Software components and folder structure
Software components
VWorks 14.1 and later versions are available as VWorks Standard and VWorks Plus. VWorks Plus is a compliance-enabled edition that supports compliance with Part 11 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR Part 11).
All editions include the following components:
• OpenLab for VWorks
• VWorks software
OpenLab for VWorks components
• Control Panel and Shared Services. Control Panel is the user interface for Shared Services, which are set of administrative services. An administrator uses Control Panel to configure VWorks user access, software licenses, storage, e-signature levels, and audit trail settings.
• Storage types. Shared Services uses a different storage type for each VWorks edition:
– VWorks Plus. Uses Secure Storage to store VWorks files, records of interest, and audit trails. A system administrator can use the Content Browser to view and edit the project structure and contents.
– VWorks Standard. Uses the local file system. Shared Services stores the files in a predefined VWorks Project folder /VWorks Projects/VWorks.
VWorks stores the files and records of interest, such as protocols, as .roiZip archives.
VWorks cannot load files (.roiZip extension) that have been modified or renamed outside of the VWorks software. Note: Unlike earlier versions, the Windows Registry is not used for storing records, such as labware definitions and device profiles.
VWorks software
The VWorks software provides the instrument control for Agilent automation devices. You create labware definitions and liquid classes, set up your devices and create device profiles, and create and run protocols.
VWorks Plus only. The VWorks software logs audit trails for records of interest, tracks records by record state (In Development, In Validation, and Released), and performs tamper detection on the records.
The following figures show the relationships between these components.
Figure VWorks Plus architecture
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Figure VWorks Standard architecture
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VWorks Project folder structure
During installation, a VWorks Projects folder structure is created that includes 4 levels, for example, \VWorks Projects\VWorks\Protocols\General.
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You can create additional subfolders for your files, for example,
\VWorks Projects\VWorks\MyExperiments\ExperimentA\MyProtocols
Note: Files saved in folders that you create at any level other than a fourth-level folder will not be compatible with legacy OpenLab ECM 3.x servers. Refer to the following procedure if compatibility with legacy OpenLab ECM 3.x servers is required.
Folder restrictions for compatibility with legacy ECM servers
The legacy Agilent ECM servers do not allow files to be saved in subfolders above or below the fourth level. The VWorks software includes an option to restrict file saving to the fourth level folders to ensure compatibility with legacy ECM servers.
To select or clear the folder-restriction option:
1 In the VWorks window, click Tools > Options. The Options dialog box opens.
2 Locate the Restrict file saving to 4th level folders only to support legacy ECM servers check box.
This setting ensures that VWorks file-saving is restricted to fourth-level folders.
• If you require compatibility with legacy OpenLab ECM 3.x servers, select the check box.
• If you want to remove this restriction, clear the check box.
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4 Click OK to save the changes.
5 VWorks Plus only. In the Audit Comment dialog box that opens, enter an audit comment.
Note: An audit comment is required any time you save a change to the VWorks global options. For details on configuring audit trail comments, see Configuration and administration guides.
Related information
For information about... | See... |
|---|---|
Setting up the VWorks software | |
Audit trails and records of interest | |
VWorks features, supported devices, and user interface | |
Setting VWorks global options |