Hello everyone, At our refinery we have been incrementally upgrading our relatively small 2 node I/A system as time/money/justification/projects/outages have allowed. In the last 2 years we have gone from v4.3 -> v7.1, 51B -> F, Legacy historian -> AIM*, CP30/40 -> CP60 (recently installed 200 series FBMs connected via FCM10s and fiber hubs), and soon DM -> FoxView. Next month we will be replacing our Carrierband LAN Interface modules with ATS and P91 (as boot host) and installing ethernet switch pairs in strategic locations. Therefore, soon we will have the basic Mesh infrastructure to build upon and migrate to over time. [At our next major outage opportunity (Turnaround 2009), we will consider adding the Solaris machines on the MESH or converting to Windows machines on the MESH, cp60 ->270, ICC -> IACC or?, etc...] The discussion we are having now is whether we should continue to install/upgrade centrally located CPs (ZCP270s) or migrate towards using remote mounted CPs in the field (i.e. FCP270s). In addition to future upgrade considerations (2009), we have a more immediate new capital/expansion project (2007 start-up), the timing of which makes sense to install 270 controllers. The scope is adding 4 I/O cabinets in 3 different areas (requiring 4 pairs of FCPs or 2 pairs of ZCP w/FCM100). Besides purchase price, there are other considerations such as future CP upgrades (ability to combine/remove CPs), number of FBMs supported, peer-to-peer connections, engineering/maintenance training, spare parts, etc. [Note: currently 270s will support either 100 or 200 series I/O, but at some point in the near future they'll be able to support both types of FBMs at the same time.] At this time the project team is leaning towards using FCPs. Thinking more long term (depending on new project decision and future CP60 -> 270 upgrade path) we could eventually end up with either: a) All ZCPs - Use ZCP on new project and upgrade existing CP60s to ZCP270s (in existing I/O cabinets change FCMs from 10 to 100), b) All FCP - Use FCP on new project and upgrade existing CP60 to FCP270s (use same fiber between control room and I/O cabinet but change FCM10/baseplate to FCP/baseplate); or c) Mixed FCP/ZCP architecture - Use FCP on new projects and/or ZCP on future upgrades. I have begun listing the pros and cons of FCP vs. ZCP : FCP (reference PSS 21H 1B9 B3) Pro: Hardware slightly cheaper No FCM required Less power consumption per module (8.5W vs 15W) Mounted remotely (puts more D in DCS?) Minimize/free up precious real estate in DCS cabinets in control room Cons: Supports only 32 series 200 FBMs or 64 100 series For equivalent I/O capacity, FCP software license slightly more expensive than ZCP license ZCP (reference PSS 21H 1B10 B3) : Pros: Same form factor/layout as previous CPs Supports more FBMs (120) Easier to combine CPs (reduce overall number of CPs) on future upgrades (CP60-> ZCP) More controls in fewer number of CPs resulting in fewer (potential) peer to peer connections Cons: Additional hardware components required (FCM100, 1x8 mounting structure) vs FCP Overall hardware cost appears to be slightly more expensive What are other pros and cons regarding FCP vs ZCP? Architecturally, is one better? Technically, is one superior? Long term which will be the least expensive solution? Will one be better supported by Invensys Foxboro (preferred product/architecture)? How does this compare with competitive DCS manufacturers architecture direction (FCP more like Delta V)? Which way would you go (FCP or ZCP) and why? Any other thoughts, comments, concerns, etc. would be greatly appreciated... Regards, Ted Johnson Instrument and Control Engineer Tesoro Alaska PO Box 3369 54741 Tesoro Rd Kenai, AK 99611 Direct: (907) 776-3568 Cell (907) 398-8710 Fax: (907) 776-3863 Email: tsjohnson@xxxxxxxxxxx <BLOCKED::mailto:tsjohnson@xxxxxxxxxxx> _______________________________________________________________________ This mailing list is neither sponsored nor endorsed by Invensys Process Systems (formerly The Foxboro Company). Use the info you obtain here at your own risks. Read http://www.thecassandraproject.org/disclaimer.html foxboro mailing list: //www.freelists.org/list/foxboro to subscribe: mailto:foxboro-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=join to unsubscribe: mailto:foxboro-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=leave