|
Category |
Requirements |
|
Computer1 |
Good motherboard with fast front-side speed 8 GB+ of fast, high-quality RAM2 Solid-state hard drive - Recommended 64-bit operating system (see Usage, below)4 8 CPU cores (minimum 4)3 with a decent CPU ranking One USB 2.0 port or better if Legacy Lock-based Licensing is used Internet connection |
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
Operating System |
Supported on the following 64-bit editions of Microsoft® Operating Systems4:
May also be run on a Windows virtual machine.
Not supported on any of the following Microsoft® Operating Systems:
|
|
Prerequisite Software |
Microsoft® Visual C++ 2005 Redistributables, x865 |
|
Launching and Running |
Microsoft® Windows User privileges |
|
User Profile |
Mandatory user profiles are not supported |
|
Licensing |
See Licensing. |
|
Third Party Software |
A compatible Fortran compiler is required. For details, refer to Selecting and Setting up your Fortran Compiler |
|
Execution Permissions |
The application executable files must be whitelisted in all protection software:
For PSCAD:
The path may be set generally, as: %PROGRAMFILES%\PSCAD<version>
Or, the path may be specified as: C:\Program Files (x86)\<version>\bin\win64\pscad.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\<version>\bin\win\tline.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\<version>\utilities
For the Intel® Parallel Studio Composer Edition for FORTRAN: %PROGRAMFILES%\Intel
For Microsoft® Visual Studio: %PROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft Visual Studio <version>
Allow the user execute permissions to the following within %SYSTEM32%: cmd.exe conhost.exe
The executable files created by the application must be permitted in all protection software. See listing in Appendix F of the Solutions manual posted in this article. |
|
Folder Permissions |
The user must have full permissions for the following folder and sub-folders:
Common Documents folder (ex. C:\Users\Public\Documents)
The following sub-folders will be created, and the user must have full permissions:
C:\Users\<your userid>\AppData\Local\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre C:\ProgramData\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre |
|
PSCAD Project Folder |
PSCAD projects should be run from local drives in which the user has full permissions (ex. C:\<some name>). Projects should not be run from Network drives. oneDrive should be avoided, as well as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, since these are normally synched to oneDrive. |
|
Communication Over TCP/IP |
This is required for PSCAD and the executables listed in Execution Permissions above, for the purpose of simulation control and data collection for plots. |
|
Windows Firewall/Network Ports |
To run PSCAD projects, ports 30,000 to 40,000 must be available to allow PSCAD and EMTDC communication.
|
|
Windows Command Prompt |
User must have permissions to launch and use the Windows Command Prompt |
|
Allow VPN Access |
Required if connecting remotely over your facility VPN |
|
Launching and Running as Windows is not Supported |
PSCAD does not support and has never supported being installed, launched, or run as a WindowsApp, as correct and proper operation of PSCAD cannot be guaranteed. |
There are two ways to install the PSCAD application. The following lists the minimum requirements for each method.
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
Registry Keys Permissions |
32-bit registry keys (used by PSCAD (64-bit)):
HKCU\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre\Pscad HKCU\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc\Pscad HKLM\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre\Pscad HKLM\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc\Pscad
64-bit registry keys (used by PSCAD (64-bit)):
HKCU\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre\Pscad HKCU\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc\Pscad HKLM\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre\Pscad HKLM\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc\Pscad |
|
Repackaging is not supported |
PSCAD does not support being packaged or installed as an MSIX installer, as correct and proper operation of PSCAD cannot be guaranteed. |
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
General Requirements |
As listed in General Installation Requirements, above |
|
Operating System |
Any of the following Microsoft® Operating Systems (64-bit editions4):
|
|
Downloading |
Internet connection, to download the installer package. |
|
Running (Installing PSCAD, Automation Library, Prerequisites, Sentinel Drivers, GFortran) |
Microsoft® Windows Administrator privileges
The user must have full permissions for the following path:
C:\Users\Public\Documents |
|
Logging |
The following sub-folder will be created, and the user must have full permissions:
C:\Users\<your_userid>\AppData\Local\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre\Installer |
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
General Requirements |
As listed in General Installation Requirements, above |
|
Access to Product Downloads |
Add the first or both of the following URLs to all anti-virus/firewall whitelists:
https://products.pscad.com ftp://ftps.pscad.com |
|
Installing or Updating |
Microsoft® Windows Administrator privileges Internet connection |
|
Launching MyUpdater |
To install or update software:
To uninstall software:
To run installed products:
|
|
Connection to Publication Server |
Add the first or both of the following URLs to all anti-virus/firewall whitelists:
http://publisher.pscad.com:80/ net.tcp://publisher.pscad.com:443/ |
|
Supported Protocols |
TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.2 |
There are two ways to license the PSCAD application. The following lists the minimum requirements for each method.
See Certificate Licenses for more details.
Note – Protection software can block certificate licensing if not properly configured as specified below.
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
Certificate |
MyCentre user account with access to a licensed workgroup. |
|
Operational Requirements |
Supported on a local desktop, remote desktop, over virtual private network (VPN), and in a cloud desktop environment. |
|
Connection to the License Server |
Add both of the following URLs to all anti-virus/firewall whitelists:
http://licensing.pscad.com:80/Licensing net.tcp://licensing.pscad.com:443/Licensing |
|
Proxy servers |
Not all proxy servers are supported. If yours is not supported, it will need to be bypassed for all licensing traffic to the specified URLs. |
|
Activate/Release/Refresh a Certificate |
Microsoft® Windows User privileges Internet connection |
|
Using Certificates |
The following sub-folders will be created:
The following sub-folder should already exist, and will be used:
|
|
Logging Certificate Licensing Activities |
The following sub-folder will be created:
|
|
Supported Protocols |
TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.2 |
|
System Time |
Must be within 5 minutes of a recognized internet time server |
There are two ways that lock-based licensing may be used to license the PSCAD application. The following lists the minimum requirements for each method.
General Lock-Based Licensing Requirements
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
Licensing Media |
The License Database File must be installed on the licensed machine The Sentinel USB Lock must be installed on the licensed machine |
|
To Communicate with the Sentinel Lock |
Sentinel Driver software to use the Sentinel USB lock8
For Microsoft® Windows 10 (all releases) and better:
One USB 2.0 port or better. |
|
To Install a License Database File |
Microsoft® Windows Administrator privileges |
|
To Use the License Update Tool |
Microsoft® Windows Administrator privileges Internet connection is required if downloading the posted (current) version |
|
To Activate a License |
Microsoft® Windows User privileges |
|
Access to Obtain and Retain Licensing Settings |
Settings accessible to everyone on the specified machine:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc\PSCAD\License
Note: Microsoft® Windows Administrator privileges are required to modify them.
Settings applicable only to specified individuals on a machine:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc\PSCAD\License
Note: Only Microsoft® Windows User-level privileges are required to read or modify them, unless prohibited by a group policy. |
Local Licensing Requirements
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
General Requirements |
As listed in General Lock-based Licensing Requirements, above |
|
Machine |
Supported on a local machine, but may be possible to use virtual private network (VPN) to remote log in.
Not supported in a cloud desktop environment. |
|
Firewall |
Ports 2053 and 2054 must be open |
|
Standalone License Manager (see The License Manager section) |
Must be installed if the PSCAD license contains more than one PSCAD seat. |
Network Licensing Requirements
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
General Requirements |
As listed in General Lock-based Licensing Requirements, above |
|
Machine – Client |
Supported on a local machine but may be possible to use virtual private network (VPN) to connect to the server.
Not supported in a cloud desktop environment (generally they are not connected to the corporate network).
Internet connection is required if using VPN for a remote License Manager |
|
Machine – Server |
Supported on a physical machine, but also on a virtual server. Contact the PSCAD Support Desk support@mhi.ca for details. |
|
Must be installed on the server to manage license sharing. |
|
|
ICMP Ping Echo and ICMP Ping Reply |
Must be enabled on the firewall for the host and client machines |
|
TCP/IP and UDP/IP on Ports 2053 / 2054 |
Must be open on the firewall |
|
NetBIOS (if used) Port 137 |
Must be allowed on the server |
Required when using Network Licensing.
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
Operating System |
Recommended on the following Microsoft® Windows Operating Systems:
Other Microsoft® Windows Operating Systems that can be used:
Not supported or not recommended on the following Microsoft® Windows Operating Systems:
Supported on a physical machine and also on a virtual server. The USB lock must be connected. Contact the PSCAD Support Desk support@mhi.ca for details. |
|
Installation |
Microsoft® Windows Administrator privileges |
|
IP Address |
If the License Manager is to be installed on a license host machine (server), the IP address must be static
|
|
Sleep/Hibernate |
If the License Manager is to be installed on a license host machine (server), the server must not be allowed to sleep or hibernate |
|
Start/Stop/Restart the License Manager |
Microsoft® Windows Administrator privileges |
|
License Manager Setup Tool |
Microsoft® Windows Administrator privileges
Internet connection is required if downloading the posted (current) version |
|
Running/Restarting the License Manager |
Whitelist the License Manager executable files in this folder:
|
|
TCP/IP and UDP/IP on Ports 2053/2054 |
Must be open on the firewall |
|
Category |
Requirements |
|
Running the Get Info tool |
Microsoft® Windows User privileges
Internet connection is required if downloading the posted (current) version |
|
Running the Fortran Medic Tool |
Microsoft® Windows User privileges if it will only be used to gather and display information
Internet connection is required if downloading the posted (current) version |
|
Viewing Log Files |
Microsoft® Windows User privileges |
Notes:
PSCAD is a numerically intensive power system transients simulator; a fast and efficient personal computer is recommended for best results. To obtain specifications for extremely high workloads, please contact the PSCAD Support Desk for information (support@mhi.ca).
Personal computers configured with slower processors and lesser RAM may be used, but slower execution performance will result. In other words, simulation speed increases with processor speed and amount of installed RAM.
Generally, the faster the better. We recommend an eight-core processor (or at least a four-core processor) to take advantage of Parallel and High Performance Computing. Additional licensed capabilities may be purchased to maximize these features. For more information, refer to this topic or contact the Support Desk (support@mhi.ca).
PSCAD V5 is not supported on 32-bit operating systems.
These specified editions of Visual C++ Redistributables are required on your Windows 64-bit Operating System. If this prerequisite software is not already installed, the user will be prompted to install it when PSCAD is installed.
If Microsoft® .NET Framework 4.8 or better is not already installed, the user will be prompted to install it when PSCAD is installed.
The Fortran Medic Utility can be used to configure a machine for certificate licensing as per this article.
Sentinel Driver software is installed automatically alongside PSCAD and the License Manager.
Sentinel Driver version 7.6.1 is deployed with PSCAD 5.1 and License Manager v1.49.
The License Manager is required to manage either a local license containing multiple seats (see Local Licensing Requirements, above) or a network license (see Network Licensing Requirements, above).