The APS Control System Network

K. V. Sidorowicz and W. P. McDowell
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne IL

The APS accelerator control system is a distributed system consisting of operator interfaces, a network, and interfaces to hardware. This implementation of a control system has come to be called the "Standard Model." The operator interface is a UNIX-based workstation with an X-windows graphical user interface. The workstation may be located at any point on the facility network and maintain full functionality. The function of the network is to provide a generalized communication path between the file servers, operator workstations, input/output crates, and other hardware that comprise the control system. The crate or input/output controller (IOC) provides direct control and input/output interfaces for each accelerator subsystem. The network is an integral part of all modern control systems and network performance will determine many characteristics of a control system. This paper will examine the APS network and provide metrics demonstrating the performance of the system under operation conditions.