AIMAT™ Suite AIMOPC Server User’s Guide

8/19/2019 AIM*AT™ Suite AIM*OPC Server User’s Guide

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B0400DG

Rev C

August 30, 2012

I/A Series® System

AIM*AT™ SuiteAIM*OPC ServerUser’s Guide


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Invensys, Foxboro, AIM*API, AIM*AT, AIM*Historian, AIM-Supervisor, I/A Series. and the Invensys logo aretrademarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries, and affiliates. All other brand names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Copyright 2001-2012 Invensys Systems, Inc. All rights reserved

SOFTWARE LICENSE AND COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Before using the Invensys Systems, Inc. supplied software supported by this documentation, youshould read and understand the following information concerning copyrighted software.

1. The license provisions in the software license for your system govern your obligationsand usage rights to the software described in this documentation. If any portion ofthose license provisions is violated, Invensys Systems, Inc. will no longer provide you with support services and assumes no further responsibilities for your system or itsoperation.

2. All software issued by Invensys Systems, Inc. and copies of the software that you arespecifically permitted to make, are protected in accordance with Federal copyrightlaws. It is illegal to make copies of any software media provided to you byInvensys Systems, Inc. for any purpose other than those purposes mentioned in thesoftware license.


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Contents

Figures.................................................................................................................................... ix

Tables..................................................................................................................................... xi

Preface................................................................................................................................. xiii

Purpose .................................................................................................................................. xiii

Audience ................................................................................................................................ xiii

Revision Information ............................................................................................................. xiii

Reference Documents ............................................................................................................ xiv

Request For Comments .......................................................................................................... xiv

1. Overview........................................................................................................................... 1

AIM*AT OPC Server ................................................................................................................ 1

The OPC Standard ................................................................................................................... 2OPC Data Access ................................................................................................................. 2OPC Historical Data Access ................................................................................................. 3

2. System Requirements ........................................................................................................ 5

3. AIM*AT OPC Server Installation ..................................................................................... 7

Overview ................................................................................................................................... 7

Installing the AIM*AT OPC Server Software ............................................................................ 7

Configurators ............................................................................................................................ 7 AIM OPC Configurator ....................................................................................................... 7Matrikon Configurator ......................................................................................................... 8

Software Components Description ............................................................................................ 8 AIM*OPC Server ................................................................................................................. 8 AIM OPC Configurator ....................................................................................................... 8Standard OPC Server Browser .............................................................................................. 8OPC Automation Components ............................................................................................ 9

OPC DA Automation DLL ............................................................................................. 9OPC HDA Automation DLL .......................................................................................... 9Standard OPC Proxy Stubs (OPC Marshalling Libraries) ................................................ 9

AIM*AT OPC Server Licensing ................................................................................................ 9Obtaining an Authorization Code ...................................................................................... 10Configuring the AIM Server ............................................................................................... 10


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4. AIM*AT API Server Component Installation ................................................................. 13

5. OPC Server Startup and Shutdown................................................................................. 15

Starting the OPC Server .......................................................................................................... 15OPC Server Installed as an Executable Program ................................................................. 15OPC Server Installed as a Windows Service ........................................................................ 15

OPC Server Control Panel ...................................................................................................... 16

Shutting Down the OPC Server .............................................................................................. 17OPC Server Installed as an Executable Program (with the AIM Configurator) ................... 17OPC Server Installed as an Executable Program (with the Matrikon Configurator) ............ 17OPC Server Installed as a Windows Service ........................................................................ 17

6. AIM*OPC Configurator ................................................................................................. 19

AIM*OPC Configuration Utility ............................................................................................ 19

Starting the AIM*OPC Configurator ...................................................................................... 19

OPC Configuration Menu Bar ........................................................................................... 21Toolbar .............................................................................................................................. 22Status Bar ........................................................................................................................... 22

Using the AIM*OPC Configurator to Configure the OPC Server .......................................... 22

Creating/Updating an OPC Server Configuration File with Tags and Item Aliases ................. 23

Delta Configuration Page ........................................................................................................ 23Browsing for Tags .............................................................................................................. 25Selecting/Deleting Tags ...................................................................................................... 27Changing Delta Values of Selected Tags ............................................................................. 29Changing Delta Values of Imported Tags ........................................................................... 31

Alias Configuration Page ......................................................................................................... 33Browsing for Tags In Order To Assign Aliases .................................................................... 35Selecting/Deleting Tags ...................................................................................................... 35Creating An Alias ............................................................................................................... 35Creating A New Alias ......................................................................................................... 36Editing A Selected Alias ...................................................................................................... 38

Saving To the Configuration File ............................................................................................ 41Exit Without Saving Changes to the Configuration File ..................................................... 41Saving Information To A New Configuration File ............................................................. 42Saving to the Default Configuration File ............................................................................ 43

Saving to a New Default Configuration File ....................................................................... 43OPC Server Parameters ........................................................................................................... 45

The OPC Server Parameters provide the following options: ............................................... 45Server Parameters (General) Settings .................................................................................. 46Server Parameters (Advanced) Settings ............................................................................... 47

Options for Server Configuration ............................................................................................ 49Server Options ................................................................................................................... 50General Option Settings ..................................................................................................... 50General Logging Settings .................................................................................................... 52


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Interface Logging Settings .................................................................................................. 53 Advanced Option Settings .................................................................................................. 54

Appendix A. OPC Item Syntax............................................................................................ 55

Appendix B. DCOM Configuration.................................................................................... 57

About Distributed COM ........................................................................................................ 57Setting Default Properties ....................................................................................................... 57

OPC Server General and Security Settings .............................................................................. 58Customizing Permissions .................................................................................................... 61

Specifying Server Identity ........................................................................................................ 63

Specifying Default Protocols ................................................................................................... 64

Specifying a Remote Program ID ............................................................................................ 65

Appendix C. Using the Matrikon Configurator................................................................... 67

Activating the Matrikon Configurator Utility ......................................................................... 67

Using the Matrikon Configurator Utility ................................................................................ 68Configuration Utility Window ........................................................................................... 68

Menu Bar ...................................................................................................................... 69Toolbar ......................................................................................................................... 70Statistics ........................................................................................................................ 70Status Bar ...................................................................................................................... 70

Creating an OPC Server Configuration .............................................................................. 70General Configuration Options ..................................................................................... 71 Advanced Configuration Options .................................................................................. 73

Creating OPC Item Aliases ............................................................................................ 76Configuring DCOM Settings ............................................................................................. 79Viewing Server Statistics ..................................................................................................... 80Configuring Server Options ............................................................................................... 80

General Option Settings ................................................................................................ 82General Logging Settings ............................................................................................... 83Interface Logging Settings ............................................................................................. 85 Advanced Option Settings ............................................................................................. 86

Appendix D. Using the Matrikon OPC Explorer Client...................................................... 87

Starting OPC Explorer ............................................................................................................ 87Menu Bar ...................................................................................................................... 88Toolbar ......................................................................................................................... 90

Using OPC Explorer ............................................................................................................... 91Viewing Available OPC Servers .......................................................................................... 91Connecting to an OPC Server ............................................................................................ 92 Adding OPC Groups ......................................................................................................... 93 Adding OPC Items ............................................................................................................ 96

Item ID ......................................................................................................................... 97


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Access Path .................................................................................................................... 97Browsing the Server Address Space ................................................................................ 97Requested Data Type .................................................................................................... 98 Active State .................................................................................................................... 98Validating OPC Items ................................................................................................... 98

Reading Real-Time Values ................................................................................................. 98Data Display ................................................................................................................. 99

Advise Log ................................................................................................................... 100 Writing Control Values .................................................................................................... 100Setting OPC Explorer Options ......................................................................................... 102

Data Transfer Options ................................................................................................ 103Data Display Options .................................................................................................. 104COM Options ............................................................................................................ 105

Appendix E. OPC Compliance.......................................................................................... 107

Supported Server Object Interfaces ....................................................................................... 107

Supported Group Object Interfaces ....................................................................................... 108

Supported DA Methods ................................................................................................... 108

Supported HDA Interfaces .................................................................................................... 111Supported HDA Methods ................................................................................................ 111

AIM*AT OPC Server Registry Entries .................................................................................. 114

Appendix F. Quality Flags ................................................................................................. 115

Standard Quality Flags .......................................................................................................... 115

HDA Quality Flags ............................................................................................................... 116

Appendix G. Variant Data Types ...................................................................................... 117

Appendix H. Bit Mapping I/A Series Status Codes to OPC Status Codes ......................... 119

Appendix I. Timestamp to OPC ....................................................................................... 123

Appendix J. How to Configure Secured Read/Write Connections..................................... 125

Appendix K. OPC I/O Methods ....................................................................................... 127

Synchronous Versus Asynchronous I/O ................................................................................ 127Device Versus Cache Reads ................................................................................................... 127

OPC DA 2.05a Versus 1.0a Asynchronous I/O .................................................................... 128

Appendix L. Alias Configuration ....................................................................................... 129

Scaling Expressions ............................................................................................................... 129

Alias Configuration CSV File Format ................................................................................... 130


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Index .................................................................................................................................. 133


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Figures

1-1. Data Transfer Between OPC Clients and Data Servers via the OPC Server ................... 25-1. Services Dialog Box on a Windows XP Station ........................................................... 16

5-2. AIM*AT OPC Server Control Panel ........................................................................... 165-3. Reduced Control Panel ............................................................................................... 176-1. Initial OPC Configuration Display - Delta Configuration Page .................................. 206-2. Delta Configuration Page - Existing Configuration File .............................................. 246-3. Delta Configuration Page - Global and Historian Instances - Station Letterbugs ........ 266-4. Delta Configuration Page - Station Name and Compound:Block.Parameters ............. 276-5. Delta Configuration Page - Selected Tag Inserted in Change Delta Tags Window ...... 286-6. Delta Configuration Page - Delete Selected Tags ........................................................ 296-7. Delta Configuration Page - Set Delta Values Of Selected Tags Dialog ........................ 306-8. Delta Configuration Page - Imported Tags Inserted By OPC Server ........................... 336-9. Alias Configuration Page ............................................................................................. 34

6-10. Alias Configuration Page - Insert Alias Name .............................................................. 366-11. Configured Aliases List in Matrikon OPC Explorer Client .......................................... 386-12. Alias Configuration Page - Edit An Alias ..................................................................... 396-13. Alias Configuration Page - Edit Alias Dialog ............................................................... 406-14. Exiting Configurator Without Saving Changes Dialog ................................................ 426-15. Saving a New Configuration File ................................................................................ 436-16. Saving Changes to a Configuration File -- Confirmation Dialog ................................. 446-17. Saving Configuration File as a Default Configuration -- Confirmation Dialog ............ 456-18. General Server Parameters Page ................................................................................... 466-19. Advanced Server Parameters Page ................................................................................ 486-20. Options Dialog - General Page. ................................................................................... 50

6-21. Options Dialog - General Logging Page ...................................................................... 526-22. Options Dialog - Interface Logging Page ..................................................................... 536-23. Options Dialog - Advanced Page ................................................................................. 54B-1. Navigating to DCOM Config from Component Services ........................................... 58B-2. AIM*AT OPC Server Properties Dialog Box, General Page ........................................ 59B-3. AIM*AT OPC Server Properties Dialog Box, Security Page ........................................ 60B-4. DPC Server Security Settings - Launch, Access, and Configuration Permissions ......... 61B-5. Configuring Permissions ............................................................................................. 62B-6. AIM*AT OPC Server Properties Dialog Box, Identity Page ........................................ 63C-1. OPC Server Shortcut Menu ........................................................................................ 67C-2. Configuration Utility Window Features ...................................................................... 68C-3. General Configuration Options .................................................................................. 71C-4. Advanced Configuration Options ............................................................................... 73C-5. Options Dialog Box .................................................................................................... 75C-6. Insert New Alias Dialog Box ....................................................................................... 76C-7. Edit Alias Dialog Box .................................................................................................. 78C-8. Listing Aliases Configured for a Group ....................................................................... 79C-9. Options Dialog Box .................................................................................................... 81C-10. Options Dialog Box: General Logging Tab ................................................................. 83C-11. Options Dialog Box: Interface Logging ....................................................................... 85


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C-12. Options Dialog Box: Advanced Tab ............................................................................ 86D-1. OPC Explorer Main Window ..................................................................................... 87D-2. Available OPC Server List ........................................................................................... 91D-3. Group Properties Dialog Box: General ........................................................................ 93D-4. Group Properties Dialog Box: Interfaces ..................................................................... 95D-5. Tag Studio Main Window .......................................................................................... 96D-6. OPC Item Data Display .............................................................................................. 99

D-7. Write Values Dialog Box ........................................................................................... 101D-8. Options Dialog Box: General .................................................................................... 102D-9. Options Dialog Box: Data Transfer .......................................................................... 103D-10. Options Dialog Box: Data Display ............................................................................ 104D-11. Options Dialog Box: COM ...................................................................................... 105H-1. Flow Diagram for Quality of Returned Real-time Data ............................................. 120H-2. Flow Diagram for Quality of Returned Historical Data ............................................ 121


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Tables

6-1. AIM* OPC Configurator Menu Bar Options ............................................................. 216-2. Configuration Utility Toolbar Options ....................................................................... 22

C-1. Configuration Utility Menu Bar Options .................................................................... 69C-2. Configuration Utility Toolbar Options ....................................................................... 70C-3. Alias Scaling Options .................................................................................................. 77D-1. Matrikon OPC Explorer Menu Bar Options ............................................................... 88D-2. Matrikon OPC Explorer Toolbar Options .................................................................. 90E-1. Supported Server Object Interfaces ........................................................................... 107E-2. Supported Group Object Interfaces ........................................................................... 108E-3. Supported Data Access Methods by Interface ............................................................ 108E-4. Supported HDA Interfaces ........................................................................................ 111E-5. Supported HDA Methods by Interface ..................................................................... 111E-6. AIM*AT OPC Server Registry Entries ...................................................................... 114

F-1. Standard Quality Flags .............................................................................................. 115F-2. HDA Quality Flags ................................................................................................... 116G-1. Constant Numeric Values for VARIANT Data Types .............................................. 117G-2. AIM*AT to VARIANT Data Type Mappings ........................................................... 117H-1. I/A Series Status Bit Map .......................................................................................... 119L-1. Alias Scaling Expressions ........................................................................................... 129L-2. Alias Configuration CSV File Syntax ........................................................................ 131


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Preface

Purpose

This document describes the operation, and configuration of the AIM*AT Suite AIM OPCServer software.

AudienceThis document is intended for use by process engineers, system administrators, and developers who wish to run and configure AIM OPC Server application.

Revision Information

For this release of the document (B0400DG-C), the document has been restructured. Someappendices were renamed. In addition, the following changes were made:

Global

Removed support for the Solaris operating system.

Updated OPC Data Access to Version 2.05a.

Chapter 1 “Overview”

Removed the AIM-Supervisor system from “AIM*AT OPC Server” on page 1.

Chapter 2 “System Requirements”

Added support for the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems.

Chapter 3 “AIM*AT OPC Server Installation” Updated “Installing the AIM*AT OPC Server Software” on page 7 and “Standard

OPC Server Browser” on page 8.

Removed “AIM*AT API Server”, “AIM*AT ApiAdmin Utility”, “Matrikon OPCExplorer Client (General Purpose OPC Client)”, and “Matrikon Configurator”.

Chapter 4 “AIM*AT API Server Component Installation”

Removed “Installing the AIM*AT API Server Software on an AW70 Station”, “Install-ing the AIM*AT API Server Software on an AW51 Station”, and “Ethernet CardSetup for Solaris Stations”.

Chapter 5 “OPC Server Startup and Shutdown” Updated the menu selections for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 for all proce-

dures in this chapter.

Appendix B “DCOM Configuration”

Removed “Starting the DCOM Configuration Utility”.

Updated “Setting Default Properties” on page 57


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Reference DocumentsIn addition to the information presented herein, you should be familiar with the followingI/A Series documents:

AIM*AT Suite AIM API™ User’s Guide (B0193YN)

AIM*AT Suite AIM Installation Guide (B0193YM)

AIM*AT Suite NetAPI MFC Class User’s Guide (B0400BJ).These are available on the I/A Series Electronic Documentation CD-ROM or DVD (K0173TQor K0173WT) provided by the Foxboro business unit of Invensys. The latest revisions may alsobe available through the Global Customer Support at http://support.ips.invensys.com.

You should also reference the following OPC Foundation specifications:

OPC Data Access Custom Interface Standard V 2.05a and V 1.0a

OPC Historical Data Access Custom Interface Standard V 1.0

OPC Data Access 2.05a Automation Interface Standard.

Request For CommentsPlease direct your comments and suggestions concerning the AIM*AT OPC Server software,other AIM*AT Suite products, and this user documentation to:

Global Customer Support Center B52-AA Telephone: 1-866-746-6477 within the U.S. or 1-508-549-2424 outside the U.S.

For web assisted technical support, visit: http://support.ips.invensys.com .

http://support.ips.invensys.com/http://support.ips.invensys.com/http://support.ips.invensys.com/http://support.ips.invensys.com/


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1. Overview

This chapter introduces AIM*OPC Server software and describes how the server enables OPCclients to communicate with data servers to access real-time and historical data.

AIM*AT OPC Server AIM*AT OPC Server software (OPC server) enables the transfer of data between OPC clientsand the following systems:

I/A Series Application Workstations for real-time data

AIM*Historian for real-time data and process history

In this document, these three sources are referred to as data servers.

Figure 1-1 illustrates how the OPC server functions as a gateway between OPC clients and dataservers.

The OPC server communicates with data servers over TCP/IP using AIM*API software included with the product. The AIM*AT OPC Server software runs either on the same workstation as thedata server or remotely on a Windows based workstation.

The AIM*AT OPC Server software features:

Full compliance with OPC Data Access Specification 2.05a and 1.0a

Full compliance with OPC Historical Data Access Specification 1.0

Read and write access to items configured within a data server

Access to multiple local and remote data servers

Automatic detection of available data servers

Automatic detection of available item IDs

Minimal configuration required following installation

Easy-to-use graphical configuration utility

Extensive error tracking and management

Matrikon™ OPC Explorer, a general purpose OPC client for testing and configuringthe OPC server

Matrikon™ OPC Automation Component, a dynamically linked library enablingyou to access OPC data from OPC client applications developed using automationtools such as Visual Basic™, VBA™, and VB Script™.


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Figure 1-1. Data Transfer Between OPC Clients and Data Servers via the OPC Server

The OPC StandardThe OPC standard is designed to connect Windows® based applications with process controlhardware and software applications. This open standard permits a consistent method of accessingfield data that remains constant regardless of data type or source.

OPC servers use the Component Object Model (COM) to communicate with clients. ThisMicrosoft® OLE technology permits a standard for real-time information exchange betweensoftware applications and process hardware to be defined.

OPC Data AccessThe OPC Data Access (DA) standard was the first specification released by the OPC Foundation.Its primary purpose is to enable the transfer of real-time data. The OPC server conforms to Ver-sions 2.05a and 1.0a of the OPC Data Access Specification. Refer to Appendix E “OPC Compli-ance” for a list of OPC DA interfaces supported by the OPC server.

OPC Client

OPC Client OPC Client

Network

AIM*ATAIM*API Library

Network

I/A Series AIM*AT Server

I/A SeriesDCS

Real-Time Data

OPC Data Access/ Historical Data Access

Interfaces

OPC ServerInner Layer

AIM*ATOPC Server

Workstation

AIM*HistorianReal-Time andHistorical Data

Data Servers


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OPC Historical Data AccessThe OPC Foundation Historical Data Access (HDA) specification defines a consistentmechanism for communicating with process historians.

This specification is written for management information systems, expert systems, and otherhigher level applications that need to access historical data. A single client application designed tothe HDA standard can connect to and retrieve data from any historian.

The OPC server conforms to Revision 1.0 of the OPC Historical Data Access Specification. Referto Appendix E “OPC Compliance” for a list of OPC HDA interfaces supported by the OPCserver.


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2. System Requirements

This chapter lists AIM*AT OPC Server installation prerequisites.

The workstation on which you install the AIM*AT OPC Server must meet the followingrequirements:

Pentium® class processor, recommend 500 MHz or higher

128 MB of RAM

25 MB of available disk space.

One of the following operating systems:

Windows Server® 2008 R2

Windows® 7

Windows Server 2003 R2

Windows XP (Service Pack 3)


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3. AIM*AT OPC Server Installation

This chapter provides procedures for installing the AIM*AT OPC Server Software anddescribes important files installed during server installation.

OverviewThe OPC Server Software V3.4 is a complete installation of the OPC Server software:

The AIM*OPC Server components can be installed on a Windows based workstationor an I/A Series (Windows based) workstation.

The AIM*AT API Server can be installed on any I/A Series workstation.

The software install program detects the OPC server currently installed on the target stationallowing you to abort the installation should you need to un-installed an earlier version of theOPC Server software. The installation of the OPC server also allows you to install an AIM*AT

API Server component to an I/A Series workstation, if one is required.

Installing the AIM*AT OPC Server SoftwareTo install the AIM*OPC Server Software, refer to the AIM*AT Suite Installation Guide (B0193YM, Rev. G or later).

Once the AIM*OPC Server software is installed then edit the DCOM settings, as described in Appendix B “DCOM Configuration”. This must be performed whether or not DCOM is beingused. These edits set the proper permissions for the OPC server to be launched and accessed byclient programs.

ConfiguratorsThe AIM*OPC Server is configured using one of two available configurators:

AIM OPC Configurator

Matrikon Configurator.

Regardless of which configurator is installed, the delta values for all the client tags are defaulted toa value of .001.

NOTE

Only one configurator can be installed.

AIM OPC ConfiguratorThe AIM OPC Configurator, installed by default, is the preferred configurator. This configuratorprovides the ability to change delta values for all the client tags and provides all of the same func-tionality as the Matrikon Configurator.


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Matrikon ConfiguratorThe Matrikon Configurator was distributed on earlier versions of the AIM OPC Server and is stillsupported as the “legacy configurator”. The Matrikon configurator does not have the ability toconfigure change delta values.

If an earlier version of the OPC server was installed with the Matrikon Configurator and theOPC server parameters were saved to the Matrikon XML configuration file, this file can be re-

applied to the new OPC Server installation.

NOTE

The saved Matrikon configuration file works with either the Matrikon or the AIMOPC Configurator.

Software Components DescriptionThis section describes software components as they appear on the Selected Components screen

and the associated files that get installed with each component. Some files are common to severalcomponents and are therefore listed more than once.

AIM*OPC ServerThe aim\opc directory contains:

The version independent Program ID for the AIM*AT OPC Server is: AIM.OPC.The version specific Program ID for this version of the server is: AIM.OPC.1.

AIM OPC ConfiguratorThe aim\opc directory contains:

AIMOPCConfig.exe

OEM_Matrikon_OPC.dll

pstcfgps.dll

Standard OPC Server BrowserIn compliance with OPC Standards, the installation program installs and registers the officialOPC Server Browser (OPCEnum.exe). This file contains version information which protects thebrowser from being overwritten by an older version of the file. The installation program alsoensures that the ActiveX Interface Marshalling Library (ACTXPRXY.DLL) is already installed onthe station so that the server browser functions properly.

The WINDOWS\system32 directory contains: OPCEnum.exe

The \aim\common directory contains: servutil.dll

File Description

AIMOPCSVR.exe AIM*OPC Server executable

AIMOPChelp.chm Help file

PSTCFGAIM.ocx Configuration utility ActiveX component


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OPC Automation ComponentsThe OPC Automation Components consist of DLLs that provide a programmatic interface to theOPC Server. The OPC automation components enable you to develop client applications thatcan access OPC data. Client applications can be written in programming languages, such asVisual Basic, VBA and VB Script, that support automation. The Program ID isMatrikon.OPC.Automation. Refer to the OPC Data Access 2.05a Automation Interface Standard

for information about automation objects.The OPC Automation Components consists of the following three subsections and associatedfiles:

OPC DA Automation DLLThe aim\opc directory contains:

OPCAuto.dll

OPCDA20auto.doc

OEM_Matrikon_OPC.dll

PSTcfgps.dllThe WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory contains:

ExprEval.dll

OPCEnum.exe

OPC HDA Automation DLLThe aim\opc directory contains:

OPCHDAAuto.dll

OPCHDA10auto.doc

OEM_Matrikon_OPC.dllPSTcfgps.dll

The WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory contains:

ExprEval.dll

OPCEnum.exe

Standard OPC Proxy Stubs (OPC Marshalling Libraries) The WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory contains:

OPCProxy.dll

OPCHDA_ps.dllOPC_aeps.dll

opccomn_ps.dll

OPCEnum.exe.

AIM*AT OPC Server LicensingThe AIM*AT OPC Server must connect to one or more AIM*AT API servers in order to:


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Get the process values that are requested by an OPC client

Browse the OPC client server to locate the desired client tags.

Before you can use the OPC server to communicate with AIM servers, each AIM Server musthave an Invensys supplied license authorization code entered on the AIM Server. License codes areavailable to an unlimited number of AIM servers.

The package code determines the type of connection authorized for the OPC server. The two

types of package codes are as follows: The OPCDAO package code enables the OPC server to establish a connection for

real-time data transfer.

The OPCHDA package code enables the OPC server to establish a connection forboth real-time and historical data transfer.

In addition, the computer name of the station that is hosting the OPC server must be configuredas a user name on the AIM server.

NOTE

If the station that hosts the OPC Server is an I/A Series station (AW70), then the

computer name is the station letterbug name.

The AIM*AT ApiAdmin utility allows you to configure the authorization code, user name, andsecurity read/write privileges to the AIM server(s). Refer to the AIM*AT Installation Guide (B0193YM) for information on installing and using the ApiAdmin utility. The guide also pro-vides instructions and the forms for obtaining the authorization codes from Invensys.

Instructions for obtaining the authorization code and configuring the AIM server using the Api- Admin utility are described in the following section.

Obtaining an Authorization CodeTo obtain an authorization code, proceed as follows:

1. Perform one of the following:

a. Run the AIM ApiAdmin utility and connect to the AIM server station(s) to whichthe OPC Server is required to connect. After a connection is made, go to the Authorization page. The station HostID is automatically displayed on this page.

b. Alternately, use the “hostname” utility available from a DOS command windowon the local station AW station.

2. Fill out the “Request for Authorization Codes” form that is included in the AIM*ATInstallation Guide (B0193YM).

a. Enter the required information and include the Server Host ID for the OPCServer.

b. Indicate which license you want: OPCDAO for real-time or OPCHDA for bothreal-time and historian data access.

c. FAX the request to the person and location indicated at the top of the form.

Configuring the AIM ServerTo configure the AIM Server, proceed as follows:


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Once you receive the authorization code(s), run the ApiAdmin utility to connect tothe appropriate AIM server station and configure the following information:

a. On the Authorization page, enter the authorization code for the appropriateOPCDAO or OPCHDA Package Name.

b. On the User Names page, enter the name of the station hosting the OPC Server.This is the station name as it appears on the network; it is not the user logon

name. If the station is an I/A Series AW station, then the user name is the stationletterbug.

c. On the Packages page, expand the appropriate user name and mark the check boxfor the OPC package code that applies (OPCDAO or OPCHDA).

d. On the Security page, expand on the appropriate user name and check the securityoptions that are to be granted to the OPC clients via the AIM*AT OPC Serverapplication that resides on the (user name) station.

e. On the Read List page, optionally restrict the user name (the OPC clients) to aspecific list of database object names and shared variables that the OPC clients areallowed to read.

f. On the Write List page, optionally restrict the user name (the OPC clients) to aspecific list of database object names and shared variables to which the OPC cli-ents are allowed to write.


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4. AIM*AT API Server ComponentInstallation

This chapter explains how to install the AIM*AT API Server Component on an I/A Seriesstation.

When the OPC Server is required to connect to an AIM*AT API Server that is on a networkedI/A Series station, you must install the AIM*AT API Server component if no API Server softwareis already installed. The installation program on the AIM*AT CD allows you to separately installthe API Server software on an AW70 station (Windows operating system) by selecting the AIM*Historian component and the Remote Collector subcomponent.

Optionally, install the AIM*AT ApiAdmin. The AIM ApiAdmin utility allows you to configureauthorization codes, user privileges, and so forth for all the AIM server(s).

NOTE

Do not install the ApiAdmin utility to the local station if AIM server configurationis done exclusively by a system administrator from another station. Only one Api- Admin utility is needed to configure all the AIM servers on the same network.


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5. OPC Server Startup andShutdown

This chapter discusses starting and stopping the OPC Server.

Starting the OPC ServerThe OPC server starts automatically when an OPC client requests a connection to the server. Alternatively, the server can be started manually. Manual startup of the OPC server is differentdepending on whether you installed the server to run as a local executable or as a Windows Ser-vice.

OPC Server Installed as an Executable Program

To start an OPC Server when installed as an executable program,1. Select Start > Programs > AimAT OPC Server for DA

2. Depending on the configurator installed, the OPC server starts as follows:

a. If the AIM*OPC Configurator is installed, the server starts, but no server screenappears and no icon appears on the Windows task bar. Access the Windows TaskManager to verify that the AIMOPCSVR.EXE process is running.

b. If the Matrikon Configurator is installed, the OPC server starts, its splash screenappears briefly, and a small red X appears on the right side of the Windows taskbar.

OPC Server Installed as a Windows ServiceTo start an OPC Server when installed as a Windows Service, proceed as follows:

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel > Administrative Tools.

2. Click the Services icon. The Services dialog box lists the OPC Service among theconfigured services.


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Figure 5-1. Services Dialog Box on a Windows XP Station

3. SelectAction

menu >Start

to select theAIM AT OPC Server

in the Services dia-log box.

OPC Server Control Panel

NOTE

If the AIM Configurator is installed, the OPC Server control panel is NOT avail-able.

When you install the OPC Server as an executable program, the OPC Server Control Panel is

accessible if the Matrikon Configurator is installed. The OPC server control panel (Figure 5-2)presents: server status, current time, and number of clients using the server.

The three menu items displayed along the bottom of the panel are:

Configure which starts the server configuration utility.

Shutdown which closes the control panel and shuts down the OPC server.

About which opens a dialog box that shows the software version number and licensinginformation.

The help button [?] in the title bar displays a description of the AIM*AT OPC Server software.

Figure 5-2. AIM*AT OPC Server Control Panel


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To open the server control panel, do one of the following:

Double-click the red X icon in the task bar.

Right-click the red X icon, and choose Show Control Panel from the shortcut menu.

To reduce the control panel to its title bar,

Double-click the button on the left end of the title bar. The title bar displays the num-ber of clients (Figure 5-3).

Figure 5-3. Reduced Control Panel

To restore the control panel to full view,

Double-click the title bar.

To close the control panel,

Click the X button in the top right corner of the window.

Shutting Down the OPC ServerOPC Server shutdown is dependent on the OPC Server installation.

OPC Server Installed as an Executable Program (with the AIMConfigurator)To shutdown an OPC Server when it has been installed with the AIM configurator,

1. Access the Windows Task Manager to find the AIMOPCSVR.EXE process.

2. Click End Task.

OPC Server Installed as an Executable Program (with theMatrikon Configurator)To shutdown an OPC Server when it has been installed with the Matrikon configurator,

1. Access the OPC Server control panel from the OPC server icon in the Windows taskbar as described in “OPC Server Control Panel” on page 16.

2. Click Shutdown.

NOTE

A warning appears if clients are currently connected to the OPC Server.

OPC Server Installed as a Windows ServiceTo shutdown an OPC Server when it has been installed as a Windows Service, proceed as follows:

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel > Administrative Tools.

2. Click Services. The Services dialog box lists the OPC Service among the configuredservices.


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3. Select Action menu > Stop to select the AIM AT OPC Server in the Services dialogbox.


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6. AIM*OPC Configurator

This chapter describes the features of the OPC Server Configurator as well as how to use theconfigurator.

The AIM*OPC Configurator is an interactive utility that allows you to configure the OPC Serverto perform communication services; these services are required by its client applications and arerelated to the selected and imported tags needed by its clients in the configuration file.

The configurator has the following features:

Configuration can be performed whether or not the OPC Server is running.

All configuration changes are automatically applied to the OPC Server upon save ofthe configuration file. Therefore, there is no need to re-start the OPC Server to applyconfiguration changes.

The browser, accessible from the Delta Configuration page, allows you to browse for

database tags among I/A Series stations and AIM*Historian instances. Delta values of individual and selected groups of client tags are configurable.

All OPC Server parameters, such as server time-out values and API scan rates, areconfigurable.

Alias names can be configured in place of the regular OPC database tag names.

AIM*OPC Configuration UtilityThe AIM*OPC Configurator allows you to configure:

Parameters for the AIM*OPC server

Change Delta values for the client tags

Alias names for the client tags.

Starting the AIM*OPC ConfiguratorTo start the AIM*OPC Configurator,

Select Start > Programs > AimAT > AIM OPC Configurator

The initial AIM*OPC Configurator display appears as shown in Figure 6-1. The main window ofthe configurator consists of:

Four tabbed pages:

Delta Configuration Page

Server Parameters (General) Page

Server Parameters (Advanced) Page

Alias Configuration Page

Main menu bar with the General Options available under the View Menu

Tool Bar


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Status Bar indicating Ready

When started, the OPC Configurator utility attempts to connect to all available AIM*API Serversas configured by the AIM*ApiAdmin utility. The Delta Configuration page is displayed on top ofthe other three pages. The Browse Database Tags window automatically displays the names of allthe connected server stations as shown in Figure 6-1.

Expanding the items in the Browse Database Tags window provides access to various tags. The

desired tags are then selected/configured for inclusion in the configuration file for use by all theOPC client applications.

Initially, no configuration file exists until the configurator is used and information saved to a file. With no configuration file, the Changed Delta Tags window is empty.

Figure 6-1. Initial OPC Configuration Display - Delta Configuration Page

If the AIM*ApiAdmin utility has the broadcast feature enabled (check box is not checked), thenthe AIM*OPC Configurator attempts to connect to all AIM*API Servers that are available on thenetwork. If the AIM*ApiAdmin broadcast feature is disabled (check box is checked), then the

No Pre-Existing Configuration File

I/A Servers


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AIM*OPC Configurator attempts to connect to only the API servers that have been configuredby AIM*ApiAdmin to the client initialization file (an_init.cfg). It is important to note that the AIM*OPC Configurator can connect to an AIM*API Server and browse only if that server hasbeen authorized for the AIM*OPC Server. Refer to “AIM*AT OPC Server Licensing” on page 9.

OPC Configuration Menu Bar

The OPC Configurator menu bar provides easy access to configuration utility functions(Table 6-1).

Table 6-1. AIM*OPC Configurator Menu Bar Options

Menu Option Description

File New Opens a new OPC server configuration file.

Open Opens an existing OPC server configuration file.

Save Saves the currently loaded server configuration file to disk.

Save As Saves the currently loaded server configuration file to diskusing a new name and path.

Print Prints the current configuration information

Print Preview Allows you to preview the current configuration informa-tion prior to printing.

Print Setup Allows you to select the printer and set printer options.

Recent File (Not used)

Exit Exits the OPC configuration utility.

Edit Undo (Not used)

Cut (Not used)

Copy (Not used)

Paste (Not used)

View Toolbar Displays the toolbar icons under the main menu bar.

Status Bar Displays server status information at the bottom of thescreen.

Options Customize server options related to how the server: savesand loads its configuration, records error and debug infor-mation, and updates. See “Options for Server Configura-tion” on page 49 for additional information

Help About AimOpcConfig... Displays the version and licensing information.


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ToolbarThe configuration toolbar provides easy access to configuration utility functions (Table 6-2).

Status BarThe status bar at the bottom of the window, when visible, indicates Ready.

Using the AIM*OPC Configurator to Configure theOPC Server

NOTE

You do not have to use the OPC Configurator to configure the OPC Server prior to

using the OPC Server. If not configured, the OPC Server runs with its defaultparameters.

To define the required OPC Server and configuration file settings,

1. Using the General and Advanced Server parameter pages on the initial window of theOPC Configuration Utility, define the operational server parameters.

See “Server Parameters (General) Settings” on page 46.

See “Server Parameters (Advanced) Settings” on page 47.

2. Using the Options dialog, define the following settings:

a. Customize the way the server saves and loads its configuration files. See “GeneralOption Settings” on page 50.

a. Restrict client access to preconfigured alias items. See “General Option Settings”on page 50.

b. Customize general activity logging. “General Logging Settings” on page 52

c. Customize error and debug logging. “Interface Logging Settings” on page 53

d. Set the timing attributes of the Server. “Advanced Option Settings” on page 54

Table 6-2. Configuration Utility Toolbar Options

Button Function

Opens a new configuration file having the default server configuration settings.

Opens an existing server configuration file.

Saves the currently loaded server configuration file to disk.

Prints the active file.

Displays program information, version number and copyright.


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3. After setting the OPC server and configurator options, perform either of the followingtasks:

Save these settings to the file as described in “Saving To the Configuration File” onpage 41 and end the configuration session.

Configure the tags as discussed in “Creating/Updating an OPC Server Configura-tion File with Tags and Item Aliases” on page 23 and then save both the OPC

server settings and tag information to the configuration file.

Creating/Updating an OPC Server Configuration Filewith Tags and Item Aliases

One OPC server configuration file contains all of the tags (Compound:Block.Parameters) neededto service all of the OPC server clients.

To create an OPC server configuration file with the desired tags and item aliases:

1. Start the configuration utility as described on “Starting the AIM*OPC Configurator”on page 19. The initial OPC Server configuration page appears as shown inFigure 6-1.

2. Select the Delta Configuration tab, if not the initial page, and select the desired tagsrequired by the clients. Change the delta values of the tags if required. See “DeltaConfiguration Page” on page 23

3. Select the Alias Configuration tab and create the desired item aliases required by theOPC client applications. Configuring aliases as described in “Creating OPC Item Aliases” on page 22.

4. Save the OPC server configuration file to disk as described in “Saving To the Config-uration File” on page 41.

Delta Configuration PageThe Delta Configuration page is used to locate tags and configure the associated delta values. Thetags are located by browsing the I/A Series station control databases and AIM*Historian instancesfor the desired tag names. The tags and associated delta values can then be saved to the configura-tion file for the OPC Server.


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Figure 6-2. Delta Configuration Page - Existing Configuration File

NOTE

Configuring a larger delta value reduces the volume of data that is transferred overthe network, therefore, enhancing the performance of the OPC Server. This actionreduces the load on Control Processor (CP) modules in an I/A Series system.

The Delta Configuration page contains the following components:

Browse Database Tags window to browse among connected I/A Series stations and AIM*Historian instances to locate and select tag names.

Tags Selection window showing a list of all the parameters of the selected block in theBrowse Database Tags window.

Changed Delta Tags window showing the list of selected tags: transferred from theTags Selection window, automatically imported at startup, or loaded from the existing

Existing Delta Configuration File


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configuration file. The associated tag information consists of: Tag Name, Data Type,Delta, High Scale and Low Scale.

When there is no configuration file, the AIM OPC Server Configurator display indicates Unti-tled* in the display title. No tags appear in the Change Delta Tags window. When a configurationfile exists, the OPC Server Configurator display indicates the name of the configuration file andthe Changed Delta Tags window is populated with tags from the configuration file; however, if no

tags have been saved to the existing configuration file, no tags appear.

NOTE

The Load configuration on startup check box must be marked in the Optionsdialog (see “Options for Server Configuration” on page 49) for the existing configura-tion file to appear.

Check Boxes

Import Client Tags On startup the OPC server imports client tags into the configuration win-dow. Client tags displayed in the Changed Delta Tag window appear withan asterisk (*) to distinguish them from non-client tags. Client tags arethose tags designated by an application, such as the Matrikon OPCExplorer Client, to be collected by the OPC server. (Figure 6-8 showsImported tags listed in the Change Delta Tags window.)

Get Tag Info from I/A Server

The OPC server collects the current settings available for the tag from theI/A Server (Control database).

Buttons

Delete Selected Tags

The selected tags (from the I/A Server, AIM* Historian instance, or client)in the Changed Delta Tags window are deleted.

Set Deltas of Selected Tags

The selected tags appear in the Set Delta Values of Selected Tags dialog inorder to configure the delta values of an individual tag or a group of tags.

Set Deltas of Imported Tags

The imported tags appear in the Set Delta Values of Selected Tags dialog

in order to configure the delta values of individual tags or a group of tags.

Clear All All the tags in the Changed Delta Tags window are cleared from thescreen.

Browsing for TagsFrom the Delta Configuration page (or the Alias Configuration page), use the browser to locateand select the tags (compound:block.parameters) required in the configuration file.

To browse for desired tags,


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1. In the Browse window, highlight the desired host station and click on the + button toview:

a. Global folder to access all the station letterbugs associated with the selectedI/A server as shown in Figure 6-3.

b. AIM*Historian instance folder to access compound:block.parameters.

NOTEHistorian instances are used to search for tag names that are known to exist in anhistorian instance; they are not used to establish an OPC Server connection to thehistorian.

Figure 6-3. Delta Configuration Page - Global and Historian Instances - Station Letterbugs

2. Continue to highlight the desired item and click on the associated + button to accessthe list of associated tags (compound:block.parameters). Select items as follows:

a. I/A Server > Global > Station Letterbug > Compound > Block > Individual BlockParameters OR

b. Host Station > Historian Instance > Individual Tag(s)

NOTE

When an Historian instance is selected, you can select the Tag folder (representingthe entire list of tags) to populate the Tags Selection window with all of the tags. Alternately, you can click the Tag folder and expand the tree (click +) to access thelist of tags and select individual tags.

Station Letterbugs

I/A Server

List of Stations

Historian Instance


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Figure 6-4. Delta Configuration Page - Station Name and Compound:Block.Parameters

3. The Tags Selection window contains the compound:block.parameters. The tags(Compound:Block.Parameters) listed in the Tags Selection window are arranged inalphabetical order.

Selecting/Deleting TagsThe Tags Selection window must contain the desired tags (Compound:Block.Parameters) in orderfor you to select and transfer the tags to the Changed Delta Tags window for inclusion in the con-figuration file.

To select tags in the Tag Selection window,

1. Mark the check box in front of each desired tag.2. Click Insert to transfer the selected tags to the Changed Delta Tags window. The

tags no longer appear as checked in the Tag Selection window. Duplicate tags do notappear in the Changed Delta Tags window. See Figure 6-5.

Block

Compound

Station Letterbug

Parameters


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Figure 6-5. Delta Configuration Page - Selected Tag Inserted in Change Delta Tags Window

To clear all tag selections in the Tags Selection window,

Click Clear All.

To delete any tags in the Changed Delta Tags window,

1. Select the tag(s) to be deleted. Use Ctrl or Shift key to select multiple tags.

2. Use one of two methods:

Click Delete Selected Tags. Right mouse button click within the Change Delta Tags window to activate the

context menu and click Delete Selected Tags.

To erase all the tags in the Changed Delta tags window,

Click Clear All.


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Figure 6-6. Delta Configuration Page - Delete Selected Tags

Changing Delta Values of Selected TagsInitially, the delta value of a tag inserted into the Changed Delta Tags window is set at a default of0.001, with both the High Scale and Low Scale set to zero as displayed.

To change the delta value of one or more tags,

1. Select the desired tags in the Changed Delta Tags window. For example, Figure 6-6 shows that all three tags are selected.

2. Access the Set Delta Values of Selected Tags dialog using one of two methods.

Click Set Deltas of Selected Tags.

Right mouse button click within the Changed Delta Tags window to activate thecontext menu and click Set Deltas of Selected Tags.

Context Menu

Button


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Figure 6-7. Delta Configuration Page - Set Delta Values Of Selected Tags Dialog

3. The Set Delta Values of Selected Tags dialog (see Figure 6-7) appears with the selectedtags in the dialog box. Notice that the dialog displays the Delta, High Scale and LowScale parameter values for the Tag name.

If the Get Tag Info. from I/A Server box is checked (default), the valuesfor the Delta, High Scale and Low Scale parameters are the actual values con-figured in the I/A Server for the block parameters. The purpose of getting the

tag information from the I/A Server is to provide the user with a guideline forsetting the delta value.

If the Get Tag Info. from I/A Server check box is not marked, the fol-lowing default values appear: Delta 0.001, High Scale 100.00, and Low Scale0.00.


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NOTE

If you select a large number of tags located on a remote server and the check box forGet Tag Info. from I/A Server is checked, it may take considerable time for the AIM Configurator to retrieve the Delta, High and Low Scale I/A database values foreach tag. The estimated time is about four seconds for each tag located on a remoteserver. During this time, the AIM Configurator appears to be disabled; however, the

OPC server operation is not affected.

4. Use one of two methods to change the delta field for the tag entries:

To change the delta value for one tag,

a.Click the Delta field of the selected tag once.

b.Click the Delta field again and enter the desired delta value.

To change all the tag entries to the same delta value,

a.Enter a value in the field to the left of the Set Group Delta button.

b.Click Set Group Delta.

Range checking is done on any new value if access has been made to the I/AServer.

5. Click OK to set the new delta values.

NOTE

When the configuration file is saved, the tags in the Changed Delta Tags windoware saved to the configuration file.

Changing Delta Values of Imported Tags

The AIM OPC Configurator provides the capability to configure the change delta value of tagsthat are being used by clients without having to browse the database for the tags. Once this featureis properly activated by the user, the client tags automatically appear in the Change Delta Tags window of the Delta Configuration page. By default this feature is not activated. These client tagsare prefixed with an asterisk character [*] to identify them from the other tags. (See Figure 6-8.)

Once this feature is activated, the OPC Server automatically writes the client tags (preceded byan *) to the OPC configuration file when new tags are added by an OPC client. When the OPCconfigurator is started and loads in the configuration file, these client tags automatically appear inthe Changed Delta Tags window.

To activate the Import Client Tags feature,

1. On the Delta Configuration page, check the box labeled Import Client Tags [*] andthen exit the configurator.

2. Select View > Options on the AIM OPC configurator main menu bar to display theOptions dialog box.

3. On the General page, check the box labeled Load Configuration on Startup.

4. Select File > Exit to exit the configurator.

5. Restart the OPC Server.


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6. Start the AIM OPC configurator. The client tag names that were not previously con-figured and saved to the configuration file now appear with an asterisk [*] in theChange Delta Tags window.

To change the delta values of imported tags,

1. Select the desired tags in the Changed Delta Tags window.

2. Access the Set Delta Values of Selected Tags dialog using one of two methods.

Click Set Deltas of Imported Tags.

Right mouse button click within the Change Delta Tags window to activate thecontext menu and click Set Deltas of Imported Tags.

3. The delta values for these new [*] client tags can now be changed as described in“Changing Delta Values of Selected Tags” on page 29, Step 4.

NOTE

When the configuration file is saved, the imported tags in the Changed Delta Tags window are saved to the configuration file. The next time the configurator isstarted, these tags will not appear with an asterisk [*].


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Figure 6-8. Delta Configuration Page - Imported Tags Inserted By OPC Server

Alias Configuration Page Aliases allow the user to query data using user-defined names instead of the actual tag names.User-defined names are more easily recognized. From the Alias Configuration page you locate tags(compound:block.parameters) from the I/A Server or an AIM*Historian instance and define thealias for the tag name in the configuration file.

NOTE

Only one tag can be selected at a time for alias configuration.

The Alias Configuration page contains the following components:

Browse Database Tags window to browse among connected I/A Servers and AIM*Historian instances to easily locate and select tag names.

Imported Tags


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Tags Selection window showing a list of all the parameters of the selected block in theBrowse Database Tags window.

Changed Alias Settings window showing the definition of aliased tags. The associatedalias information consists of: Name (Alias), Item Path, Data Type, R/W, Update Rate,Poll Always.

Figure 6-9. Alias Configuration Page

Buttons

Edit Selected Alias An existing selected alias can be changed.Insert Provides access to the Insert New Alias dialog for the selected tag in the

Tags Selection window. The following information related to the selectedtag appears in the dialog: item path field and data type field. The user sup-plies the other information.

Insert New Alias Provides access to the Insert New Alias dialog to create a new alias withouthaving to select a tag.


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Delete Selected Aliases

The selected tag aliases in the Changed Alias Settings window are deleted.

Clear All All the tags in the Changed Alias Settings window are cleared from thescreen.

Browsing for Tags In Order To Assign AliasesSee “Browsing for Tags” on page 25.

Selecting/Deleting TagsTo select tags,

1. Mark the check box in front of each desired tag in the Tags Selection window.

2. Click Insert to transfer the selected tags to the Changed Alias Settings window.Duplicate tags do not appear in the Changed Alias Settings window. See Figure 6-5.

To delete tags in the Changed Alias Settings window,

1. Select the tag(s) to be deleted. Use Ctrl or Shift key to select multiple tags.

2. Use one of two methods:

Click Delete Selected Alias.

Right mouse button click within the Change Delta Tags window to activate thecontext menu and click Delete Selected Alias.

To erase all the tags in the Changed Alias Settings window,

Click Clear All.

Creating An AliasTo create an alias for an existing tag,

1. After browsing for the tag, mark the check box in front of the tag name listed in theTags Selection window.

2. Click Insert, located under the Tags Selection window.

3. When the Insert New Alias dialog appears, enter the desired alias settings:

a. Alias name - user-defined

b. Item Path is already pre-filled with the location of selected tag.

c. Data type is pre-filled (Default).

d. Update rate - Optionally, mark the check boxes:-- Read Only

e. -- Poll when inactive


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Figure 6-10. Alias Configuration Page - Insert Alias Name

4. Click OK.

The alias name is checked for uniqueness and the other inputs are validated. If allinputs are valid, the new alias is inserted into the Changed Alias Settings window.

NOTE When the configuration file is saved, the tags in the Changed Alias Settings windoware saved to the configuration file.

Creating A New AliasTo create a new alias, proceed as follows:


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NOTE

Defined aliases appear under the Configured Aliases branch in an OPC client. SeeFigure 6-11.

1. Access the Insert New Alias dialog using one of two methods.

Click Insert New Alias (without selecting a tag).

Right mouse button click within the Changed Alias Settings window to activatethe context menu and click Insert New Alias.

2. When the Insert New Alias dialog appears, enter the desired alias settings:

a. Alias name

b. Item path

c. Data type (if not Default)

d. Update rate

e. Optionally, mark the check boxes:

-- Read Only -- Poll when inactive

3. Click OK.

4. The alias name is checked for uniqueness and the other inputs are validated. If allinputs are valid, the new alias is inserted into the Changed Alias Settings window.

NOTE

When the configuration file is saved, the tags in the Changed Alias Settings windoware saved to the configuration file.


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Figure 6-11. Configured Aliases List in Matrikon OPC Explorer Client

Editing A Selected AliasTo edit the alias of an existing tag,

1. Ensure the desired tags are in the Changed ALias Settings window. See

2. Select the tag to be edited.

3. Access the Edit Alias dialog using one of three methods.

Double click the tag to be edited.

Click Edit Selected Alias.

Right mouse button click within the Changed Alias Settings window to activate

the context menu and click Edit Selected Alias.

Configured Aliases


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Figure 6-12. Alias Configuration Page - Edit An Alias

4. When the Edit Alias dialog appears, enter the desired alias settings:

a. Alias name

b. Item path

c. Data type (if not Default)d. Update rate

e. Optionally, mark the check boxes:-- Read Only -- Poll when inactive


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Figure 6-13. Alias Configuration Page - Edit Alias Dialog

5. Click OK.

6. The alias name is checked for uniqueness and the other inputs are validated. If allinputs are valid, the new alias is inserted into the Changed Alias Settings window.

NOTE

When the configuration file is saved, the tags in the Changed Alias Settings windoware saved to the configuration file.


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Saving To the Configuration FileChanges to any of the following four configuration pages requires that the information be savedto the OPC configuration file:

Delta Configuration

Server Parameters - General

Server Parameters - Advanced Alias Configuration

NOTE

If changes to the configuration file have not been saved and Exit under the Filemenu is selected, an AimOpcConfig dialog (Figure 6-14) appears warning the userthat changes have been made that have not been saved.

Exit Without Saving Changes to the Configuration File

To exit the configurator without saving changes,1. Click File > Exit.

2. In the AimOpcConfig dialog (Figure 6-14) that appears, click Yes or No or Cancel.

a. Click Yes. The OPC Configurator utility closes. No changes are saved.

b. Click No. The dialog disappears and the OPC Configurator utility remains open.

c. Click Cancel. The dialog disappears and the OPC Configurator utility remainsopen.


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Figure 6-14. Exiting Configurator Without Saving Changes Dialog

Saving Information To A New Configuration FileTo save configuration information to a new file (Untitled* appears in the title bar indicating nopre-defined configuration file exists),

1. Select File > Save or select File > Save As.

2. In the resulting file dialog box (Figure 6-15), browse to the desired location and enterthe filename for the .xml file.


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Figure 6-15. Saving a New Configuration File

3. Click Save.

Saving to the Default Configuration FileTo save changes to a default configuration file,

Click Save. The configurator automatically writes the changes to the default configu-ration file (xml).

Saving to a New Default Configuration FileTo save information to a new default configuration file,

1. Click Save As.

2. In the subsequent confirmation dialog(Figure 6-16), click Yes or No.

a. Click Yes. The changes are saved to the existing default configuration file.

b. Click No. In the subsequent, dialog,


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Indicate the name of the new default configuration file

Click Save.

Figure 6-16. Saving Changes to a Configuration File -- Confirmation Dialog

3. In the subsequent dialog (Figure 6-17), click Yes or No or Cancel.

a. Click Yes. The new file is saved as the default configuration file.

b. Click No. The new file is saved as a non-default configuration file.

c. Click Cancel to cancel the procedure.


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Figure 6-17. Saving Configuration File as a Default Configuration -- Confirmation Dialog

OPC Server ParametersThe OPC Server Parameters provide the following options:

General Server Settings which relate to basic communication tasks required betweenthe OPC server and data servers (I/A Servers, AIM*AT Historian instances, and clientapplications).

Advanced Server Parameters which relate to communication settings between theOPC server and the various data servers.

NOTE

Changes to the General Server Parameter Settings take effect immediately. Changesto Advanced Server Parameters require that a server be restarted before the changestake effect.


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Server Parameters (General) SettingsTo configure the OPC server parameters,

1. Click the General tab in the initial OPC configurator window.

2. Enter the desired values in the fields and mark the desired check boxes.

To return all values back to the default values:

Click Defaults.To apply the inputs on the screen to the OPC Server during runtime:

Click Apply. If the OPC Server is running, the parameter values are immediatelytransmitted to the Server.

Figure 6-18. General Server Parameters Page


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The General Server Parameters include:

NetAPI Server Timeout

Specifies the time-out setting of the connected AIM*API Server in min-utes. Valid values are integers from 2 to 60. The default setting is 2 min-utes.

Server Discovery PingSpecifies in minutes how often the OPC server should check the networkfor data servers. 0 disables server discovery except on startup. The defaultsetting is 1 minute.

Server Con

Date post:	08-Jul-2018
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