opc middleware opc easy connect suite...opc bridge – opc communication across specification...

OPC Easy Connect Suite – Software Suite for Optimized OPC Communication

The OPC Easy Connect Suite combines different, complementary components for improving and extending OPC communication into a single product. From the comprehensive scope of functions and features, users can choose the specific functionalities that meet their needs and requirements.

OPC ServerOPC Classic Server

LocalOPC ItemsLocalOPC Items

Data Destination (DD)Data Destination (DD)

ExchangeExchange

OPC Easy ConnectSuite


OPC OPC Classic

OPC Tunnel Server

OPC Tunnel Server

Data Source(DS)

Data Source(DS)

StoreAndForwardStoreAndForward

OPC Tunnel ClientOPC Tunnel

OPC Tunnel

OPC Classic ClientOPC OPC Classic

OPC TunnelOPC Tunnel

OPC Easy Connect Suite

SQL DatabaseSQL DatabaseODBC

Data FileData FileFile System

OPC UA ClientOPC OPC UA

RELIABILITY AND EXCELLENT FUNCTIONALITY

The functionality and high product quality of the OPC Easy Connect Suite was explicitly confirmed in an assessment at a major international automation manufacturer. As a result, the manufacturer has integrated selected functionalities of the Softing OPC Easy Connect Suite in several of its automation products.

TIME SAVINGS THROUGH GRAPHICAL CONFIGURATION

The state-of-the-art graphical user interface with intelligent, practice-oriented defaults, setup wizards, drag-and-drop support, and intuitive user guidance significantly reduces the time required for the configuration of OPC communication.

The OPC Easy Connect Suite ensures secure OPC Classic communication across networks and simplifies the commissioning and use of OPC Servers and Clients. This software optimizes and increases the performance of OPC interfaces and offers an easy-to-use graphical user interface for the configuration of OPC communication.

Software for Optimized OPC Communication

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Comprehensive and Reliable Functionality

> Time Savings Through Graphical Configuration

OPC Easy Connect Suite

OPC middlEwarE

OPC Tunnel with StoreAndForward – Simple and Secure OPC Communication

The OPC Tunnel eliminates DCOM configuration problems that can arise in OPC Classic communication between OPC Servers and OPC Clients on different computer platforms. At the same time, it ensures a robust and reliable high-performance data exchange.

OPC ServerOPC Classic Server OPC ClientOPC Classic Client

OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC Tunnel

OPC Tunnel ServerOPC Tunnel Server

OPC Tunnel

OPC Tunnel

OPC Tunnel ClientOPC Tunnel Client

OPC Easy Connect

Suite

OPC Easy Connect

Suite

OPC Easy Connect

Suite

OPC Easy Connect

Suite

DSDS

DSDS

DDDD

DDDD

OPC Tunnel OPC

ClassicOPC

Tunnel OPC

Classic

NO NEED TO CONFIGURE DCOM SECURITY SETTINGS

The OPC Tunnel saves users the time-consuming setup and maintenance of DCOM security settings. This substantially speeds up the configuration of OPC Classic communication across networks.

IMPROVED COMMUNICATION BEHAVIOR

The OPC Tunnel offers second-by-second monitoring of OPC communication. If the integrated StoreAndForward functionality detects a broken connection to the OPC Client, the OPC data is buffered locally. In addition, the OPC Tunnel automatically reestablishes the OPC connections after an interruption of communication, thus improving the communication behavior.

COMPLIANCE WITH COMPUTER SECURITY POLICIES

The special architecture of the OPC Tunnel places minimum requirements on the configuration of the PCs used on the network. Corporate computer security policies (firewall settings) can thus be complied with.

OPC2Database – Storing OPC Data in Databases

OPC2Database allows storing OPC Server items and local items in databases via SQL statements. Using the included, easy-to-use wizards, the references between the process items and the database cells can be created, and a trigger condition for storage can be defined.


LocalOPC ItemsLocalOPC Items



OPC OPC Classic

OPC Tunnel Server

OPC Tunnel Server

SQL DatabaseSQL Database


OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC2Database

ODBCDDDD

DSDS

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Eliminates DCOM Problems> Buffers Data and Automatically

Reconnects If Connection Is Broken> Ensures Computer Security

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Stores Data in Databases for Process Logging

> Provides Data for Analysis and Further Processing

POSSIBILITY OF PROCESS CHECKS

OPC2Database logs the data of the implemented process to an SQL database. This allows, for example, providing the required proof (e.g. of material consumption) or performing analyses that offer approaches for process optimization.

SETUP OF AN OVERALL SYSTEM FOR FURTHER PROCESSING

The database integrated into the OPC application via OPC2Database can be used as an interface for implementing an overall system that further processes this data. In particular, this solution also ensures traceability.

OPC2File – Flexible OPC Data Logging to Text Files

Using OPC2File, local items and OPC Server items can be stored in text files. The data can be logged in different file formats, including ASCII, HTML and XML, to allow further processing of the process data by using standard software.

VERIFICATION OF INDIVIDUAL PROCESS VALUES

The OPC2File text files can be used for analyzing specific OPC data. In addition, this component offers the possibility to verify and document the correct functionality of the implemented system.

OPC Server2Server – Direct Data Exchange Between OPC Servers

OPC Server2Server allows exchanging data between OPC Servers and supports the connection of different automation worlds, including proprietary components, by using only OPC Servers. This solution can be used, for example, to exchange data between different fieldbus networks like PROFIBUS and DeviceNet. OPC Server2Server thus saves the cost of hardware gateways or developing complex OPC Client applications.


LocalOPC Items

LocalOPC Items



OPC OPC Classic

OPC Tunnel Server

OPC Tunnel Server

Data FileData File


OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC2File

File System

DSDS

DDDD

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Provides a Unified Data Structure in Heterogeneous Systems

> Saves Costs, e.g. by Eliminating the Need for Hardware Components

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Analyzes Isolated OPC Data> Ensures Correct Functionality

INTEGRATION OF HETEROGENEOUS SYSTEMS

Using OPC Server2Server, different communication structures can be unified and combined in one OPC namespace.

SAVINGS OF HARDWARE COSTS

OPC Server2Server eliminates the need for expensive gateway hardware or developing a special OPC Client application.

OPC Filter – Customizable Data Access

The OPC Filter provides the possibility to customize OPC Server items and use them with aliases in the OPC namespace. In this way, the OPC Filter offers an additional security layer for sensitive data.

OPC ServerOPC Classic Server OPC OPC Classic

OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC Filter



DSDS

OPC ClientOPC UA ClientOPC OPC UA

DDDD

OPC ClientOPC Classic ClientOPC OPC Classic

ADDED SECURITY THROUGH PREVENTION OF INCORRECT ACCESS

The OPC items are accessed by an OPC Classic Client or an OPC OPC Unified Architecture (UA) Client using filter functionality which allows freely selecting which data to show or hide, and defining individual access rights. This prevents accidental data manipulation and unauthorized access, and increases the runtime security of the overall system.

OPC Concentrator – Simplified Configuration of Access to Multiple OPC Servers

Using the OPC Concentrator, multiple OPC Servers can be combined and unified for access by one OPC Classic Client or OPC UA Client. In this way, even distributed automation systems comprising a large number of computers with OPC Servers can be effectively and efficiently configured.

OPC ServerOPC Classic ServerOPC OPC Classic

OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC Server2Server

OPC ServerOPC Classic Server OPC OPC Classic

DataExchange



ExchangeExchange

DSDS

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Increases System Security> Allows Controlling Data Access and Data

Visibility

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Saves Time by Reducing Configuration Work

OPC ServerOPC Classic ServerOPC OPC Classic




OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC Concentrator



OPC ClientOPC UA ClientOPC OPC UA

OPC OPC Classic

OPC OPC Classic

OPC OPC Classic

DSDS

DDDD

OPC ClientOPC Classic ClientOPC OPC Classic

COMBINATION OF OPC ITEMS IN ONE NAMESPACE

The OPC Concentrator reduces and unifies the OPC items from multiple OPC Servers to allow access by one OPC Classic Client or OPC UA Client. This makes the overall system less error-prone and speeds up configuration.

OPC Optimizer – Optimized Access from Multiple OPC Clients to a Single OPC Server

The OPC Optimizer streamlines simultaneous access from multiple OPC Clients to an OPC Server by intelligent compilation of groups and by re-combining multiple read requests for OPC items. As a result, the number of requests is reduced, which also reduces OPC data traffic.

SAVING COMPUTER RESOURCES

The OPC Optimizer employs a unique and proprietary algorithm to optimize OPC communication by automatically re-combining read and write requests. The feature reduces the management workload on the OPC Server, makes the required communication performance easier to achieve, and takes load off the processor. This also increases the computing power available to other applications.


OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC Optimizer



OPC ClientOPC Classic Client




OPC OPC Classic

OPC OPC Classic

OPC OPC Classic

OPC OPC Classic

OPC OPC ClassicDDDD

DSDS

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Saves Computer Resources> Speeds Up Communication

OPC Bridge – OPC Communication Across Specification Boundaries

The OPC Bridge ensures interoperability of OPC Servers and OPC Clients supporting different versions of the OPC Data Access (DA) Specification. OPC XML-DA components can also be integrated, which opens up OPC communication to non-Windows computers (e.g. running a Linux operating system).

BRIDGING INCOMPATIBILITIES IN OPC COMPONENTS

The OPC Bridge resolves incompatibilities between OPC components of different OPC specification versions. This allows continued use of existing OPC components and thus saves costs.

INTEGRATION OF NON-WINDOWS COMPUTERS IN OPC COMMUNICATION

By supporting the OPC XML-DA standard, the OPC Bridge allows the integration of non-Windows computers in OPC communication via web services.

OPC UA – OPC Communication Across Specification Generations

The OPC UA component allows adding an OPC UA Client as data destination into an OPC communication. The communication between the OPC Easy Connect Suite and the OPC UA Client can be set up fast and easily.

INTEGRATION OF NON-WINDOWS COMPUTERS IN OPC COMMUNICATION

By supporting the OPC UA standard, the OPC UA component allows the integration of non-Windows computers like embedded systems into the OPC communication.

SUPPORT OF FULL SET OF OPC UA SECURITY MECHANISMS

Integrating the OPC UA component into the OPC communication allows to make use of individual security mechanisms as defined by the OPC UA standard. These include the exchange of certificates, the authentification by user name and password or the encryption of data using various encryption algorithms.

OPC ServerOPC Classic Server OPC DA, OPC XML-DAOPC DA, OPC XML-DA OPC ClientOPC Classic ClientOPC DA, OPC XML-DAOPC DA, OPC XML-DA

OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC Bridge



DDDD

DSDS

OPC ServerOPC Classic Server OPC DA, OPC XML-DAOPC DA, OPC XML-DA OPC ClientOPC UA ClientOPC DA, OPC XML-DAOPC UA

OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC UA



DDDD

DSDS

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Ensures Interoperability of Usually Incompatible OPC Components

> Supports Integration of Non-Windows Computers

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Supports Integration of Non-Windows Computers

> Provides OPC UA Security Mechanisms

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CUSTOMER BENEFITS

> Allows Cost Efficient Setup of Test Systems for OPC Clients

OPC Client2Client – Transfer of OPC Client Data to Other OPC Clients

OPC Client2Client provides the functionality of an intelligent data storage that can receive data from one OPC Client and forward it to one or more other OPC Clients. This makes it possible to exchange data between control systems and visualization systems that have no OPC Server interface.

EXTENDED OPC CLIENT FUNCTIONALITY

OPC Client2Client extends the functionality of existing OPC Clients (e.g. SCADA systems) by capabilities for direct communication with other OPC Clients. This eliminates the need to include additional components in the overall system in order to further process the data, e.g. when commissioning devices with integrated OPC Client or when setting up test systems for these devices.

OPC Easy Connect Suite - OPC Client2Client





OPC OPC Classic

OPC OPC Classic

LocalOPC Items

LocalOPC Items

Data Exchange

DDDD

DSDS

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OPC Middleware / OPC Easy Connect Suite

Softing Industrial Automation is a world leading provider of industrial communication products and technologies for manufacturing and process automation. Our products are tailored to the requirements of system integrators, device vendors, machine and equipment manufacturers or end users and are known for its ease of use and functional advantages.

TECHNICAL DATASupported OPC Specifications OPC Classic data access V1.0a, V2.05, V3.0, OPC Classic Xml-da V1.01,

OPC Classic alarms and Events V1.10, OPC Unified architecture V1.01

OPC roles OPC Client (on OPC Server Side), OPC Server (on OPC Client Side)

Supported OPC data Types VariaNT data Types i1, Ui1, i2, Ui2, i4, Ui4, i8, Ui8, r4, r8, CY, daTE, BSTr, BOOl and arrays

(VT_arraY) of These data Types

OPC Certification OPC Client: Test with Several OPC Servers at OPC Foundation‘s interoperability workshop

OPC Server: Test with Several OPC Clients at OPC Foundation‘s interoperability workshop, Test Using OPC

Foundation‘s Compliance Test Tool

Supported Operating Systems windows XP, windows Vista, windows 7 (32Bit and 64Bit), windows 8 (32Bit and 64Bit),

windows Server 2003, windows Server 2008, windows Server 2012

(as of July 2013)

implementation Types application (OutProc server), windows Service

logging, diagnostics logging of OPC Calls and Notifications, OPC data, OPC Tunnel Frames, Text File accesses, database accesses

Configurable Via integrated web Server diagnostic interface

Supported databases Oracle, mySQl, microsoft SQl Server, iBm dB2

Other OdBC-Enabled databases Upon inquiry

(as of October 2011)

licensing runtime license Per Computer, Basic license,

add-On license for access to additional OPC Servers

demo Version Full OPC Easy Connect Suite Functionality for accessing Up to 10 OPC Servers and Up to 250 OPC items

as well as Up to 10 OPC Tunnel Connections, Time limited to 72 Hours

SCOPE OF DELIVERYOPC Easy Connect Suite Software on Cd-rOm

documentation Online Help in English and German on Cd-rOm

ORDER NUMBERSdCm-dd-1000 Basic license for Using the OPC Easy Connect Suite, Version V2.0 and Higher, on One Computer

(activation Via Software Key)

Supports the use of the OPC Easy Connect Suite for access to a single OPC server and up to 10,000 OPC

items

dCm-dd-2050 additional Server Connection license for OPC Easy Connect Suite, Version V2.0 and Higher, for access

to maximum 50 OPC Servers Simultaneously

UaC-dd-0100 USB Hardware Key for OPC Easy Connect Suite, Version V2.0 and Higher, to replace the Software Key

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICESTra-OPC-aNw Training "OPC Server and Client within applications", 2 days

Softing Industrial Automation GmbHRichard-Reitzner-Allee 685540 Haar / Germany

Tel.: +49 89 4 56 56-340Fax: +49 89 4 56 [email protected]://industrial.softing.com

opc middleware opc easy connect suite...opc bridge – opc communication across specification...

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