The basic principle of OPC is that OPC client applications communicate with the OPC server over a standardized, open and manufacturer-independent interface.
It is also possible to connect to OPC-capable Windows applications (Microsoft Office or HMI systems) that are already available on the market.
The following communication possibilities are available for Industrial Ethernet with OPC server:
- S7 communication
- Open communication (SEND/RECEIVE)
- PROFINET
- SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
The OPC server offers, for example:
- Data Access interfaces 2.0, 2.05a and 3.0
- Alarm and event interface 1.1
- OPC XML DA interface 1.0
- Integration of automation products of different manufacturers
- Uniform, easy user interface for different components
- Can be accessed from every computer in the LAN
- High-performance data access over the Custom Interface (C++, NET)
- Easy to use with the “Automation Interface“ (VB, NET) or the supplied OCX Data Control or .NET Data Control
- Grouping of variables (Items); which allows a large quantity of data to be pre-processed in a short time.
- Optional redundancy expansion for S7 communication