OPC DA
Set up the OPC DA protocol for ENLYZE.
This guide walks you through connecting data sources that communicate via OPC DA (OPC Data Access). OPC DA is the classic, COM/DCOM-based OPC standard and therefore a Windows technology. It is vendor-independent and is mainly provided through an OPC DA server by older control, SCADA, and visualization systems.
Because OPC DA builds on COM/DCOM, the Linux-based Edge Device cannot talk to an OPC DA server directly. ENLYZE therefore connects OPC DA through the EnlyzeDA Gateway: a Windows component that accesses one or more OPC DA servers and makes them available to the Edge Device over TCP (default port 54554).
OPC DA is an open, vendor-independent protocol supported by a wide range of manufacturers and devices. If you are unsure whether your device provides an OPC DA server, contact the manufacturer. For newer devices, OPC-UA is often available as well and is usually the simpler choice.
Prerequisite: EnlyzeDA Gateway
Connecting via OPC DA requires the EnlyzeDA Gateway. It is installed on a Windows machine that has access to the OPC DA server (locally on the same machine or via DCOM on another machine on the network). The Edge Device then connects to the gateway, not directly to the OPC DA server. The gateway is set up together with ENLYZE.
Supported devices
OPC DA is supported by many older, Windows-based control and supervisory systems, as well as SCADA and visualization software that provides an OPC DA server. In principle, any OPC DA server that is reachable for the EnlyzeDA Gateway can be connected.
ENLYZE can use the gateway to read out which OPC DA server is available on a machine and under which name it is addressed. When in doubt, the ENLYZE team helps you identify the right server.
Required information
Name
Pick a descriptive name for your data source
Edge Device used for the connection
Printed on a sticker on each Edge Device. Follows the pattern adjective-scientist
Machine
Each data source is assigned to exactly one machine
Manufacturer
Manufacturer of the device or supervisory system, e.g. Siemens, B&R, Allen Bradley
Device information
Model number or designation of the supervisory system
IP address
The IPv4 address of the EnlyzeDA Gateway, not of the OPC DA server. It must be reachable from the Edge Device
Port
Default: 54554 (EnlyzeDA Gateway, TCP)
DA server name
Program ID (ProgID) of the OPC DA server to access, e.g. Matrikon.OPC.Simulation.1.
→ How to find the DA server name
Understanding the connector details
When connecting via OPC DA, the Edge Device connects to the EnlyzeDA Gateway and specifies which OPC DA server the gateway should access. This requires three values: the IP address and port of the gateway, and the DA server name.
DA server name
A single machine can have several OPC DA servers installed. The DA server name defines which one the gateway should access. It is the program ID (ProgID) of the OPC DA server, that is, the unique identifier under which the server is registered in the COM system (e.g. Matrikon.OPC.Simulation.1 or OPC.SimaticNET).
ENLYZE can list which OPC DA servers are registered on the gateway machine. You determine the right name together with the ENLYZE team or the manufacturer of the supervisory system.
Connect the data source to the network
If not already done, establish a network connection between the Edge Device and the EnlyzeDA Gateway. The Edge Device must reach the gateway over TCP port 54554. The gateway itself needs access to the OPC DA server. See Integration scenarios for the available options.
The connection between the gateway and the OPC DA server runs over COM/DCOM. See Tips & practical notes for guidance on DCOM configuration.
Create the data source
Open the ENLYZE Manufacturing Data Platform, select the machine you want to add the data source to, and click + Data source.
Enter the device details first.
Add variables
The OPC DA protocol supports Variable Discovery, so variables are added automatically. The first Variable Discovery is triggered after you save the connection details.
OPC DA servers often run on older machines and respond slowly. The first Variable Discovery can therefore take a few minutes. See Tips & practical notes for details.
No data is recorded after Variable Discovery completes. You first have to select the variables to record. Follow our variable onboarding flow.
See also
Tips & practical notes: notes on operating the OPC DA connector, e.g. on DCOM configuration and slow OPC DA servers.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at support@enlyze.com.
Last updated