Install the Required Python Components on the Server

The Python driver in Geo SCADA Expert is designed to enable the Geo SCADA Expert server to execute programs that are written in the Python programming language. To help enable this:

On each server on your system (with the exception of permanent standby servers), you need to:

1. Install the Geo SCADA Expert software, including the Python driver (see Installing Geo SCADA Expert in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Installation).

2. Set up the required ViewX client connections to the server (see ViewX Client - System Connections in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Client Administration).

3. Install a supported version of the Python software from the following website:

   https://www.python.org/downloads/

   We recommend that you only install a supported version that is marked as a stable release for Windows 64-bit operating systems. For information about the versions that Geo SCADA Expert supports, see Supported Versions of the Python Programming Language.

   The Python installation will include the Python executable (.exe). You might want to consider adding the path of the executable to the machine's PATH System environment variable during the installation process. You might also want to make a temporary note of this path, for use later in this procedure.

   The Python installation should include pip, the Python package installer. You will use pip in step 5 of this procedure.

4. Define the Location of the Python Executable.

5. Use a Command Prompt to install the Python Package files that are specific to Geo SCADA Expert. These files extend the Python functionality to enable the server to execute the Python programs and support the code that the Python programs need to include in order to interact with the Geo SCADA Expert database.

   The Python Package files are bundled with the Python driver component in the installer for Geo SCADA Expert. When you install the Python driver component, the Python Package files are placed in a PythonPackages folder in the same location as the installation files for the Geo SCADA Expert server. For information about the default location of the installation files for the server, see File Locations (Default).

   You need to install the Python Package files alongside your Python installation. You use pip, the Python package installer, to install the Python Package files in the required location on the server. To do this:

   1. Open a Command Prompt window in Microsoft® Windows®. (To do this, you can select the Start button, followed by the All Programs option, then select the Accessories option, followed by the Command Prompt option.)

   2. When the prompt is displayed, use the change directory command (cd) to go to the location of the Python executable.

      (If you opted to add the path to the machine's PATH System environment variable when you installed the Python executable, you should not need to use this command.)

   3. Once the prompt is at the required location, enter the following command to install the Python Package files at that location. Ensure that you paste the command across as a single line into the Command Prompt window.

      python -m pip install --no-index --find-links="C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric\ClearSCADA\PythonPackages" geoscada-client

      (Where the path in the command specifies the location at which the installer has placed the Python Package files. If the files have been placed at a different location to the default shown above, specify that location in the command instead.)

   4. Press the Enter key.
      The Python Package files are installed at the same location as the Python executable.

      The names of the files include the build version of Geo SCADA Expert. You might find this version information useful if you upgrade Geo SCADA Expert in future (see Steps Required Following an Upgrade).
      

6. Repeat the above procedure for other servers on your system (other than permanent standby servers).