Alias visualization

A method implemented using one or more processors and comprising:

• retrieving alias subscription data associated with a plurality of distributed control nodes (DCNs) of a process automation facility, wherein the alias subscription data includes a list of subscriptions by at least some of the plurality of DCNs to aliases registered to a plurality of process automation nodes made accessible by the plurality of DCNs, wherein the plurality of process automation nodes include input/output (I/O) channels and function blocks that execute on the plurality of DCNs;
• causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to be rendered, wherein the GUI includes a plurality of graphical elements that visualize at least some of the plurality of DCNs and at least some of the subscriptions;
• comparing the alias subscription data to alias registration data to detect one or more irregularities in how the aliases are registered to the plurality of process automation nodes, wherein the alias registration data includes mappings between connection strings of the plurality of process automation nodes and the aliases registered to the plurality of process automation nodes;
• and
• based on the one or more detected irregularities, causing the GUI to be updated to visually emphasize one or more of the graphical elements of the GUI that correspond to one or more detected irregularities.

A system comprising one or more processors and memory storing instructions that, in response to execution by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

• retrieve alias subscription data associated with a plurality of distributed control nodes (DCNs) of a process automation facility, wherein the alias subscription data includes a list of subscriptions by at least some of the plurality of DCNs to aliases registered to a plurality of process automation nodes made accessible by the plurality of DCNs, wherein the plurality of process automation nodes include input/output (I/O) channels and function blocks that execute on the plurality of DCNs;
• cause a graphical user interface (GUI) to be rendered, wherein the GUI includes a plurality of graphical elements that visualize at least some of the plurality of DCNs and at least some of the subscriptions;
• compare the alias subscription data to alias registration data to detect one or more irregularities in how the aliases are registered to the plurality of process automation nodes, wherein the alias registration data includes mappings between connection strings of the plurality of I/O channels and the aliases registered to the plurality of process automation nodes;
• and
• based on the one or more detected irregularities, cause the GUI to be updated to visually emphasize one or more of the graphical elements of the GUI that correspond to one or more detected irregularities.