installation and validation of a product uses the following sequence codes:

Installation: This alphanumeric sequence is provided with the product and is required by the Install
specific product function of the Utility program.

Configuration: This alphanumeric sequence is generated by the Generate configuration sequence


function of the Utility program. Send this sequence to Axisware to obtain a validation sequence for the
product. A different configuration sequence will be generated every time the Generate configuration
sequence function is used. The latest sequence (or only) generated from an install will be sufficient to
generate a validation sequence. Re-installing or restarting the grace period will require a new
configuration sequence to be generated.

Validation: This alphanumeric sequence is generated by Axisware from the serial number and
configuration sequence, and sent to the userwho enters it using the Validate a specific product option of
the Utility program.

3.7 The normal validation procedure


1. Axisware supplies an installation sequence with the product.

2. The user installs the product using the install sequence, and has the grace period to get the product
functioning.

3. Before the end of the grace period the user generates a configuration sequence and sends it, with
product serial number, to Axisware. This can be done on-line from the product registration page at
www.axisware.com, or by fax or email

4. Axisware produces a validation sequence and sends it to the user.

5. The user enters the validation sequence. The product is now completely validated.

3.8 Temporary Installations

If a product is to be installed on a PC other than that intended for final installation, and if the demonstration

© Axisware LLC, 1998-2004.


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Utility Manual 5

version is not sufficient for such use, then install the product on the temporary PC, but do not validate it. Use
the Restart Grace Period facility of the Utility program once every fifteen days.

3.9 Reinstalling a Validated Product

This option of the Utility program looks for an existing copy of the product in the target location. If a validated
copy with the same serial number and of the same or previous version is found, then the product will be
validated during the installation process and a new configuration sequence will not be needed.

3.10 Backing up a Validated Product

To backup and restore a product after it has been validated, backup and restore the entire FactoryLink product
directory (defined by the %FLINK% environment variable).

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Utility Manual 6

4 Utility Program

This utility provides the functions to install and maintain the products.

4.1 Before starting the Utility program

The logged-in user must have administrator privileges. Ensure that Utility has write access to the FactoryLink
program directory (%FLINK% environment string or the directory chosen by the user).

Ensure that the %FLINK% environment string or the FactoryLink product directory chosen by the operator
includes the drive letter as well as the path, e.g. “C:\FLINK” not “\FLINK”.

4.2 Starting the Utility Program

Place the distribution CD into a cd-rom drive and use your preferred method to run the program
X:\Win32i\Blltutil.exe (where X is the drive letter).

© Axisware LLC, 1998-2004.


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Utility Manual 7

5 Utility Program Functions

The Utility displays a menu of possible functions, select the function you require.

5.1 Install specific product

This function walks you through the installation of a purchased product.

5.2 Create an install directory for a specific product

Use this function if the target PC for the product does not have a CD-ROM drive, or if you want to make a copy
of the product install files on your hard disk. This function will build a directory structure similar to the one on
the distribution CD using only the product files for the FactoryLink version selected.

5.3 Install a demonstration version of a product

This function installs a demonstration version of a product from the distribution CD. Refer to the SoftKey
Protection description in section 3 of this manual for the usage limits of demonstration versions.
Note: This function will also work from a directory created by the Create an install directory for a specific
product function above.

5.4 Restart ‘grace’ period for a product

This function sets the install date of a previously installed product to the current system date.

5.5 Generate configuration sequence for a product

This function walks you through generating a configuration sequence, which is used in the process of validating
an installed product.

5.6 Enter a validation sequence for a product

This function walks you through the input of a validation sequence which is used in the process of validating an
installed product.

5.7 Display status of all installed protocol modules

This function displays the installed and validation status of protocol modules found. It can also be used to

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Utility Manual 8

display the serial number of an installed product.

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Utility Manual 9

6 Error Messages

Any message which may appear while running the Utility program has the format:

“ERROR: (function : reference) <string>”

where function and reference are internal identifiers and <string> gives a verbal description of the error.
Follow the instructions given below for each message. If the problem remains, contact Axisware Technical
Support, giving the complete error message including the function, reference and string.

6.1 File Access Errors

The Utility program requires read access to the product distribution files, and read/write access to the
FactoryLink program files or target directory. If you are having problems reading distribution files try one of
the backup directories or recreate the install directory. If you experience open, read or write errors on files in
the target directory, ensure that the Utility program has proper file access and that all FactoryLink programs are
shut down. Typical error messages might be:

Error coping files to <location>


Failure copying product FactoryLink files
File read error: <filename>
File write error: <filename>
Install Failed unable to copy Product files
Install Failed unable to update FactoryLink Files
Install Failed unable to update Product SoftKey Data
Invalid Product Install File
Invalid Validation File
Open Failed on Validation File
Read Failed on Validation File
Unable to Copy Bullet Utilities Program
Unable to open file: <filename>
Unable to open Product Install file
Unable to read Product Install File
Unable to Select/Create <name> sub-directory
Unable to write new install date to file
Write error on validation file

If you are still unable to determine the cause of the problem, contact Axisware Technical Support.

6.2 Unable to Perform Function Errors

Invalid install sequence for current product


The install sequence used is for an earlier version of the product. Contact Axisware Sales for information on
obtaining an upgrade.

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Utility Manual 10

Invalid Validation Sequence

Please check carefully the validation sequence you are entering and if the error persists contact Axisware
Technical Support.

The install directory for this Version of FactoryLink does not exist

The distribution CD does not contain FactoryLink files for the selected version of FactoryLink. If you are
building an install directory to use in place of the distribution media, ensure that the proper product, platform,
and FactoryLink version are selected. Otherwise Axisware Sales for information on obtaining this product for
the required platform and FactoryLink version.

Protected data does not match: filename


The validation sequence does not match the installed product. Ensure you are using the validation sequence
for the installed product. If so, please contact Axisware Technical Support for assistance.

Unable to determine install directory

The Utility uses relative paths to access data files and must be able to determine its location in the computer’s
directory structure. It was unable to do so. Change the current drive and working directory to the directory
containing the blltutil.exe file, and re-run the utility program.

6.3 Other Errors

You should never see these or other messages. If you do, contact Axisware Technical Support with complete
details.

Duplicate Protected Data Found: filename


Empty input
Install Failed Panic unknown return from
BaseInstall X
Invalid choice
Invalid intermediate data length
Invalid Product Id
Invalid Product Install File
Invalid Validation File for X Product
No Protected Data Found: filename
NULL input
Open Failed on Validation File
Product not found
Serial Numbers do not Match
Unknown distribution type X
Unable to determine Operating System - 95 or NT?
Unable to open file: filename

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Utility Manual 11

7 SoftKey run-time messages


The following messages may appear during run-time:

SoftKey: Grace period for validation has expired

The product will not function until validated. Follow the steps outlined above for validating the product.

SoftKey: Grace period for validation will expire in X days.

Information message.

SoftKey: Improperly installed, please reinstall

The product was either not installed using the Utility program, or an error occurred during installation. Please
use the Utility program to install the product, refer to the appropriate Error message in the Error Message
Section above, or contact Axisware Technical Support for assistance.

Serial #: XXXXXXX Single Processor Run Time License

Normal information message displaying the product name and serial number.

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Utility Manual 12

8 Phonetic Alphabet

Using these names for alphabetic characters reduces the chance of error when obtaining a validation sequence
by phone.

A Alpha
B Bravo
C Charlie
D Delta
E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliet
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Poppa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whiskey
X Xray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu

© Axisware LLC, 1998-2004.


www.axisware.com support@axisware.com

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