Method and system for configuring virtual controllers in a building management system

A programming tool configured to permit a user to configure a distributed building management system that includes a virtual controller and an edge controller for controlling a building control device using a distributed control logic that is distributed between the virtual controller and the edge controller, wherein the virtual controller provides control commands to the edge controller and the edge controller provides device commands to the building control device, the programming tool comprising:

• a user interface configured to display information for a user and to receive input from the user;
• a processor operably coupled to the user interface, the processor configured to:
• display a graphical representation of the distributed control logic on the user interface;
• receive user input via the user interface that permits the user to select and tag which portions of the distributed control logic are considered critical and/or which portions of the distributed control logic are not considered critical to the operation of the building control device should the edge controller stop receiving control commands from the virtual controller;
• download the portions of the distributed control logic that are considered critical to the edge controller for execution by the edge controller, such that the edge controller executes the distributed control logic that is considered critical when subsequently controlling the building control device;
• and
• download the portions of the distributed control logic that are not considered to be critical to the virtual controller for execution by the virtual controller, such that the virtual controller executes the distributed control logic that is not considered to be critical when subsequently controlling the building control device.

A programming tool configured to permit a user to configure a distributed building management system that includes a virtual controller and an edge controller for controlling a building control device using a distributed control logic that is distributed between the virtual controller and the edge controller, wherein the virtual controller provides control commands to the edge controller and the edge controller provides device commands to the building control device, the programming tool comprising:

• a user interface configured to display information for a user and to receive input from the user;
• a processor operably coupled to the user interface, the processor configured to:
• display a wire sheet that represents the distributed control logic using a plurality of function blocks;
• allow a user to select and tag which functional blocks of the distributed control logic are considered critical and/or which function blocks of the distributed control logic are considered not critical to a fail-safe operation of the building control device should the edge controller stop receiving control commands from the virtual controller;
• assign the function blocks considered to be critical to the edge controller and assign at least some of the function blocks considered to be not critical to the virtual controller;
• and
• determine an estimate of resources requirements for the virtual controller and/or the edge controller in order to execute the assigned function blocks.