Aspen MES InfoPlus and Enterprise Historian Overview #

Aspen InfoPlus.21 (IP.21) is a robust real-time data management system designed for industrial environments. It functions as a process historian, collecting and storing vast amounts of production data to improve decision-making, analysis, and reporting. Aspen IP.21 plays a crucial role in providing a comprehensive view of operational data, bridging the gap between plant-level process control systems and enterprise-level business operations.

Key Features and Modules #

Aspen InfoPlus.21 is not just a data historian; it is part of a larger Manufacturing Execution System (MES) that connects plant operations with enterprise systems. The primary modules of Aspen InfoPlus.21 include:

• Data Collection: Aspen IP.21 integrates with Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and other process control systems to collect real-time data. This ensures that data from various sources is centralized, allowing for better analysis and decision-making.
• Database Management: The system’s process historian stores massive amounts of data—up to one million tags in a single instance. This scalable solution allows enterprises to store long-term data and make it accessible for historical and trend analysis.
• Visualization and Analytics: With tools like aspenONE Process Explorer, users can visualize and analyze real-time and historical data from the web or mobile devices. This allows operators and engineers to monitor performance and make quick adjustments based on real-time feedback. It is highly flexible and designed to reduce IT maintenance costs​.
• Event Management: The system can be configured to monitor events and conditions, providing alerts and notifications for any irregularities, making it easier for operators to manage their plants proactively​.

Installation Requirements #

To implement Aspen InfoPlus.21, the following infrastructure is required:

• Hardware: Aspen InfoPlus.21 utilizes 64-bit architecture to handle extensive data sets and multi-core processors for optimal performance. Adequate hardware resources, such as high-performance CPUs and ample memory, are essential to support the high data volume and processing requirements.
• Software: The application is compatible with Windows Server operating systems and can operate within clustered environments for better availability and fault tolerance. Aspen IP.21 is integrated into the broader aspenONE® suite, which helps streamline installation by leveraging a unified software environment​.
• Network: Since Aspen IP.21 collects data from multiple locations, ensuring high network bandwidth and reliable connectivity is critical for efficient data transfer. Multi-site configurations, especially in global enterprises, require careful network planning to avoid bottlenecks and latency issues during data synchronization​.

Load Balancing for Aspen MES InfoPlus #

For enterprises handling vast amounts of data across different locations, load balancing ensures that Aspen InfoPlus.21 can manage workloads efficiently. By distributing incoming traffic and data requests across multiple servers, organizations can enhance system performance, reduce server downtime, and increase overall availability.

Load balancing for Aspen InfoPlus.21 can be set up using various approaches:

• DNS Load Balancing: By distributing DNS queries across multiple server instances, the system can balance data collection and analysis across various geographic locations.
• Cluster Configuration: In a high-availability (HA) environment, Aspen IP.21 supports clustering, allowing for failover mechanisms. This ensures that if one server becomes overloaded or fails, another server can take over without interrupting operations.
• Third-Party ADC Solutions: Integrating Aspen InfoPlus.21 with third-party load balancing solutions such as RELIANOID or other Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) can improve how data is handled across the network. These solutions help distribute traffic, monitor health status, and ensure that traffic is directed to the most efficient servers.

Load Balancing configuration with RELIANOID Load Balancer could be very easy by setting up an HTTP farm under LSLB > Farms with HTTPS listener and Disabling TLSv1.3 as it is not supported by some clients.

Conclusion #

Aspen InfoPlus.21 is a powerful and scalable real-time information management system designed to support complex industrial environments. Its flexibility and range of features—from real-time data collection to advanced analytics—make it a valuable tool for optimizing production and operational efficiency. With the right infrastructure and load balancing mechanisms in place, organizations can ensure that Aspen InfoPlus.21 delivers the performance, reliability, and scalability needed to meet business demands.