User Manual

dataFEED OPC Suite

The All-In-One Solution for OPC Communication

Version: EN-102015-1.00

Copyright 2015 Softing Industrial Automation GmbH

Disclaimer of liability

The information contained in these instructions corresponds to the technical status at the time of printing of it
and is passed on with the best of our knowledge. The information in these instructions is in no event a basis for
warranty claims or contractual agreements concerning the described products, and may especially not be
deemed as warranty concerning the quality and durability pursuant to Sec. 443 German Civil Code. We reserve
the right to make any alterations or improvements to these instructions without prior notice. The actual design of
products may deviate from the information contained in the instructions if technical alterations and product
improvements so require.

It may not, in part or in its entirety, be reproduced, copied, or transferred into electronic media.

Softing Industrial Automation GmbH

Richard-Reitzner-Allee 6
85540 Haar / Germany
Tel: + 49 89 4 56 56-0
Fax: + 49 89 4 56 56-488
Internet: http://industrial.softing.com
Email: [email protected]
Support: [email protected]

The latest version of this manual is available in the Softing download area at: http://industrial.softing.com.
 Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Welcome to Softing dataFEED OPC Suite
.........................................................................15
Chapter 2 dataFEED OPC Suite Quickstart
.........................................................................18
2.1 OPC
........................................................................................
Tunnel 19
2.2 OPC
........................................................................................
UA Server 20
2.3 OPC
........................................................................................
Bridge 20
2.4 OPC
........................................................................................
Optimizer 21
2.5 OPC
........................................................................................
Concentrator 22
2.6 OPC
........................................................................................
Filter 23
2.7 OPC
........................................................................................
Client2Client 24
2.8 OPC
........................................................................................
Server2Server 25
2.9 OPC2File
........................................................................................ 26
2.10 OPC2Database
........................................................................................ 27
2.11 OPC
........................................................................................
Store And Forward 28

Chapter 3 dataFEED OPC Suite Introduction

.........................................................................29
3.1 OPC
........................................................................................
Tunnel 30
3.2 OPC
........................................................................................
UA 32
3.3 OPC
........................................................................................
Bridge 33
3.4 OPC
........................................................................................
Optimizer 34
3.5 OPC
........................................................................................
Concentrator 36
3.6 OPC
........................................................................................
Filter 37
3.7 OPC
........................................................................................
Client2Client 39
3.8 OPC
........................................................................................
Server2Server 42
3.9 OPC2File
........................................................................................ 43
3.10 OPC2Database
........................................................................................ 45
3.11 OPC
........................................................................................
Store And Forward 47

Chapter 4 Installation
.........................................................................50
4.1 Operating
........................................................................................
Systems 50
4.2 Previous
........................................................................................
Versions 51
4.3 Installation
........................................................................................ 51

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4.4 Uninstallation
........................................................................................ 52
4.5 DCOM
........................................................................................
Configuration 52
4.5.1 System................................................................................
Wide Security Parameters 54
4.5.2 Application Specific Security Parameters
................................................................................ 60
4.5.3 Activating Guest Access
................................................................................ 62
4.5.4 Configuring the Windows Firewall
................................................................................ 63
Chapter 5 Licensing
.........................................................................66
5.1 License
........................................................................................
Model 66
5.2 License
........................................................................................
Manager 69
5.3 Demonstration
........................................................................................
Mode 71

Chapter 6 Operation
.........................................................................72
6.1 Start
........................................................................................
Menu 73
6.2 Tray
........................................................................................
Application 74
6.3 Web
........................................................................................
Pages 80
6.3.1 Information
................................................................................ 82
6.3.2 Diagnostics
................................................................................ 83
6.3.2.1 Process Values
............................................................................................ 84
6.3.2.2 Clients
............................................................................................ 86
6.3.2.3 Configuration
............................................................................................ 87
6.3.2.4 Servers
............................................................................................ 88
6.3.2.5 Cyclic Requests
............................................................................................ 90
6.3.2.6 Device Connections
............................................................................................ 92
6.3.2.7 OPC UA Server Information
............................................................................................ 96
6.3.3 Configuration
................................................................................ 97
6.3.3.1 Trace
............................................................................................ 98
6.3.3.2 Password
............................................................................................ 99
6.4 Building
........................................................................................
Own Web Pages 100
6.5 Demonstration
........................................................................................
Mode 101
6.6 Converting
........................................................................................
Configurations 102
6.6.1 Project Converter
................................................................................ 102
6.6.2 Changes Between V1.x and V2.x
................................................................................ 105
6.7 Importing
........................................................................................
Multiprotocol OPC Server Configurations 112
6.7.1 Import................................................................................
- Configuration File Selection 113
6.7.2 Import................................................................................
- PLC Connections Selection 113

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6.7.3 Import................................................................................
- PLC Symbols Selection 115
6.7.4 Import................................................................................
- Results 117
6.8 Identity
........................................................................................
Settings 118
6.8.1 dataFEED OPC Suite V4.10
................................................................................ 118
6.8.2 Changes Between V2.x/V3x and V4.x
................................................................................ 121
6.8.3 Changes Between V1.x and V2.x
................................................................................ 123
6.9 System
........................................................................................
Items 125
6.10 OPC
........................................................................................
Tunnel Discovery Service 133
6.11 OPC
........................................................................................
UA Local Discovery Service 134

Chapter 7 Configuration
.........................................................................135
7.1 Configuration
........................................................................................
Concept 136
7.1.1 Data Sources
................................................................................ 138
7.1.2 Data Processing
................................................................................ 139
7.1.3 Data Destinations
................................................................................ 141
7.2 dataFEED
........................................................................................
OPC Suite Configurator 142
7.2.1 General
................................................................................ 143
7.2.2 Feature Selection
................................................................................ 146
7.2.3 Configuration Handling
................................................................................ 148
7.2.4 Backup & Restore
................................................................................ 152
7.2.5 Import................................................................................
Multiprotocol OPC Server Configuration 154
7.2.6 V1.x Configuration Convertor
................................................................................ 154
7.2.7 Local................................................................................
Application Access 154
7.2.8 Tree Handling
................................................................................ 156
7.2.8.1 General
............................................................................................ 156
7.2.8.2 Local Namespace
............................................................................................ 158
7.2.8.3 Tree Node States and Icons
............................................................................................ 163
7.2.8.4 Online Mode
............................................................................................ 166
7.2.8.5 Offline Mode
............................................................................................ 166
7.2.8.6 Checked States
............................................................................................ 167
7.3 dataFEED
........................................................................................
OPC Suite Configuration 168
7.3.1 Data Sources
................................................................................ 171
7.3.1.1 Tunnel Server
............................................................................................ 172
7.3.1.1.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 173
7.3.1.1.2 Advanced Settings
....................................................................................... 175
7.3.1.1.3 Connection Test
....................................................................................... 178

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7.3.1.1.4 Filter .......................................................................................

Item Properties 178
7.3.1.1.5 Filter .......................................................................................
File 182
7.3.1.1.6 Tunnel Server Wizard
....................................................................................... 184
7.3.1.1.6.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 184
7.3.1.1.6.2 Settings ........................................................................... 186
7.3.1.1.6.3 Server ........................................................................... 187
7.3.1.1.6.4 Authentication
........................................................................... 188
7.3.1.1.6.5 Store And Forward
........................................................................... 190
7.3.1.1.6.6 Filter ........................................................................... 191
7.3.1.1.6.7 Filter Items ........................................................................... 192
7.3.1.1.7 Import Wizard
....................................................................................... 195
7.3.1.1.7.1 Import File Format
........................................................................... 195
7.3.1.1.7.2 Import File Selection
........................................................................... 197
7.3.1.1.7.3 Import Results
........................................................................... 198
7.3.1.1.8 Export Wizard
....................................................................................... 199
7.3.1.1.8.1 Export File Selection
........................................................................... 200
7.3.1.1.8.2 Export Results
........................................................................... 201
7.3.1.2 OPC Server
............................................................................................ 202
7.3.1.2.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 203
7.3.1.2.2 Advanced Settings
....................................................................................... 205
7.3.1.2.3 Connection Test
....................................................................................... 208
7.3.1.2.4 Filter .......................................................................................
Item Properties 208
7.3.1.2.5 Filter .......................................................................................
File 212
7.3.1.2.6 OPC .......................................................................................
Server Wizard 214
7.3.1.2.6.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 214
7.3.1.2.6.2 Settings ........................................................................... 216
7.3.1.2.6.3 Server ........................................................................... 217
7.3.1.2.6.4 Authentication
........................................................................... 219
7.3.1.2.6.5 Store And Forward
........................................................................... 220
7.3.1.2.6.6 Filter ........................................................................... 221
7.3.1.2.6.7 Filter Items ........................................................................... 222
7.3.1.2.7 Import Wizard
....................................................................................... 225
7.3.1.2.7.1 Import File Format
........................................................................... 226
7.3.1.2.7.2 Import File Selection
........................................................................... 227
7.3.1.2.7.3 Import Results
........................................................................... 228
7.3.1.2.8 Export Wizard
....................................................................................... 229
7.3.1.2.8.1 Export File Selection
........................................................................... 230
7.3.1.2.8.2 Export Results
........................................................................... 231
7.3.1.3 Local Items
............................................................................................ 232

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7.3.1.3.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 233
7.3.1.3.2 Properties
....................................................................................... 235
7.3.1.3.3 Local.......................................................................................
Items Root 238
7.3.1.3.4 Advanced Settings
....................................................................................... 239
7.3.1.3.5 Local.......................................................................................
Items File 240
7.3.1.3.6 Import Wizard
....................................................................................... 241
7.3.1.3.6.1 Import File Format
........................................................................... 241
7.3.1.3.6.2 Import File Selection
........................................................................... 242
7.3.1.3.6.3 Import Results
........................................................................... 243
7.3.1.3.7 Export Wizard
....................................................................................... 244
7.3.1.3.7.1 Export File Selection
........................................................................... 245
7.3.1.3.7.2 Export Results
........................................................................... 246
7.3.1.4 Siemens Devices
............................................................................................ 247
7.3.1.4.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 247
7.3.1.4.2 Siemens Device Wizard
....................................................................................... 250
7.3.1.4.2.1 Connection Settings
........................................................................... 251
7.3.1.4.2.2 Communication Settings
........................................................................... 252
7.3.1.4.2.1 Advanced Communication Settings S7
........................................................................... 253
7.3.1.4.2.2 Advanced Communication Settings S5
........................................................................... 255
7.3.1.4.2.3 Advanced Communication Settings Send/Receive
........................................................................... 259
7.3.1.4.2.4 Advanced Communication Settings Netlink
........................................................................... 261
7.3.1.4.2.3 Extended Settings
........................................................................... 263
7.3.1.4.2.4 Address Space Definition
........................................................................... 264
7.3.1.4.2.1 S7 Symbol File Import Wizard
........................................................................... 266
7.3.1.4.2.1 Import - File Selection
........................................................................... 267
7.3.1.4.2.2 Import - PLC...........................................................................
Program Selection 270
7.3.1.4.2.3 Import - Device Selection
........................................................................... 270
7.3.1.4.2.4 Import - PLC...........................................................................
Blocks Selection 271
7.3.1.4.2.5 Import - Results
........................................................................... 273
7.3.1.4.2.6 Import an *.sdfi file created with dataFEED Exporter
........................................................................... 274
7.3.1.4.2.7 Importing TIA...........................................................................
projects - supported data types 274
7.3.1.5 Rockwell Devices
............................................................................................ 276
7.3.1.5.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 277
7.3.1.5.2 Rockwell Device Wizard
....................................................................................... 279
7.3.1.5.2.1 Connection Settings
........................................................................... 280
7.3.1.5.2.2 Communication Settings
........................................................................... 281
7.3.1.5.2.1 Advanced Communication Settings
........................................................................... 282
7.3.1.5.2.3 PLC Protocol...........................................................................
Settings CLX 283
7.3.1.5.2.4 Extended Settings
........................................................................... 285

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7.3.1.5.2.5 Address Space Definition

........................................................................... 286
7.3.1.6 Modbus Devices
............................................................................................ 289
7.3.1.6.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 289
7.3.1.6.2 Modbus Device Wizard
....................................................................................... 292
7.3.1.6.2.1 Connection Settings
........................................................................... 293
7.3.1.6.2.2 Communication Settings
........................................................................... 294
7.3.1.6.2.1 Advanced Communication Settings
........................................................................... 295
7.3.1.6.2.3 PLC Protocol...........................................................................
Settings 296
7.3.1.6.2.4 Extended Settings
........................................................................... 297
7.3.1.6.2.5 Address Space Definition
........................................................................... 298
7.3.1.6.2.1 Modbus Symbol File Import Wizard
........................................................................... 301
7.3.1.6.2.1 Import File Selection
........................................................................... 302
7.3.1.6.2.2 Import Results
........................................................................... 304
7.3.1.7 Mitsubishi Devices
............................................................................................ 305
7.3.1.7.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 306
7.3.1.7.2 Mitsubishi Device Wizard
....................................................................................... 308
7.3.1.7.2.1 Connection Settings
........................................................................... 309
7.3.1.7.2.2 Communication Settings
........................................................................... 310
7.3.1.7.2.1 Advanced Communication Settings
........................................................................... 311
7.3.1.7.2.3 PLC Protocol...........................................................................
Settings 312
7.3.1.7.2.4 Extended Settings
........................................................................... 313
7.3.1.7.2.5 Address Space Definition
........................................................................... 314
7.3.1.8 B&R Devices
............................................................................................ 317
7.3.1.8.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 318
7.3.1.8.2 B&R .......................................................................................
Device Wizard 320
7.3.1.8.2.1 Connection Settings
........................................................................... 321
7.3.1.8.2.2 Communication Settings
........................................................................... 322
7.3.1.8.2.1 Advanced Communication Settings
........................................................................... 323
7.3.1.8.2.3 PVI Manager...........................................................................
Settings 325
7.3.1.8.2.4 Address Space Definition
........................................................................... 327
7.3.1.9 OPC UA Server
............................................................................................ 329
7.3.1.9.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 330
7.3.1.9.2 Connection Test
....................................................................................... 332
7.3.1.9.3 Advanced Settings
....................................................................................... 334
7.3.1.9.4 Global Settings
....................................................................................... 336
7.3.1.9.5 UA Server Connection Wizard
....................................................................................... 337
7.3.1.9.5.1 Connection Settings Page
........................................................................... 338
7.3.1.9.5.2 Endpoint Settings Page
........................................................................... 339
7.3.1.9.5.3 Security Settings Page
........................................................................... 340

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7.3.1.9.5.1 Certificate Management

........................................................................... 342
7.3.1.9.5.2 Server certificate retreival
........................................................................... 343
7.3.1.9.5.3 Certificate Validation
........................................................................... 344
7.3.1.10 Appendix
............................................................................................ 344
7.3.1.10.1 Import Wizard
....................................................................................... 345
7.3.1.10.1.1 Import File Selection
........................................................................... 346
7.3.1.10.1.2 Import Symbols Selection
........................................................................... 346
7.3.1.10.1.3 Import Results
........................................................................... 347
7.3.1.10.2 Export Wizard
....................................................................................... 348
7.3.1.10.2.1 Export File Selection
........................................................................... 349
7.3.1.10.2.2 Export Results
........................................................................... 350
7.3.1.10.3 Global Settings Wizard
....................................................................................... 351
7.3.1.10.3.1 Basic ........................................................................... 351
7.3.1.10.3.2 Advanced ........................................................................... 353
7.3.1.10.4 Item Syntax
....................................................................................... 356
7.3.1.10.4.1 S7 Item Syntax
........................................................................... 357
7.3.1.10.4.2 S5 Item Syntax
........................................................................... 365
7.3.1.10.4.3 Modbus Item...........................................................................
Syntax 372
7.3.1.10.4.4 PLC-5 / SLC ...........................................................................
Item Syntax 376
7.3.1.10.4.5 MELSEC-Q Item Syntax
........................................................................... 378
7.3.1.10.4.6 Send/Receive Item Syntax
........................................................................... 384
7.3.1.10.5 Plc Connection Item Properties
....................................................................................... 387
7.3.1.10.6 TSAP....................................................................................... 390
7.3.1.10.7 TSAP.......................................................................................
for S7 391
7.3.1.10.8 IP Address
....................................................................................... 393
7.3.1.10.9 Suffixes
....................................................................................... 394
7.3.2 Data Processing
................................................................................ 398
7.3.2.1 Store And Forward
............................................................................................ 399
7.3.2.1.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 400
7.3.2.1.2 Store.......................................................................................
and Forward Item Settings 405
7.3.2.1.3 Store.......................................................................................
and Forward Wizard 406
7.3.2.1.3.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 406
7.3.2.1.3.2 Local Storage
........................................................................... 408
7.3.2.1.3.3 Monitoring Client
........................................................................... 409
7.3.2.1.3.4 Forward Settings
........................................................................... 410
7.3.2.1.3.5 Storage Items
........................................................................... 411
7.3.2.1.4 File Format
....................................................................................... 412
7.3.2.1.5 Import Wizard
....................................................................................... 423
7.3.2.1.5.1 Import File Format
........................................................................... 423

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7.3.2.1.5.2 Import File Selection

........................................................................... 428
7.3.2.1.5.3 Import Results
........................................................................... 429
7.3.2.1.6 Export Wizard
....................................................................................... 430
7.3.2.1.6.1 Export File Selection
........................................................................... 431
7.3.2.1.6.2 Export Results
........................................................................... 432
7.3.2.2 Exchange
............................................................................................ 433
7.3.2.2.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 434
7.3.2.2.2 Exchange Action Properties
....................................................................................... 440
7.3.2.2.3 File Format
....................................................................................... 442
7.3.2.2.4 Import Wizard
....................................................................................... 448
7.3.2.2.4.1 Import File Format
........................................................................... 448
7.3.2.2.4.2 Import File Selection
........................................................................... 454
7.3.2.2.4.3 Import Results
........................................................................... 455
7.3.2.2.5 Export Wizard
....................................................................................... 456
7.3.2.2.5.1 Export File Selection
........................................................................... 457
7.3.2.2.5.2 Export Results
........................................................................... 458
7.3.3 Data Destinations
................................................................................ 459
7.3.3.1 OPC UA Client
............................................................................................ 460
7.3.3.1.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 461
7.3.3.2 Tunnel Client
............................................................................................ 465
7.3.3.2.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 465
7.3.3.3 OPC Client
............................................................................................ 468
7.3.3.3.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 469
7.3.3.4 Database
............................................................................................ 472
7.3.3.4.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 473
7.3.3.4.2 Database Properties
....................................................................................... 478
7.3.3.4.3 Database Wizard
....................................................................................... 480
7.3.3.4.3.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 480
7.3.3.4.3.2 ODBC Data Source
........................................................................... 482
7.3.3.4.3.3 Authentication
........................................................................... 483
7.3.3.4.3.4 Initialization Statement
........................................................................... 484
7.3.3.4.4 Database Action Wizard
....................................................................................... 485
7.3.3.4.4.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 487
7.3.3.4.4.2 Action Type ........................................................................... 488
7.3.3.4.4.3 Database Table
........................................................................... 489
7.3.3.4.4.4 Table Columns
........................................................................... 491
7.3.3.4.4.5 Stored Procedure
........................................................................... 493
7.3.3.4.4.6 SQL Statement
........................................................................... 495
7.3.3.4.4.7 Trigger Type........................................................................... 497

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7.3.3.4.4.8 Trigger Item ........................................................................... 499

7.3.3.4.4.9 Timer Selection
........................................................................... 502
7.3.3.4.4.10 Timer Identity........................................................................... 503
7.3.3.4.4.11 Timer Type ........................................................................... 504
7.3.3.4.4.12 Interval Timer...........................................................................
Settings 506
7.3.3.4.4.13 Schedule Timer Settings
........................................................................... 507
7.3.3.4.4.14 Action Settings
........................................................................... 508
7.3.3.4.5 Table.......................................................................................
Column Wizard 509
7.3.3.4.5.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 510
7.3.3.4.5.2 Column Name
........................................................................... 511
7.3.3.4.5.3 Data Item ........................................................................... 512
7.3.3.4.5.4 Data Value ........................................................................... 515
7.3.3.4.6 Data .......................................................................................
Value Placeholder Wizard 517
7.3.3.4.6.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 517
7.3.3.4.6.2 Data Item ........................................................................... 518
7.3.3.4.6.3 Data Value ........................................................................... 521
7.3.3.4.7 Trigger Wizard
....................................................................................... 523
7.3.3.4.7.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 524
7.3.3.4.7.2 Trigger Type........................................................................... 524
7.3.3.4.7.3 Trigger Item ........................................................................... 526
7.3.3.4.7.4 Timer Selection
........................................................................... 529
7.3.3.4.7.5 Timer Identity........................................................................... 530
7.3.3.4.7.6 Timer Type ........................................................................... 531
7.3.3.4.7.7 Schedule Timer Settings
........................................................................... 533
7.3.3.4.7.8 Interval Timer...........................................................................
Settings 534
7.3.3.4.8 Item Trigger Wizard
....................................................................................... 535
7.3.3.4.8.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 535
7.3.3.4.8.2 Trigger Item ........................................................................... 536
7.3.3.4.9 Timer.......................................................................................
Trigger Wizard 539
7.3.3.4.9.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 540
7.3.3.4.9.2 Timer Selection
........................................................................... 541
7.3.3.4.9.3 Timer Identity........................................................................... 542
7.3.3.4.9.4 Timer Type ........................................................................... 543
7.3.3.4.9.5 Schedule Timer Settings
........................................................................... 545
7.3.3.4.9.6 Interval Timer...........................................................................
Settings 546
7.3.3.4.10 Data .......................................................................................
Values Placeholder 547
7.3.3.4.11 Configuration Files
....................................................................................... 552
7.3.3.4.12 Multiple Configuration Files
....................................................................................... 568
7.3.3.5 File
............................................................................................ 570

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7.3.3.5.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 572
7.3.3.5.2 File Wizard
....................................................................................... 574
7.3.3.5.2.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 575
7.3.3.5.2.2 Data File ........................................................................... 576
7.3.3.5.2.3 File Header ........................................................................... 577
7.3.3.5.2.4 File Footer ........................................................................... 579
7.3.3.5.3 File Action Wizard
....................................................................................... 580
7.3.3.5.3.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 581
7.3.3.5.3.2 Output Data ........................................................................... 581
7.3.3.5.3.3 Trigger Type........................................................................... 583
7.3.3.5.3.4 Trigger Item ........................................................................... 584
7.3.3.5.3.5 Timer Selection
........................................................................... 587
7.3.3.5.3.6 Timer Identity........................................................................... 588
7.3.3.5.3.7 Timer Type ........................................................................... 589
7.3.3.5.3.8 Schedule Timer Settings
........................................................................... 591
7.3.3.5.3.9 Interval Timer...........................................................................
Settings 592
7.3.3.5.3.10 Action Settings
........................................................................... 593
7.3.3.5.4 Data .......................................................................................
Value Placeholder Wizard 594
7.3.3.5.4.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 594
7.3.3.5.4.2 Data Item ........................................................................... 595
7.3.3.5.4.3 Data Value ........................................................................... 598
7.3.3.5.5 Trigger Wizard
....................................................................................... 600
7.3.3.5.5.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 601
7.3.3.5.5.2 Trigger Type........................................................................... 602
7.3.3.5.5.3 Trigger Item ........................................................................... 603
7.3.3.5.5.4 Timer Selection
........................................................................... 606
7.3.3.5.5.5 Timer Identity........................................................................... 607
7.3.3.5.5.6 Timer Type ........................................................................... 608
7.3.3.5.5.7 Schedule Timer Settings
........................................................................... 610
7.3.3.5.5.8 Interval Timer...........................................................................
Settings 611
7.3.3.5.6 Item Trigger Wizard
....................................................................................... 612
7.3.3.5.6.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 612
7.3.3.5.6.2 Trigger Item ........................................................................... 613
7.3.3.5.7 Timer.......................................................................................
Trigger Wizard 616
7.3.3.5.7.1 Welcome ........................................................................... 617
7.3.3.5.7.2 Timer Selection
........................................................................... 618
7.3.3.5.7.3 Timer Identity........................................................................... 619
7.3.3.5.7.4 Timer Type ........................................................................... 620
7.3.3.5.7.5 Schedule Timer Settings
........................................................................... 622

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 Table of Contents

7.3.3.5.7.6 Interval Timer...........................................................................

Settings 623
7.3.3.5.8 Data .......................................................................................
Values Placeholder 624
7.3.3.5.9 Configuration Files
....................................................................................... 629
7.3.4 Settings
................................................................................ 642
7.3.4.1 Diagnostics
............................................................................................ 643
7.3.4.1.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 644
7.3.4.2 Web Server
............................................................................................ 646
7.3.4.2.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 647
7.3.4.3 Advanced
............................................................................................ 648
7.3.4.3.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 649
7.3.4.4 Licenses
............................................................................................ 655
7.3.4.4.1 Configuration
....................................................................................... 656
7.3.5 General
................................................................................ 657
7.3.5.1 Global Initial and Alias Values
............................................................................................ 657

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14 dataFEED OPC Suite - User Manual

 Chapter 1 - Welcome to Softing dataFEED OPC Suite

1 Welcome to Softing dataFEED OPC Suite

Welcome to Softing dataFEED OPC Suite V4.10.

Quickstart Softing dataFEED OPC Suite

Avoiding DCOM @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Tunnel 19 .

Convert OPC Data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Bridge 20 .

Optimize OPC Communication Traffic @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Optimizer 21 .

Consolidate and Harmonize OPC Name Spaces @ dataFEED OPC Suite

OPC Concentrator 22 .

Filter OPC Data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Filter 23 .

Exchange Data Between OPC Servers @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Server2Server 25 .

Exchange Data Between OPC Clients @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Client2Client 24 .

Archive OPC Data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC2File 26 .

Archive OPC Data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC2Database 27 .

dataFEED OPC Suite - User Manual 15

Chapter 1 - Welcome to Softing dataFEED OPC Suite

Protection Against Data Loss @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Store and
Forward 28 .

Introduction Softing dataFEED OPC Suite

Avoiding DCOM @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Tunnel 30 .

Converting OPC Data dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Bridge 33 .

Optimize OPC Communication Traffic @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Optimizer 34 .

Consolidate and Harmonize OPC Name Spaces @ dataFEED OPC Suite

OPC Concentrator 36 .

Filter OPC Data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Filter 37 .

Exchange Data Between OPC Servers @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Server2Server 42 .

Exchange Data Between OPC Clients dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Client2Client 39 .

Archive OPC Data dataFEED OPC Suite OPC OPC2File 43 .

Archive OPC Data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC OPC2Database 45 .

Protection Against Data Loss @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Store And
Forward 47 .

Operation of Softing dataFEED OPC Suite

Install Softing dataFEED OPC Suite @ dataFEED OPC Suite Installation 50

.

Install and manage licenses for Softing dataFEED OPC Suite @

dataFEED OPC Suite Licensing 66 .

Operate Softing dataFEED OPC Suite @ dataFEED OPC Suite Operation

72 .

Configuration of Softing dataFEED OPC Suite

Learn the configuration concept of Softing dataFEED OPC Suite @

dataFEED OPC Suite Configuration Concepts 136 .

Operate the Softing dataFEED OPC Suite configurator @ dataFEED OPC

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 Chapter 1 - Welcome to Softing dataFEED OPC Suite

Suite Configurator 142 .

Configure local dataFEED OPC Suite applications @ dataFEED OPC

Suite Configuration 168 .

Softing dataFEED OPC Suite V4.10

2015 Softing Industrial Automation GmbH

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Chapter 2 - dataFEED OPC Suite Quickstart

2 dataFEED OPC Suite Quickstart

Softing dataFEED OPC Suite Quickstart

Avoiding DCOM @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Tunnel 19 .

Convert OPC data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Bridge 20 .

Optimize OPC communication traffic @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Optimizer 21 .

Consolidate and harmonize OPC namespaces @ dataFEED OPC Suite

OPC Concentrator 22 .

Filter OPC data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Filter 23 .

Exchange data between OPC servers @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Server2Server 25 .

Exchange data between OPC clients @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Client2Client 24 .

Archive OPC data to a file @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC2File 26 .

Archive OPC data to a database @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC2Database

27 .

Protection against data loss @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Store And
Forward 28 .

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Configuration of OPC UA @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC UA Client

configuration 461

Softing dataFEED OPC Suite V4.10

2015 Softing Industrial Automation GmbH

2.1 OPC Tunnel

The Softing OPC Tunnel provides you with a secure and easy possibility of
cross-network OPC communication. The Softing OPC Tunnel eliminates the
configuration problems that were frequently encountered previously with the
DCOM security settings!

You can find a more detailed description of the OPC Tunnel functionality under
Introduction - OPC Tunnel 30 .
To configure the OPC Tunnel Server, the following configuration steps should
be executed:

Add one or more server connections to the corresponding OPC Server(s)

as data source(s) @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable and configure the OPC Tunnel client data destination @

Configuration: Data Destination - Tunnel Client 465 .

To configure the OPC Tunnel Client, the following configuration steps should
be executed:

Add a single server connection to the OPC Tunnel server as a data source
@ Configuration: Data Source - Tunnel Server 173.

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

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2.2 OPC UA Server

The configuration of the OPC UA functionality is described in the chapter OPC

UA Client - Configuration 461 .
The following structure is displayed in OPC UA Clients, connected with
dataFEED OPC Suite .
The namespace is displayed as a tree structure in the OPC UA Client. Under
"OPC and Tunnel", the items, which are imported in the data source 171 , can be
browsed. Under "Server", you can find OPC UA specific diagnostic information.
The configuration of the OPC UA communication includes the following steps:

Add one or more server connections as data source(s) @ Configuration:

Data Source - OPC Server 203.

Enable and configure the OPC UA client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC UA Client. 461

2.3 OPC Bridge

The Softing OPC Bridge gives one or more OPC Data Access and/or OPC XML-
DA client applications quick and easy access to any type of OPC data access
server. Vice versa, it allows any OPC data access server to be addressed by one

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or more data OPC access clients and/or OPC XML-DA client applications.

A more detailed description about the Softing OPC Bridge functionality can be
found under Introduction - OPC Bridge 33 .
In order to configure the OPC Bridge, the following configuration steps should
be executed:

Add one or more server connections to the corresponding OPC Server(s)

as data source(s) @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

2.4 OPC Optimizer

The Softing OPC Optimizer allows multiple OPC clients to access an OPC
server in such a way that workload on the server is minimized. According to the
definition and functionality of Data Access, every OPC client communicating with
the DA server creates groups and items in the DA server. The management of
many groups simultaneously as well as the processing of multiple read requests
to the often identical OPC items leads to a high communication load in the OPC
server.

A more detailed description about the OPC Optimizer functionality can be found
under Introduction - OPC Optimizer 34 .
In order to configure the OPC Optimizer, the following configuration steps
should be executed:

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Add a server connection to the corresponding OPC Server as a data

source @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

2.5 OPC Concentrator

The Softing OPC Concentrator combines multiple OPC servers in one by

consolidating the namespaces and OPC items of multiple OPC servers in one
OPC server. This saves the project engineer valuable work and time when
setting up client applications and facilitates the management of large systems.
Multiple OPC clients can access multiple OPC servers via one OPC
Concentrator

A more detailed description about the OPC Concentrator functionality can be

found under Introduction - OPC Concentrator 36 .
In order to configure the OPC Concentrator, the following configuration steps
should be executed:

Add server connections to the corresponding OPC Servers as data

sources @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203.

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

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2.6 OPC Filter

The Softing OPC Filter allows customizing the items that are provided by an
OPC server. It makes no difference whether communication with the OPC server
is via DCOM, XML-DA or the OPC Tunnel.

A more detailed description about the OPC Concentrator functionality can be

found under Introduction - OPC Filter 37 .
In order to configure the OPC Filter, the following configuration steps should
be executed:

Add a server connection to the corresponding OPC or OPC Tunnel server

as a data source @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 or
Configuration: Data Source - Tunnel Server 173 .

Activate the OPC Filter in the corresponding server connection wizard @

OPC Server Wizard - Filter 221 or OPC Tunnel Wizard - Filter 191.

Define the filtered data items and specify their properties @ OPC Server
Wizard - Filter Items 222 or OPC Tunnel Wizard - Filter Items 192 .

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

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2.7 OPC Client2Client

Softing OPC Client2Client allows an OPC client to transmit data to one or more
other OPC clients. OPC Client2Client thereby acts as an intelligent data memory
which can receive configurable OPC items from an OPC client and pass them on
to another OPC client. The OPC namespace of OPC Client2Client can be
statically defined in the dataFEED OPC Suite Configurator by defined
corresponding Local Items or extended dynamically by the OPC clients by
creating items.

A more detailed description about the OPC Client2Client functionality can be

found at Introduction - OPC Client2Client 39 .
In order to configure the OPC Client2Client, the following configuration steps
should be executed:

Define the corresponding static OPC Client2Client namespace by defining

corresponding local items as a data source @ Configuration: Data Source
- Local Items 233 .

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

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2.8 OPC Server2Server

dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Server2Server allows two OPC Servers to exchange
data between each other. Both OPC Servers are acting as a data source,
introducing data items to the namespace of the local dataFEED OPC Suite
application. The Exchange module of Softing dataFEED OPC Suite is
responsible for actually copying data between the corresponding data items from
one OPC server to the other, therefore realizing the OPC Server2Server
functionality.

A more detailed description about the OPC Server2Server functionality can be

found at Introduction - OPC Server2Server 42 .
In order to configure OPC Server2Server, the following configuration steps
should be executed:

Add a server connection to the first OPC server as a first data source @
Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203.

Add a server connection to the second OPC server as a second data

source @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable the OPC Exchange functionality and define the corresponding

Exchange actions @ Configuration: Data Processing - Exchange 434 .

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2.9 OPC2File

Softing OPC2File stores data from any OPC Data Access, OPC Tunnel or OPC
XML-DA server in corresponding text files. Different types of text files like *.txt,
*.xml or *.html are supported. The data handled by Softing dataFEED OPC Suite
are written to file by executing simple file text actions.

A more detailed description about the OPC2File functionality can be found at

Introduction - OPC2File 43 .
In order to configure the OPC2File, the following configuration steps should be
executed:

Add one or more server connections to the corresponding OPC or OPC

Tunnel server(s) as data source(s) @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC
Server 203 or Configuration: Data Source - Tunnel Server 173 .

Enable the OPC2File functionality @ Configuration: Data Destination - File

572 .

Add one or more output data files as data destinations @ File Definition
Wizard 574

Define the file actions for actually writing the data to the data files @ File
Action Wizard 580 .

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2.10 OPC2Database

Softing OPC2Database stores data from any OPC Data Access, OPC Tunnel or
OPC XML-DA server in SQL databases like Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle,
MySQL, IBM DB2 and other ODBC-enabled databases. The data handled by
Softing dataFEED OPC Suite are written to the database by executing simple
database SQL actions.

A more detailed description about the OPC2Database functionality can be found

at Introduction - OPC2Database 45 .
In order to configure the OPC2Database, the following configuration steps
should be executed:

Add one or more server connections to the corresponding OPC or OPC

Tunnel server(s) as data source(s) @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC
Server 203 or Configuration: Data Source - Tunnel Server 173 .

Enable the OPC2Database functionality @ Configuration: Data Destination

- Database 473 .

Add one or more databases resp. ODBC data source connections as data
destinations @ Database Definition Wizard 480

Define the database actions for actually writing the data to the databases
@ Database Action Wizard 485 .

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2.11 OPC Store And Forward

dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Store And Forward provides a configurable

connection monitoring for one connection to an OPC or OPC Tunnel client. If the
local dataFEED OPC Suite detects a connection interruption, the corresponding
data values are stored in a local data storage and forwarded to the
corresponding client when the connection has been reestablished.

A more detailed description of the OPC Store And Forward functionality can be
found under Introduction - OPC Store And Forward 47 .
To configure the OPC Store And Forward, the following configuration steps
should be executed:

Add one or more server connections to the corresponding OPC or OPC

Tunnel server(s) as data source(s) @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC
Server 203 or Configuration: Data Source - Tunnel Server 173 .

Enable the OPC Store And Forward functionality @ Configuration: Data

Processing - Store And Forward 400 .

Configure the local data storage and the data forwarding @ Store And
Forward Wizard 406

Define the data items to be monitored and specify their properties @ Store
And Forward Wizard - Storage Items 411.

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3 dataFEED OPC Suite Introduction

Softing dataFEED OPC Suite Introduction

Avoiding DCOM @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Tunnel 30 .

Convert OPC data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Bridge 33 .

Optimize OPC communication traffic @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Optimizer 34 .

Consolidate and harmonize OPC namespaces @ dataFEED OPC Suite

OPC Concentrator 36 .

Filter OPC data @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Filter 37 .

Exchange data between OPC servers @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Server2Server 42 .

Exchange data between OPC clients @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC

Client2Client 39 .

Archive OPC data to a file @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC2File 43 .

Archive OPC data to a database @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC2Database

45 .

Protection against data loss @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Store And
Forward 47 .

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OPC UA communication @ dataFEED OPC Suite OPC UA 32

Softing dataFEED OPC Suite V4.10

2015 Softing Industrial Automation GmbH

3.1 OPC Tunnel

Avoiding DCOM
The Softing OPC Tunnel provides you with a secure and easy possibility of
cross-network OPC communication. The Softing OPC Tunnel eliminates the
configuration problems that were frequently encountered previously with the
DCOM security settings! You save yourself time and unnecessary questions to
the manufacturer. The Softing OPC Tunnel takes care of all the obstacles you
usually run into when networking OPC clients and servers that are located on
different computer platforms, in different network domains, or in completely
separate networks. The high-performance data exchange is stable and reliable.

Cross-platform OPC communication across firewall boundaries.

Commissioning of cross-network OPC communication in only a few minutes.

Fast detection of connection interruptions by monitoring to an accuracy of

one second.

OPC Tunnel automatically reestablishes the OPC connections after an

interruption of communication.

Unlike OPC via DCOM, the computers do not need to be opened to

unauthorized access from the outside.

Quick Commissioning with Softing OPC Tunnel

Designed as a DCOM bypass, the Softing OPC Tunnel allows reliable, high-
performance communication between OPC components on networked
computers. For this purpose, the OPC Tunnel is installed on both the OPC client
computer and the OPC server computer. The OPC Tunnel installations on the
client side and the server side communicate via a TCP/IP connection that can

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optionally be encrypted. In this way, the data that are exchanged between client
and server applications are tunneled via TCP/IP; DCOM is avoided completely,
and the time-consuming and nerve-racking configuration of the DCOM security
settings is eliminated once and for all.

Configuring the OPC Tunnel

To configure an OPC Tunnel two independent Softing dataFEED OPC Suite
configurations are needed: One to represent the OPC Tunnel server and one to
represent the OPC Tunnel client. Typically these two configurations are
executed on two different computers and communicate over the network OPC
Tunnel protocol.
Both the OPC Tunnel server and the associated OPC Tunnel client must be
configured to use the same TCP/IP port number. The port numbers can be
configured within the data destination OPC Tunnel client configuration page on
the OPC Tunnel server, and within the corresponding data source OPC Tunnel
server connection wizard on the OPC Tunnel client.

Attention: Please make sure that the configured TCP/IP port number is not
used by other local dataFEED OPC Suite applications on the server and client
computers and that your network infrastructure (like firewalls or switches) is
prepared to forward TCP/IP packets using the configured port number.

Note: The OPC Tunnel discovery service on the OPC Tunnel client side will find
the corresponding OPC Tunnel server only if the OPC Tunnel server is actually
running.

To configure the OPC Tunnel Server, the following configuration steps should
be executed:

Add one or more server connections to the corresponding OPC server(s)

as data source(s) @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable and configure the OPC Tunnel client data destination @

Configuration: Data Destination - Tunnel Client 465 .

To configure the OPC Tunnel Client, the following configuration steps should
be executed:

Add a single server connection to the OPC Tunnel server as a data source
@ Configuration: Data Source - Tunnel Server 173.

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

Enabling additional functionalities for the OPC Tunnel:

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Filter the data items provided by the corresponding data sources @

Introduction - OPC Filter 37 .

Protect against data loss @ Introduction - OPC Store And Forward 47 .

3.2 OPC UA

Adding an OPC UA Client as data destination offers the possibility to build up a

communication between dataFEED OPC Suite and an OPC UA Client in a fast
and easy way.
Thereby you can include OPC UA Clients, which are not running on Windows
PCs, into your communication network.
You can choose between different security mechanisms, like

exchange of certificates

authentication by username and password

encryption of data with different security algorithms.

The configuration is explained in detail under Data destination - OPC UA Client -
Configuration 461

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3.3 OPC Bridge

The Softing OPC Bridge gives one or more OPC Data Access and/or OPC XML-
DA client applications quick and easy access to any type of OPC data access
server. Vice versa, it allows any OPC Data Access server to be addressed by
one or more OPC Data Access clients and/or OPC XML-DA client applications.
Which OPC Data Access version (DA 1.0, DA 2.05 or DA 3) the OPC client or
OPC server has implemented is irrelevant. The OPC Bridge automatically
recognizes the implemented OPC specifications and converts them in such a
way that even those OPC components can communicate which would not be
compatible without the OPC Bridge. The OPC Bridge thus acts as a software
gateway, "bridging" the different implementations.
From the point of view of an OPC client application, access to the configured
OPC server through the OPC Bridge is fully transparent, which means that the
OPC Bridge provides the namespace of the configured OPC server to a client
without any changes.

Bridge Between Data Access Implementations

There are only minor differences between the OPC DA 1.0, DA 2.05 and DA 3
versions. Nevertheless, the more recent versions contain extensions that are not
supported by previous implementations. As no compliance test tool exists for the
OPC DA 1.0 Specification, no compliance verification can be provided for OPC
DA 1.0 servers. The OPC Bridge turns a non-compliant OPC server into a
compliant OPC server!

Bridge Between DA and XML DA Implementations

Substantial differences exist between the DCOM based Data Access
Specifications and the web services and XML based XML DA Specification. XML
DA servers can run on all operating systems that support web services. The
XML DA client and server can communicate over the Internet across firewall
boundaries. The OPC Bridge connects the DCOM world with the web services
world. The OPC Bridge always needs to be installed in a PC supporting DCOM.

Configuring the OPC Bridge

To configure the OPC Bridge you mainly need to configure the data source
connections to your corresponding OPC servers providing the OPC data you
want to convert or bridge. For the OPC Bridge an arbitrary amount of data
sources and OPC servers, respectively, can be used.

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As a second configuration step, the OPC client data destination functionality of

Softing dataFEED OPC Suite needs to be enabled and configured. Any
necessary data or OPC specification conversion is then automatically done by
the local dataFEED OPC Suite application during run time.

Note: The OPC client data destination functionality is enabled and already
completely configured by default.

In order to configure the OPC Bridge, the following configuration steps should
be executed:

Add one or more server connections to the corresponding OPC server(s)

as data source(s) @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

Additionally the data items provided by the different data sources can also be
filtered using the OPC Filter as described in Introduction: OPC Filter 37 .

3.4 OPC Optimizer

The Softing OPC Optimizer allows multiple OPC clients to access an OPC
server in such a way that workload on the server is minimized. According to the
definition and functionality of Data Access, every OPC client communicating with
the OPC DA server creates groups and items in the DA server. The
management of many groups simultaneously as well as the processing of
multiple read requests to the often identical OPC items leads to a high
communication load in the OPC server.

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As the name indicates, the OPC Optimizer optimizes read and write access to
the items of an OPC server. Read access to identical OPC items with different
update rates are combined and data acquisition from the peripherals by the OPC
server is bundled using intelligent algorithms.
The configuration settings offer additional possibilities for optimization. You can
specify, for example,

that the OPC server should only read the data from the device again after
the data have reached a certain age;

that the update cycles are determined independently of the OPC clients.

Configuring the OPC Optimizer

To configure the OPC Optimizer you mainly need to configure the data source
connection to your corresponding OPC server providing the OPC data you want
to optimize. Generally, for the OPC Optimizer an arbitrary amount of data
sources and OPC servers, respectively, can be used.
As a second configuration step, the OPC client data destination functionality of
Softing dataFEED OPC Suite needs to be enabled and configured.

Note: The OPC client data destination functionality is enabled and already
completely configured by default.

In order to configure the OPC Optimizer, the following configuration steps

should be executed:

Add a server connection to the corresponding OPC server as a data

source @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

Additionally the data items provided by the different data sources can also be
filtered using the OPC Filter as described in Introduction: OPC Filter 37 .

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3.5 OPC Concentrator

The dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Concentrator combines multiple OPC servers in
one by consolidating the namespaces and OPC items of multiple OPC servers in
one OPC server. This saves the project engineer valuable work and time when
setting up client applications and facilitates the management of large systems.
Multiple OPC clients can access multiple OPC servers via one OPC
Concentrator.

Harmonizing Data Access

Using the OPC Concentrator, several OPC Clients can access several OPC
servers with different namespaces. Depending on the implementation of the
vendor, OPC servers can provide a flat or a hierarchical namespace. In addition,
the structure of an OPC servers namespace and the semantics to address
variables in an OPC server significantly differ from vendor to vendor. OPC
Concentrator helps to unify and harmonize access to the data in an OPC server.

Cascading of OPC Servers

Data of several OPC servers is bundled and concentrated into one OPC server
by using the OPC Concentrator. Data of several OPC Concentrators DLLs or
several OPC Concentrator applications on several computers can be
concentrated into another OPC Concentrator. That way, complex systems with a
large number of OPC servers can be optimally structured. Running the OPC
Concentrators on different computers, which are interconnected via DCOM, can
also improve the performance of the overall system.

Configuring the OPC Concentrator

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To configure the OPC Concentrator you mainly need to configure the data
source connections to your corresponding OPC servers providing the OPC data
you want to concentrate. Each server connection needs to be assigned a unique
connection name in order to distinguish the different data items within the
namespace of the local dataFEED OPC Suite application.
As a second configuration step, the OPC client data destination functionality of
Softing dataFEED OPC Suite needs to be enabled and configured.

Note: The OPC client data destination functionality is enabled and already
completely configured by default.

In order to configure the OPC Concentrator, the following configuration steps

should be executed:

Add server connections to the corresponding OPC servers as data sources

@ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

Additionally the data items provided by the different data sources can also be
filtered using the OPC Filter as described in Introduction: OPC Filter 37 .

3.6 OPC Filter

The Softing OPC Filter allows customizing the items that are provided by a
specific data source a corresponding OPC or OPC Tunnel server. With the
Softing OPC Filter the following functionalities can be implemented:

Hide data items.

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Change the data type of data items.

Restrict the access rights for data items.

Change the item ID of a data item as desired.

It makes no difference whether the corresponding data source is an OPC server
communicating via OPC, OPC XML-DA or the OPC Tunnel protocol.

Limiting the Items

With the OPC Filter you can limit the items provided by an OPC server to those
you need, and control the access rights. This enhances system security as
incorrect access, whether accidental or intentional, is no longer possible.

Standardizing the OPC Namespace

You can use the OPC Filter to standardize the structure of the items in your
system, independently of the OPC servers you are using. In this way you can, for
example, replace a server without any influence on the OPC clients.

Configuring the OPC Filter

To configure the OPC Filter you mainly need to configure the data source
connections to your corresponding OPC or OPC Tunnel servers providing the
OPC data you want to filter. For the OPC Filter an arbitrary amount of data
sources, OPC servers and OPC Tunnel servers, respectively, can be used.
The OPC Filter functionality needs to be activated separately for each server
connection within the corresponding Server Connection Wizard. If the
corresponding OPC or OPC Tunnel server is running, the dataFEED OPC Suite
Configurator reads the available data items and presents them for filter item
selection in the last page of the Server Connection Wizard. By checking or
unchecking the corresponding items you can include / exclude (filter) the
corresponding items from the namespace of the local dataFEED OPC Suite
application.
If the corresponding OPC or OPC Tunnel server is not running, you can
manually add data items to the local namespace using the buttons on the right
side of the wizard page and the context sensitive menu in the namespace tree
control. Additionally you can import a predefined list of filter items from an
external filter file.
As a second configuration step, the OPC client data destination functionality of
Softing dataFEED OPC Suite needs to be enabled and configured.

Note: The OPC client data destination functionality is enabled and already
completely configured by default.

In order to configure the OPC Filter, the following configuration steps should
be executed:

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Add a server connection to the corresponding OPC or OPC Tunnel server

as a data source @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 or
Configuration: Data Source - Tunnel Server 173 .

Activate the OPC Filter in the corresponding server connection wizard @

OPC Server Wizard - Filter 221 or OPC Tunnel Wizard - Filter 191.

Define the filtered data items and specify their properties @ OPC Server
Wizard - Filter Items 222 or OPC Tunnel Wizard - Filter Items 192 .

Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

3.7 OPC Client2Client

Softing OPC Client2Client allows an OPC client to transmit data to one or more
other OPC clients. OPC Client2Client thereby acts as an intelligent data memory
which can receive configurable OPC items from an OPC client and pass them on
to another OPC client. In this way, OPC Client2Client allows supervisory control
systems, SCADA systems or any applications that do not have an OPC server
interface to exchange data directly. OPC Client2Client is also suitable for testing
OPC clients by configuring the tool as an OPC server with any desired server
name, namespace and OPC items. You can use any OPC client, e.g. the Softing
OPC Demo Client, to write values to OPC Client2Client, either manually or script
controlled. This allows you to simulate real-world conditions and specific fault
situations in the test lab.

OPC Client2Client as Gateway Between OPC Client Applications

OPC Client2Client can be started from any OPC client applications and is
available to any OPC client applications as soon as it has been started as a

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service. The first time an OPC client application accesses OPC Client2Client, the
default namespace of OPC Client2Client is provided, for example, Node1 with
Tag1 and Tag2, Node2 with Tag1 and Tag2.

The OPC namespace of OPC Client2Client can be statically defined in the

dataFEED OPC Suite Configurator by defining the corresponding Local Items, or
extended dynamically by the OPC clients by creating items. The items of the
namespace may be of any data type covered by the OPC Specifications. Arrays
of fixed and variable length are also supported for these data types. All values
of OPC Client2Client are shown to be of bad quality until they have been
written to by an OPC client for the first time. The Local Items system item allows
monitoring communication between OPC Client2Client and the OPC client(s).

OPC Client2Client as OPC Server Simulation for Testing OPC Client

Applications
OPC Client2Client also allows one of the OPC clients to function logically as a
server. For this purpose, OPC Client2Client can be configured with a defined
server name, Program ID and Class ID, a defined namespace can be created
and OPC Client2Client items can be written to, e.g. under script control, by an
OPC client application. OPC Client2Client also allows writing the quality and
timestamp of each item. This allows simulating real-world conditions for testing
OPC clients without devices as well as provoking error states, conducting load
tests, and much more.

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If the client acting as the server does not update the data any longer, the client
being tested is informed of this fact.

Configuring OPC Client2Client

To configure the OPC Client2Client you mainly need to create a corresponding
data namespace within the local dataFEED OPC Suite application. Data items
from this namespace act as data 'gateway' items between the two OPC clients
each OPC client can read and write data using the corresponding OPC
mechanisms.
The OPC Client2Client namespace is configured by defining so-called Local
Items. Because these local items extend the local namespace, the
corresponding local items configuration section can be found within the Data
Source group of the dataFEED OPC Suite Configurator.
Local items can be manually added to the local namespace using the buttons on
the right side of the local items configuration page and the context sensitive
menu in the namespace tree control on the local items configuration page.
Additionally you can import a predefined list of local items from an external local
items definition file.
As a second configuration step, the OPC client data destination functionality of
Softing dataFEED OPC Suite needs to be enabled and configured.

Note: The OPC client data destination functionality is enabled and already
completely configured by default.

In order to configure the OPC Client2Client, the following configuration steps

should be executed:

Define the corresponding static OPC Client2Client namespace by defining

corresponding local items as a data source @ Configuration: Data Source
- Local Items 233 .

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Enable and configure the OPC client data destination @ Configuration:

Data Destination - OPC Client 469 .

3.8 OPC Server2Server

dataFEED OPC Suite OPC Server2Server allows two OPC Servers to exchange
data between each other. Both OPC Servers act as a data source, introducing
data items to the namespace of the local dataFEED OPC Suite application. The
Exchange module of Softing dataFEED OPC Suite is responsible for actually
copying data between the corresponding data items from one OPC server to the
other thereby providing the OPC Server2Server functionality.
The data copy mechanism within the Exchange module of Softing dataFEED
OPC Suite is internally organized using so-called Exchange actions. Besides the
corresponding source and destination data items, the following parameters
needs to be specified for each Exchange action:

An update rate with which the corresponding Exchange action should be

executed.
An execution condition specifying under what conditions the corresponding
Exchange action should be executed.
The different data item values which should be transferred from the source
to the destination data item. (Possible values to be transferred are: The data
value itself, its quality or its time stamp.)

Configuring OPC Server2Server

To configure the OPC Server2Server functionality you mainly need to configure
the data source connections to the corresponding OPC servers. Each OPC
server adds its data items to the namespace of the local dataFEED OPC Suite
instance.

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As a second configuration step, the corresponding Exchange actions which are

responsible for the actual data exchange between two data items need to be
created and configured. This can either be done by using the corresponding
buttons and the context sensitive menu on the source and destination tree
controls of the Exchange configuration page or by just dragging and dropping
the corresponding source and destination items from the tree controls to the
Exchange action list control.

Note: The dataFEED OPC Suite Exchange functionality is not necessarily

restricted to data items provided by OPC servers it can be applied to any data
item from the namespace of the corresponding local dataFEED OPC Suite
application.

In order to configure OPC Server2Server, the following configuration steps

should be executed:

Add a server connection to the first OPC server as a first data source @
Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203.

Add a server connection to the second OPC server as a second data

source @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC Server 203 .

Enable the OPC Exchange functionality and define the corresponding

Exchange actions @ Configuration: Data Processing - Exchange 434 .

Additionally the data items provided by the different data sources can also be
filtered using the OPC Filter as described in Introduction: OPC Filter 37 .

3.9 OPC2File

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Softing OPC2File stores data from any OPC Data Access, OPC Tunnel or OPC
XML-DA server in the corresponding text files. Different types of text files like
*.txt, *.xml or *.html are supported. The data handled by Softing dataFEED OPC
Suite are written to file by executing simple file text actions.

Archiving OPC or OPC Tunnel data in files.

Simple configuration by defining simple text actions.

Conditional execution of these file actions is possible.

No programming is necessary!
The data writing mechanism within the OPC2File module of Softing <%
OEMPRODUCT% is internally organized using so-called file file actions. Each
file action can write multiple data items at once. These data items are defined by
placeholders which are replaced by the corresponding values during the run time
of the local dataFEED OPC Suite application. Besides the placeholders, the
following parameters need to be specified for each file action:

An update rate with which the corresponding file action should be executed.
An execution condition specifying under what conditions the corresponding
text action should be executed.
The corresponding data item value which should actually be written to the
file. (Possible values to be written are: the data value itself, the quality or the
time stamp of the corresponding data item.)

Configuring OPC2File
To configure the OPC2File functionality you mainly need to configure the data
source connections to the corresponding OPC or OPC Tunnel servers providing
the data items that should be written to the file.
As a second configuration step, the corresponding file and file actions which
are responsible for writing the data need to be created and configured.

Note: The dataFEED OPC Suite OPC2File functionality is not necessarily

restricted to data items provided by OPC or OPC Tunnel servers it can be
applied to any data item from the namespace of the corresponding local
dataFEED OPC Suite application.

In order to configure the OPC2File, the following configuration steps should be

executed:

Add one or more server connections to the corresponding OPC or OPC

Tunnel server(s) as data source(s) @ Configuration: Data Source - OPC
Server 203 or Configuration: Data Source - Tunnel Server 173 .

Enable the OPC2File functionality @ Configuration: Data Destination - File

572 .

Add one or more output data files as data destinations @ File Wizard 574

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Define the file actions for actually writing the data to the data files @ File
Action Wizard 580 .

Additionally the data items provided by the different data sources can also be
filtered using the OPC Filter as described in Introduction: OPC Filter 37 .

3.10 OPC2Database

Softing OPC2DataBase stores data from any OPC Data Access, OPC Tunnel or
OPC XML-DA server in SQL databases like Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle,
MySQL, IBM DB2 and other ODBC-enabled databases. The data handled by
Softing dataFEED OPC Suite are written to the database by executing simple
database SQL actions.

Archiving OPC or OPC Tunnel data in databases.

Simple configuration by defining simple SQL actions.

Conditional execution of these SQL actions is possible.

No programming is necessary!
The data writing mechanism within the OPC2DataBase module of Softing <%
OEMPRODUCT% is internally organized using so-called SQL database actions.
Each SQL database action can write multiple data items at once. These data
items are defined by placeholders which are replaced by the corresponding
values during the runtime of the local dataFEED OPC Suite application. Besides
the placeholders, the following parameters need to be specified for each SQL
database action:

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An update rate with which the corresponding SQL database action should be
executed.
An execution condition specifying under what conditions the corresponding
SQL database action should be executed.
The corresponding data item value which should actually be written to the