Setting up the OPC UA server

Setting up an OPC UA server follows a standard framework procedure.

  • The opcUaCore and opcUaServer modules are in the My Modules folder.

  • The controller is licensed with the opcUaServer feature.

  • You are connected to the Internet and working in Workbench running on a PC or laptop computer.

  • The controller to use is on the network and powered on.

Note: If you intend to install only the OPC UA client driver, skip ahead to the chapter, “OPC UA client tasks.”

The example client used in this procedure is the ProSys Simulation OPC UA Client. Many other third-party simulation OPC UA clients are available, which you can use to connect to an OPC UA server.

  1. Connect to the controller station.
  2. Open the opcUaServer palette (click the folder icon in the Palette sidebar).
  3. Drag the OpcUAServer component from the palette to the Config > Drivers folder in the station.
    The driver adds the server to the station and enables it by default.The server Status likely reports {ok}.
  4. To add a namespace (a container for point IDs), do one of the following:
    • Drag an OpcUaNamespace component from the palette to the OpcUaServer node in the Nav tree.
    • Double-click OpcUaServer (this opens the Opc Ua Server Device Manager) and click New > OK.

    A second New window opens. It contains several properties.

  5. Configure the namespaceName or use the default name and click Save.
    You can leave the rest of the properties at their default values.
    The driver adds the new namespace to the Opc Ua Server Device Manager. If you are updating the existing namespace, the changes will be reflected once the server restarts.
  6. To retrieve the server’s connection address, right-click the OpcUaServer node in the Nav tree and click Views > AX Property Sheet.
    The property sheet opens.

  7. Locate and make a note of the server’s Opc Tcp Connection Address.

    Any OPC UA client attempting to connect to the server requires this connection address.

    Note: The port specified in the Opc Tcp Connection Address may be blocked by your PC/network firewall. The firewall settings may need to be adjusted to allow data transfer on this port.

The OPC UA server set up is complete. For any OPC UA client connection to succeed, the client must be configured with the server’s Opc Tcp Connection Address, as well as a Security Mode, Security Policy, and User Authentication method as required by the server.

Username and password values also must be defined in the station’s UserService.