Glossary · Distributed automation and IEC 61499
Management command
Also known as: Device management command
German: Managementbefehl
In IEC 61499, a management command is a request sent to a device or resource to manage its configuration and function blocks, such as creating, deleting, starting, stopping, querying or reading and writing function block instances and connections.
- IEC 61499
- Standards
In one sentence
IEC 61499 management commands let tools create, delete, start, stop and query function blocks and connections on a device.
Example
During deployment, the engineering tool sends CREATE commands for all function block instances and connections of a resource, then a START command.
How it applies
- Engineering: Management commands are how IEC 61499 tools deploy and reconfigure applications on devices, including changes while other parts keep running. The commands are handled by management function blocks in the device.
- Commissioning: Deployment logs show which commands were sent and whether they succeeded. Failed commands can leave a resource partially configured.
- Security: Whoever can send management commands can change the control application. Access must be restricted and authenticated, and the capability belongs in the device's security assessment, see Authorization and IEC 62443.
- Documentation: Describe how deployment and reconfiguration are performed, who is allowed to do it and how changes are recorded. Runtime reconfiguration is a change and falls under Change control.
Management command vs. application data
Application data flows between function blocks during normal operation. Management commands change the configuration of the application itself. They should travel over controlled paths.