The GeoSCADA server upgrade project systematically updated both hardware and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) software, transitioning from the older Schneider ClearSCADA system to the newer GeoSCADA platform. In fact, this was a comprehensive effort: the ACE team configured new servers and dispatched personnel to 74 sites, replacing a total of 84 servers in just four months. Moreover, this initiative was vital because many communities lack reliable internet connectivity for normal site control. These remote locations rely heavily on ACE’s local databases to keep their facilities running. After installation, a site operator tested and approved each new server to ensure it functioned correctly, communicated properly, and met all operational needs.

Local vs. Replication Server Setup

To ensure reliability at every site, ACE used two categories of local server configurations:

• Local Area Standalone Servers (LASS) – Fully independent on-site servers that use a local database and run in pairs (one MAIN server and one STANDBY server) for redundancy. This dual-server setup is essential at critical infrastructure sites, where any downtime or hardware replacement poses a high risk to operations.
• Local Area Replication Servers (LARS) – Smaller backup servers that replicate data from a primary server. A LARS acts as an emergency standby running alongside the main server, and it takes over if communication with the primary server at the central operations centre fails. Smaller sites often have this setup in place as a safeguard.

Overall, both types of servers are essential for keeping critical systems running—both during normal operations and when communication outages or other emergencies occur.