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Removing Tags from the Total License Count (version 22)

  • updated 2 yrs ago

The license count in the Canary Historian is determined by the total number of tags in the most recent HDB file(s) of each dataset, even if a tag is not receiving updates.

Each time a new HDB file is created, all tags that are part of the active logging sessions linked to that DataSet are recorded in the HDB file.  Therefore, in order to remove a tag from using a historian tag license, the logging session must be modified and the tag removed from it.  When this is complete, a new HDB file can be created without the tag in it.

When a tag has been released from the license count, all historical data records remain in the Canary Historian but are no longer accessible for client tools like Axiom, the Excel Add-in, and Web API.

Learn how to accomplish this for the OPC UA and OPC DA Data Collectors.


The UA logger can remove tags from the total tag license count by updating the last HDB file automatically.

  1. Open the Canary Admin. Select the 'OPC Collector' tile.
  2. Select 'Configuration'. Select a Logging Session and navigate to the correct tag Group. Select a tag or tags (Shift and/or Control for multi select) by clicking on the tag row(s).  All selected tags should now be highlighted.
  3. Select 'REMOVE' in the top right cornerDO NOT SELECT 'REMOVE' ABOVE THE SESSION LIST.
  4. Click 'APPLY' and then 'yes' to make the change and restart the Logging Session.  All tags are now removed and the corresponding tag licenses are now free.
Do not select 'Remove' under the Session Settings window. Doing so will delete the entire session.

The OPC DA Collector must be configured to manually update the last HDB file.

  1. Open the Logger Administrator application.
  2. Select the Logging Session and then the Group tab associated with the tags you wish to delete.
  3. Select one or more tags to delete (Shift key allows for mass selection). Press the 'Delete' key on the keyboard. Select 'Apply'.
  4. You will be cautioned that for the change to take effect, you must ensure the 'Create new file when logging starts' box must be checked and you must stop and then restart the Logging Session.
  5. Now simply 'Stop' and then 'Start' the Logging Session.

Tags within the {Diagnostics} DataSet do not consume a tag license and are automatically installed with every Canary Historian.

Obsoleting Tags from the Historian

An additional method of releasing a tag license from the historian is available in obsoleting the tag.  To delete, or obsolete tags from a Canary DataSet, follow these steps.

  1. Remove the tag from the logging source, tags being actively logged cannot be obsoleted from the DataSet
  2. Open the Canary Admin application, navigate to the Historian tile, select the appropriate DataSet, and navigate to the most recent HDB file
  3. From within the HDB file, filter the tag list for the tags you wish to obsolete and download the list as a CSV file by selecting the downward arrow icon right of the filter box 
  4. Uncheck the 'Include parent path' feature 
  5. Save the file locally
  6. Within the Historian tile, navigate back to the view of all DataSets
  7. Highlight the DataSet you wish to obsolete tags from and select the down arrow icon from the 'DATASET' window, then choose 'OBSOLETE TAGS'
  8. Upload the CSV file with the list of tags you wish to obsolete and click 'ok'

Remember, tags cannot be obsoleted if they are still being actively logged. You must stop logging on all tags you wish to obsolete prior to trying to remove them.

If the process is not successful, a .txt file will be generated with the reason the tags were not obsoleted.  That file will be created in the same folder as the CSV file you uploaded.  

The obsoleted tag(s) will still appear in the active HDB file, however they will be immediately removed from any client browsing.  Upon the start of a new HDB file, the tag(s) will no longer be listed.  You may manually force the rollover of the current HDB file if you wish to verify.

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