Connection-oriented relational database of the APS control system hardware

After the flurry of activity to construct, commission, and begin routine operation of a large user facility, the focus must then turn to long-term reliability. Key concerns include a full inventory of all installed devices, sufficient spares, quick identification of a failed device, and accurate documentation to minimize the number of system experts needed for routine maintenance. This paper describes the visual connection configuration tool (VCCT) used in creating a searchable schema of all control system hardware. A framework is provided for identifying each installed device and its connection to the control system. The schema provides numerous benefits over a simple inventory list, such as: an immediate visualization of information flow through the system, intuitive documentation of input/output controller (IOC) hardware, subnet links and nodes, and a common presentation for easier cross training and maintenance. The paper will also describe the mechanisms used to automatically populate much of the database by "discovering" the hardware through the EPICS databases and start-up scripts. Future work, such as extending the device definition to include wiring information will also be discussed.