How do I migrate PI Data Archive to a new server?

How do I migrate PI Data Archive to a new server?

Migrating PI Data Archive involves moving archives, configuration, and reconnecting interfaces. Careful planning minimizes downtime.

Pre-Migration Checklist

Document current server configuration (PI SMT > General)
Record all interface configurations and point sources
Back up all archive files, annotation files, and configuration
Verify the new server meets hardware requirements
Plan a maintenance window

Migration Steps

1. Install PI Data Archive on the New Server

Install the same version (or newer) on the target server. Do NOT start the PI services yet.

2. Copy Archives

Copy all .arc and .ann files from the old server to the new server's archive directory:

robocopy D:\PI\arc E:\PI\arc *.arc *.ann /MT:8

3. Copy Configuration

Key files to transfer:

pipc.dat — PI point database
pimsg*.dat — message logs
pilastgood.dat — last good snapshot values
Security configuration (via PI SMT export)

4. Update Server References

On the new server:

Register archives using piartool -ar
Verify point configuration: piconfig queries
Test connectivity from client machines

5. Redirect Interfaces

Update all PI interfaces to point to the new server:

Modify startup parameters (hostname or IP)
Update PI Buffer Subsystem configuration
Test data flow to the new server

6. Update Client Connections

Update Known Servers Table (KST) on all client machines or use DNS aliasing:

DNS alias (recommended) — point the old hostname to the new IP
PI Connection Manager — update individual client configurations

Preserving Point IDs

If you copy pipc.dat, Point IDs are preserved. This is important for:

PI Vision displays that reference points by ID
Custom applications using point IDs
PI DataLink configurations

Validation

After migration, verify:

All tags are receiving new data (check snapshot timestamps)
Historical data is accessible (query archives from before migration)
All interfaces are connected and buffering is clear
PI Vision displays render correctly
AF Server can connect to the new PI Data Archive

Want to ask a follow-up?

PiChat can help with your specific PI System use case. Ask follow-up questions, get code examples, and troubleshoot issues.

Ask a Follow-Up Try Without Login

Related Questions

How do I set up PI Data Archive high availability with collectives?How do I optimize PI Data Archive performance?

Dive Deeper

PI Data Archive Migration: Preserving PointIDs During Upgrades Seamless First-Time Production Migration in PI System: A Step-by-Step Guide Migrating PI Data Archive to 64-bit: Best Practices & Pitfalls

More Questions

How do I configure PI AF templates?How do I authenticate with PI Web API from Python?What's the difference between snapshot and archive values in PI?What's the difference between PI Vision and PI ProcessBook?How do I build effective PI Vision displays?What are PI Event Frames and how do I use them?How do I write PI AF Analytics expressions?How do I use PI DataLink in Excel?Should I use PI Web API or AF SDK for my application?How do I write data to PI Data Archive?What are the main components of PI System architecture?How do I optimize PI Data Archive performance?How do I set up the PI Interface for OPC DA?How do I use PI Connector for UFL to import file data?How do I set up PI Data Archive high availability with collectives?What are the security best practices for PI System?How do I connect Power BI to PI System?How do I manage units of measure in PI System?What's the best way to learn PI System?How does PI time syntax work?What are good PI tag naming conventions?How do I access PI System data from Java or Linux?How do I set up PI AF notification rules?How do I use batch requests in PI Web API?How do I connect to PI AF Server using AF SDK in C#?How do I write VBA macros in PI ProcessBook?How does PI data compression work?How do I get real-time streaming updates from PI Web API?How do I troubleshoot PI AF Analysis errors?How do I write SQL queries against PI using PI OLEDB?What is PI interface buffering and how do I configure it?How do I search and query PI Event Frames?What is PI Integrator for Business Analytics?How do I fix the 'Point does not exist' error in PI System?What is the difference between PI ACE and AF Analytics?How do I manually enter data into PI Data Archive?What are AF hierarchy design best practices?What is a WebID in PI Web API and how does it work?How do I configure Kerberos authentication for PI System?Can I deploy PI System in the cloud?How do I calculate summaries (average, total, min, max) in PI?What are PI digital states and how do I use them?How do I connect PI System data to Grafana?How do I backup and restore PI Data Archive?How do I create custom symbols in PI Vision?How do I automate PI System tasks with PowerShell?What is AVEVA Connect and how does it relate to PI System?How do I check and handle data quality in PI System?How do I handle pagination in PI Web API responses?How does AVEVA PI System licensing work?How do I plan a PI System upgrade?