Systems and methods for automated commissioning of virtualized distributed control systems are disclosed. An example method includes accessing a data structure including a list of configuration names for network cards associated with first and second host servers of a virtual process control environment. The first and second host servers implement virtual machines corresponding to workstations for a process control system. The example method also includes when configuring the first host server, assigning a first name to a first one of the network cards associated with the first host server. The example method further includes when configuring the second host server, assigning the first name to a second one of the network cards associated with the second host server based on a user selection of the first name from the list of configuration names. The second host server is configured after the first host server.

A system for testing a distributed control system of an industrial plant is provided. The distributed control system includes at least two industrial control devices and at least one data communication device. The system includes at least one engineering computer that includes an engineering data storage unit for storing engineering data of at least one part of the distributed control system, and at least one human machine interface for manipulating the engineering data. The system also includes at least one remote data processing server connected to the at least one engineering computer via a remote data connection and including an emulating virtual machine on which a soft emulator is installed for emulating one of the at least two industrial control devices and the at least one data communication device.

A system includes a collaborative design system that includes a processor configured to display an industrial plant layout on a display. The processor is also configured to overlay the industrial plant layout onto a geographic image. Further, the processor is configured to receive one or more inputs from a plurality of remote users. In addition, the processor is configured to manipulate the layout with respect to the geographic image based on the one or more inputs. Moreover, the processor is configured to create an industrial plant design based on the industrial plant layout and the geographic image.

An automation facility and method for expanding the automation facility with at least one field device, wherein expansion of the expansion of the automation facility with a further field device occurs in a simplified manner such that no disruptive influence on process control during the expansion occurs.

An automation facility and method for expanding the automation facility with at least one field device, wherein expansion of the expansion of the automation facility with a further field device occurs in a simplified manner such that no disruptive influence on process control during the expansion occurs.