MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3

User's Manual
MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3
User's Manual

This manual is a product of Matrikon Inc.

Matrikon Inc.
Suite 1800, 10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 3N4
Canada

Phone: +1.780.448.1010
Fax: +1.780.448.9191
www.matrikonopc.com

Document Revision History:

Document
Date Description Author
Version
2002-10-15 1.0 Initial document. JC
2004-01-09 1.1 Minor change to Time Bias field. RS
Changes to timestamps, DNP3 objects, and
2004-04-05 1.2 protocol fragment handling. Added Chapter 6. RS
Minor revisions throughout manual.
2004-06-22 1.3 Added Appendix D. RS

Updated software version to 1.1.0.0. Template

2010-01-28 2.0 CGAP, LB
conversion and complete rewrite.

Updated Licensing, Installed Files, and

2010-02-16 2.1 Troubleshooting sections to include software LB
and hardware licensing.

Removed sections referencing unused

2010-02-19 2.2 CGAP
features. Corrected list of appendices.
Updated to software v1.2.0.0. Added Offline
Mode and support for group 0 and 3 to OPC
Data Items section. Updated Software
2010-02-23 3.0 CGAP, LB
Requirements, Installation section screenshots,
Installed Files, Licensing, DNP Implementation,
Appendix H Features and Examples.
Added item concerning configurations for
unsolicited communication to Limitations
2010-03-01 3.1 CGAP, LB
section. Updated Output Objects in OPC Data
items section.
Added UDP limitation information to the
2010-03-12 3.2 network channel device link configuration and CGAP
limitations section.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 2

2010-05-25 4.0 Updated software version to 1.2.1.0. GW, LB

2010-05-26 4.1 Updated installed files list. GW

2013-05-31 5.0 Updated software version to 1.2.2.0 SG

2013-11-06 6.0 Updated software version to 1.2.3.0 WXF

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 3

SOFTWARE VERSION

Version: 1.2.3.0

DOCUMENT VERSION

Version: 6.0

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Copyright 1997 - 2013, Matrikon Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without prior written permission of Matrikon Inc.

CONFIDENTIAL

The information contained herein is confidential and proprietary to Matrikon Inc. It may not be disclosed or transferred,
directly or indirectly, to any third party without the explicit written permission of Matrikon Inc.

LIMITATIONS

Matrikon has made its best effort to prepare this manual. Matrikon makes no representation or warranties of
any kind with regard to the completeness or accuracy of the contents herein and accepts no liability of any kind
including without limitation warranties of merchantable quality, satisfactory quality, merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose on those arising by law, statute, usage of trade, course of dealing or otherwise.
Matrikon shall not be liable for any losses or damages of any kind caused or alleged to be caused directly or
indirectly from this manual.

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This document and the software described in this document are supplied under a license agreement and may only be used
in accordance with the terms of that agreement. Matrikon reserves the right to make any improvements and/or changes to
product specifications at any time without notice.

TRADEMARK INFORMATION

The following are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective organizations:

Matrikon and MatrikonOPC are trademarks or registered trademarks of Matrikon Inc.

OTHER

MatrikonOPC is a division of Matrikon Inc.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 4

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 11
Who Should Use This Manual ............................................................................................ 11
Overview of Manual ......................................................................................................... 11
References ..................................................................................................................... 12
Terminology ................................................................................................................... 13
Getting Started............................................................................................................... 14
System Requirements ...................................................................................................... 14
Software Requirements ................................................................................................. 14
Hardware Requirements ................................................................................................ 14
Installation ..................................................................................................................... 15
Installed Files.................................................................................................................. 25
Licensing ........................................................................................................................ 26
Contacting Support .......................................................................................................... 27
Configuration ................................................................................................................. 28
Configuring Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) ........................................................................ 28
Starting the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 ............................................................... 29
Tool Tray Menu ............................................................................................................... 29
Control Panel .................................................................................................................. 30
Configuration Window ...................................................................................................... 31
File Menu ..................................................................................................................... 33
Edit Menu .................................................................................................................... 33
View Menu ................................................................................................................... 34
Tools Menu .................................................................................................................. 34
Help Menu ................................................................................................................... 35
Options Window .............................................................................................................. 35
General Options ........................................................................................................... 35
General Logging Options ................................................................................................ 37
Interface Logging Options .............................................................................................. 38
Advanced Options ......................................................................................................... 39
Server Configuration ........................................................................................................ 41
Inserting New Objects ................................................................................................... 41
Creating and Configuring a Fail-Over Channel Object ........................................................ 42
Creating and Configuring a Network Channel Object ......................................................... 47
Creating and Configuring a Serial Channel Object ............................................................. 49
Creating and Configuring a Network Host Object .............................................................. 54
Creating and Configuring a Dial-Up Connection Object ...................................................... 57
Creating and Configuring a DNP3 Unit Object ................................................................... 63
Creating and Configuring a Radio Link ............................................................................. 68
Changing Objects ......................................................................................................... 71
Removing Objects ......................................................................................................... 71
Alias Configuration .......................................................................................................... 72
Inserting Alias Groups ................................................................................................... 72
Renaming Alias Groups .................................................................................................. 72
Inserting New Aliases .................................................................................................... 72
Editing Aliases .............................................................................................................. 76
Removing Aliases ......................................................................................................... 76
Removing Alias Groups .................................................................................................. 76
Exporting Aliases .......................................................................................................... 76
Importing Aliases.......................................................................................................... 77
Expression Wizard ........................................................................................................... 77

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 5

 Item Path Browser ........................................................................................................... 81
Saving a Configuration ..................................................................................................... 83
Clearing a Configuration ................................................................................................... 83
Loading an Existing Configuration ...................................................................................... 83
Shutting Down the Server ................................................................................................ 83
OPC Data Items .............................................................................................................. 85
Device Attributes .......................................................................................................... 86
Static Objects .............................................................................................................. 87
Output Objects ............................................................................................................. 88
Poll Options ................................................................................................................. 90
Getting Data without Being Connected to a Device .............................................................. 93
Diagnostics .................................................................................................................... 94
Logging .......................................................................................................................... 94
DNP Implementation ...................................................................................................... 95
Subset Level 3 ................................................................................................................ 95
Limitations ................................................................................................................... 100
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................... 102
Problems and Solutions .................................................................................................. 102
Un-Installation ............................................................................................................. 111
OPC Compliance ........................................................................................................... 116
Installation ................................................................................................................... 116
Common Interfaces ....................................................................................................... 116
Data Access .................................................................................................................. 116
Groups ...................................................................................................................... 117
Items ........................................................................................................................ 117
Browsing and Item Properties ...................................................................................... 117
I/O Operations ........................................................................................................... 117

Table of Appendices
Appendix A Distributed COM (DCOM) ...................................................................... 119
DCOM Configuration Utility ............................................................................................. 119
Default Properties .......................................................................................................... 119
Security Permissions ...................................................................................................... 120
Server Identity .............................................................................................................. 124
Default Protocols ........................................................................................................... 124
Remote Program ID ....................................................................................................... 125
Appendix B Aliases .................................................................................................. 126
Scaling Expressions ....................................................................................................... 126
Scaling Calculations ....................................................................................................... 127
CSV File Format ............................................................................................................ 129
Scaling Algorithms ......................................................................................................... 131
Appendix C Standard Data Types ............................................................................. 132
Appendix D Microsoft Excel as a DDE Client ............................................................. 133
DDE Read ..................................................................................................................... 133
DDE Write .................................................................................................................... 133
Net DDE ....................................................................................................................... 134
Appendix E Security ................................................................................................ 135
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 135
OPC Security Implementation ......................................................................................... 135
MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility ................................................................. 136

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 6

 Security Details ............................................................................................................. 158
Appendix F Offline Mode ......................................................................................... 161
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 161
Offline Mode Toggling .................................................................................................... 161
Offline Mode Item Values................................................................................................ 161
Operational Effects ........................................................................................................ 162
Appendix G SCADA Servers Connection Logic ............................................................. 163
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 163
Polling .......................................................................................................................... 163
Connection Failures and Reconnection Logic ..................................................................... 163
Appendix H Features and Examples............................................................................ 164
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 164
Round-Robin Example .................................................................................................... 164
Writes OPC Item ........................................................................................................... 167
PacketSent and PacketReceived OPC Items ....................................................................... 167
Total Reads and Writes Indicators.................................................................................... 168
Appendix I OPC Items ................................................................................................ 170
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 170
Base OPC Items ............................................................................................................ 170
Generic OPC Items ........................................................................................................ 170
Network Channel Object OPC Items ................................................................................. 172
Network Host Object OPC Items ...................................................................................... 172
Fail-Over Channel Object OPC Items ................................................................................ 172
Serial Channel Object OPC Items ..................................................................................... 173
Radio Object OPC Items ................................................................................................. 174
Dial-Up Object OPC Items............................................................................................... 175

Table of Figures
Figure 1 - InstallAware Wizard Verification Window ...................................................... 15
Figure 2 - License Agreement Screen ............................................................................. 16
Figure 3 - Setup Type Window ....................................................................................... 17
Figure 4 - Destination Folder Screen .............................................................................. 18
Figure 5 - Start Menu Screen .......................................................................................... 19
Figure 6 - Enter Password Screen .................................................................................. 20
Figure 7 - Licensing Screen ............................................................................................ 21
Figure 8 - Ready to Install Screen .................................................................................. 22
Figure 9 - Installing MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Screen ................................. 23
Figure 10 - MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Setup Complete Screen ..................... 24
Figure 11 - Tool Tray ...................................................................................................... 29
Figure 12 - Tool Tray Menu............................................................................................. 30
Figure 13 - Control Panel ............................................................................................... 30
Figure 14 - Configuration Window .................................................................................. 32
Figure 15 - General Options Tab ..................................................................................... 36
Figure 16 - General Logging Options Tab ....................................................................... 37
Figure 17 - Interface Logging Options Tab ..................................................................... 39
Figure 18 - Advanced Options Tab .................................................................................. 40
Figure 19 - Insert New Object Window .......................................................................... 41
Figure 20 - Create New Fail-Over Channel Window ........................................................ 43
Figure 21 - Fail-Over Channel - Communication Tab ...................................................... 44
Figure 22 - Fail-Over Channel - Load Distribution Tab .................................................... 45

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 7

Figure 23 - New Fail-Over Channel Object ...................................................................... 46
Figure 24 - Create New Network Channel Window ......................................................... 47
Figure 25 - New Network Channel Object ....................................................................... 49
Figure 26 - Create New Serial Channel Window - Communication Tab ........................... 50
Figure 27 - Create New Serial Channel Window - Data Acquisition Tab .......................... 52
Figure 28 - New Serial Channel Object ........................................................................... 54
Figure 29 - Create New Network Host Window .............................................................. 55
Figure 30 - Insert New Object ........................................................................................ 56
Figure 31 - New Network Host Object ............................................................................ 57
Figure 32 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Dial-Up Tab ................................ 58
Figure 33 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Modem Tab ................................. 60
Figure 34 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Advanced Tab ............................. 61
Figure 35 - New Dial-Up Connection Object ................................................................... 63
Figure 36 - Create New DNP3 Unit - Communication Tab ............................................... 64
Figure 37 - Create New DNP3 Unit - Data Acquisition Tab .............................................. 66
Figure 38 - Create New DNP3 Unit Optimization Tab ................................................... 67
Figure 39 - Create New Radio Window ........................................................................... 69
Figure 40 - Insert New Object ........................................................................................ 70
Figure 41 - New Radio Link ............................................................................................ 71
Figure 42 - Client Reference Warning Message .............................................................. 71
Figure 43 - Insert New Alias Window ............................................................................. 73
Figure 44 - Insert New Alias Window Scaling Options .................................................... 74
Figure 45 - Contents Table ............................................................................................. 75
Figure 46 - Expression Tab ............................................................................................. 78
Figure 47 - Expression Wizard ........................................................................................ 79
Figure 48 - Select Function Window ............................................................................... 79
Figure 49 - Select Variable Window................................................................................ 80
Figure 50 - User Defined Functions Editor ...................................................................... 80
Figure 51 - Operators Buttons ........................................................................................ 80
Figure 52 - Calculation Tab ............................................................................................ 82
Figure 53 - Item Path Browser ....................................................................................... 82
Figure 54 - Registry Editor ........................................................................................... 103
Figure 55 - Program ID Branch .................................................................................... 104
Figure 56 - Add or Remove Programs ........................................................................... 111
Figure 57 - Welcome to the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Maintenance Screen 112
Figure 58 - Ready to Uninstall Screen .......................................................................... 113
Figure 59 - Uninstalling MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Screen ......................... 114
Figure 60 - MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Setup Complete Screen ................... 115
Figure 61 - Distributed COM Configuration Properties Window .................................... 121
Figure 62 - Distributed COM Configuration Security Tab .............................................. 122
Figure 63 - Registry Value Permissions Window .......................................................... 123
Figure 64 - Add Users and Groups Window .................................................................. 123
Figure 65 - DDE Share .................................................................................................. 134
Figure 66 - Start Menu Navigation ................................................................................ 137
Figure 67 - Enter Server Password Window ................................................................. 137
Figure 68 - MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility Main Screen ..................... 138
Figure 69 - MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility Main Screen: Users & Groups
..................................................................................................................................... 139
Figure 70 - Add User Window (NT) ............................................................................... 140
Figure 71 - Defined Users and Groups .......................................................................... 141
Figure 72 - Add User Window (Private) ........................................................................ 142
Figure 73 - Add Group Window (NT) ............................................................................ 143
Figure 74 - Add Group Window (Private) ..................................................................... 144

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 8

Figure 75 - Enter New Name Window ........................................................................... 144
Figure 76 - Edit <Username> Window (Permissions Tab) ............................................ 146
Figure 77 - Add Permission Screen (Server Address Space) ......................................... 147
Figure 78 - Add User Permission Window ..................................................................... 148
Figure 79 - Add Permission Window: Browsing Server Address Space ......................... 149
Figure 80 - Edit <Username>: Example ........................................................................ 150
Figure 81 - Edit <Username> Window (General Tab) ................................................... 151
Figure 82 - Reset Password Window ............................................................................ 151
Figure 83 - Edit <Groupname> Window (Permissions Tab) ......................................... 152
Figure 84 - Edit <Groupname> Window (General Tab) ................................................ 153
Figure 85 - Edit <Groupname> Window (Members Tab) .............................................. 154
Figure 86 - Add Existing User Window ......................................................................... 155
Figure 87 - Change Password Window ......................................................................... 156
Figure 88 - Example ..................................................................................................... 163
Figure 89 - Example 1 .................................................................................................. 164
Figure 90 - Unit B Fails ................................................................................................. 165
Figure 91 - Retry Applied on Unit B Items .................................................................... 165
Figure 92 - Failed Polls Allowed Counter ...................................................................... 166
Figure 93 - Unit B Confirmed Failure ............................................................................ 166
Figure 94 - Reconnect Delay......................................................................................... 166
Figure 95 - Reconnect Retries ...................................................................................... 166
Figure 96 - Packets Sent and Received at a Certain Point ............................................ 167
Figure 97 - Server Configuration .................................................................................. 168
Figure 98 - Monitoring Request and Reply Counters from the Client ............................ 168

Table of Tables
Table 1 - Terms and Definitions...................................................................................... 13
Table 2 - Files Installed in "SCADA DNP3" Folder ........................................................... 26
Table 3 - Files Installed in "Common" Folder ................................................................. 26
Table 4 - Files Installed in "system32" Folder ................................................................ 26
Table 5 - MatrikonOPC Support Regional Contact Information ....................................... 27
Table 6 - After-Hours Support ........................................................................................ 27
Table 7 - Tool Tray Menu Commands .............................................................................. 30
Table 8 - Control Panel Commands ................................................................................. 31
Table 9 - Configuration Window Commands ................................................................... 33
Table 10 - File Menu Commands ..................................................................................... 33
Table 11 - Edit Menu Commands (Server Configuration) ................................................ 34
Table 12 - Edit Menu Commands (Alias Configuration)................................................... 34
Table 13 - View Menu Commands ................................................................................... 34
Table 14 - Tools Menu Commands .................................................................................. 35
Table 15 - Help Menu Commands ................................................................................... 35
Table 16 - General Options Tab Fields ............................................................................ 37
Table 17 - General Logging Options Tab Fields ............................................................... 38
Table 18 - Interface Logging Options Tab Fields ............................................................ 39
Table 19 - Advanced Options Tab Fields ......................................................................... 40
Table 20 - Insert New Object Window Options ............................................................... 42
Table 21 - Fail-Over Channel - Communication Tab Components .................................... 45
Table 22 - Create New Network Channel Window Components ...................................... 48
Table 23 - Create New Serial Channel Window - Communication Tab Components ........ 52
Table 24 - Create New Serial Channel Window - Data Acquisition Tab Components ....... 53

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 9

Table 25 - Create New Network Host Window Components ........................................... 56
Table 26 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Dial-Up Tab Components ............. 59
Table 27 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Modem Tab Components .............. 60
Table 28 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Advanced Tab Components .......... 62
Table 29 - Create New DNP3 Unit Communication Tab Components ............................ 65
Table 30 Create New NDP3 Unit Data Acquisition Tab .............................................. 67
Table 31 - Create New DNP3 Unit Optimization Tab .................................................... 68
Table 32 - Create New Radio Window Components ........................................................ 70
Table 33 - Insert New Alias Window Options ................................................................. 74
Table 34 - Insert New Alias Window Scaling Options ..................................................... 74
Table 35 - Expression Wizard Options ............................................................................ 77
Table 36 - Item Path Browser Options ........................................................................... 81
Table 37 - Communication Options for Device Items ...................................................... 86
Table 38 - Device Attributes ........................................................................................... 87
Table 39 - Static Objects ................................................................................................ 88
Table 40 - Output Objects .............................................................................................. 89
Table 41 - Poll Options ................................................................................................... 91
Table 42 - DNP3 Unit Communication Configuration Parameters ................................... 93
Table 43 - Implemented Data Objects, Variations, Function Codes, and Range Qualifiers
....................................................................................................................................... 99
Table 44 - Expressions Constructs for Alias Scaling ..................................................... 127
Table 45 - Calculation Operators for Alias Scaling ........................................................ 128
Table 46 - Calculation Functions for Alias Scaling ........................................................ 129
Table 47 - File Import/Export Field Descriptions ......................................................... 130
Table 48 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Linear/Square Root Scaling
..................................................................................................................................... 130
Table 49 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Offset Scaling ................ 130
Table 50 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Expression Scaling ........ 131
Table 51 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Calculation Scaling ........ 131
Table 52 - Scaling Algorithms ....................................................................................... 131
Table 53 - Standard Data Types ................................................................................... 132
Table 54 - Default Tag Security .................................................................................... 156
Table 55 - Example 1 .................................................................................................... 157
Table 56 - Example 2: Permissions ............................................................................... 157
Table 57 - Example 2: Groups and Members ................................................................. 157
Table 58 - Example 2: Permissions ............................................................................... 160
Table 59 - Offline Mode Item Values ............................................................................ 162
Table 60 - Root Device Link OPC Items ........................................................................ 170
Table 61 - Generic OPC Items ...................................................................................... 171
Table 62 - Network Channel OPC Items........................................................................ 172
Table 63 - Network Host OPC Items ............................................................................. 172
Table 64 - Fail-Over Channel OPC Items....................................................................... 173
Table 65 - Serial Channel Object OPC Items ................................................................. 174
Table 66 - Radio Object OPC Items .............................................................................. 175
Table 67 - Dial-Up Object OPC Items ............................................................................ 176

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 10

Introduction
The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 provides OPC access to field devices compatible with of
the DNP3 protocol and supports supervisory control and data acquisition applications, even under
adverse site conditions (e.g., poor throughput, line noise).
The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 includes support for the following communication
methods:
Multiple communications channels at the same time (serial, radio, network, and dial-up).
Round-robin polling.
Detailed polling schedule.
Optimized for low-bandwidth and noisy communication channels.
Runs as a Windows service.
DNP3 master including level 1, level 2, and level 3 plus selected vendor extensions (strings,
reporting dead band, frozen analog inputs, etc.).
Supervisory control using single-destination and broadcast commands.

Who Should Use This Manual

This manual is intended for all users of MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3. This manual explains
how to install, license, and configure the software, and how to perform common tasks. In addition
and where required, technical information about OPC data items, diagnostics information, and a
troubleshooting section is included.

Overview of Manual
This manual uses icons to highlight valuable information. Remember these icons and what they
mean, as they will assist you throughout the manual.

This symbol denotes important information that must be

acknowledged. Failure to do so may result in the software not
functioning properly.

Font displayed in this color and style indicates a hyperlink to the

BOLD applicable/associated information within this manual, or if applicable,
any external sources.

The Users Manual has been designed so that you can click on references in the document to jump
to that referenced point without having to scroll through several pages (in some cases). For
example, if you were to see the sentence Refer to Figure 1 for more information, pressing the
CTRL key and clicking your mouse on the text Figure 1 will automatically take you to the location
of Figure 1 within the document.
This manual consists of several chapters and is structured as follows:
Introduction this introductory chapter.
Getting Started provides instructions for installing the software, and MatrikonOPC
Support team contact information.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 11

 Configuration shows how to start and configure the server, and describes each
component in detail including windows/screens, panels/tabs, and menu commands.
OPC Data Items describes the servers items.
Diagnostics explains how to use logging, statistical items, data qualities and timestamps,
and result codes to get the most efficiency from the users system.
DNP Implementation explains how the server fully implements the data link, transport,
and application layers of the DNP protocol.
Limitations provides information on specific performance and operational limitations of
the software.
Troubleshooting provides solutions for common problems that may be encountered, and
answers to frequently asked questions.
Un-installation provides instructions on un-installing the software.
OPC Compliance details supported interfaces with regard to installation, common
interfaces, and data access.
Implementation details the servers device-specific implementation.
Appendices:
o A - DCOM
o B Aliases
o C Standard Data Types
o D Microsoft Excel as a DDE Client
o E Security
o F - Offline Mode
o G SCADA Servers Connection Logic
o H Features and Examples
o I OPC Items

References
This document references information found within the following documents/sites:
www.opcfoundation.org
www.matrikonopc.com
www.opcsupport.com
http://www.dnp.org
International Standard DNP3
DNP3 Specification, Volume 7: IP Networking
OPC Overview 1.0
OPC Common Definitions and Interfaces 1.0
OPC Security Custom Interface 1.0
OPC Alarms and Events Interface Standard 1.10

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 12

 OPC Data Access Custom Interface Standard 2.05a
OPC Data Access Custom Interface Standard 3.00

Terminology
The terms screen and window are used interchangeably throughout this document.
Table 1 provides a list of definitions for terms used throughout this document.

Term/Abbreviation Description
ADT Asynchronous Data Transfer.
API Application Programming Interface.
Component Object Model. A method for organizing software, specifying how to
COM
build components that can be dynamically interchanged.
DA OPC Data Access. Provides access to real-time process data.
Distributed Component Object Model. An extension of COM that allows
DCOM
communication between COM components over a network.
Dynamic Data Exchange. Allows the transfer of data between two running
DDE
applications.
Matrikon Matrikon Inc.
MatrikonOPC Matrikons brand name for its OPC servers and clients.
The communication standards published by the OPC Foundation. Refer to
OPC
www.opcfoundation.org for more information.
PLC Programmable Logic Controller.
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. Software that is interfaced to
SCADA
hardware via a PLC or other API.
The Distributed Network Protocol. DNP3 is defined and managed by the DNP
DNP3
Users Group. Refer to www.dnp.org for more information.
Table 1 - Terms and Definitions

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 13

Getting Started
This section of the Users Manual contains important information regarding software installation and
how to contact MatrikonOPCs Support team.
The System Requirements section shows how to avoid future problems by ensuring that the
system meets the minimum software and hardware requirements. Detailed, step-by-step
instructions in the Installation section will guide you through the installation process and provide
a list of files that are installed during this process.
Once the software is installed, refer to the Licensing section for information on how to obtain the
appropriate license. The Licensing section will refer you to the Licensing Procedures document that
was installed along with the server and this Users Manual. The Contacting Support section will
provide you with contact information for the MatrikonOPC Support team, should you have any
problems during the installation or licensing of the software.

System Requirements
The software has Software and Hardware system requirements. These requirements must be
met for the software to function properly.

Note: To install and configure a MatrikonOPC server, you must be set

up as an administrative user account rather than a restricted user
account.

Software Requirements
The following software is required:
Microsoft Windows XP SP0, or
Microsoft Windows 2003 SP0, or
Microsoft Windows Server 2000 SP3
Microsoft .NET 1.1 Framework (included with installation package)
Your system must have the following additional software to use the corresponding functionality:
TCP/IP or UDP/IP terminal server

Note: It is recommended that the most current service packs are

installed.

Hardware Requirements
The following hardware is required:
Intel Pentium 4 Processor
512 MB RAM
40 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
The server requires the following additional hardware to make use of additional functionality:
Serial communications port
RS-232/422/485 cabling and/or converter

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 14

 Radio modem
Hayes-compatible dial-up modem
CDPD modem with support for the AT command set
IP-compatible network

Installation
Once the system requirements have been met, you are ready to install the software.

Note: As part of the installation process, the MatrikonOPC Analyzer

tool is installed and used to detect the system settings that affect the
use of this software. No information is communicated back to
Matrikon. Information is stored on this system only for future use by
MatrikonOPC Support to assist with troubleshooting, if required.

To install the software:

1. Insert the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 CD into the CD drive.
2. If the MatrikonOPC Welcome screen does not automatically appear, double-click the
MatrikonOPCSCADADNP3.exe file. The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3
InstallAware Wizard verifies its contents (Figure 1) and the License Agreement screen
(Figure 2) appears.
Notes:
The Version number located in the lower left corner indicates the version number of
the software that is being installed. The text X.X.X.X will be replaced with the
specific product version.
From the License Agreement screen, you have the option of selecting the I reject
the license agreement option. Selecting the I reject the license agreement
option button disables the Next button so your options are to cancel the install by
clicking on the Cancel button, or select the I accept the license agreement option
button enabling you to proceed through the install.

Figure 1 - InstallAware Wizard Verification Window

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 15

 Figure 2 - License Agreement Screen

3. Read the Software License Agreement, using the scroll bar to view the entire message.
4. Select the I accept the license agreement option button.
5. Click on the Next button. The Setup Type screen (Figure 3) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 16

 Figure 3 - Setup Type Window

6. Select the type of setup to be performed.

Note: Matrikon recommends that you select the Complete Setup option.
7. Click on the Next button. The Destination Folder screen (Figure 4) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 17

 Figure 4 - Destination Folder Screen

8. Select the folder in which to install MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3, or accept the
default location displayed in the Folder path field.
9. Click on the Next button. The Start Menu screen (Figure 5) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 18

 Figure 5 - Start Menu Screen

10. Select the Start Menu group and specify whether you want shortcuts created only for
yourself, or for all users, by selecting the applicable option button.
11. Click on the Next button. The Enter Password screen (Figure 6) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 19

 Figure 6 - Enter Password Screen

12. A default password is supplied for you in the Password and Confirm Password fields.

Notes:
The default password provided for you is MatrikonOPC. Note
this password for future reference.
If you need to change the password at a later date, access the
Tag Security shortcut from the Start menu. Click on the
Windows Start button. Select Programs -> MatrikonOPC ->
<OPC Server Name> -> Tag Security. For more
information, refer to Appendix E Security.
13. Click on the Next button to accept the default password. The Licensing screen (Figure 7)
appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 20

 Figure 7 - Licensing Screen

14. Select one of the licensing options.

15. Click on the Next button to accept the selected licensing option. The Ready to Install
screen (Figure 8) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 21

 Figure 8 - Ready to Install Screen

16. Click on the Next button. The Installing MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 screen
(Figure 9) appears, installation begins, and the product files are copied to the computer.
Note: Prior to starting the installation, you have the option of clicking on the Back button
to change any of the installation information. Click on the Cancel button if you wish to stop
or cancel the installation.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 22

 Figure 9 - Installing MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Screen

17. When the installation has finished, the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Setup
Complete screen (Figure 10) appears stating that MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 has
been successfully installed.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 23

 Figure 10 - MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Setup Complete Screen

18. At this point you have the option of launching any or all of the following by selecting the
necessary checkbox or checkboxes:
Configuration panel
Quick Start Guide
Users Manual
Release Notes
19. Click on the Finish button to complete the installation and exit the Wizard.
20. The necessary files have now been copied to the target computer, the software components
are registered, and shortcut icons are created in the Start menu.

Note: At this point, it is recommended that you verify the DCOM

settings. Reference to the DCOM configuration can be found in the
DCOM Manual. This configuration varies for different operating
systems.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 24

 Installed Files
The installation program copies all necessary files to the target computer and creates shortcut
icons in the Start menu.
The files listed in Table 2 are installed by default, in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Matrikon\OPC\SCADA DNP3

File Name Description

Access control list containing users and permissions
ACL.sec
configured for the server.
Command-line security utility used to encrypt/decrypt
ACLSecure.exe
the ACL file.
AliasCalculationLib.dll
Altova.dll
AltovaXML.dll
CalcEngine_u.dll
CalcEngineResource.dll
CalculationGraph.dll
clipsdll.dll
icudt36.dll
icuin36.dll
icuuc36.dll Calculation Engine binary files.
js32.dll
log4cxx.dll
lsapiw32.dll
NTEventLogAppender.dll
OpcDataDelivery_u.dll
ProcessNetDataDelivery_u.dll
Scheduleru_dll.dll
ScriptLibrary_u.dll
Xerces-c_2_7.dll
Licensing Procedures.pdf Licensing Procedures document.
lsapiw32.dll Licensing Library
MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3
Release Notes.pdf Release Notes for this server.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 User

Manual.pdf Users Manual for this server.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3

Quick Start.pdf Quick Start Guide for this server.

OPCdnp.exe Server executable.

ProgID.txt Security information file used by the encryption utility.
Project Info.log Product version information for the current build.
PSTCFGScadaLib.ocx Server ActiveX configuration panels.
PSTCFGDnpLib.ocx Server ActiveX configuration panels.
ServerOpts.ini Server configuration file.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 25

 Table 2 - Files Installed in "SCADA DNP3" Folder

The files listed in Table 3 are installed by default, in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\MatrikonOPC\Common

File Name Description

aclconfig.exe Tag security.
EULA.pdf End-User License Agreement in PDF format.
OEM_MATRIKON_OPC.DLL MatrikonOPC OEM Badge Library.
MatrikonOPC Automation Component enables developers to access
OPCAuto.dll
OPC data from client applications developed using automation tools.
opcda20_auto.doc MatrikonOPC Automation Component interface standard.
MatrikonOPC HDA Automation Component enables developers to
OPCDAAuto.dll access OPC data from client applications developed using
automation tools such as Visual Basic, VBA, and VB Script.
The proxy-stub file that allows OPC clients to make remote
opchda_ps.dll
connections to an OPC HDA server.
opchda10_auto.doc Developer documentation for the HDA Automation Component.
MatrikonOPC HDA Automation Component enables developers to
OPCHDAAUTO.DLL access OPC HDA data from client applications developed using
automation tools.
PSTCFG.exe Matrikon product configuration utility.
PSTcfgps.dll Matrikon product configuration marshalling library.
LicenseWizard.exe Matrikon product licensing utility.
LicenseRemover.exe Matrikon product licensing utility.
Table 3 - Files Installed in "Common" Folder

The files listed in Table 4 are installed in the WINDOWS\system32 folder:

File Name Description

actxprxy.dll ActiveX Interface Marshalling Library.
ExprEval.dll Expression Evaluation Library for Alias Scaling Equations.
opc_aeps.dll OPC Alarms and Events 1.10 Interfaces and Marshalling Library
opccomn_ps.dll OPC Common Interfaces and Marshalling Library
Opcenum.exe OPC server list component.
opcproxy.dll OPC Data Access 2.05 and 1.0a Interfaces and Marshalling Library.
opcSec_PS.dll OPC Security Interfaces and Marshalling Library
Table 4 - Files Installed in "system32" Folder

Licensing
Most MatrikonOPC products require some form of licensing criteria be met to ensure that it
functions successfully

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 26

The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 supports software and hardware licensing

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
The following licensing information is described in detail within the
Licensing Procedures document which accompanies the MatrikonOPC
Server for SCADA DNP3 software and Users Manual:
Hardware and software key licensing information.
Information about the MatrikonOPC Licensing Utility that is
used to license software, and the variety of ways in which
licenses can be obtained (e.g., Internet Connection, Web Page,
Email).
Licensing Q&A and Troubleshooting.

Contacting Support
The MatrikonOPC Customer Services department (www.opcsupport.com) is available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.
Contact MatrikonOPC Support using the information below, or send an email
([email protected]).
For Monday to Friday daytime support requests, contact MatrikonOPC Support using the regional
phone numbers provided in Table 5.

Region Office Hours Contact Information

North America
8:00am-5:00pm +1-877-OPC-4-ALL
UTC/GMT -7 hours (MST)
Europe /Africa * +49-221-969-77-0
9:00am-5:00pm
UTC/GMT +1 hours (CET) (Request OPC Support)
Middle East *
9:00am-5:00pm +973-174-65363
UTC/GMT +3 hours
Australia/Asia * +61-2-4908-2198
9:00am-5:00pm
UTC/GMT +10 hours (AEST) (Request OPC Support)
* Toll-free regional numbers coming soon!
Table 5 - MatrikonOPC Support Regional Contact Information

For after-hours support in all regions, please use either of the following numbers. There is no
extra charge from MatrikonOPC for calling their after-hours support numbers.

Region Contact Information

+1-780-231-9480
All
+1-780-264-6714
Table 6 - After-Hours Support

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 27

Configuration
The servers Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows users to view and alter configuration parameters
at run time. When a user views a configuration parameter, the information is retrieved and
displayed. The updated parameters are sent as a group to the server when submitted.
Minimal configuration of the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 is required for the server to
function properly, but users can customize the servers behavior as required. This chapter shows
users how to start and configure the server and describes each component in detail, including the
windows, panels, and menu commands.
The Starting the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 section of this manual shows users
how to start the software. The next four sections describe the Tool Tray Menu, Control Panel,
Configuration window, and the Options window, in detail.
The Server Configuration section describes in detail how to configure the server. Instructions for
configuring the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 as a DDE service appear in the Dynamic Data
Exchange (DDE) section. The Alias Configuration section explains how to create user-defined
aliases in place of regular OPC items, followed by four sections that cover saving, clearing, and
loading configuration settings, and shutting down the server.

Configuring Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)

The server may act as a DDE service. In this way, a DDE client can request data from the server
using the following DDE commands:
XTYP_POKE - Write data to an item in the server.
XTYP_REQUEST - Read data from an item in the server.
XTYP_ADVREQ - Read latest data from an active advice loop.
XTYP_ADVSTART - Create and activate an advice loop on a single item in the server.
XTYP_ADVSTOP - Stop and destroy an advice loop on a single item in the server.
DDE service can be enabled or disabled using the checkbox. Note that these options will not be
available if the server does not support DDE.
Items within the server can be referenced using the following syntax:
SERVICE_NAME |ITEM! SCANDETAILS
SERVICE_NAME represents the name of the DDE service. The first edit box specifies the service
name used by this server.
ITEM refers to an item ID of a point within the server.
SCANDETAILS is a combination of the desired scan rate of the item, and an access path. One or
more delimiting characters separate the scan rate and access path. The second edit box can be
used to change the delimiters. The delimiting characters must be provided when referencing an
item in the server. However, the scan rate and access path are optional. If no scan rate is
specified, only data contained in the server cache will be available through DDE, and an advise loop
will not be created.
Changes to the DDE options will not take effect until the server is restarted.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 28

 Note: DDE Name Syntax DDE Names may be described in the
following syntax: SERVICE|TOPIC|NAME
In this case, consider the TOPIC to be the item ID, and the NAME to
be a combination of the scan rate and access path.

Starting the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3

To launch the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3, choose the appropriate shortcut from the
Start menu.
To start the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3:
1. Click on the Windows Start button and select Programs -> MatrikonOPC -> SCADA
DNP3, and choose MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3.
By default, the server is installed as a Windows service. When the server is installed as a
service, the splash screen does not appear, nor does the logo appear in the Tool Tray.
Instead, the main Configuration window is immediately displayed. If the server is installed
as a Windows service, users can also start it using the Service Control Manager applet
(under the Windows Control Panel).
2. If the server is not installed as a Windows service, the server starts and the Matrikon logo
appears in the Tool Tray (Figure 11), located by default in the system tray.

Figure 11 - Tool Tray

If the server is not installed as a Windows service, the Welcome screen appears briefly
when the server starts up.

Notes:
If the server is not installed as a service, the server will
automatically start up when a client (such as MatrikonOPC
Explorer) first tries to connect to it.
If the server is installed as a service, users can choose to run it
as an application by re-registering the OPC server executable
using the /REGSERVER command-line switch.

Tool Tray Menu

Note: If the server is installed as a Windows service, the Tool Tray and Tool Tray Menu are not
available.
The Tool Tray Menu provides access to the Control Panel, the Configuration window, and the
About screen. It also contains the commands to shut down the server.
To view the Tool Tray Menu:

1. Right-click your mouse on the Matrikon logo .

2. The Tool Tray Menu appears (Figure 12).

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 29

 Figure 12 - Tool Tray Menu

Table 7 describes the commands in the Tool Tray Menu.

Command Description
Show Control Panel Displays the configuration control panel.

Configure Displays the main Configuration window.

Shutdown Shuts down the server.

Displays the servers Welcome screen, which includes information about the
About
software.
Table 7 - Tool Tray Menu Commands

Control Panel
Note: If the server is installed as a Windows service, the Control Panel is not available.
The Control Panel displays the servers status, system time, and number of clients connected to
the server. The Control Panel allows users to:
Access the Configuration window.
Access the About screen.
Execute the command to shut down the server.

The Control Panel stays on top of every other window on the desktop to help monitor the status
of the server.

To view the Control Panel:

1. Right-click your mouse on the Matrikon logo .

2. The Tool Tray Menu appears.
3. From the Tool Tray Menu, select the Show Control Panel menu option.
4. The Control Panel (Figure 13) appears.

Figure 13 - Control Panel

5. To window shade the Control Panel so that it displays only the client count, double-click
your mouse on the title bar.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 30

 Table 8 describes the commands in the Tool Tray Menu.

Command Description
Status Displays the current status of the server.
Time Displays the current time.
Clients Displays the total number of OPC clients presently connected to the server.
Configure Displays the main Configuration window.
Shutdown Shuts down the server.
About Displays the servers Welcome screen, which includes information about the software.
Table 8 - Control Panel Commands

Configuration Window
Note: If the server is installed as a Windows service, the Tool Tray Menu and Control Panel are
not available. In this case, the Configuration window is then accessed via the Windows Start
menu.
The Configuration window is used to configure the server. It displays the current configuration
and allows users to change configuration parameters.
To view the Configuration window:
1. From the Tool Tray Menu or the Control Panel, select Configure.
2. The Configuration window (Figure 14) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 31

 Figure 14 - Configuration Window

Table 9 describes the commands in the Configuration window.

Command Description
Main Menu Provides access to the File, Edit, View, Tools, and Help menus.
Main Toolbar Provides shortcut buttons for commands in the Main Menu.
Displays a tree of configuration objects currently defined in the server.
Current Configuration
Select an object to display its current settings in the right-hand panel.
Objects under this node affect how the server communicates with the data
Server Configuration
source.
Alias Configuration Define aliases and alias groups under this node.
Object Settings Panel Displays the current settings of the object presently selected in the tree.
Statistics Panel Displays available statistics for the object presently selected in the tree:

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 32

 Command Description
Sent, Received, Timed Out, Retried, Failed, Overrun.
Reset Statistics Resets statistics on the object presently selected in the configuration tree.
Matrikon Logo Opens a link to the Matrikon web site.
Clients Displays the total number of OPC clients presently connected to the server.
Server Time Displays the current time.
Table 9 - Configuration Window Commands

The following sections describe the menus available from the Configuration window, and what
they are used for.

File Menu
Table 10 describes the File menu commands.

Command Description
Clears the current configuration and starts a new one. If OPC clients are still
New connected to the server, the user is prompted for confirmation before
continuing.
Clears the current configuration and loads a new one from an existing file.
Displays the Open Configuration window to prompt for the file name. If
Open
OPC clients are still connected to the server, the user is prompted for
confirmation before continuing.
Saves the current configuration to an XML file. Displays the Save
Save Configuration window to prompt for a new file name if the configuration is
new and has not been saved before.
Saves the current configuration to an XML file. Displays the Save
Save As
Configuration window to prompt for a new file name.
Exports all currently configured aliases to a CSV file. Displays the Export
Export Aliases
Aliases window to prompt for a file name.
Clears all aliases and imports new ones from a CSV file. Displays the Import
Import Aliases
Aliases window to prompt for an existing file name.
Closes the current configuration and shuts down the server after signaling
Shutdown Server the shutdown event to all connected clients. If OPC clients are still connected
to the server, the user is prompted for confirmation before continuing.
Hides the main Configuration window. The server shuts down after a short
Close
delay if no OPC clients are currently connected to the server.
Table 10 - File Menu Commands

Edit Menu
Table 11 describes the Edit menu commands that appear when the currently selected object
appears under the Server Configuration node.

Command Description
Undo/Cant Undo Not implemented.

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 Command Description
Removes the currently selected object from the server configuration.
Prompts the user for confirmation before continuing to see if the OPC clients
Delete have reference to items associated with the selected object or one of its
children. Does not remove such objects but simply disables them and sets
them to marked for deletion.
Displays the Insert New Object window used to create a new configuration
Define New
object under the currently selected configuration object.
Table 11 - Edit Menu Commands (Server Configuration)

Table 12 describes the Edit menu commands that appear when the currently selected object
appears under the Alias Configuration node.

Command Description
Undo/Cant Undo Not implemented.

Rename Renames the currently selected alias group.

Removes the currently selected alias group and all subordinate groups and
Delete Alias Group
aliases.
Delete Alias Removes the currently selected aliases.

Insert Alias Group Creates a new alias group under the currently selected alias group.

Displays the Insert New Alias window used to create a new alias under the
Insert New Alias
currently selected alias group.
Table 12 - Edit Menu Commands (Alias Configuration)

View Menu
Table 13 describes the View menu commands.

Command Description
Displays/hides general communication statistics for the currently selected
Statistics
object.
Reset Statistics Resets all statistics for the currently selected object to zero.
Displays the Server Defaults window used to configure the default settings
Defaults
for the various types of communication objects available in the server.
Rebuilds the tree display of the server configuration and fully expands all
Refresh
branches.
Options Displays the Options window used to change general server options.
Table 13 - View Menu Commands

Tools Menu
Table 14 describes the Tools menu commands.

Command Description
Launches the Microsoft Distributed COM Configuration Properties
DCOM Configurator
utility. This utility can be used to edit DCOM settings for specific COM

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 34

 Command Description
servers to allow client applications on remote computers to connect to the
server.
Launches MatrikonOPC Explorer, which is a general-purpose OPC client
included with all MatrikonOPC servers that may be used to test the
View Tags capabilities of the software. For more information, refer to the MatrikonOPC
Explorer Users Manual.
Launches the Enter server password window where you are asked to
enter the security password set during the installation of the server. The
default password set during the installation of this server is MatrikonOPC.
Security Settings The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility screen is then
displayed which allows you to configure security settings. For more
information, refer to Appendix E Security.
Table 14 - Tools Menu Commands

Help Menu
Table 15 describes the Help menu commands.

Command Description
MatrikonOPC on the Opens a link to the Matrikon web site.
Web
Displays the Welcome screen, which includes information about the
About
software version.
Table 15 - Help Menu Commands

Options Window
The Options window is used to edit the servers options and contains three tabs: General,
General Logging, and Interface Logging.

General Options
The General tab allows users to edit general server options (i.e., settings).
To view the General options:
1. On the Configuration window, from the View menu, select the Options menu item.
2. The Options window appears.
3. From the Options window, select the General tab (Figure 15).

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 35

 Figure 15 - General Options Tab

Table 16 describes the fields available on the General tab.

Field Description
Save current Automatically saves the current configuration to the specified file before
configuration on shutting down, if selected.
shutdown
Automatically keeps up to the specified number (i.e., X) of backup copies of
Backup: X copies
the configuration file when saving the configuration.
Load configuration on Automatically loads a configuration from the specified file when starting up,
startup if selected.
Displays the full path of an existing file for load and save operations. Click on
Filename the ellipsis button ( ) to display the Open window used to select an
existing file name.
Launch configuration Automatically launches the configuration utility when starting up as a local
program on startup executable (rather than a Windows service), if selected.

Restrict items to Allows you to control which items an OPC client can add. Selecting this
preconfigured aliases checkbox indicates the restriction of items to pre-configured aliases only.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 36

 Field Description
only
Table 16 - General Options Tab Fields

Note: The server loads these settings from the Windows registry upon start-up. Changes to the
General options settings take effect when the server is restarted.

General Logging Options

The General Logging tab allows users to edit general logging options.
To view the General Logging options:
1. On the Configuration window, from the View menu, select the Options menu item.
2. The Options window appears.
3. From the Options window, select the General Logging tab (Figure 16).

Figure 16 - General Logging Options Tab

Table 17 describes the fields available on the General Logging tab.

Field Description
Enable activity logging Enables/disables general activity logging at the specified detail level

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 37

 Field Description
(High, Medium, Low, or None), if selected.
Note: This option should not be selected unless users are debugging
a problem as this will have a negative effect on performance of the
OPC server. Always set this back to None when not in use.
Displays logged messages in a console window as they occur, if
Display activity on screen
selected.
Purges the file buffer after each message is logged in the event of an
Commit all log file writes
unexpected server shut down.
Overwrite old log Overwrites the old log file each time the server starts up, if selected.
information Otherwise, rename the old log file with a (*.bak) suffix.
Displays the full path for the general activity log file. Click on the
ellipsis button ( ) to display the Open window used to select an
General Activity Logging
existing file name.
Filename
The default path is C:\Program Files\MatrikonOPC\Common\
PSTCFGMatrikon.OPC.DNP.1.LOG.
Filter String Match string for filtered log is displayed.
Displays the full path for the filtered log file. Click on the ellipsis
Filtering Filename button ( ) to display the Open window used to select an existing
file name.
Table 17 - General Logging Options Tab Fields

Note: General Logging options settings take effect immediately.

Interface Logging Options

The Interface Logging tab allows users to view and edit COM interface logging options.
To view the Interface Logging options:
1. On the Configuration window, from the View menu, select the Options menu item.
2. The Options window appears.
3. From the Options window, select the Interface Logging tab (Figure 17).

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 38

 Figure 17 - Interface Logging Options Tab

Table 18 describes the fields available on the Interface Logging tab.

Field Description
Enables/disables interface logging at the specified detail level (High,
Medium, Low, or None), if selected. Generates a separate log file for
each client named PST###.TMP in the server installation directory.
Enable logging
Note: This option should not be selected unless users are debugging
a problem as this will have a negative effect on performance of the
OPC server.
Purges the file buffer after each message is logged in the event of an
Commit all log file writes
unexpected server shut down.
Table 18 - Interface Logging Options Tab Fields

Note: Interface Logging options settings take effect when the next OPC client connects to the
server.

Advanced Options
The Advanced tab allows users to view and edit advanced server options.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 39

 To view the Advanced options:
1. On the Configuration window, from the View menu, select the Options menu item.
2. The Options window appears.
3. From the Options window, select the Advanced tab (Figure 18).

Figure 18 - Advanced Options Tab

Table 19 describes the fields available on the Advanced options tab.

Field Description
Minimum update rate (milliseconds) allowed for an OPC group.
OPC Group Update Rate Prevents OPC clients from requesting update rates that are impossible
(minimum) to achieve or that cause heavy CPU loads. The default value is 100
ms.
OPC Server group scan thread interval (milliseconds). Determines the
maximum resolution for data change detection. Time granularity
Time granularity
should always be equal to or less than the minimum group update
rate.
DDE Configures the way the server provides data through DDE.
Table 19 - Advanced Options Tab Fields

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 40

Note: The server loads these settings from the Windows registry on start-up. Changes to
Advanced options settings take effect when the server is shut down and restarted.

Server Configuration
The server requires minimal configuration for it to run properly. You can also customize the
servers behavior as required. This section shows you how to create and edit objects using the
Configuration window.

Inserting New Objects

The Insert New Object and Create New windows are used to create Fail-over Channel,
Network Channel, and Serial Channel objects.
Insert New Object Window
The Insert New Object window (Figure 19) displays a different set of options depending on the
type of object selected and the types of objects already configured under it.

Figure 19 - Insert New Object Window

Table 20 describes the types of objects that are available for insertion as a child in the Insert New
Object window, depending on which object is currently selected.

Selected Object Insert New Object Window Options

Fail-over Channel
Root Device Link (Server Configuration) Network Channel
Serial Channel
Fail-over Channel <None>
Network Channel Network Host
Dial-up Connection
Network Host
DNP3 Unit
Dial-up Connection DNP3 Unit
DNP3 Unit <None>
Dial-up Connection
Serial Channel DNP3 Unit
Radio
Dial-up Connection DNP3 Unit
DNP3 Unit <None>

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 41

 Selected Object Insert New Object Window Options
Radio DNP3 Unit
DNP3 Unit <None>
Table 20 - Insert New Object Window Options

To insert a new object:

1. On the Configuration window, select the Server Configuration node and either:
Right-click your mouse and select Define New from the menu that appears, or
Select the Define New menu option from the Edit menu, or

Click on the icon.

2. The Insert New Object window (Figure 19) appears.
3. From the displayed list, select the type of object to be created.
4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears.
To create a newly inserted object:
1. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object. This name is part of the item
ID that globally identifies data items from under the object. Users may also choose to enter
a description of the object.
2. Edit the configuration components as desired.
3. Click on the OK button. The object is created.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled. This can be done at
any time.
Create New Window
A device-specific window is displayed for each object:
Fail-over Channel
Network Channel
Serial Channel

Creating and Configuring a Fail-Over Channel Object

The Create New window (Figure 20) displays the settings available when creating a Fail-over
Channel object.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 42

 Figure 20 - Create New Fail-Over Channel Window

Once a Fail-over Channel object has been created, and you select it in Current configuration
pane, the settings panel is displayed and consists of two tabs:
Communication
Load Distribution
The Communication tab (Figure 21) is not available until you have already created the Fail-over
Channel. To display this tab, select the Fail-over Channel in the Current Configuration list and it
will appear in the Fail-over Channel Settings window.
Communication Tab
Figure 21 displays the Fail-over Channel Communication tab.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 43

 Figure 21 - Fail-Over Channel - Communication Tab

Table 21 describes the components of the Fail-over Channel - Communication tab.

Component Description
Allows you to enter the name of the device link, which becomes an
element of the item ID for data items. The full path of the device link must
Name be entered.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
Enabled
By default, the checkbox is selected.
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
This field is optional and takes any user-defined text (64-character
Description maximum) for documentation purposes.
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Available Channels list Lists those communication channels not currently used in the fail-over
policy.
Select Channels list Describes the fail-over policy and the load distribution criteria for standby
channels as an XML string.
The default is <CFailoverDevlink/>)*
Primary Designates the channel as a Primary fail-over channel and transfers it to
the Selected channels list.
Secondary Designates the channel as a Secondary fail-over channel and transfers it
to the Selected channels list.
Standby Designates the channel as a Standby fail-over channel and transfers it to
the Selected channels list.

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 Component Description
Unused Removes the channel from the fail-over policy and transfers it back to the
Available channels list.
Move up Increases the fail-over channels priority by one and moves it up one space
in the Selected channels list.
Move down Decreases the fail-over channels priority by one and moves it down one
space in the Selected channels list.
Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
OK
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Closes the window without saving any changes made.
Cancel
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Table 21 - Fail-Over Channel - Communication Tab Components

Load Distribution Tab

Figure 22 displays the Fail-over Channel Load Distribution tab.

Figure 22 - Fail-Over Channel - Load Distribution Tab

Like the Communication tab, the Load Distribution tab (Figure 22) is only available after you
have created the fail-over channel, in the Fail-over Channel Settings window.
The Fail-over Channel works on a tag by tag basis. If one tag is not available in Primary channel
it will check the next connection in the list to attempt to get data for the tag. This also means that
data can be collected from multiple different channels at the same time for different tags.
Notes:
An asterisk (*) indicates all items. [] indicates no items. A load distribution can be done by
typing a part of the tag string under the desired Network channel in between two asterisk
(*) symbols. For example, if Net 1 is desired to browse all tags that belong to register 4X
and Net 2 is desired to browse all tags that belong to register 3X, then you will have to
type *4000* (or 4:) under Net1 and *3000* (or 3:) under Net2.

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To create a Fail-over Channel object:
1. On the Configuration window, select the Server Configuration node and either:
Right-click your mouse and select Define New from the menu that appears, or
Select the Define New menu option from the Edit menu, or

Click on the icon.

2. The Insert New Object window (Figure 19) appears.
3. From the displayed list, select the Fail-over Channel object type.
4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears (Figure 20).
Note: The item selected in the Insert New Object window will determine which Create
New window is displayed. For example, when Fail-over Channel is selected, then the
Create New Fail-over Channel window is displayed.
6. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing device link, the new device link will not be created. The
Description field is optional.
7. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
8. Click on the OK button. The object is created and will appear as a child of the Server
Configuration item as shown in Figure 23.

Figure 23 - New Fail-Over Channel Object

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 Creating and Configuring a Network Channel Object
The Create New Network Channel window (Figure 24) displays the settings available for
configuring a Network Channel.

Figure 24 - Create New Network Channel Window

Table 22 describes the components of the Create New Network Channel window.

Component Description
Allows you to enter the name of the device link, which becomes an
element of the item ID for data items. The full path of the device link must
Name be entered.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional and takes any user-defined text (64-character
Description maximum) for documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Protocol Allows you to select an Internet Protocol (IP) type from the drop down list.

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 Component Description
Available options are: 0 Datagram TCP, 1 Stream TCP, 2 Datagram
UDP. 0 Datagram TCP and 1 Stream TCP both use TCP/IP but 0 treats
the protocol as a series of discrete packets, whereas 1 treats it as a
continuous stream of bytes.
Default = 1 Stream TCP.
Note: The channel and all units must disconnect and reconnect if this
parameter changes. The UDP option will not enable DNP3 over UDP as per
section 4.3.2 of the DNP3 Specification, Volume 7: IP Networking.
The UDP option may be used to support DNP3 over serial through a UDP
based serial to Ethernet converter.
Allows you to enter a value specifying the amount of time (in milliseconds)
that the communication channel will wait sending a new request to the
Inter-device delay next unit after the data has been received from the current unit on this
channel. If this is set to 0 then the option is turned off.
Default = 0.
Allows you to enter a value specifying the maximum achievable scan
interval (in seconds) for the circuit. The server polls items with faster
update rates on a continuous basis rather than as scheduled. If this is set
Threshold rate to 0 then the option is turned off.
Default = 0.
Note: All units on the channel must re-optimize if this parameter changes.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the maximum number of
Writes
writes allowed before forcing a poll.
Selecting this checkbox indicates that the server must schedule items with
update rates faster than the Threshold rate to poll at the Threshold
Schedule all polls rate.
Default = checkbox is selected.
Note: All units on the channel must re-optimize if this parameter changes.
Enables (i.e., check box is selected) or disables (i.e., checkbox is cleared)
Log bytes transmitted the logging of bytes transmitted at Medium level.
Default = checkbox is cleared.
Enables (i.e., check box is selected) or disables (i.e., checkbox is cleared)
Log bytes received the logging of bytes received at Medium level.
Default = checkbox is cleared.
OK Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
Cancel Closes the window without saving any changes made.
Table 22 - Create New Network Channel Window Components

To create a Network Channel object:

1. On the Configuration window, select the Server Configuration node and either:
Right-click your mouse and select Define New from the menu that appears, or
Select the Define New menu option from the Edit menu, or

Click on the icon.

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 2. The Insert New Object window (Figure 19) appears.
3. From the displayed list, select the Network Channel object type.
4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears (Figure 24).
Note: The item selected in the Insert New Object window will determine which Create
New window is displayed. For example, when Network Channel is selected, then the
Create New Network Channel window is displayed.
6. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing device link, the new device link will not be created. The
Description field is optional.
7. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
8. Click on the OK button. The object is created and will appear as a child of the Server
Configuration item as shown in Figure 25.

Figure 25 - New Network Channel Object

Creating and Configuring a Serial Channel Object

The Create New window (Figure 26) displays the settings available when creating a Serial
Channel object.
The Create New Serial Channel window consists of two tabs:
Communication
Data Acquisition

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 Note: Changing the settings on this page (except for Log bytes transmitted and Log bytes
received) requires that the communication channel be closed and re-opened.
Communication Tab
Figure 26 displays the Create New Serial Channel Communication tab.

Figure 26 - Create New Serial Channel Window - Communication Tab

Table 23 describes the components of the Create New Serial Channel Communication tab.

Component Description
Allows you to enter the name of the device link, which becomes an
element of the item ID for data items. The full path of the device link must
Name be entered.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
Enabled
By default, the checkbox is selected.
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
This field is optional and takes any user-defined text (64-character
Description
maximum) for documentation purposes.

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 Component Description
By default, this field is blank.
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Device Allows you to enter a COM port number.
Define the communication rate by selecting a value from the drop-down
Baud list. Values range between 110 and 256000.
Default = 9600.
From the drop-down list, select the type of parity to be used. Options
Parity available are none, odd, even, mark, and space.
Default = none.
Define the number of data bits by selecting a value from the drop-down
Data bits list. Values range between 4 and 8.
Default = 8.
From the drop-down list, select the number of stop bits. Options available
Stop bits are 1, 1.5, and 2.
Default = 1.
From the drop-down list, select a Request To Send (RTS) preset. Available
RTS line options are disable, enable, handshake, and toggle.
Default = disable.
Allows you to select a Data Terminal Ready (DTR) preset from the drop-
DTR line down list. Available options are disable, enable, and handshake.
Default = disable.
This checkbox allows you to enable (i.e., select the checkbox) or disable
DSR flow control (i.e., clear the checkbox) Data Set Ready (DSR) flow control.
Default = checkbox is cleared.
This checkbox allows you to enable (i.e., select the checkbox) or disable
DSR sensitivity (i.e., clear the checkbox) Data Set Ready (DSR).
Default = checkbox is cleared.
This checkbox allows you to enable (i.e., select the checkbox) or disable
CTS flow control (i.e., clear the checkbox) Clear To Send (CTS) flow control.
Default = checkbox is cleared.
This checkbox allows you to enable (i.e., select the checkbox) or disable
XON/XOFF flow control (i.e., clear the checkbox) XON/XOFF software flow control.
Default = checkbox is cleared.
Enables (i.e., check box is selected) or disables (i.e., checkbox is cleared)
Log bytes transmitted the logging of bytes transmitted at Medium level.
Default = checkbox is cleared.
Enables (i.e., check box is selected) or disables (i.e., checkbox is cleared)
Log bytes received the logging of bytes received at Medium level.
Default = checkbox is cleared.
OK Select this button to save any changes and close the window.

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 Component Description
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Closes the window without saving any changes made.
Cancel
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Table 23 - Create New Serial Channel Window - Communication Tab Components

Data Acquisition Tab

Figure 27 displays the settings available on the Create New Serial Channel - Data Acquisition
tab.

Figure 27 - Create New Serial Channel Window - Data Acquisition Tab

Table 24 describes the components of the Create New Serial Channel Data Acquisition tab.

Component Description
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the minimum amount of
time (in milliseconds) between the last request/response to/from one unit
Inter-device delay and the next request to another unit on this channel. If this option is set to
0 then it will be disabled.
Default = 0.
Reconnect delay Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the minimum amount of

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 Component Description
time (in seconds) to wait before attempting to recover communications
after the communication channel itself has failed.
Default = 1.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the maximum achievable
scan interval (in seconds) for the circuit. The server polls items with
update rates faster than this on a continuous basis. Changing this option
Threshold rate requires the server on this channel. If this is set to 0 then the option is
turned off.
Default = 0.
Note: All units on the channel must re-optimize if this parameter changes.
When this checkbox is selected, rather than polling them continuously, the
server schedules items with update rates faster than the threshold rate to
Schedule all polls poll at the threshold rate.
Default = 1 checked.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the maximum amount of
time (in milliseconds) between the reception of one character and the
Read interval timeout arrival of the next. A value of 0 indicates no limit.
Default = 0.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the minimum amount of
time (in milliseconds) for DCD to be low before transmitting to avoid
DCD backoff delay collisions. Set both DCD backoff delay and DCD backoff random fields
to 0 to ignore DCD.
Default = 0.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the maximum amount of
extra random time (in milliseconds) for DCD to be low before transmitting.
DCD backoff random Set both DCD backoff delay and DCD backoff random fields to 0 to
ignore DCD.
Default = 0.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the maximum number of
Writes
writes allowed before forcing a poll.
Table 24 - Create New Serial Channel Window - Data Acquisition Tab Components

To create a Serial Channel object:

1. On the Configuration window, select the Server Configuration node and either:
Right-click your mouse and select Define New from the menu that appears, or
Select the Define New menu option from the Edit menu, or

Click on the icon.

2. The Insert New Object window (Figure 19) appears.
3. From the displayed list, select the Serial Channel object type.
4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears (Figure 26).

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 Note: The item selected in the Insert New Object window will determine which Create
New window is displayed. For example, when Serial Channel is selected, then the Create
New Serial Channel window is displayed.
6. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing device link, the new device link will not be created. The
Description field is optional.
7. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
8. Click on the OK button. The object is created and will appear as a child of the Server
Configuration item as shown in Figure 28.

Figure 28 - New Serial Channel Object

Creating and Configuring a Network Host Object

Note: A Network Host can be created as a child of a Network Channel.
The Create New Network Host window (Figure 29) displays the settings available for configuring
a Network Host.

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 Figure 29 - Create New Network Host Window

Table 25 describes the components of the Create New Network Host window.

Component Description
Allows you to enter the name of the device link, which becomes an
element of the item ID for data items. The full path of the device link must
Name be entered.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional and takes any user-defined text (64-character
Description maximum) for documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Host name/IP Allows you to define the network name/IP address of the device.
Service name/Port Allows you to define the service name/port for the device.
Allows you to specify the time (in milliseconds) to wait for a response on
Socket Timeout
the socket.

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 Component Description
Allows you to specify the time (in milliseconds) to wait before attempting
Reconnect Delay
to reconnect.
OK Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
Cancel Closes the window without saving any changes made.
Table 25 - Create New Network Host Window Components

To create a Network Host object:

1. On the Configuration window, select a previously-created Network Channel object (for
assistance, refer to Creating and Configuring a Network Channel Object) and either:
Right-click your mouse and select Define New from the menu that appears, or
Select the Define New menu option from the Edit menu, or

Click on the icon.

2. The Insert New Object window (Figure 30) appears.

Figure 30 - Insert New Object

3. From the displayed list, select Network Host.

4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears (Figure 29).
Note: The item selected in the Insert New Object window will determine which Create
New window is displayed. For example, when Network Host is selected, then the Create
New Network Host window is displayed.
6. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing device link, the new device link will not be created. The
Description field is optional.
7. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
8. Click on the OK button. The object is created and will appear as a child of the Network
Channel item as shown in Figure 31.

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 Figure 31 - New Network Host Object

Creating and Configuring a Dial-Up Connection Object

Note: A Dial-up Connection object can be created as a child of a Network Host or a Serial
Channel. For more information, refer to Creating and Configuring a Network Host Object or
Creating and Configuring a Serial Channel Object.
The Create New window (Figure 32) displays the settings available when creating a Dial-up
Connection object.
The Create New Dial-up Connection window consists of three tabs:
Dial-up
Modem
Advanced
Dial-Up Tab
Figure 32 displays the Create New Dial-up Connection Dial-up tab.

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 Figure 32 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Dial-Up Tab

Table 26 describes the components of the Create New Dial-up Connection Dial-up tab.

Component Description
Allows you to enter the name of the device link, which becomes an
element of the item ID for data items. The full path of the device link must
Name be entered.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
Enabled
By default, the checkbox is selected.
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
This field is optional and takes any user-defined text (64-character
maximum) for documentation purposes.
Description
By default, this field is blank.
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
Dial command Allows you to enter any valid sequence of characters that can follow an

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 Component Description
ADT command.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the minimum amount of
Post-connect delay time (in seconds) to wait after establishing a dial-out connection before
transmitting.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of
Redials times to redial a connection before concluding that communication has
failed with the units on that connection.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the minimum amount of
Reconnect delay time (in seconds) to wait before attempting to recover communications
after communication has failed with the connection.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of
Reconnect redials times to redial when trying to reconnect after communication has failed
with a dial-up connection.
Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
OK
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
Closes the window without saving any changes made.
Cancel
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
Table 26 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Dial-Up Tab Components

Modem Tab
Figure 33 displays the settings available on the Create New Dial-up Connection - Modem tab.

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 Figure 33 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Modem Tab

Table 27 describes the components of the Create New Dial-Up Connection Modem tab.

Component Description
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, a modem reset command.
Reset command
This command is sent before initialization commands.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the amount of time (in
Reset delay
milliseconds) to wait after the reset command completes.
Allows you to enter modem initialization command or commands, issued
Initialize command before dialling out and after hanging up. The command should always end
with E0Q0V1.
Allows you enter or select a value to define the maximum number of times
Command retries to resend a command wait for a response before concluding that
communication has failed with the modem.
Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
OK
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
Closes the window without saving any changes made.
Cancel
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
Table 27 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Modem Tab Components

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 Advanced Tab
Figure 34 displays the settings available on the Create New Dial-up Connection Advanced
tab.

Figure 34 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Advanced Tab

Table 28 describes the components of the Create New Dial-up Connection - Advanced tab.

Component Description
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum amount of
Command timeout time (in seconds) to wait for the modem to respond to AT commands with
a valid result code.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum amount of
Dial timeout time (in seconds) to wait for the modem to receive a carrier from the
dialed connection before aborting the call.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum amount of
Hang-up timeout time (in seconds) to wait for the modem to hang up after issuing the ATH0
command.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum amount of
Idle timeout time (in seconds) to allow an idle connection to continue (i.e., no
communication) before hanging up.
Command terminator Allows you to enter or select a value defining an ASCII character to be

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 Component Description
used to terminate commands and responses (usually a carriage return).
Allows you to enter or select a value defining an ASCII character that is
Escape character
sent three times to escape into command mode (usually a plus sign).
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the amount of time (in
Escape guard time
milliseconds) to wait before and after sending the escape sequence.
Table 28 - Create New Dial-Up Connection Window - Advanced Tab Components

To create a Dial-up Connection object:

1. On the Configuration window, select a previously-created Network Host or a previously-
created Serial Channel (for assistance, refer to Creating and Configuring a Network
Host Object or Creating and Configuring a Serial Channel Object) and either:
Right-click your mouse and select Define New from the menu that appears, or
Select the Define New menu option from the Edit menu, or

Click on the icon.

2. The Insert New Object window appears.
3. From the displayed list, select the Dial-up Connection object type.
4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears (Figure 32).
Note: The item selected in the Insert New Object window will determine which Create
New window is displayed. For example, when Dial-up Connection is selected, then the
Create New Dial-up Connection window is displayed.
6. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing device link, the new device link will not be created. The
Description field is optional.
7. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
8. Click on the OK button. The object is created and will appear either as a child of the
Network Host or Serial Channel item as shown in Figure 35 (depending on what the
selected parent item was).

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 or
Figure 35 - New Dial-Up Connection Object

Creating and Configuring a DNP3 Unit Object

Note: A DNP3 Unit object can be created as a child of any of the following items:
Network Host (Creating and Configuring a Network Host Object)
Dial-up Connection (Creating and Configuring a Dial-up Connection Object)
Serial Channel (Creating and Configuring a Serial Channel Object)
Radio (Creating and Configuring a Radio Object)
The DNP3 Unit Settings panel is used to both view and to edit DNP3 unit settings. This is virtually
the same as the Create New window for DNP3 units, with the exception that it appears after the
object has been created.
The DNP3 Unit Settings panel includes three tabs:
Communication
Data Acquisition
Optimization
Communication Tab
The DNP3 Unit Settings - Communication settings (Figure 36) include those for setting the
master, station, base poll time, time bias, operate outputs, and synchronize time.

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 Figure 36 - Create New DNP3 Unit - Communication Tab

Table 29 describes the components of the DNP3 Unit Settings - Communication tab.

Component Description
Allows you to enter the name of the device link, which becomes an element
of the item ID for data items. The full path of the device link must be
Name entered.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
Enabled
By default, the checkbox is selected.
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.
This field is optional and takes any user-defined text (64-character
maximum) for documentation purposes.
Description
By default, this field is blank.
Note: This information stays consistent across all tabs.

Master Allows you to enter or select a value defining the DNP3 master address.
Changing this option requires the server to reset communication with this

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Component Description
unit.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the DNP3 station address.
Station Changing this option requires the server to reset communication with this
unit.
When this checkbox is selected, the unit will default to the next available
DNP3 station address on the channel.
Next available
When this checkbox is selected, the Station field is disabled (i.e., grayed
out).
Allows you to enter or select the normalization time for scheduling polls,
Base poll time stored as UTC. Changing this option requires the server to re-optimize
communication with this unit.
Allows you to enter or select the number of minutes to add to timestamps
received from the outstation to convert them to UTC. This value is used to
Time bias
set the local time of the Remote Station. This must be set for timestamps
received from this unit to be correct.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the procedure used to operate
Operate outputs
binary and analog outputs: directly, after arming, or after re-arming.
Select this checkbox to allow writes to the unit. Clear the checkbox to
Allow writes
disallow writes.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the sort of automatic time
synchronization to perform on IIN1-4: function 23 Delay Measurement,
function 24 Record Current Time, or manually. Function 23 is normally used
Synchronize time
where time delays in the communication medium are constant (serial
communication). Function 24 is normally used where time delays may vary
(TCP communication).
Select this checkbox to have items "freeze" at their last
Latch data
value/quality/timestamp when the unit is set off-scan.
Select this checkbox to log static objects received from the outstation at high
Log static objects
detail level.
Select this checkbox to log event objects received from the outstation at high
Log event objects
detail level.
Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
OK
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Closes the window without saving any changes made.
Cancel
Note: This information stays consistent across both tabs.
Table 29 - Create New DNP3 Unit Communication Tab Components

Data Acquisition Tab

The DNP3 Unit Settings - Data Acquisition settings (Figure 37) include those for setting delay
times, timeouts, retries and interrogate times.

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 Figure 37 - Create New DNP3 Unit - Data Acquisition Tab
Table 30 describes all the components of the DNP3 Unit Settings - Data Acquisition settings.

Component Description
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the minimum amount of time (in
Inter-message delay milliseconds) between the last request/response to/from this unit and the
next request to this same unit.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum amount of time
Reply timeout
(in milliseconds) to wait for the response to a request.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of times
Retries to resend a request and wait for a response before concluding that
communication has failed with the unit.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the minimum amount of time (in
Reconnect delay seconds) to wait before attempting to reconnect after communication has
failed with a unit.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of times
Reconnect retries to resend a request and wait for a response when trying to reconnect after
communication has failed with a unit.

Max interrogate time Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum amount of time
(seconds) to allow a unit to be interrogated. A value of zero indicates that

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Component Description
interrogation must be halted manually.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the minimum amount of time (in
Restart delay seconds) to wait following a cold/warm restart before resuming
communication with the unit.
Table 30 Create New NDP3 Unit Data Acquisition Tab

Optimization Tab
The DNP3 Unit Settings - Optimization settings (Figure 38) include those for setting data link
and application confirmations, as well as maximum outputs, events, and fragment size.

Figure 38 - Create New DNP3 Unit Optimization Tab

Table 31 describes all the components of the DNP3 Unit Settings, Optimization settings.

Component Description
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, how often to request
Data link confirmations confirmation for FT3 frames: never, multi-frame messages only, or
always.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, how often to request
Application confirmations confirmation for application fragments: messages containing event
data only, multi-fragment messages only, or always.

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Component Description
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of
Maximum outputs
objects (control blocks) per output operation (0 = no limit).
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of
Maximum events
objects (quantity) per class/type in an event poll (0 = no limit).
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum length
Maximum fragment size
(bytes) of one application fragment.
Class 1 unsolicited Select this checkbox to enable unsolicited updates for class 1 data.
Class 2 unsolicited Select this checkbox to enable unsolicited updates for class 2 data.
Class 3 unsolicited Select this checkbox to enable unsolicited updates for class 3 data.
Table 31 - Create New DNP3 Unit Optimization Tab

To edit DNP3 unit settings:

1. On the Configuration window, select a DNP3 unit under a previously-created Serial Channel,
Radio, Network Host, or Dial-up Connection object. The DNP3 Unit Settings window
appears.
2. Click the Data Acquisition tab to view and edit data acquisition settings for this DNP3 unit.
3. When you have edited the settings, either click the Communications or Optimization tab to
edit these settings, or click Apply to apply your changes now.

Creating and Configuring a Radio Link

Note: A Radio link can be created as a child of a Serial Channel.
The Create New Radio window (Figure 39) displays the settings available for configuring a Radio
link.

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 Figure 39 - Create New Radio Window

Table 32 describes the components of the Create New Radio window.

Component Description
Allows you to enter the name of the device link, which becomes an
element of the item ID for data items. The full path of the device link must
Name be entered.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional and takes any user-defined text (64-character
Description maximum) for documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the minimum amount of time
RTS key up (in milliseconds) to wait after setting the RTS signal to allow the
transceiver to warm up.

RTS key down Allows you to enter or select a value defining the minimum amount of time
(in milliseconds) to wait before clearing the RTS signal to allow the

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 Component Description
transceiver to cool down.
OK Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
Cancel Closes the window without saving any changes made.
Table 32 - Create New Radio Window Components

To create a Radio link:

1. On the Configuration window, select a previously-created Serial Channel object (for
assistance, refer to Creating and Configuring a Serial Channel Object) and either:
Right-click your mouse and select Define New from the menu that appears, or
Select the Define New menu option from the Edit menu, or

Click on the icon.

2. The Insert New Object window (Figure 40) appears.

Figure 40 - Insert New Object

3. From the displayed list, select Radio.

4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears (Figure 39).
Note: The item selected in the Insert New Object window will determine which Create
New window is displayed. For example, when Radio is selected, then the Create New
Radio window is displayed.
6. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing device link, the new device link will not be created. The
Description field is optional.
7. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
8. Click on the OK button. The object is created and will appear as a child of the Serial
Channel item as shown in Figure 41.

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 Figure 41 - New Radio Link

Changing Objects
To change an objects configuration:
1. Once an object is created, select it in the tree view (i.e., Current configuration) panel.
2. In the configuration panel (i.e., panel on the right), make the applicable changes.
3. Click on the Apply button to accept the changes, or click on the Cancel button to discard
them.

Removing Objects
Note: Users can easily remove any object that they have created, but a warning message (Figure
42) will appear when users remove an object that has data items to which one or more OPC clients
hold reference.

Figure 42 - Client Reference Warning Message

To remove an object:
1. In the Configuration window, under Server Configuration, select the object to be
removed.

2. From the Edit menu, select the Delete menu option (or click on the button).

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 Note: If one or more OPC clients hold references to data items somewhere under the
selected object, a warning message (Figure 42) appears.
3. To mark the object for later deletion, click on the Yes button. To leave the object
unmodified, click on the No button.
Note: Items marked for deletion are disabled and a red X appears over the icon on the right
side of the window when the object is selected.

Alias Configuration
MatrikonOPC servers, including this one, provide the ability to create user-defined aliases that can
be used in place of regular OPC items. This feature is particularly useful when the item path for a
given server is very complex or difficult to remember, for example: Com1.Radio1.Unit1.41.4.123.
Servers can also be configured so that client applications have access to configured aliases only,
rather than every available item.
This section of the manual describes how to create and edit aliases using the Configuration
window.
Note: It is not necessary to define aliases before accessing server data items from an OPC client.

Inserting Alias Groups

Note: Alias Groups are used to contain one or more configured aliases.
To insert an Alias Group:
1. On the Configuration window, select Alias Configuration or a previously configured Alias
Group.

2. From the Edit menu, choose Insert Alias Group or click on the button.
3. A new Alias Group folder appears.
4. Enter a new name for the Alias Group, and press Enter.
5. The Alias Group is renamed.

Renaming Alias Groups

Note: Alias Groups can be renamed after they have been created.
To rename an Alias Group:
1. On the Configuration window, select an Alias Group.
2. From the Edit menu, choose Rename or click on the button.
3. The Alias Group is renamed.

Inserting New Aliases

Use the Insert New Alias window (Figure 43) to insert a new alias into an Alias Group, or insert a
new alias on its own directly under the Alias Configuration node.

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 Figure 43 - Insert New Alias Window

Table 33 describes the components of the Insert New Alias window.

Component Description
Name Name for the alias (unique within the alias group).
Fully-qualified item ID for the OPC item to which the alias refers. Click
on the ellipsis button ( ) to display the Item Path Browser window
used to select an existing OPC item on the server.
Alternatively, leave the item path blank to use the alias as a general
Item Path in-memory variable. When doing so, either define the data type for
the alias point as something other than Default, or have the alias set
for reading and define the data type while writing values to the alias
from an OPC client.
Note: This component is disabled when the Calculation form of
scaling is used. Item paths are specified in the calculation itself.
Set the value of the OPC item to the specified type unless Default is
Data Type
selected. Also serves as the canonical data type for the alias.
When this checkbox is selected, it prevents OPC clients from writing
values to the alias.
Read only
Note: This option is not available for Calculation aliases, as they are
read-only.
Update Rate Update rate (milliseconds) to use with the Poll when inactive option.
If selected, continues updating the value for the alias at the specified
Poll when inactive update rate even if there are no OPC clients currently accessing the
alias.
Save Save changes to the alias and hide the window.
Save & Create New Save changes to the alias and begin configuring a new one.
Pressing Enter activates the Save & Create New button rather than
Default to new
the Save button, if selected.
Scaling >> Enables scaling for the alias (displays scaling options).
<< No Scaling Disables scaling for the alias (hides scaling options).
Cancel Discards changes to (abandon creation of) the alias and hides the

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 Component Description
window.
Table 33 - Insert New Alias Window Options

By selecting the Scaling >> button, the Insert New Alias window can be expanded to display
Scaling Options (Figure 44). The available forms of scaling include: Simple text Expressions,
Calculation, Linear, Square Root, and Gain/Offset.

Figure 44 - Insert New Alias Window Scaling Options

Table 34 describes the Scaling Options for the Insert New Alias window.

Tab Component Description

Simple text equation to apply to incoming values (reads). Click on the
Input ellipsis button ( ) to display the Expression Wizard screen used to
help build a formula. For more information, refer to the Expression
Wizard section in this manual.
Expression
Simple text equation to apply to outgoing values (writes). Click on the

Output ellipsis button ( ) to display the Expression Wizard screen used to

help build a formula. For more information, refer to the Expression
Wizard section in this manual.
Calculation equation to apply to incoming values (reads). Click on the
Calculation Input ellipsis button ( ) to display the Item Path Browser screen used to
add item paths to this field. For more information, refer to the Item
Path Browser section in this manual.
Raw High Maximum expected raw value of the OPC item.
Raw Low Minimum expected raw value of the OPC item.
Maximum desired scaled value for the alias (corresponds to Raw
Scaled High
High).
Linear and Minimum desired scaled value for the alias (corresponds to Raw
Square Root Scaled Low
Low).
Clamp the scaled value at the high limit to prevent it from going out of
Clamp High
range.
Clamp the scaled value at the low limit to prevent it from going out of
Clamp Low
range.
Gain Scaling factor. (No limits are assumed.)
Gain/Offset
Offset Scaling offset.
Table 34 - Insert New Alias Window Scaling Options

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 Notes:
The data type for scaled values is double-precision real unless
the alias data type is specified.
Using invalid settings, such as zero-zero for the high-low range
in Linear scaling, may be fatal to the server, OPC clients, and
communications.
The OPC item values must be numeric for Linear, Square
Root, and Gain/Offset scaling to work.
The OPC item values must be non-negative for Square Root
scaling to work. Otherwise, the scaled value will be -1 with a
bad quality.
The server may be unable to load configuration files containing
invalid scaling expressions, and may fail to start up properly. If
this occurs, rename the configuration file so that the server will
not load it upon start-up. Alternatively, edit the XML file to
correct the invalid alias settings.

To insert a new alias:

Note: It is recommended that you create a new alias under an Alias Group rather than directly
under the Alias Configuration node.
1. On the Configuration window, select Alias Configuration or a previously configured Alias
Group.
2. The Contents table for that Alias Group is displayed on the right side of the
Configuration window (Figure 45), listing the aliases it contains.

Figure 45 - Contents Table

3. From the Edit menu, choose Insert New Alias.

4. The Insert New Alias window (Figure 43) appears.
5. Enter a name for the alias in the Name field.
6. Enter the item Path and ID for the item to which the alias refers, or click on the Browse
button to navigate to the item.
7. Click on the Scaling button to enable scaling for the alias. Click on the No Scaling button
to disable scaling and hide the Scaling Options.
The Scaling Options are displayed at the bottom of the Insert New Alias window (Figure
44).
8. Configure the Scaling Options as required (see Table 34 for a description of these
options), by clicking the appropriate tab for the form of scaling that maybe required.

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 Note: Available forms of scaling include: Expression, Calculation, Linear, Square Root,
and Gain/Offset. Expression, which uses an Expression Wizard to help build equations, is
used frequently and is intended to view individual bits from registers. Refer to the
Expression Wizard section for more information. Calculation, which uses the Item Path
Browser to add items to calculation, is intended for calculations with involve multiple items.
Refer to the Item Path Browser section for more information.
9. Configure the remaining fields as required (see Table 33 for a description of all the
components).
10. Click on the Save button to save the alias.

Editing Aliases
Note: Aliases can be edited after they have been created using the Edit Alias window. This is
virtually the same as the Insert New Alias window (Figure 43), with the exception that it appears
after the alias has been created.
To edit an alias:
1. On the Configuration window, select the alias you want to change, and then double-click
or press Enter.
2. The Edit Alias window appears.
3. Make the changes as required.

Removing Aliases
Note: Any alias that was created can be removed.
To remove an alias:
1. On the Configuration Window, select one or more aliases that you want to remove.
2. From the Edit menu, choose the Delete Alias menu option.
3. The alias is removed.

Removing Alias Groups

Note: Any Alias Group that was created can be removed.
To remove an Alias Group:
1. On the Configuration window, select the Alias Group you want to remove.

2. From the Edit menu, select the Delete Alias Group menu option or click on the button.
3. The Alias Group is removed.

Exporting Aliases
Note: Use the Export Aliases window to export all currently configured aliases to a CSV file.
To export all currently configured aliases:

1. From the File menu, select the Export Aliases menu option or click on the button.
2. The Export Aliases window appears.
3. Enter a file name for the CSV export file.
4. Click Save.

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 5. The aliases are exported.

Importing Aliases
Note: Use the Import Aliases window to clear all aliases and import new ones from a CSV file.
To import aliases from a CSV file:

1. From the File menu, select the Import Aliases menu option or click on the button.
2. The Import Aliases window appears.
3. Browse to the CSV file name.
4. Click Open.
5. The old aliases are cleared and the new ones are imported.

Expression Wizard
The Expression form of scaling uses an Expression Wizard to build formulas. The created
formula is a simple text equation that is applied to either incoming values (i.e., reads), or outgoing
values (i.e., writes).
Table 35 describes the Expression Wizard fields.

Component Description
Displays the expression as it is created. This field is free-form which
allows you to manually enter or edit information. This field reads
Input/Output Expression Input Expression when creating an input or read expression. It
reads Output Expression when creating an output or write
expression.
Database field This button is reserved for future enhancements.
Select this button to display the Select function window which allows
Function
you to select the necessary function from those available.
Select this button to display the Select variable window which allows
Variable
you to select the necessary variable from those available.
Select the applicable button to add the corresponding operator or
Operators
operators to the expression.
Clear Select this button to clear the Input/Output Expression field.
Select this button to validate the expression that appears in the
Input/Output Expression field. If the expression is invalid, an error
Validate message is displayed. If the expression is valid, a message is
displayed indicating there are no errors and also stating what the
result is.
Select this button to accept changes to (or the creation of) the
OK
expression.
Select this button to discard changes to (or abandon the creation of)
Cancel
the expression.
Table 35 - Expression Wizard Options

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Notes:
The Expression Wizard appears and functions the same for an input expression as it does
for an output expression. The differences being the expression field label: Input
Expression, Output Expression, and that one is for reads and the other for writes.
If you are expecting to read a particular alias, create an Input Expression. If you are
expecting to write to a particular alias, create an Output Expression.

To create an Input or Output Expression:

1. On the Configuration window, select Alias Configuration or a previously configured Alias
Group.
2. The Contents table for that Alias Group is displayed on the right side of the
Configuration window (Figure 45), listing the aliases it contains.
3. Either create a new alias (for instructions, see To insert a new alias), or
Double-click your mouse on an existing alias, or
Right-click your mouse on an existing alias and select the Edit Alias option from the
displayed menu.
4. The Edit Alias window appears.
5. Click on the Scaling button to enable scaling for the alias. The Scaling Options are
displayed at the bottom of the Insert New Alias window (Figure 44) or the Edit Alias
window.
Note: Whether the Insert New Alias window or the Edit Alias window is displayed
depends on whether you are creating a new alias or editing an existing one.
6. Select the Expression tab (Figure 46).

Figure 46 - Expression Tab

7. Click on the ellipsis button adjacent to the Input field (or Output field).
8. The Expression Wizard (Figure 47) is displayed.

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 Figure 47 - Expression Wizard

9. Manually enter your new expression in the Input/Output Expression field and proceed to
step 14, or
Perform steps 9 through 13 using a combination of the Function, Variable, and Operators
buttons to create your expression, which will be displayed in the Input/Output
Expression field as you build it.
10. Click on the Function button to go to the Select function (Figure 48) window. After
selecting the required function, click on the Continue button to close the Select function
window and return to the Expression Wizard.

Figure 48 - Select Function Window

11. Click on the Variable button to go to the Select variable (Figure 49) window. After
selecting the required variable, click on the OK button to close the Select variable window
and return to the Expression Wizard.

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 Figure 49 - Select Variable Window

12. If required, from the Select variable window, click on the Modify variables button to
access the User Defined Functions Editor (Figure 50) which allows you to add, change,
or delete variables.

Figure 50 - User Defined Functions Editor

13. The Operators buttons (Figure 51) allow you to enter an operation descriptor based on the
selected button.

Figure 51 - Operators Buttons

14. Click on the Validate button to determine whether or not the expression is valid.

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 15. If the expression is valid (i.e., a confirmation message is displayed), click on the OK button
to close the message window and return to the Expression Wizard screen.
16. Click on OK button on the Expression Wizard screen to close the wizard and display the
expression in either the Input or Output field, depending on which expression you defined.
17. From either the Insert New Alias or Edit Alias window, click on the Save button.
18. The Insert New Alias or Edit Alias window closes and you are returned to the
Configuration window.

Item Path Browser

The Calculation form of scaling uses the Item Path Browser to add item paths. The created
formula is a simple text equation that is applied to either incoming values (i.e., reads), or outgoing
values (i.e., writes).
Table 36 describes the Item Path Browser fields.

Component Description
Displays the branch hierarchy of the OPC server when browsing actions
are being performed. The +/- symbols can be used to display/hide the
Branch Hierarchy
branches below the specified branch. Left-clicking a branch displays its
leaves in the Leaf List component.
Displays the list of leaves belonging to a selected branch from the
Leaf List
Branch Hierarchy. Left-clicking a leaf enables the OK button.
Select this button to add the selected item from the Leaf List to the
OK
Input/Output component of the Insert New Alias form.
Select this button to exit the Item Path Browser without adding any
Cancel
item paths.
Select this button to refresh the browsing hierarchy in the Branch
Refresh
Hierarchy component.
Table 36 - Item Path Browser Options

Note: The Item Path Browser appears and functions the same for an input calculation as it does
for an output calculation.

To create an Input or Output Calculation with item paths:

1. On the Configuration window, select Alias Configuration or a previously configured Alias
Group.
2. The Contents table for that Alias Group is displayed on the right side of the
Configuration window (Figure 45), listing the aliases it contains.
3. Either create a new alias (for instructions, see To insert a new alias), or
Double-click your mouse on an existing alias, or
Right-click your mouse on an existing alias and select the Edit Alias option from the
displayed menu.
4. Click on the Scaling button to enable scaling for the alias. The Scaling Options are
displayed at the bottom of the Insert New Alias window (Figure 44) or the Edit Alias
window.

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 Note: Whether the Insert New Alias window or the Edit Alias window is displayed
depends on whether you are creating a new alias or editing an existing one.
5. Select the Calculation tab (Figure 52).

Figure 52 - Calculation Tab

6. Click on the ellipsis button adjacent to the Input field (or Output field).
7. The Item Path Browser (Figure 53) is displayed.

Figure 53 - Item Path Browser

8. Browse the Branch Hierarchy until you find the branch containing the leaf you are
interested in.
9. Left-click your mouse on the leaf in the Leaf List and press the OK button. The item path is
inserted (surrounded by square brackets) into the Input/Output component of the Insert
New Alias form.
10. Edit the calculation in the Input/Output component until the syntax is finalized. Refer to
Table 45 and Table 46 for more information on the calculation syntax.
11. Perform steps 9 through 11 for any additional item paths you wish to add to the calculation.
12. From either the Insert New Alias or Edit Alias window, click on the Save button.
13. The Insert New Alias or Edit Alias window closes and you are returned to the
Configuration window.

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Saving a Configuration
Note: When the server configuration is complete, use the Save Configuration window to save the
configuration to an XML file.
To save a configuration to an XML file:

1. From the File menu, select the Save As menu option or click on the button
(alternatively, users can choose Save or click ).

2. The Save Configuration window appears.

3. Enter a file name if saving the file for the first time.
4. Click Save.
5. The configuration is saved.

Clearing a Configuration
Note: Starting a new configuration will clear the existing one.
To clear a configuration:

1. From the File menu, choose the New menu option or click on the button.
2. If OPC clients are still connected to the server, a warning message appears.
3. Click OK.
4. The configuration is cleared.

Loading an Existing Configuration

To load an existing configuration file:

1. From the File menu, select the Open menu option or click on the button.
2. The Open Configuration window appears.
3. Browse for the configuration file that you want to load.
4. Click Open.
5. If OPC clients are still connected to the server, a warning message appears.
Notes:
At this stage, the connection between the server and the client needs to be broken.
When the new configuration is completely loaded, the changes will take effect in the
OPC client.
6. Click OK.
7. The old configuration is cleared and the new configuration is loaded from the file.

Shutting Down the Server

To shut down the server:
1. On either the Control Panel or the Tool Tray Menu, select Shutdown. If the server is
running as a local executable, choose Shutdown Server from the File menu or click on the
button.

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 2. If OPC clients are still connected to the server, a warning message appears.
3. Click OK.
4. The server is shut down.

Note: The shutdown command is not available for the server if it runs
as a Windows service. Services can be shut down only from the
Service Control Manager applet in the Windows Control Panel.

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 OPC Data Items
This section describes the OPC data items used in the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3.
The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 supports g.v.x notation for addressing individual objects
on a DNP3 unit. In addition, the server:
tries to extract a valid object address from a given item ID.
accepts any valid object group for g as a decimal value between 1 and 254.
accepts any valid object variation for v as a decimal value between 0 and 255.
accepts any index for x as a decimal value between 0 and 4,294,967,295 (232 1). All
objects that support this index will have an x as the last entry in the Object ID. The x must
be replaced with a valid index number.
requires at least the channel and unit names prefixed to the object address, each element
separated by a period (e.g., COM1.RTU1.30.0.1), to differentiate between objects on
different units and different communication channels.
When addressing individual DNP3 items the client has the option to include a text description with
the item. By default all applicable items come with the basic text description.
Example, the following are all referencing the same item (analog input number one):
COM1.RTU1.AnalogInput 30.0.1
COM1.RTU1.AnalogInputCycleHz 30.0.1
COM1.RTU1.CycleHz 30.0.1
COM1.RTU1.30.0.1
A text description may be added/edited for any item where an Object ID is given. The description
must come immediately after the period (.) separating the unit name from the object number. It
may not contain any special characters including periods or spaces. The Description must end with
a single space before the object number.
The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 accepts communication options specified in the access
path for individual data items to allow users to customize communication for those items. Whether
the server actually uses these options for data acquisition depends on the unit configuration
settings.
The communication options listed in Table 37 are supported for device items. Changes to the
options for an item may require the server to re-optimize the unit where the item is located.

Component Description
Indicates that the server polls this item when communication is first established (or re-
established) with the unit, even if its scan interval is greater than the threshold rate.
+
These items are optimized separately from other items scheduled at the same scan
interval.
Scan interval (milliseconds) for the item. It overrides the update rate for the OPC group
interval where the item is added. If the same item is requested several times at different scan
intervals, then fastest one is used.
Indicates that the server polls the item at a high priority (honoring fastest scan rate). If
! the same item is requested several times, then the item is polled at high priority if any of
the requested access paths contain this flag.

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Component Description
Indicates that the server does not poll this item. The server will retain this item and
- update its value if it receives it via some other poll method. (Cannot be used with above
options.)
Table 37 - Communication Options for Device Items

Any combination of the communication options is valid provided it maintains the order initial poll,
interval, priority. Alternatively, if the access path contains just a dash (-), then this indicates that
the server does not poll the individual item (quiescent). Use this latter option when receiving
unsolicited updates or some alternative form of polling.
The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 supplies the data items listed in the following sections,
with the specified data type, read access (R), and write access (W), for each DNP3 unit.

Device Attributes
Device Attributes, listed in Table 38, provide configuration information about the DNP3 unit. Unlike
other object types, variations represent different values, rather than different views of the same
value. Devices may have more than one set of attributes, which are addressed through the index.
Each attribute is listed by its Item ID. By default, each attribute has a text description that may be
modified or omitted by the client.
Example: COM1.RTU1.DevAttrDeviceManuName 000.252.x

Item ID Data Type R W Comments

0.211.x VT_BSTR Identifier of support for user-specific attributes.
0.212.x VT_UINT8 Number of master-defined data set prototypes.
Number of outstation-defined data set

0.213.x VT_UINT8 prototypes.
0.214.x VT_UINT8 Number of master-defined data sets.
0.215.x VT_UINT8 Number of outstation-defined data sets.
0.216.x VT_UINT8 Max number of binary outputs per request.
0.217.x VT_UINT8 Local timing accuracy.
0.218.x VT_UINT8 Duration of timing accuracy.
0.219.x VT_INT8 Support for analog output events.
0.220.x VT_UINT8 Max analog output index.
0.221.x VT_UINT8 Number of analog outputs.
0.222.x VT_INT8 Support for binary output events.
0.223.x VT_UINT8 Max binary output index.
0.224.x VT_UINT8 Number of binary outputs.
0.225.x VT_INT8 Support for frozen counter events.
0.226.x VT_INT8 Support for frozen counters.
0.227.x VT_INT8 Support for counter events.
0.228.x VT_UINT8 Max counter index.

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 Item ID Data Type R W Comments
0.229.x VT_UINT8 Number of counter points.
0.230.x VT_INT8 Support for frozen analog inputs.
0.231.x VT_INT8 Support for analog input events.
0.232.x VT_UINT8 Maximum analog input index.
0.233.x VT_UINT8 Number of analog input points.
0.234.x VT_INT8 Support for double-bit binary input events.
0.235.x VT_UINT8 Maximum double-bit binary input index.
0.236.x VT_UINT8 Number of double-bit binary input points.
0.237.x VT_INT8 Support for binary input events.
0.238.x VT_UINT8 Max binary input index.
0.239.x VT_UINT8 Number of binary input points.
0.240.x VT_UINT8 Max transmit fragment size.
0.241.x VT_UINT8 Max receive fragment size.
0.242.x VT_BSTR Device manufacturers software version.
0.243.x VT_BSTR Device manufacturers hardware version.
0.245.x VT_BSTR User-assigned location name.
0.246.x VT_BSTR User-assigned ID code/number.
0.247.x VT_BSTR User-assigned device name.
0.248.x VT_BSTR Device serial number.
0.249.x VT_BSTR DNP subset and conformance.
0.250.x VT_BSTR Device manufacturers product name and model.
0.252.x VT_BSTR Device manufacturers name.
0.254.x VT_EMPTY Non-specific all attributes request.
0.255.x VT_BSTR List of attribute variations device supports.
Table 38 - Device Attributes

Static Objects
Static objects, listed in Table 39, represent the current state of inputs, measurements, and other
information on the outstation. Each object may have an associated status value (S) and/or a
timestamp (T) supplied by the outstation. Some items may have event history (E) and some items
may be broadcast (B).
Each object is listed by its Item ID. By default each object has a text description that may be
modified or omitted by the client.
Example: COM1.RTU1.AnalogInput 30.0.x

Item ID Data Type R W S T E B Comments

1.0.x VT_BOOL Binary input.

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Item ID Data Type R W S T E B Comments
Binary input change events (2.0).
3.0.x VT_UI1 Double bit binary values.
10.0.x VT_BOOL Binary output.
Counter.
Counter change events (22.0).
20.0.x VT_UI4
Write non-zero values to freeze or zero values to
freeze and clear (DNP3 level 3).
Frozen counter.
21.0.x VT_UI4
Frozen counter events (23.0).
Analog input.
Analog change events (32.0).
30.0.x VT_R8
Write non-zero values to freeze or zero values to
freeze and clear (DNP3 level 3).
Frozen analog input.
31.0.x VT_R8
Frozen analog events (33.0).
40.0.x VT_R8 Analog output status.
Date and time (function 23).
50.1 VT_DATE
Write any value to perform time synchronization.
Last recorded date and time (function 24).
50.3 VT_DATE
Write any value to perform time synchronization.
80.1.x VT_BOOL Internal indication.
VT_ARRAY |
81.1.x Storage object (3 elements).
VT_UI1
101.1.x VT_BSTR Small packed BCD (4 digits).
101.2.x VT_BSTR Medium packed BCD (8 digits).
101.3.x VT_BSTR Large packed BCD (16 digits).
102.1.x VT_UI1 Byte.
String (maximum 255 characters).
110.0.x VT_BSTR
String events (111.0).
Table 39 - Static Objects

Note: Use the quiescent option (-) with indexed items when
communicating with a level 1 or level 2 device. Use a poll option item
to indicate the actual method of acquiring the data.

Output Objects
Output objects, listed in Table 40, provide a mechanism for controlling outputs on the outstation
using the OPC write functionality. The current value for this type of item is the status of the last
operation performed on that object. The server supports supervisory control using single-
destination and broadcast commands.

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Each object is listed by its Item ID. By default each object has a text description that may be
modified or omitted by the client.
Example: COM1.RTU1.BinaryOutput 010.0.x

Item ID Data Type R W B Comments

10.1.x VT_BOOL Write binary output without status.
10.2.x VT_UI1 Write binary output with status.
Control relay output block.
Write an individual control code, or a string of up to four
numbers (code1, count, on time, off time). After a write is
12.1.x VT_BSTR
performed, the item repeats back the parameters sent, with an
additional status code2 from the device (e.g., code, count, on
time, off time, status).
Pattern control block (DNP3 level 3).
Write an individual control code, or a string of up to four
12.2.x VT_BSTR
numbers (code1, count, on time, off time).
Output guaranteed to be simultaneous.
40.1.x VT_I4 Write 32-bit analog output (online).
40.2.x VT_I2 Write 16-bit analog output (online).
40.3.x VT_R4 Write short floating-point analog output (online).
40.4.x VT_R8 Write long floating-point analog output (online).
32-bit analog output block.
41.1.x VT_I4
Write an individual 32-bit value.
16-bit analog output block.
41.2.x VT_I2
Write an individual 16-bit value.
Short floating-point analog output block.
41.3.x VT_R4
Write an individual short floating-point value.
Long floating-point analog output block.
41.4.x VT_R8
Write an individual long floating-point value.
Table 40 - Output Objects
1
The operation codes are numeric and are defined by the DNP3 specification as follows:
0: NUL
1: PULSE_ON
2: PULSE_OFF
3: LATCH_ON
4: LATCH_OFF
5 to 15: Undefined
2
The status codes are numeric and are defined by the DNP3 specification as follows:
0: SUCCESS
1: TIMEOUT

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 2: NO_SELECT
3: FORMAT_ERROR
4: NOT_SUPPORTED
5: ALREADY_ACTIVE
6: HARDWARE_ERROR
7: LOCAL
8: TOO_MANY_OBJS
9: NOT_AUTHORIZED
10: AUTOMATION_INHIBIT
11: PROCESSING_LIMITED
12: OUT_OF_RANGE
13 to 125: RESERVED
126: NON_PARTICIPATING
127: UNDEFINED

Poll Options
The items listed in Table 41 provide a means to control the polling method used by the server to
acquire data for static objects. The current value for this type of item is meaningless, but simply
referencing the item is enough to cause the server to use the specified polling technique.
Each object is listed by its Item ID. By default each object has a text description that may be
modified or omitted by the client.
Example: COM1.RTU1.BinaryInputAny 001.0

Item ID Data Type R W Comments

1.0 VT_BOOL All binary inputs (any variation).
2.0 VT_EMPTY All binary input changes (any variation).
10.0 VT_BOOL All binary outputs (any variation).
All counters (any variation).
20.0 VT_UI4
Write non-zero values to freeze or zero values to freeze and clear.
21.0 VT_UI4 All frozen counters (any variation).
22.0 VT_EMPTY All counter change events (any variation).
23.0 VT_EMPTY All frozen counter events (any variation).
All analog inputs (any variation).
30.0 VT_R8
Write non-zero values to freeze or zero values to freeze and clear.
31.0 VT_R8 All frozen analog inputs (any variation).
32.0 VT_EMPTY All analog change events (any variation).
33.0 VT_EMPTY All frozen analog events (any variation).
40.0 VT_R8 All analog output statuses (any variation).
60.1 VT_EMPTY All class 0 (static) data.

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Item ID Data Type R W Comments
60.2 VT_EMPTY All class 1 (event) data.
60.3 VT_EMPTY All class 2 (event) data.
60.4 VT_EMPTY All class 3 (event) data.
111.0 VT_EMPTY All string events.
Table 41 - Poll Options

The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 supplies the communication configuration parameters
listed in Table 42 for all DNP3 units.

Item ID Description Default

When true, the DNP3 Unit operates in offline mode. Refer to
#OfflineMode False
Appendix F Offline Mode for more information.
DNP3 master station number (0-65535). Unit disconnects
master 0
and reconnects if this parameter changes.
DNP3 slave station number (0-65535). Unit disconnects and
station reconnects if this parameter changes. Note that addresses next available
65520 through 65535 are reserved for broadcast operations.
Indicates how the unit behaves.
0 = DNP3 master
mode 0
1 = DNP3 slave (not implemented)
Unit disconnects and reconnects if this parameter changes.
Normalization time for scheduling polls, stored as UTC
basePollTime 00:00:00
HH:MM:SS. Unit re-optimizes if this parameter changes.
Minutes to add to a timestamp from the outstation to
timeBias 0.0
convert it to UTC.
Indicates whether to arm outputs with the select command
(function 3) before issuing an operate command (function 4)
rather than just issuing a direct operate command (function
5) when controlling binary or analog outputs.
ArmOutputs 0 = direct operate
(Select before 1 = select-then-operate 0
operate) 2 = rearm on select retry
Arming outputs before operating enables the server to safely
make a best effort to operate an output exactly once
(using time-outs and retries) without the need for operator
intervention.
Indicates the type of time synchronization to perform
automatically when IIN1-4 detected.
synchronize 0 = no synchronization 0
1 = function 23 (serial)
2 = function 24 (network).
Allow/disallow output operations (functions 2 through 10) to
allowWrites TRUE
unit.

latchData When true, items freeze at their last FALSE

value/quality/timestamp rather than going to bad qualities

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 Item ID Description Default
when the unit is set off scan.
Enable/disable the logging of static objects received at high
logStatics FALSE
level.
Enable/disable the logging of event objects received at high
logEvents FALSE
level.
Minimum amount of time (milliseconds) between the last
interMessageDelay request/response to/from this unit and the next request to 0
this same unit.
Maximum amount of time (milliseconds) to wait for the
replyTimeout 5000
response to an application function.
Maximum number of times to resend a request and wait for
retries a response before concluding that communication has failed 3
with the unit.
Minimum amount of time (milliseconds) to wait before
reconnectDelay attempting to reconnect after communication has failed with 30000
a unit.
Maximum number of times to resend a request and wait for
reconnectRetries a response when trying to reconnect after communication 0
has failed with a unit.
Maximum amount of time (seconds) to allow a unit to be
interrogated.
maxInterrogate 0
A value of zero indicates that interrogation must be halted
manually.
Minimum amount of time (milliseconds) to wait following a
restartDelay cold/warm restart before resuming communication with the 0
unit.
Indicates how often to request confirmation for FT3 frames.
0 = never
dataLink 1 = multi-frame messages only 0
2 = always
This option has no effect on broadcast units.
Indicates how often to request confirmation for application
fragments.
0 = messages containing event data only
2 = multi-fragment messages only
application 0
3 = always
This option has no effect on broadcast units. Fragment
confirmation should only be used for units emulating slave
devices.
Maximum number of objects (values, control blocks, pattern
maxOutputs 0
masks) per output operation. 0 = no limit
Maximum number of objects (quantity) per event poll (class
maxEvents 1/2/3 or type). Unit re-optimizes if this parameter changes. 0
0 = no limit

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 Item ID Description Default
Maximum number of bytes in an application fragment. Unit
fragment 2048
re-optimizes if this parameter changes.
Enable/disable unsolicited updates for Class 1, 2, or 3 data.
unsolicited1 FALSE
The server reissues the ENABLE command whenever it
unsolicited2 FALSE
receives IIN1-7 (device restart), and issues DISABLE and
unsolicited3 FALSE
ENABLE commands as these settings change.
Table 42 - DNP3 Unit Communication Configuration Parameters

Getting Data without Being Connected to a Device

The MatrikonOPC Server Framework supports offline mode, which allows OPC clients to obtain
changing good quality data without being connected to a device. This is useful if you wish to test
an HMI or other OPC client without worrying about the connection to the device, or the quality of
the data provided. For more information, refer to Appendix F - Offline Mode.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 93

Diagnostics
The server supplies diagnostic information to assist operators and support personnel with
troubleshooting communication problems and software faults.

Logging
All MatrikonOPC servers produce log files that record errors and debugging information. The log
files can be extremely valuable for troubleshooting. As such, it is important to note that the default
log level is set to low. The General Logging tab of the Options dialogue in the main configuration
window contains settings to control server logging.
General Activity Logging records information about the internal workings of the OPC server. It is
useful for troubleshooting problems with configuration and device communication. Interface
Activity Logging records information about the client/server OPC communication. It is useful for
troubleshooting compliance issues.
For General logging, the higher the log level, the more information that is recorded. However,
server performance may decrease at higher log levels. The recommended operating level is
Medium. More log levels are available for both types of logging which record more detailed
information, as well as the ability to output log statements to a console window at run time.
Contact MatrikonOPC Support for further instructions on how to enable the higher log levels and
console logging.
For Interface logging, the log level can be considered very high and therefore should never be used
during normal operation of the OPC server unless specifically working on problems related to
interfacing.
MatrikonOPC Sniffer is a useful tool for logging OPC client/server communication. It enhances
the Interface Activity Logging by recording the client-side transactions. It can also be used with
other OPC servers. MatrikonOPC Sniffer is a utility used to troubleshoot OPC client/server
interoperability issues. Contact the MatrikonOPC Sales department for further information about
this product, or use the following link to access the Matrikon Sniffer Download.
In general, the server logs all errors and other information of immediate importance to the user at
the low detail level, all warnings and other information of moderate importance to the user at a
medium detail level, and additional information concerning the normal functioning of the software
at a high detail level. The server also logs further information of concern to support personnel at
the debug log level.

Note: The higher the log level, the slower the performance of the
server. It is recommended that the log level be left at the default,
unless troubleshooting needs to be performed.

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DNP Implementation
For more information on DNP, view the documents listed below (as well as others) at
http://www.dnp.org.
DNP V3.00 Data Link Layer 0.02
DNP V3.00 Transport Functions 0.01
DNP V3.00 Application Layer 0.03
DNP V3.00 Data Object Library 0.02
DNP V3.00 Subset Definitions 2.00
Transporting DNP V3.00 over Local and Wide Area Networks 1.0
DNP V3.00 Technical Bulletins (1997 through 2000)
DNP3-2001 IED Certification Procedure
The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 User's Manual conforms to level 3 of the DNP V3.00
specification as a master. However, the server accommodates slave devices that support levels 1
and 2 as well. The server fully implements the data link, transport, and application layers of the
DNP protocol as outlined in the subset definitions for level 3.

Subset Level 3
The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 User's Manual supports the following application
commands as a master.
Function 1 Read
Function 2 Write
Functions 3 and 4 Select and Operate
Functions 5 and 6 Direct Operate (with and without acknowledgement)
Functions 7 and 8 Immediate Freeze (with and without acknowledgement)
Functions 9 and 10 Freeze and Clear (with and without acknowledgement)
Functions 13/14 Cold/Warm Restart
Function 20/21 Enable/Disable Unsolicited Messages
Function 23/24 Delay Measurement/Record Current Time (for time synchronization)
The server supports broadcast to (hexadecimal) station addresses FFFF, FFFE, and FFFD for
functions 6, 8, and 10 (no request for confirmation).
The server implements the data objects, variations (VA), function codes (FC), and range qualifiers
(Q) listed in Table 43 to comply with the level 1, level 2, and level 3 DNP subset requirements and
support common vendor extensions.

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 Request Response
Data
Object FC VA Q (hex) FC VA Q (hex) Operation
3 3 +
1 211- 00 01 02 129 211- 00 01 02 Read Device Attributes.
250, 06 250,
0 252, 252,
254, 254,
255 255
1 0 003 013 02+ 129 1, 2 00 01 02 Read binary inputs.
06
1
130 1, 2 00 01 02 Unsolicited update for binary
inputs.
1 0 06 129 1-3 17 28 39 Read binary input changes.
072 082 09+
2
130 1-3 17 28 39 Unsolicited update for binary
input changes.
1 0,1,2 06 129 0-2 17 28 39 Double Bit Binary Inputs.
3
072 082 09+
1 0 003 013 02+ 129 1, 2 00 01 02 Read binary outputs.
06
2 1+, 00 01 02 129 Write binary outputs
10
2+ (deprecated).
130 1, 2 00 01 02 Unsolicited update for binary
outputs.
3 1 17 28 39+ 129 1 17 28 39 Select then operate control
4 relay output blocks.
3 2+, 00 01 02 129 2, 3 00 01 02 Select then operate pattern
4 3+ 07(R=1) 07(R=1) control blocks and pattern
masks.
5 1 17 28 39+ 129 1 17 28 39 Directly operate output
blocks. Echo request.
12 6 1 17 28 39+ Directly operate output
blocks. No response.
5 23, 33 00 01 02 129 2, 3 00 01 02 Directly operate pattern
07(R=1) 07 (R=1) control blocks and pattern
masks. Echo request.
6 23, 33 00 01 02 Directly operate pattern
07(R=1) control blocks and pattern
masks. No response.
12 0 003 013 02+ 129 1-8 00 01 02 Read counters.
06
20
72 0 003 013 02+ 129 Immediate freeze or freeze
9+ 06 and clear counters.

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 Request Response
Data
Object FC VA Q (hex) FC VA Q (hex) Operation
2 3 3 +
8 0 00 01 02 Immediate freeze or freeze
10+ 06 and clear counters. No
response.
130 1-8 00 01 02 Unsolicited update for
counters.
12 0 003 013 02+ 129 1-12 00 01 02 Read frozen counters.
06
21
130 1-12 00 01 02 Unsolicited update for frozen
counters.
12 0 06 129 1-8 17 28 39 Read counter change events.
07 08 09+
22
130 1-8 17 28 39 Unsolicited update for counter
change events.
13 0 06 129 1-8 17 28 39 Read frozen counter events.
07 08 09+
23
130 1-8 17 28 39 Unsolicited update for frozen
counter events.
12 0 003 013 02+ 129 1-6 00 01 02 Read analog inputs.
06
7+ 0 00 01 02 129 Immediate freeze or freeze
9+ 06 and clear analog inputs.
30 8+ 0 00 01 02 Immediate freeze or freeze
10+ 06 and clear analog inputs. No
response.
130 1-6 00 01 02 Unsolicited update for analog
inputs.
1+ 0 00 01 02 129 1-8 00 01 02 Read frozen analog inputs.
06
31
130 1-8 00 01 02 Unsolicited update for frozen
analog inputs.
12 0 06 129 1-8 17 28 39 Read analog change events.
07 08 09+
32
130 1-8 17 28 39 Unsolicited update for analog
change events.
1+ 0 06 129 1-8 17 28 39 Read frozen analog events.
07 08 09
33
130 1-8 17 28 39 Unsolicited update for frozen
analog events.
1+ 1-3 00 01 02 129 1-3 00 01 02 Read analog input reporting
34
06 dead-bands.

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 Request Response
Data
Object FC VA Q (hex) FC VA Q (hex) Operation
3 3 +
1 0 00 01 02 129 1-4 00 01 02 Read analog output statuses.
06
2+ 1-4 00 01 02 129 Write analog output statuses
40
(deprecated).
130 1-4 00 01 02 Unsolicited update for analog
output statuses.
3 13, 2 17 28 39+ 129 1-4 17 28 39 Select then operate analog
4 3+, outputs.
4+
5 13, 2 17 28 39+ 129 1-4 17 28 39 Directly operate analog
41 3+, outputs. Echo request.
4+
6 13, 2 17 28 39+ Directly operate analog
3+, outputs. No response.
4+
1 13 07(R=1) 129 1 07(R=1) Read time and date.
50 2 1, 3+ 07(R=1) 129 Write time and date (time
synchronization).
129 1, 2 07(R=1) Common absolute time of
130 occurrence (possibly
51
unsynchronized) for relative
time references.
13 129 1, 2 07(R=1) Time delay (seconds or
14+ milliseconds) to wait after
52 23 issuing the restart command
or the calculated delay
measurement.
1 1 06 129 Read all class 0 (static) data
objects.
1 2-4 06 129 Read class 1, 2, or 3 (event)
60 07 08 09+ data objects.
203 2-4 06 129 Enable/disable spontaneous
213 messages for class 1, 2, or 3
event data objects.
13 1 00 01 02+ 129 1 00 01 02 Read internal indications.
80
2 1 00 01+ 02+ 129 Write internal indications.
81 1+ 1 00 01 02 129 1 00 01 02 Read storage objects.
+
101 1 1-3 00 01 02 129 1-3 00 01 02 Read packed BCD values.
1+ 1 00 01 02 129 1 00 01 02 Read bytes.
102
2+ 1 00 01 02 129 Write bytes.

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 Request Response
Data
Object FC VA Q (hex) FC VA Q (hex) Operation
+
110 1 0 00 01 02 129 N 00 01 02 Read byte strings of length N.
+
1 0 06 129 N 17 28 39 Read string events of length
07 08 09 N.
111
130 N 17 28 39 Unsolicited update for string
events of length N.

Table 43 - Implemented Data Objects, Variations, Function Codes, and Range Qualifiers
2
The specified function/object/variation/qualifier combination requires a DNP level 2 device.
3
The specified function/object/variation/qualifier combination requires a DNP level 3 device.
+
The specified function/object/variation/qualifier combination requires an extended DNP device.

Additionally, the server parses range qualifiers 18, 19, 27, 29, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 50, 51, 52, 60,
61, and 62 (hexadecimal) if they occur in a slave response.
Note: Not all DNP units support the same data objects, variations, function codes, or range
qualifiers.
The server records the internal indication bits received with each response from an outstation in
the item cache for the 80.1.x objects. The server clears 80.1.7 (restart) with a write command
(function 2) as soon as it receives this notification. The server continues to poll class 1/2/3 data
(function 1) while 80.1.1/2/3 are set in order to completely empty the buffers.

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Limitations
MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 has the following limitations:

1. The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 User's Manual does not support the DNP data link
function 1 (Reset User Process). This function is deprecated.
2. The server does not support explicit polling for specific (non-zero) variations of data objects
that support variation zero at this time.
3. The server does not support DNP device application commands at this time. The specific
functions and data objects not supported are as follows.
Function 16 Initialize Application
Function 17 Start Application
Function 18 Stop Application
Function 19 Save Configuration
Object 90 Variation 1 Application Identifier
4. The server does not support DNP file commands at this time. The specific functions, range
qualifiers, and data objects not supported are as follows.
Functions 25 and 26 Open and Close
Function 27 Delete
Function 28 Get File Information
Function 29 Authenticate
Function 30 Abort
Qualifiers 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B (hexadecimal) Free-format
Object 70 Variation 1 File Identifier (deprecated)
Object 70 Variation 2 Authentication
Object 70 Variation 3 File Command
Object 70 Variation 4 File Command Status
Object 70 Variation 5 File Transport
Object 70 Variation 6 File Transport Status
5. The server does not support the following DNP application functions at this time.
Functions 11 and 12 Freeze with Time (with and without acknowledgement)
Function 15 Initialize Data (reset object to initial or default settings)
6. The server does not support the DNP application function 22 (Assign Classes) at this time.
Although this functionality is technically required for DNP Level 3 compliance, it is not
generally used.
7. The server does not support the following DNP data objects at this time.
Object 50 Variation 2 Time and Date with Interval
Object 82 Variation 1 Device Profile
Object 83 Variation 1 Private Registration Object

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 Object 83 Variation 2 Private Registration Object Descriptor
Object 100 Variation 1 Short Floating Point
Object 100 Variation 2 Long Floating Point
Object 100 Variation 3 Extended Floating Point
Object 112 Virtual Terminal Output Block
Object 113 Virtual Terminate Event Data
8. The server does not support the following DNP range qualifiers (hexadecimal) for virtual
addressing. Virtual addressing is normally used only for diagnostic or manufacturing tests,
as intimate knowledge of the outstation is required to properly interpret the response.
Qualifiers 03, 04, and 05 one/two/four-byte start and stop addresses in range field
9. Qualifiers 43, 54, and 65 one/two/four-byte start and stop addresses in range field and each
object prefixed with one/two/four-byte object size.
10. If a DNP device is being used with the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 where all the
configured points have the access path option -, and data is expected to arrive through
purely unsolicited means, the device automatically disconnects and no data is received. This
is caused by the SCADA framework attempting to economise on data traffic by
disconnecting from a device with no active communications. Workaround: Subscribe to at
least one static point on the device with a large OPC Update rate. This keeps the device
connected and listening for unsolicited communications without constantly communicating
with the device.
11. The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 does not support DNP over UDP as specified by
section 4.3.2 of the DNP3 Specification, Volume 7: IP Networking. The UDP option for
the Network Channel Device Link cannot be used to communicate in this way. The UDP
option, is intended to support communication to a DNP3 device over a serial line with a UDP
to serial converter.

Refer to the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Release Notes for known issues.

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 101

 Troubleshooting
The following section addresses some of the most common problems encountered, and questions
asked, while using this OPC server. Please check the following Problems and Solutions before
contacting the MatrikonOPC Support team.

Problems and Solutions

Server stops updating client with item values after two hours

Problem: The server stops updating the client with item values after two hours.

Solution: The server may be licensed with a hardware key and the hardware key may not be
properly detected.
Alternatively, try running the MatrikonOPC Licensing utility from the shortcut menu.
Click on the Check Licenses button to see the status of all MatrikonOPC product licenses.
Then, run the HINSTALL program that is located in the Program Files\Common
Files\MatrikonOPC\Common directory.

Server stops updating client with item values after 30 days

Problem: The server stops updating the client with item values after 30 days.

Solution: The evaluation period for the license has expired. Contact the MatrikonOPC Support team.

Server shuts down after five minutes when no clients connected

Problem: The server automatically shuts down after five minutes when there are no clients
connected.

Solution: This is standard behavior for COM servers. However, this behavior can be overridden as
shown in the following example:

Note: Microsoft highly recommends that you back up the registry

before editing it or making changes to it.

1. From the Run command, enter REGEDIT.

2. The Registry Editor (Figure 54) is launched.
3. In the Registry Editor, under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, look for the required
program ID (e.g., Matrikon.OPC.Simulation.1).

MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 v1.2.3.0 Users Manual 102

 Figure 54 - Registry Editor

4. Expand the program ID branch.

5. Click on the CLSID branch.
6. Record the global universal ID (GUID).

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 Figure 55 - Program ID Branch

7. Under the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID branch, search for the GUID retrieved

in the previous step (e.g., HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{024C7FFC-9CC3-
476f-867A-BC3CAD79F4FE}).
8. Create a string value called LockServer in the Options branch underneath the
GUID (e.g., HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{024C7FFC-9CC3-476f-867A-
BC3CAD79F4FE}\Options).
9. Create a new value using the context menu and choose New String Value from
the menu.
10. Set the value of the LockServer entry to 1.
Note: To edit the value, select the entry and select the Modify menu option from
the Edit menu.
11. Shut down the server and restart it for the change to take effect.

Cannot configure client access paths, so cannot configure item options

Problem: The OPC client does not provide a means to configure access paths, making it difficult to
correctly specify the data acquisition options for the items.

Solution: The server provides a global parameter for configuring an escape character, to allow
users to append communication options to the end of an item ID which would
accommodate clients that do not support access paths.
Perform the following steps as shown (with example) below:

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 Note: Microsoft highly recommends that you back up the registry
before editing it or making changes to it.

1. From the Run command, enter REGEDIT.

2. The Registry Editor is launched.
3. In the Registry Editor, under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, look for the required
program ID (e.g., Matrikon.OPC.Simulation.1).
4. Expand the program ID branch.
5. Click on the CLSID branch.
6. Record the global universal ID (GUID).
7. Under the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID branch, search for the GUID retrieved
in the previous step (e.g., HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{024C7FFC-9CC3-
476f-867A-BC3CAD79F4FE}).
8. Create a string value called ItemIDEscapeCharacter in the Options branch
underneath the GUID (e.g., HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{024C7FFC-9CC3-
476f-867A-BC3CAD79F4FE}\Options).
Note: To create a new value, use the context menu and select the New String
Value menu option.
9. Set the value of ItemIDEscapeCharacter to a single character, such as |
(pipe).
Note: To edit the value, select the entry and select the Modify menu option from
the Edit menu.
10. Shut down the server and restart it for the change to take effect.
11. Configure the ItemIDEscapeCharacter Item ID in the OPC client with the
access path appended to the end with the configured escape character (e.g.,
ITEMID|ACCESSPATH).

More than one HASP attached to parallel port, but only first one is recognized

Problem: There is more than one HASP hardware key from Matrikon attached to the parallel port,
but the software recognizes only the first one.
HASP keys from the same vendor cannot be chained together. Send an email to the
Solution:
MatrikonOPC Support team to obtain a HASP key containing the combined codes of all
installed MatrikonOPC Servers.

Server cannot be configured; no MatrikonOPC logo in Tool Tray

Problem: The server cannot be configured because there is no MatrikonOPC logo in the Tool
Tray.

Solution: If the Server is running as a service, the MatrikonOPC logo does not appear in the
Tool Tray.
To configure the server, start the configuration utility by using the shortcut to the OPC

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 server in the Windows Start menu (this shortcut starts the Configuration utility as well
as the OPC Server).

Note: If the server configuration utility generates an access denied

error on launch, the DCOM permissions have not been configured
properly.

OPC client unable to create or read items under configured object (device)

Problem: The OPC client is unable to create or read items under a configured object or device.
Check the object configuration. Ensure that the Enabled checkbox is selected, and verify
Solution:
the access credentials are correct (e.g., Username, Password).

Server does not retain settings

Problem: The server does not retain its previous settings and needs to be reconfigured each time it
starts up.
In the Configuration window, choose Options from the View menu. Under the General
Solution:
tab, ensure that the Load configuration on start-up checkbox is selected and that the
correct file name appears in the edit box (see General Options).

Server cannot save configuration in XML

Problem: The OPC server cannot save the configuration in XML format.

Solution: Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 (or later) must be installed to use the XML format.

Server does not show up in the list of locally available program IDs in OPC client
application

Problem: The server does not show up in a list of locally available program IDs in the OPC client
application.
Make sure that a user with local administrative rights installs the OPC server so that it can
Solution:
create the necessary entries in the registry.
Ensure OPCEnum is registered as a service, DCOM permissions are configured properly,
and the OPCEnum service is running.
Also, especially for older OPC clients that do not use the OPC server browser, make sure
the client is running as a user that has read access to the registry.

Server does not show up as a program ID in a remote OPC client application

Problem: The server does not show up in a list of available program IDs in the OPC client application
on a remote machine.
Follow the steps found in DCOM Manual to copy the program ID from the server machine
Solution:
to the OPC client machine.

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 Access denies or time-out error when connecting to remove server via DCOM

Problem: Access Denied error message appears, or time out occurs when trying to connect to a
remote OPC server via DCOM.
Ensure that the access and launch permissions for the OPC server are set correctly on the
Solution:
server machine. For more information, refer to the DCOM Manual.

Server does not start up or client cannot connect

Problem: A client tries to connect to the server and fails, or the server does not start up.
Ensure that the access and launch permissions for the OPC server are set correctly. For
Solution:
more information, refer to the DCOM Manual.

About screen and Configuration window do not show up

Problem: The About screen and Configuration window do not show up when a remotely-connected
client, or a client that runs as an NT service (such as Aspen Technologies CIMIO OPC
Manager) tries to launch the OPC server.
Either set the identity for the OPC server to the interactive user, or else consider running
Solution:
the server as an NT service. For more information, refer to the DCOM Manual.

DA 2.0 asynchronous I/O does not work

Problem: After installing an older OPC server, DA 2.0 asynchronous I/O no longer works.
The old installation program installed and registered its own (older) version of the OPC
Solution:
proxy/stub DLL.
Reinstall the standard OPC proxy/stub DLLs, using an up-to-date installation program or
re-register them using the REGSVR32 command-line utility (refer to the OPC
Compliance - Installation section in this manual).

Trouble communicating through a Network

Problem: Problems communicating to the Modbus device through a network.

Make sure users can ping the device. Use Start -> Run with command, CMD, to bring up
Solution:
a command window. Enter the following:
Ping ipaddress ( e.g. C:\temp>ping 127.0.0.1
Pinging 127.0.0.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Ping statistics for 127.0.0.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

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 Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms)
Where ipaddress is the IP address of the users machine. If it says no response, then
there are likely network issues between the users machine and the remote machine.
Note: Refer to the DCOM Manual to further diagnose DCOM issues.

Can I connect it to my computers serial ports?

Problem: I dont have any familiarity with RS-485/RS-422. Is it similar to RS-232? How can my
computer talk to an RS-485/RS-422 device? Can I connect it to my computers serial
ports?

Solution: Computers come standard with RS-232 serial ports. RS-485 serial ports must either be
specially purchased, or an RS-232/RS-485 converter must be purchased.
RS-485 and RS-422 allow you to serially chain all of the devices to a single
communications port. The devices then take turns on the communication port. This allows
reduced cost due to having to provide only a single communication port. This also results
in reduced bandwidth since the total bandwidth provided to all devices cannot exceed the
bandwidth of the communications port.

How can OPC data be accessed through other applications?

Problem: How can I access OPC data in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, or another application with
support for Visual Basic, VBA, or VB Script?

Solution: Use the MatrikonOPC Automation Component to create a Visual Basic script that
connects to a server, creates groups and items, and receives data change updates.
Contact MatrikonOPC Support for examples of how to do this in Excel, Visual Basic, or in
an HTML document.

Minimizing communications to the devices

Problem: I wish to minimize communications with my device.

Consider which items change frequently and which do not. Having your OPC client or
Solution:
clients read different items at different rates (different OPC group update frequency) can
result in reduced communications.
If some items are not needed for a considerable period, consider having your OPC client
either remove them or disable/deactivate them. MatrikonOPC Modbus will not scan items
unless they are actively demanded by at least one OPC client.

Trouble scheduling poll cycles

Problem: I need more options to schedule my polls at specific times or better manage the fairness
of data access among devices.
MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 allows significantly more configuration options and is
Solution:
preferable in SCADA environments.

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 Noisy communications

Problem: I am having interference problems when communicating with my SCADA devices.

MatrikonOPC Modbus has some head and tail squall squelch capabilities. However, you
Solution:
may consider using MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 for enhanced features.

Reads and writes time out

Problem: My device does not seem to wish to communicate. All of my reads and writes time out.
Check your configuration to make sure it matches the configuration of your Modbus
Solution:
device. In particular, make sure that the data/parity/stop settings match (serial), make
sure you are using the correct node number or numbers, and make sure you have the
correct IP address and port number (Ethernet Modbus).
If your device is a Daniel (32-bit) device supporting Modbus-like protocol, you will need to
use the 3W and 4W registers because this device will send and receive twice as much data
per register as a normal Modbus device.

Serial and TCP connections

Problem: Serial Device links do not work as fast as TCP Device links
Serial communications are much slower than TCP communications. As the number of items
Solution:
increase, The time it will take to update all items will increase as well

Using the 3W and 4W registers, or the 3 and 4 registers

Problem: Should I be using the 3W and 4W registers, or the 3 and 4 registers?

The difference between the 3W and 4W registers is the assumption as to the width of one
Solution:
register point. For example, in standard Modbus devices, register 4:1 will send and receive
16 bits of data. Daniel devices using a variant of the Modbus protocol (also called Daniel
Modbus) use 32-bit registers, and send and receive 32 bits for each register requested or
sent. The actual protocol is different, and they are mutually incompatible. A standard
Modbus device will not correctly accept data fed to it using the 3W and 4W registers, and a
Daniel Modbus device will not correctly accept data fed to it using the 3 and 4 registers.
Your Modbus device Users Manual should indicate whether the device registers are
standard (16-bit) or Daniel (32-bit).
Generally, if one type does not work, try the other.

Removing the server as a service

Problem: How do I remove the OPC server as a service?

Solution: Re-register the OPC server executable using the /REGSERVER command-line switch.

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 Starting the server manually when installed as a service

Problem: Does the server need to be started manually when it is installed as a service?

Solution: No, the first OPC client that tries to connect will start the OPC server.

Search the MatrikonOPC Support Knowledge Base at www.opcsupport.com to find the answers
to other commonly-asked MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 questions.

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Un-Installation
To successfully un-install MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 using the Add or Remove
Programs from the Microsoft Windows Control Panel is recommended.
To un-install MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3:
1. Click on the Start button and highlight the Control Panel item.
2. From the displayed menu, select Add or Remove Programs.
3. The Add or Remove Programs window (Figure 56) is displayed.
4. Scroll through the list of currently installed programs and updates to find and select
MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3.

Figure 56 - Add or Remove Programs

5. Click on the Remove button associated with the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3
program to initiate the un-install process.
6. The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 InstallAware Wizard appears, and the
Welcome to MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Maintenance screen (Figure 57) is
displayed.

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 Figure 57 - Welcome to the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Maintenance Screen

7. Ensure the Remove option button is selected to un-install MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA
DNP3 entirely.
8. Click on the Next button. The Ready to Uninstall screen (Figure 58) is displayed.

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 Figure 58 - Ready to Uninstall Screen

9. Click on the Next button.

10. The Uninstalling MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 screen (Figure 59) appears and
the un-install takes place.

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 Figure 59 - Uninstalling MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Screen

11. When the un-install has finished, the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Setup
Complete screen (Figure 60) appears stating that MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3
was successfully un-installed.

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 Figure 60 - MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 Setup Complete Screen

12. Click on the Finish button to complete the un-install and exit the Wizard.
13. The program no longer appears listed in the Add or Remove Programs window.

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OPC Compliance
For more information on OPC, view the documents listed below (as well as other OPC
Specifications) at http://www.opcfoundation.org. MatrikonOPC supports the following
interfaces:
OPC Overview 1.0
OPC Common Definitions and Interfaces 1.0
OPC Security Custom Interface 1.0
OPC Alarms and Events Interface Standard 1.10
OPC Data Access Custom Interface Standard 2.05a
OPC Data Access Custom Interface Standard 3.00

Installation
The server is by default installed as a local out-of-process COM server and enters its registration
information in the Windows registry when instructed to do so with the /REGSERVER command-
line option. The server installs itself as a Windows service and enters its registration information in
the Windows registry when instructed to do so with the /SERVICE command-line option.
Version-independent program ID is Matrikon.OPC.DNP.
Version-specific program ID is Matrikon.OPC.DNP.1.
OPC sub-key and vendor information string.
Globally unique application ID (e.g., 81BD69CB-47A4-49bc-B5BD-2CD55ACC2DDE).
Globally unique class ID number (e.g., F1F07BB3-D2CB-4e68-A4BF-488CE1FD9F2).
Full path of 32-bit local server executable.
OPC Data Access Server 1.0 and 2.05a implemented component categories.
The server removes its registration information from the Windows registry when commanded to do
so with the /UNREGSERVER command-line option.

Common Interfaces
The server supports the mandatory functionality specified in OPC Common Definitions and
Interfaces. The server supports the following locales for result code translation:
US English (0x0409)
System default (0x0800)
User default (0x0400)
Neutral (0x0000).
The server allows the client to set the client name for each connection. The server supports the
shutdown event notification client-side interface.

Data Access
The server supports the mandatory functionality specified in the OPC Data Access Custom Interface
Standard.

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Groups
The server supports the addition, removal, and cloning of private groups. The server allows the
client to manage group state.
Name
Active state
Update rate (100 millisecond resolution)
Time bias
Dead-band (percent of analog item high-low range)

Items
The server supports the addition, removal, and validation of items in a group. The server allows the
client to manage item configuration.
Active state
Requested data type
Dead-band (percent of analog item high-low range)
Sampling rate
Buffer values (used only when sampling rate is enabled and is sampling faster than the
group update rate).

Browsing and Item Properties

The server supports address space browsing.
Hierarchical address space
Simulate flat address space
Branch/leaf name filter (pattern matching)
Item data type filter
Item access rights filter
The server supports the following mandatory item properties.
Value, quality, and timestamp
Canonical data type
Access rights
Scan rate

I/O Operations
The server supports synchronous I/O operations.
Read active item values from cache.
Read item values from device.
Read items value from device based on how old the cache items value is.
Read items without adding the item to an OPC group.
Write control values to items (on device).

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 Write control value, quality, and/or timestamp to items (if the server supports such
features).
Write control values without adding the item to an OPC group.
The server supports asynchronous I/O operations as defined for DA 3.00.
Read items value from device based on how old the cache items value is.
Write control value, quality, and/or timestamp (if the server supports such feature).
The server supports the data change event notification client-side interface as defined for DA 3.00.
Keep-alive call-back indicating server is alive.
The server supports asynchronous I/O operations as defined for DA 2.05a.
Read items values from device.
Write control values to items (on device).
Refresh active items from cache.
Cancel outstanding operations.
Enable/disable event notifications.
The server supports the data change event notification client-side interface as defined for DA
2.05a.
Data change or dead-band exceeded.
Asynchronous refresh operation complete.
Asynchronous read operation complete.
Asynchronous write operation complete.
Asynchronous operation cancellation complete.
The server supports asynchronous I/O operations as defined for DA 1.0.
Read items values from device.
Read items values from cache.
Write control values to items (on device).
Refresh active items from cache.
Cancel outstanding operations.
The server supports the data change event notification client-side interface as defined for DA 1.0.
Data change or dead-band exceeded data with timestamps.
Data change or dead-band exceeded data without timestamps.
Asynchronous write operation complete.
The server supports OPC Alarms and Events as defined for AE 1.10.

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Appendix A Distributed COM (DCOM)
DCOM is an object protocol that enables COM components (such as OPC clients and servers) to
communicate directly with each other across a network. A certain amount of configuration is
required on the system where the OPC server is installed to allow remote clients to connect to it
over the network.
Readers should be familiar with DCOM and with Windows 2000 security features and security
administration. Information regarding Distributed COM and various links to related sites, white
papers, specifications, and so on, can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/com/default.mspx.

Notes:
The following steps are suggestions only. Ask your Windows
Network Administrator for more information about the settings
that you should use, especially between different domains.
The steps provided in this appendix apply to Windows NT
operating systems only. For information on how to configure
DCOM settings for newer Windows operating systems, please
refer to the MatrikonOPC Online Support page on DCOM
Settings.

DCOM Configuration Utility

Start the DCOM configuration utility either from the server configuration utility or from the
command-line (DCOMCNFG). Answer, yes to any message boxes that appear (allowing the utility to
assign application ID entries to those servers that don't already have them).
The main window for DCOMCNFG allows the user to either configure default settings for all COM
servers or else to configure settings for a specific server chosen from the list. The former will affect
all servers configured to use the default settings. The latter will affect the selected server only.

Note: DCOM settings are stored in the registry and loaded by COM
(and OPC) servers at start-up. Therefore, server processes must be
shut down and re-started for these changes to take effect.

Default Properties
The Default Properties tab contains settings that affect all DCOM communication on the machine.
First of all, ensure that the Enable Distributed COM on this computer is selected in
so that the machine is available to others via DCOM.
Select the Enable COM Internet Services on this computer to allow DCOM access to
the machine from the Internet (check with your administrator).
In general, the other settings do not need to be changed.

The Authentication Level specifies when COM should authenticate the identity of calling clients
(each call, each packet, etc).
Normally, it should be set to Connect, indicating that COM should authenticate clients
when they first connect to a server. If it is set to None, then COM performs no
authentication and ignores any access permission settings.

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The Impersonation Level specifies whether servers can ascertain the identity of calling clients
and whether they can then perform operations on the client's behalf (as if the server is the client).
Normally, it should be set to Identify, allowing the server to identify the calling client to
see if it is allowed access to a certain resource but not to actually access any of these
resources as the client.
Select the Provide additional security for reference tracking to make even the
reference counting on COM objects secure. This setting is not generally required.

Security Permissions
The most important DCOM settings for an OPC server are the security permissions. There are two
ways for you to set these:
1. Change the specific settings for the server (recommended).
2. Change the default settings (not recommended) and make sure that the OPC server will use
these.
Either way, be certain that the access and launch permissions are correct for the server.

Setting Security Permissions

To set the security permissions for an OPC Server:
1. Open the DCOM configuration utility.
2. Select the OPC server, and then click Properties.
3. The Distributed COM Configuration Properties window (Figure 61) appears.

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 Figure 61 - Distributed COM Configuration Properties Window

4. Click on the Security tab to set the security for the server.
5. The Distributed COM Configuration Security tab (Figure 62) appears.

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 Figure 62 - Distributed COM Configuration Security Tab

Notes:
The Access Permissions contain an Access Control List of principals that are
allowed to interact with objects supplied by a server.
The Launch Permissions contain an Access Control List of principals that are
allowed to start up a server process or service.
6. Include the names of users or user groups from trusted domains that you wish to be able to
use the OPC server on this machine. Include the Everyone group to allow access to all
users on a particular domain.
7. To set the Access permissions, click Use custom access permissions and then click Edit.
8. The Registry Value Permissions window (Figure 63) appears.

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 Figure 63 - Registry Value Permissions Window

9. To add users to the list click Add.

10. The Add Users and Groups window (Figure 64) appears.

Figure 64 - Add Users and Groups Window

11. To add a user to the list, select the user, and then click Add. If the user you wish to add
does not appear then click Show Users.

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 12. When you are done adding users, click OK to close the Add Users and Groups window.
You can then choose to Allow Access or Deny Access for each user.
Notes:
The procedure to set the launch permissions is similar to the above, but instead of
choosing Allow Access for a user you would choose Allow Launch.
The Configuration Permissions contain an Access Control List of principals that are
allowed to modify the configuration information for a server. In other words, it
indicates who is allowed to alter the registry entries for installed servers as well as
who is able to access the registry for the purposes of installing new servers. It is
usually simpler to install and configure servers as a user with local administrative
rights.
13. To connect to an OPC server from outside of the domain, create a local user account on
both the server and the client machine with identical username and password. Then, add
the local user on the OPC server to the DCOM permissions. Use the local account on the
client machine to connect to the OPC server.

Server Identity
The Identity tab for a selected COM (or OPC) server specifies the user account that should be
used when COM starts up the process. The available settings are different for servers that run as
local executables as opposed to those that run as NT services.

Note: It is strongly recommended that OPC servers should be

installed to run as NT services if they are going to be accessed by
remote clients via DCOM. This ensures that the server can always be
accessed even if no one is presently logged on to the machine, and
only one server process ever starts up. It also adds a greater degree
of security in terms of who is able to shut down the server process.
Servers that run as local executables have the option of running as the launching user (the calling
clientthis is the default), the interactive user (the one currently logged onto the machine), or a
specified user. It is usually best to use the interactive user or a specified user. Otherwise, remote
clients might start up multiple separate server processes that are not accessible to others.
Servers that run as NT services should generally run as the local System account. Alternatively,
the server can be set to run as a specified user, although this is usually done from the Service
Control Manager applet rather than DCOMCNFG. Access and Launch permissions are particularly
important when installing a server to run as an NT service.

Default Protocols
The Default Protocols tab specifies the communication protocols available to DCOM. The order
that protocols appear in the list indicates the priority in which they will be used (the topmost
having the highest priority).
The more protocols that appear in the list, the better the chances of connecting to an OPC server
on an unknown remote machine (such as at an OPC Interoperability Workshop). However, it may
also take longer for DCOM to time out if a server machine is not present since it has to try each
protocol in turn.
For most situations, it is best to remove all unused protocols from the list and only include those
that are necessary for your network. For example, on a TCP/IP network, one would include the
Connection-oriented TCP/IP protocol. Contact your IT personnel for more information about
your network.

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 Note: Evidence indicates that there are problems with the datagram-
oriented protocols (such as UDP/IP) that can cause memory leaks in
DCOM. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that these protocols be
removed from the list of default protocols. Datagram-oriented
protocols are not supported under Windows 2000 at all (although the
DCOM configuration utility still allows you to configure them).

Remote Program ID
Before the OPC Server Browser became available, OPC client applications had to search the
registry to generate a list of available OPC servers. Therefore, some older OPC clients need to have
a program ID in the local registry in order to connect to a particular OPC server.
The simplest solution is to install the OPC server software on the client machine even if it is not
used. Alternatively, use the following steps to copy a program ID to the client machine.
Note: This method may not work for every OPC client. Please check the client documentation for
more information.

WARNING: Any changes made to the registry must be made with

extreme caution!

1. Back up your registry.

2. On the server machine, run REGEDIT as a user that has access rights to the local registry.
3. Expand the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT key.
4. Find the program ID(s) for the desired OPC server(s).
Note: In the case of MatrikonOPC Servers, the ID has the form Matrikon.OPC.Device. If you
quickly type the first few letters then REGEDIT should jump to the location of that key.
Some servers may have both a version-specific as well as a version-independent program
ID. In this case both IDs should be copied to the client machine.
5. For each program ID, select the key and choose Export Registry File from the Registry
menu. Enter a file name, and then click Save. Be careful not to overwrite other export files
that you are creating.
6. Copy the exported REG files to the client machine.
7. Merge the REG files into the registry of the client machine.
Note: This should simply be a matter of double clicking on the file from the desktop of the
client machine. Alternatively, run REGEDIT on the client machine and choose Import
Registry File from the Registry menu, selecting each file in turn. This must be done as a
user who has write access to the local registry.
8. Use REGEDIT to check that the program IDs have in fact, been copied.
9. Delete the REG files since they are no longer needed.

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 Appendix B Aliases
Scaling Expressions
Alias scaling expressions may use any of the expression constructs listed in Table 44.

Construct Description Examples

Text value (single quotation marks). hello
text
Joes Alias
Addition (or Append), Subtraction, (3 * 7 + 1) / 8 2
+ - * /
Multiplication, and Division. hi + there
Equal To, Less Than, Greater Than,
= < > <> <= >= Unequal To, Less or Equal To, 3<4
Greater or Equal To.
Logical Not, Logical And, Logical Or. (7 >= 3) And (1 <> 0)
Not And Or
May also be used for binary math. (12 And 5) = 4
TIME Current time as text. The time is + TIME
DATE Current date as text. Today is + DATE
INT(x) Returns the integer part of x. INT(3.14) = 3
FRAC(x) Returns the fractional part of x. FRAC(3.14) = 0.14
SQRT(x) Returns the square root of x. SQRT(16) = 4
DIV(x, y) Divides x by y. DIV(42, 7) = 6
Returns x if expression evaluates to
IF(expr, x, y) IF(6 <= 12, OK, Bad) = OK
TRUE, otherwise returns y.
TRUE FALSE Constant Boolean true and false. (5 > 6) = FALSE
Returns the data type of x as a text
TYPEOF(x) description (STRING, INTEGER, TYPEOF(hello) = STRING
FLOAT, BOOLEAN, ERROR).
Converts the numeric value x to
STR(x) STR(3.14) = 3.14
text.
Converts the text value x to all UPPER(alarm) = ALARM
UPPER(x)
upper case or lower case letters, or
LOWER(x) LOWER(ALARM) = alarm
the first letter upper case and the
PRETTY(x) PRETTY(ALARM) = Alarm
rest lower.
Returns a sub-string of the x,
COPY(x, start, length) copying length characters starting at COPY(FIDDLE, 2, 4) = IDDL
start.
Converts the numeric value x to text FORMATNUMERIC('####.#',
FORMATNUMERIC(mask, x)
using the format mask. 123.4567) = 123.5
INPUT The incoming value read from OPC. INPUT * 3.1415
OUTPUT The outgoing value written to OPC. OUTPUT / 3.1415

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 Construct Description Examples
Text value (single quotation marks). hello
text
Joes Alias
Table 44 - Expressions Constructs for Alias Scaling

Scaling Calculations
Calculations may contain references to any OPC item in the servers syntax. However, they may
not contain references to other alias items. There are no limits on how many items can be used in
a calculation. The only limiting factor may be performance related. To reference another OPC item
in the calculation, wrap the items full item path in square brackets. For example to add the items
Com1.Rtu.Reg1 and Com1.Rtu.Reg2 together, the correct expression would be:
[Com1.Rtu.Reg1] + [Com1.Rtu.Reg2]
If the OPC item being referenced in a calculation is not found within the servers address space, the
server attempts to add it. If successful, the OPC server uses the update rate of the alias to update
the OPC item.
If the OPC item being referenced in a calculation is found within the servers address space, the
server creates a subscription to it using the lowest update rate of the item and the alias. For
example, if the update rate of Com1.Rtu.Reg1 is ten seconds and a subscription is created to an
alias with an update rate of one second, the new update rate of the OPC item is one second.
When the subscription to the alias is cancelled, the item returns to using the previous update rate.
However, if the option Poll Always is enabled for the alias, the server will always have a
subscription to that alias and therefore the lower update rate of the alias is used.
In the event that the server cannot create a subscription to the OPC item, the alias quality reports
Bad, bad configuration.
Alias scaling calculations may use any of the operators listed in Table 45.

Construct Description Examples

- Minus operator. x-y
- Unary minus operator. -x
Not logical operator.
! !x
Returns 1 if x is 0, else returns 0.
Not equal logical operator.
!= x != y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
Modulo; find remainder of the division
% x%y
of x by y.
And logical operator.
& x&y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
* Multiplication operator. x*y
/ Division operator. x/y
^ Calculates x raised to the power of y. x^y
Or logical operator.
| x|y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.

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 Construct Description Examples
+ Addition operator. x+y
< Lesser than logical operator.
x<y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
<= Lesser than or equal logical operator.
x <= y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
== Equal logical operator.
x == y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
> Greater than logical operator.
x>y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
>= Greater than or equal logical operator.
x >= y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
Table 45 - Calculation Operators for Alias Scaling

Alias scaling calculations may use any of the functions listed in Table 46.

Construct Description Examples

abs Absolute value. abs(x)

acos Arccosine acos(x)

asin Arcsine asin(x)
atan Arctangent atan(x)

avg Returns the average of a set of avg(v1,v2,v3,...)

values.

bin Converts a binary number to a bin(binNumber)

decimal number.
ceil Ceiling. ceil(x)
cos Cosine. cos(x)
cosh Hyperbolic cosine. cosh(x)

Differentiate the expression with derivate(expression,

derivate respect to one variable at the
variable, point)
specified point.

fact Returns the factorial of x: x*(x- fact(x)

1)*(x-2)*...(x-x+1).
floor Floor. floor(x)

hex Converts an hexadecimal number hex(hexNumber)

to a decimal number.

if If the condition is true, returns if(condition, val1, val2)

val1 else returns val2.

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 Construct Description Examples
isNaN Returns 1 if the number is a NaN value. isNaN(value)
log Natural logarithm. log(x)
log10 Base-10 logarithm log10(x)
max Returns larger of a set of values. max(v1,v2,v3,...)
max Returns larger of two values. max(x,y)
max Returns larger of three values. max(x,y,z)
min Returns smaller of a set of values. min(v1,v2,v3,...)
min Returns smaller of two values. min(x,y)
min Returns smaller of three values. min(x,y,z)
rand Random value between 0 and 1. rand()

rand Random value between min and rand(min, max)

max.
round Round the fractional part of a number. round(x)
sin Sine. sin(x)

sinh Hyperbolic sine. sinh(x)

solve(expression,
Finds the variable's value that
solve yields the desired result using the variable, result, [v0=0],
Newton's numerical approximation method. [tol=0.01],[maxIter=100])
sqrt Square root. sqrt(x)
sum Returns the sum of a set of values. sum(v1,v2,v3,...)
tan Tangent. tan(x)
tanh Hyperbolic tangent. tanh(x)
trapezoid(expression,
Compute a numerical
trapezoid approximation to the integral variable, a, b,
between a and b. [step=0.1])
Table 46 - Calculation Functions for Alias Scaling

CSV File Format

The alias import/export file contains lines of comma-separated values. Values containing commas
or spaces are enclosed in double-quotation marks ( ). Double-quotation marks occurring inside
quoted values are escaped with an extra double-quotation mark. Lines beginning with a hash mark
(#) are ignored (used for comments). Each line contains the fields listed in Table 47.

Field Description

Alias Group Name of the alias group folder where the alias belongs. Periods in the name indicate
subfolders below the root (e.g., North.FIC101 = alias group North under the Alias

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 Field Description
Configuration root and alias group FIC101 under that).
Name of the alias. Full alias path name composed of the alias group path, a period,
Alias Name
and the alias name (e.g., North.FIC101.CV for an alias named CV).
Item Path Fully qualified item ID for the OPC item to which the alias refers.
Data Type Decimal number indicating the data type for the alias.
Specifies whether the alias is read-only or read-write.
Read-only 0 = read-write
1 = read-only
Specifies whether the alias is polled continuously or not.
Poll Always 0 = only poll as requested by an OPC client (normal)
1 = poll continuously at the specified update rate
Update Rate Update rate (milliseconds) to use with the Poll Always option.
Scaling type for the alias.
0 = none
1 = linear
Scaling 2 = square root
3 = gain/offset
4 = expression
5 = calculation
Table 47 - File Import/Export Field Descriptions

When the scaling field specifies linear (1) or square root (2) scaling, the line contains the additional
fields listed in Table 48.

Field Description
High Raw Raw value range (double-precision real).
Low Raw
High Scaled Scaled value range (double-precision real).
Low Scaled
Clamp options.
0 = none
Clamp 1 = clamp low value
2 = clamp high value
3 = clamp both high and low values
Table 48 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Linear/Square Root Scaling

When the scaling field specifies gain/offset (3) scaling, the line contains the additional fields listed
in Table 49.

Field Description
Gain Scaling factor (double-precision real).
Offset Scaling offset (double-precision real).
Table 49 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Offset Scaling

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When the scaling field specifies expression (4) scaling, the line contains the additional fields listed
in Table 50.

Field Description
Input Expression Simple formula applied to the value read from the OPC item.
Simple formula applied to values written to the OPC item. The
Output Expression
output formula should be the reciprocal of the input formula.
Table 50 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Expression Scaling

When the scaling field specifies calculation (5) scaling, the line contains the additional fields listed
in Table 51.

Field Description
Input Calculation Calculation applied to the value read from the OPC item.
Table 51 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Calculation Scaling

Scaling Algorithms
For each type of scaling, a different algorithm (Table 52) is applied to values read from the OPC
item. A reverse algorithm is applied to any values written to the OPC item.

Scaling Algorithm/Example Reverse Algorithm/Example

Scaled High Scaled Low Raw High Raw Low
Linear x Raw Low Scaled Low

x Scaled Low Raw Low

Raw High Raw Low Scaled High Scaled Low

Scaled High Scaled Low Raw High Raw Low

Square x Raw Low Scaled x Scaled Low 2 Raw
Scaled High Scaled Low
Root Raw Raw Low 2 Low
High Low

Gain/ x Offset
Gain x Offset
Offset Gain
Expression SQRT(INPUT) + 5 (OUTPUT 5) * (OUTPUT 5)
Calculation round([Random.Real4]) N/A
Table 52 - Scaling Algorithms

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Appendix C Standard Data Types
The Standard data types and their descriptions are listed in Table 53.

Hex Dec Data Type Description

0000 0 VT_EMPTY Default/Empty (nothing)
0002 2 VT_I2 2-byte signed integer
0003 3 VT_I4 4-byte signed integer
0004 4 VT_R4 4-byte (single-precision) real
0005 5 VT_R8 8-byte (double-precision) real
0006 6 VT_CY Currency
0007 7 VT_DATE Date
0008 8 VT_BSTR Text (UNICODE)
000A 10 VT_ERROR Error code
000B 11 VT_BOOL Boolean (TRUE = -1, FALSE = 0)
0011 16 VT_I1 1-byte signed integer
0012 17 VT_UI1 1-byte unsigned integer
0013 18 VT_UI2 2-byte unsigned integer
0014 19 VT_UI4 4-byte unsigned integer
2002 8194 VT_ARRAY | VT_I2 Array of 2-byte signed integers
2003 8195 VT_ARRAY | VT_I4 Array of 4-byte signed integer
2004 8196 VT_ARRAY | VT_R4 Array of 4-byte (single-precision) real
2005 8197 VT_ARRAY | VT_R8 Array of 8-byte (double-precision) real
2006 8198 VT_ARRAY | VT_CY Array of currency values
2007 8199 VT_ARRAY | VT_DATE Array of dates
2008 8200 VT_ARRAY | VT_BSTR Array of text values
200A 8202 VT_ARRAY | VT_ERROR Array of error codes
200B 8203 VT_ARRAY | VT_BOOL Array of Boolean values
2011 8208 VT_ARRAY | VT_I1 Array of 1-byte signed integers
2012 8209 VT_ARRAY | VT_UI1 Array of 1-byte unsigned integers
2013 8210 VT_ARRAY | VT_UI2 Array of 2-byte unsigned integers
2014 8211 VT_ARRAY | VT_UI4 Array of 4-byte unsigned integers
Table 53 - Standard Data Types

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Appendix D Microsoft Excel as a DDE Client
Microsoft Excel can act as both DDE client and DDE server. When using Excel as the client, DDE
items can be bound to specific cells in a spreadsheet, creating a read-only hot link to the DDE
items. Using Visual Basic, Excel can also be used to transmit (write) the data contained in a specific
cell of a spreadsheet to a DDE server.

DDE Read
To perform a DDE Read using Excel, simply enter a DDE Item as a formula in some spreadsheet
cell:
=SERVICE|TOPIC! NAME
Excel will initiate a DDE Advise loop, or hot link, to the topic and item within the service. The DDE
Management system (in this case, Windows) will forward any update sent by the DDE service, to
the appropriate DDE client (in this case, Microsoft Excel). The DDE service is responsible for update
rate/behavior.
To disable a specific hotlink in Excel, use the Links menu option under the Edit menu.

Special Characters in Excel

Excel reserves the use of specific characters for use in any cell. If a SERVICE, TOPIC, or NAME
contains any special characters, surround the specific field with single quotation characters ( ):
=SERVICE|TOPIC!NAME
=SERVICE|TOPIC!NAME
=SERVICE|TOPIC!NAME
To include single quotation characters in the name, enter two simultaneous single quotation
characters:
=matrikon_opc_simulation_1|Power.Generators Value!1000\

DDE Write
To perform any DDE command other than requests (read) or advise (hot link), a Visual Basic (VB)
function must be used. Most DDE commands are available by using the application object. For
example, the following function will poke (write) the contents of column 1, row 1 to an item in the
OPC Simulation server:
Sub WriteToDDE()

' open a DDE channel. Field 1 = SERVICE, Field 2 = TOPIC

'channel = DDEInitiate("matrikon_opc_simulation", "Bucket Brigade.Real4")

' poke to the Item 1000\, the value of cell A1

DDEPoke channel, "1000\", Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("A1")

' close the channel

DDETerminate channel

End Sub

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Net DDE
Since DDE commands are routed by the operating system, it is not possible to establish a DDE
session between two computers unless some transport mechanism is used. This is usually supplied
as a plug-in component of the operating system. In the Windows Environment, the NetDDE
Windows Service allows DDE communication between two computers.

Figure 65 - DDE Share

NetDDE must first be configured using the DDEShare application (DDEShare.exe) as shown in
Figure 65. Each SERVICE and TOPIC pair, or NetDDE Share, that is to be available through
NetDDE must be assigned a unique name.

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Appendix E Security
Introduction
The OPC Framework has implemented the OPC Security Customer Interface version 1.0 of the
specification. Both the IOPCSecurityNT and IOPCSecurityPrivate interfaces are fully supported
(there are no optional pieces).
IOPCSecurityNT describes how NT authentication is used in OPC Security. IOPCSecurityPrivate
describes how proprietary user credentials are used in OPC Security. The OPC Security specification
defines how user credentials are passed from client to server, but very little else. The type of
functionality in an OPC server that is controlled by OPC Security is vendor-determined.

Appendix Structure
This appendix is structured as follows:
Introduction this introductory section.
OPC Security Implementation description of user access dependencies.
MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility describes the utility that is used to
configure security for MatrikonOPC servers.
Security Details describes how permissions are applied, how security settings are
stored, and other important details.

OPC Security Implementation

Whether a user has access or not will depend on:
1. Identity the user behind the OPC clients actions.
2. Location the OPC item ID or hierarchy path being accessed.
3. Type the type of functionality the user is trying to perform.

Identity
Using the IOPCSecurityNT interface for OPC Security, the identity of the OPC client is the domain
user that is running the OPC client and connecting to the OPC server. The OPC Framework will
attempt to impersonate the client that is connected to the server, and use the name from those
credentials for access control. This method does not require any implementation of OPC Security by
the OPC client, since no interface calls are necessary.
Using the IOPCSecurityPrivate interface for OPC Security, the OPC client must make a call to the
OPC server to log on with a user name and password. In this scenario, the OPC client must
implement and follow the OPC Security specification in terms of following the calls necessary to
provide credentials. The credentials provided through the private interface override those provided
from the NT interface. The OPC client may choose to log off, at which point the NT credentials are
used until the log on call is made again.

Location
Some of the interface calls made from an OPC client to an OPC server require the client to provide
an OPC item ID. The OPC Framework will take the OPC item ID provided, and determine whether
access to that location is allowed or not. A particular server installation may want to control access
to a particular device or branch in the hierarchy, and is able to do so by setting permissions for a
partial item ID or path.

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Other interface calls do not provide an ID, but may depend on the state of the server with respect
to previous calls. OPC Browsing (DA 2.0) is an example of this. In this case, the full path up to that
particular location is used for determining access rights.

Type
There are four types of interface functionality in the OPC Framework (specifically the OPC Outer
Layer) that are controlled using OPC Security:
1. Browsing
2. Adding items
3. Reading
4. Writing
Browsing is the least intrusive, followed by adding items, reading values from the items, and finally
writing to the items being the most intrusive. There are multiple interfaces, and functions within
those interfaces, that can be used to perform the types of functionality listed above. Thus, security
control has been added to each possible entry. For example, read control has been added to group
subscriptions call-backs as well as synchronous reads and asynchronous reads denying read
control would disable reads for the possible types.
A location that is being accessed by an OPC client may have different permissions for the different
types of access. For example, one particular item may be browseable, added, and read, but the
writing permissions might be restricted so that the user cannot interfere with the operation of the
end device.
Note: Of the four functionality types listed above, three of them make use of the full OPC item ID
when an interface call is made from the client to the server: Adding Items, Reading, or Writing.
When browsing, only a partial path leading to an OPC item may be known at any location in the
browsing hierarchy.

MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility

The tag security settings for MatrikonOPC servers are configured and managed via the
MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility, a tool that is installed with the server. This
utility allows users to define, per MatrikonOPC server, the following:
Who has permission
Which tags/locations they have permissions for
The type of permissions for those locations
Security settings configured using this utility are read by the OPC Framework and populated in
memory upon server start-up, and are monitored for changes.
Note: In order for the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility to work properly, the
windows user running the utility must have Administrator rights to the computer.
The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility is a component of an OPC server
installation, and is installed in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\MatrikonOPC\Common\ACLConfig.exe
The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility can be run either directly from its
installed location, or from a shortcut found in the Start Menu. If the utility is run from the installed
location, then the user must select the OPC server for which security will be configured. If the
MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility is run from the shortcut, then it will configure
security for the OPC server to which the shortcut belongs.

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To run the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility from its shortcut:
1. Click on the Windows Start button.
2. Select Programs -> MatrikonOPC -> <OPC Server Name> ->Tag Security.

Figure 66 - Start Menu Navigation

After the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility is run:

1. A window appears asking for a password to be entered. This protects the security settings
and prevents unauthorized individuals from accessing these settings. For servers that
required a security password to be entered during their installation, the Enter server
password window (Figure 67) appears.

Figure 67 - Enter Server Password Window

2. Enter the password created during the installation of the OPC server.
Note: The default password provided for you during installation (if you chose to use the
default) is MatrikonOPC.
3. Click on the OK button.
4. The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility screen (Figure 68) appears.

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Layout

Figure 68 - MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility Main Screen

The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility screen displays the name of the OPC
server that is being configured for tag security. In Figure 68 above, the Utility screen shows that
the MatrikonOPC Server for Simulation and Testing tag security is being configured.
The left-hand side of the Utility screen shows a column of action icons that can be clicked upon.
These actions are further described later in this appendix. Some actions may not be applicable,
depending on the context in which they are used, and are identified by grayed-out icons.
In the center of the Utility screen there are descriptions for each of the actions that can be
performed. The appearance of these descriptions can be toggled at any time by clicking on the
Hide Help/Show Help link that exists in the bottom-right corner of the Utility screen. When the
Help screen is hidden, a list of users and groups that have been added appears (Figure 69). By
default, there is always a user named Everyone in the Users & Groups list. This user defines the
permissions used for other NT users that are not configured.

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 Figure 69 - MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility Main Screen: Users & Groups

Note: After any action is performed, the changes made do not take effect until either the OK or
Apply button has been selected. Clicking on the OK button saves the changes and closes the
Utility screen. Clicking on the Apply button saves the changes and keeps the Utility screen open.
Clicking on the Cancel button or the X button on the top-right of the screen, discards any changes
made.

Add User
There are two types of users for which security can be configured: NT Users and Private Users.
Adding a user to the configuration will allow permissions to be defined for that user. For NT users,
the IOPCSecurityNT interface is used, and for Private users, the IOPCSecurityPrivate interface is
used.
NT User
To add an NT user:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Add
User button.

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 2. The Add User window (Figure 70) appears. The NT User option button is selected by
default. This will allow the addition of a user from a Windows NT Domain.

Figure 70 - Add User Window (NT)

3. By default, the local machine name appears in the From this Location field. To browse to
a different location, click the Locations button.
4. The User field can be entered manually. Clicking on the Check Name button performs
validation on the entered user. The user names are the same as the Windows NT domain
names used on the network. To avoid manually entering a user, click on the Search button,
and select a user from the displayed list of users.
5. To add the selected user, click on the OK button. The user is then added to the list of users
and/or groups currently defined (refer to Figure 71 for a sample list of defined users and
groups).
6. The Edit <Username> window (Figure 76) appears. Follow the instructions in the Edit
User section for adding permissions.

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 Figure 71 - Defined Users and Groups

Private User
Private users have names and passwords associated with them, custom to the OPC client
application, which must implement the OPC Security Private interface for this section to be
meaningful. Private users exist only in the OPC server. They are not created in any NT domains.
To add a Private user:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Add
User button.
2. The Add User window (Figure 70) appears.
3. Select the Private User option button (Figure 72).

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 Figure 72 - Add User Window (Private)

4. In the Username field, enter a user name.

5. In the Password field, enter a password.
6. In the Password Confirmation field, re-enter the new password.
7. Click OK to create the Private user. It will be added to the list of users and/or groups
currently defined (refer to Figure 71 for a sample list of defined users and groups).
Note: The user name cannot be added if there is already a configured User or Group with
that same name.

Add Group
Groups are used to group users together so that they can share common permissions. Groups are
not necessary to use OPC Security. However, they are convenient when you need to apply common
permissions to multiple users. A group must contain at least one user, and any combination of
users can be grouped together.
Note: A user can exist in multiple groups, but if two or more of the groups have the same
configured path (refer to the Edit User section), and each group defines a permission (Allow/Deny)
for the type of access, then the group whose name alphabetically comes first is used.
There are two types of groups for which security can be configured: NT Groups and Private
Groups.
NT Group
To add an NT group:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Add
Group button.

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 2. The Add Group window (Figure 73) appears. The NT Group option button is selected by
default. This will allow the addition of an NT group from a Windows NT Domain.

Figure 73 - Add Group Window (NT)

3. By default, the local machine name appears in the From this Location field. To browse to
a different location, click the Locations button.
4. The Group field can be entered manually. Clicking on the Check Group button performs
validation on the entered group. The group names are the same as the Windows NT domain
group names used on the network. To avoid manually entering a group, click on the Search
button, and select a group from the displayed list of groups.
5. To add the selected group, click on the OK button. The group is then added to the list of
users and/or groups currently defined (refer to Figure 71 for a sample list of defined users
and groups).
6. The Edit <Groupname> window (Figure 83) appears (for NT Groups, there is only the
Permissions tab). Follow the instructions in the Edit Group section for adding
permissions.
Private Group
To add a Private Group:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Add
Group button.
2. The Add Group window (Figure 73) appears.
3. Select the Private Group option button (Figure 74).

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 Figure 74 - Add Group Window (Private)

4. Enter a name for the group to be created. The group is private and will only exist in the OPC
server. The group cannot be created if there is already a configured user or group with that
same name.
5. Click on the OK button to create the group. It will be added to the list of users and/or
groups currently defined (refer to Figure 71 for a sample list of defined users and groups).
6. The Edit <Groupname> window (Figure 83) appears. Follow the instructions in the Edit
Group section for adding permissions.

Duplicate
Another way to create a new user or group is to duplicate an existing one.
To create a new user or group via duplication:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, right-click your
mouse on the user or group you wish to duplicate.
2. From the displayed menu, select Duplicate.
3. The Enter New Name window (Figure 75) appears.

Figure 75 - Enter New Name Window

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 4. Enter a name for the new user or group to be created.
5. Click on the OK button. There must not already be a configured user or group with that
same name. The new user or group will then appear in the list, and will contain the same
properties as the duplicated parent (i.e., original) user or group.

Edit
Once the desired users and/or groups are defined, they must be edited to configure their
respective permissions.
Note: Permissions can also be defined for the user Everyone, which is defined as the default user.
For every NT user not configured in the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility, the user
Everyone is used for determining security permissions.
Permissions for allowing/denying browsing, adding items, reading items, and writing items can be
configured. Permissions are defined for users and groups for a particular location in the servers
address space hierarchy. A location can either be a tag (i.e., OPC Item ID) or a path leading up to
an item.
Edit User
To edit a user:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, either:
Double-click your mouse on the user you wish to edit, or
Right-click your mouse on the required user and select Edit User from the displayed
menu, or
Click your mouse on the required user, and then select the Edit button.
2. The Edit <Username> window (Figure 76) appears.
Notes:
In this example, the user being edited is User1 so the windows title reads Edit
User1.
There are two tabs on this window: Permissions and General. The General tab
only appears for private users.

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 Figure 76 - Edit <Username> Window (Permissions Tab)

Permissions
On the Permissions tab, the permissions associated with this user relating to browsing, adding,
reading, and writing for any specific paths or OPC items are configured. The Configured Paths
screen section lists the paths and/or OPC items for which permissions are defined. The
Permissions screen section indicates those permissions with option buttons, which can be set to
Allow, Deny, or Unspecified. Selecting Unspecified directs the OPC Framework to look for the
permission higher up in the hierarchy.
From the Permissions tab, when the Add button is selected, the Add Permission screen is
displayed. In the Server Address Space screen section, folders and items are shown as nodes are
selected and expanded.
Red folders indicate a null branch. This means that the item names below this branch do not
contain the branch name, so permissions set on the branch will not reflect on Add, Write, and
Read permissions for the items below the branch. To properly set permissions on the items below
the branch, they have to be set on the items themselves.
Figure 77 provides an example of a null branch and items below it, all of which are outlined in
black.

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 Figure 77 - Add Permission Screen (Server Address Space)

When browsing, using the example in the diagram above, Simulation Items is a null branch
(identified by the red folder), Saw-toothed Waves is a non-null branch, and Int1 is an item.
Setting permissions on the Simulation Items branch does not affect Read, Write, and Add
permissions for the Saw-toothed Waves branch of the Int1 item below that. This is because
when adding the Int1 item, the item ID of the Int1 item is actually Saw-toothed Waves.Int1
and not Simulation Items\Saw-toothed Waves.Int1.
Setting Read, Write, and Add permissions for the Saw-toothed Waves branch will affect the
items below as Saw-toothed Waves is part of the item ID of the Int1 item (Saw-toothed
Waves.Int1), and therefore the Saw-toothed Waves folder does not appear as a red folder like
the Simulation Items folder does.
Note: User permissions override group permissions. For example, if a defined group is denied
writing privileges to an OPC item, Random.Int4, while a defined user (a member of that group) is
allowed writing privilege to Random items (Random.<itemID>), then the user permissions would
take precedence for that OPC item (even though the permissions relating to the group are a better
match for the OPC item, Random.Int4).
To edit a users permissions:
1. Click on the Add button to begin configuring permissions for the current user.
2. The Add User Permission window (Figure 78) appears. This window allows you to browse
the OPC server address space to find either a path in the hierarchy, or a particular OPC
item.

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 Figure 78 - Add User Permission Window

3. Expand on the server address spaces root node and continue to browse to the desired path
in the hierarchy, or the desired OPC item.
Note: Branches (i.e., folders) that are red in colour (see Figure 79) are not part of an items
path, but rather are used for browsing organization. Configuring permissions for adding,
reading, and writing will not affect items below it. For more information, refer to
Permissions.

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 Figure 79 - Add Permission Window: Browsing Server Address Space

4. Click on the OK button.

5. The selected path or item will be listed in the Configured Paths screen section of the Edit
User window. Permissions can now be assigned, as in the example depicted in Figure 80.
Note: In this example, User1 is allowed to browse the Random path of the OPC servers
address space. Adding privileges are denied, and Reading and Writing privileges are
unspecified.

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 Figure 80 - Edit <Username>: Example

On the General tab (Figure 81) of the Edit <Username> window, the name and password of the
user can be changed.
To edit a users name:
1. Enter a new name in the Name field.
2. Click on the OK button.

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 Figure 81 - Edit <Username> Window (General Tab)

To change the users password:

1. Click on the Reset Password button. The Reset Password window (Figure 82) appears.

Figure 82 - Reset Password Window

2. Enter the new password in the Password field.

3. Re-enter the password in the Password Confirmation field.
4. Click on the OK button.

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Edit Group
To edit a group:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, either:
Double-click your mouse on the group you wish to edit, or
Right-click your mouse on the required group and select Edit Group from the
displayed menu, or
Click your mouse on the required group and then select the Edit button.
2. The Edit <Groupname> window (Figure 83) appears.
Notes:
In this example, the group being edited is Group1 so the windows title reads Edit
Group1.
For Private Groups, there are three tabs on this window: Permissions, General,
and Members. For NT Groups, there is only the Permissions tab.

Figure 83 - Edit <Groupname> Window (Permissions Tab)

On the Permissions tab, the permissions associated with this group relating to browsing, adding,
reading, and writing for any specific paths or OPC items are configured. Refer to the Edit User
section regarding configuration on the Permissions tab. Group and user permissions are
configured in the same way.

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On the General tab (Figure 84) of the Edit <Groupname> window, the name of the group can
be changed.
To edit a groups name:
1. Enter a new name in the Name field.
2. Click on the OK button.

Figure 84 - Edit <Groupname> Window (General Tab)

On the Members tab (Figure 85), the users that are part of the current group are defined. By
default, the Group Members screen section is empty. In Figure 85, User1 has been added to
Group1.

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 Figure 85 - Edit <Groupname> Window (Members Tab)

To add one or more members to the group:

1. Click on the Add button. The Add Existing User window (Figure 86) appears.

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 Figure 86 - Add Existing User Window

2. The Members screen section lists all the defined users from which you may choose. Select
one or more desired users to become members of the group.
3. Click on the OK button. The selected user or users appear in the Group Members screen
section on the Members tab (Figure 85).
To remove a user from the group:
1. Select that user in the Group Members screen section.
2. Click on the Remove button.
Notes:
If a user name and a group name (to which the user belongs) have permissions
defined for the same location, the user name will be used. If a user belongs to two
groups that have permissions defined for the same location, the group that is
alphabetically first will be used.
The exact location (full item ID for reading, writing, and adding, or the full path for
browsing) is always looked for first when determining the permission for a particular
user. If the exact location is not found, or is found but does not contain a defined
permission, then the closest match in location is looked at next, and so on. The root
location (i.e., empty string) will always match, and is used if no partial location
match is made.

Delete
To delete a previously added user or group:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, either:
Select the required user or group from the list and click on the Delete button
(Figure 71), or

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 For a group, right-click your mouse on the required group and select Delete Group
from the displayed menu, or
For a user, right-click your mouse on the required user and select Delete User from
the displayed menu

Change Password
To change the security password for the OPC server:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Change
Password button (Figure 68).
2. The Change Password window (Figure 87) appears.

Figure 87 - Change Password Window

3. Enter the old password for the current OPC server.

4. Enter and confirm the desired new password.
5. Click on the OK button.
Note: Changes are applied in the Utility main window by clicking on either the OK or
Apply button.

Examples
This section contains examples of tag security settings made via the MatrikonOPC Tag Security
Configuration Utility, and the impact of these settings.
Default
The default tag security configuration provided is quite simplistic as is shown in Table 54:

User/Group Configured Paths Browse Add Read Write

Everyone \ Allow Allow Allow Allow
Table 54 - Default Tag Security

As no users or groups are defined, any NT user connecting to the OPC server will use the
Everyone default user for permissions. Only the root level location is defined under the
Configured Paths list, which gives full permissions to the entire OPC server. An administrator will
want to change these default settings for the OPC server to provide more security on its tags.

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Example 1
Table 55 contains a possible tag security configuration enforces complete restricted access except
for the NT user DOMAIN\Admin:

User/Group Configured Paths Browse Add Read Write

Everyone \ Deny Deny Deny Deny
DOMAIN\Admin \ Allow Allow Allow Allow
Table 55 - Example 1

At this point, more users can be added which belong to a more restricted group. This group may be
denied write capability or restricted to certain areas in the server hierarchy.
Example 2
Following is an example of a tag security configuration for the MatrikonOPC Server for Simulation
and Testing, with sample use-cases. Table 56 lists all defined users and groups and their
associated permissions. Table 57 indicates which users are members of the defined groups.
Unspec. permission indicates Unspecified. Groups in this example are Private Groups.

User/Group Configured Paths Browse Add Read Write

Everyone \ Allow Deny Deny Deny
Everyone Configured Aliases Deny Unspec. Unspec. Unspec.
DOMAIN\john.doe
DOMAIN\fred.stone
DOMAIN\sally.simpson
DOMAIN\the.admin
Supervisor \ Deny Allow Allow Deny
Restricted (group)
Common (group) \ Allow Allow Allow Deny
Common (group) Triangle Waves Deny Deny Deny Deny
Admin (group) \ Allow Allow Allow Allow
Admin (group) Bucket Brigade.Int4 Unspec. Unspec. Unspec. Deny
Table 56 - Example 2: Permissions

User/Group Configured Paths

Restricted DOMAIN\john.doe
Common DOMAIN\fred.stone, DOMAIN\sally.simpson
Admin DOMAIN\the.admin
Table 57 - Example 2: Groups and Members

Tip 1
Adding a user name and not defining any permissions for that user name (or any group it belongs
to), will completely restrict their access to information in the OPC server.

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Case 1
User DOMAIN\john.doe connects. The user is unable to perform any function at any level, since
no permissions have been defined for this user name or the Restricted group to which it belongs.
Tip 2
Use the root location to define permissions for locations that have not been defined. Use the
default user to define permissions for users that are not listed.
Case 2
User DOMAIN\no.name connects. This name is not defined so the default user permissions are
used. At the root level location, the default user can browse but no more. The only other location
where permissions are defined for the default user is Configured Aliases here browsing is
denied and adding, reading, and writing permissions are not defined. Thus, DOMAIN\no.name
will be able to browse the entire server except the Configured Aliases branch and all aliases
under it. Also, DOMAIN\no.name will not be able to do any item addition, reading, or writing.
Since item addition, reading, and writing permissions were not defined for the default user for
under Configured Aliases, it would use the permissions defined at the root level.
Case 3
User DOMAIN\fred.stone connects. This user belongs to the defined group Common. At the root
level, the group Common can browse, add, and read items, but writing is denied. The only other
location which defines permissions for this group is Triangle Waves. This location has denied all
permissions for the Common group.
Case 4
User Supervisor connects through the private security interface and logs on. This user does not
belong to any group, but its name has a root level permission which allows it to add and read
items. No other locations have permissions defined. Since the user cannot browse, it will need to
know the item syntax for any items it wishes to add and read.
Case 5
User DOMAIN\the.admin connects. This user belongs to the Admin group, which at the root
level has all permissions allowed. The only other location where the Admin group has permissions
defined, is the full item ID Bucket Brigade.Int4. This user is unable to write to that item.
However, the root permissions for browsing, adding, and reading the item apply as they are not
defined at this level.

Security Details
ACL File
The permissions that the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility creates are stored in
a file named ACL.sec that is located in the same directory as the MatrikonOPC server executable:
C:\Program Files\Matrikon\OPC\< OPC Server Name >\.
ACL.sec is encrypted with 256-bit AES using the password key that was provided during
installation (or changed in the security utility).
If ACL.sec is missing from its location above, then the OPC server will deny all users access to all
browsing, adding, reading, and writing functionality.
Note: It is advised that this file is backed up and stored somewhere safe, once tag security
configuration has been completed. In the event that this file is lost or deleted by accident, simply
transfer the stored backup (if one was made) to the directory stated above. If ACL.sec becomes
deleted and no backup was made, tag security will need to be re-configured.

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Run-Time Tag Security Configuration
Tag security can be configured and updated while a MatrikonOPC server is running. This run-time
security configuration can be controlled using the #MonitorACLFile OPC item (found in the root
branch when browsing the server).
The #MonitorACLFile is a boolean OPC tag that has a default value of True when the server
starts which indicates that the tag security permissions are monitored and applied while the server
is running. By adding this item to an OPC group and writing a value of False to this item, the
server no longer applies tag security configuration changes while the server is running. The server
would need to be stopped and restarted for the changes to take effect.
By disabling the ability of run-time tag security configuration, a malicious user that has access to
the machine cannot delete the ACL file and thus remove all user permissions for OPC security. Run-
time tag security configuration can be re-enabled when changes to the tag security need to be
made, and then disabled again once they have been applied.
Security should be applied to the #MonitorACLFile tag so that unauthorized users are unable to
control this ability described above.
Client Connections and Private Log On
When an OPC client connects to the server, the OPC Framework impersonates the client and
determines the name of the NT user that is running the client. This client name (consisting of the
domain name and the user for that domain) is what the OPC Framework uses when checking
permissions set in the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility. If this NT user was not
added in the Users & Groups list (Figure 71), then the user Everyone is used instead.
If the OPC client chooses to use the IOPCSecurityPrivate interface, it must call the Logon() function
and provide a name and password. The OPC Framework will immediately look for the private user
in the Users & Groups list (Figure 71). If the user is found and the password provided is correct,
the Logon() result is successful and the user name provided replaces the NT user that was obtained
through impersonation. If not found, the Logon() result is failure and the NT user remains as the
name used for security permissions. When the OPC client calls Logoff(), the NT user becomes the
name used for security permissions.

Determining Permission
Whenever a browsing, item addition, read, or write operation is performed by the OPC client, the
OPC Framework will call a permission routine to determine if permission is allowed or denied. Three
pieces of information are always sent to this routine call:
1. Identity
2. Location
3. Type
Identity is the user name described in the previous section either the NT domain name, a private
name, or the default user Everyone. In addition, identity includes any groups (private or NT) that
the user belongs to. Location is either the full item ID or a partial path in the server hierarchy.
Type is the access type: browsing, item addition, reading, or writing. Each piece of information is
checked in the order listed above.
The following information details the procedure used in determining permission rights:
1. Look for a permission match with the NT domain name or private name. This step occurs
only if the NT domain name or private name has been defined in the Users & Groups list.

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 2. If a permission match was not yet found, look for one using each group defined in the
Users & Groups list that the NT domain name or private name belongs to. The first group
that contains a permission match will be the one used. An NT domain name does not need
to be defined in the Users & Groups list for a group it belongs to, to have a permission
match. The NT domain name must be part of Group Members for private groups, or in the
Active Directory for NT groups.
3. If a permission match was not yet found, look for a permission match using the default user
Everyone.
The procedure used in finding a permission match for a particular identity is as follows:
1. Check whether the exact location is found in the Configured Paths list for the identity. If
found:
a. Check whether the permission type (browse, add, read, or write) is specified
(Figure 80). If the permission type is specified for the action being performed, a
match is found and the permission (either allow or deny) is used.
2. If a permission match was not found in step 1a, check whether a partial match of the
location is found in the Configured Paths list for the identity. A partial match is always a
sub-string of the given location that starts with the same characters. This represents
starting from the root location and moving down the browsing hierarchy.
For example, the location Random is a partial match of the full item ID Random.String.
However, String is not a partial match (even if it is a sub-string) because it does not match
the first seven characters. The root location \ is considered a partial match for every full
item ID.
For each partial match from step 2, apply step 1a. The best partial match (i.e., the one that
has the most characters) that is successful in step 1a is the one whose permission is used.
Example
The following is an example of a tag security configuration. Table 58 lists all defined users and their
associated permissions.

User/Group Configured Paths Browse Add Read Write

Everyone
DOMAIN\john.doe \ Allow Allow Allow Allow
DOMAIN\john.doe Random Allow Deny Deny Deny
DOMAIN\john.doe Random.Int Allow Allow Allow Allow
Table 58 - Example 2: Permissions

The user DOMAIN\john.doe wants to read the item Random.Int4. The permission routine would
not be able to find an exact location match under the Configured Paths list. However, it would
loop through each partial match in the Configured Paths list looking for a defined permission. The
location Random.Int would be the closest match and the permission would be ALLOW.
The user DOMAIN\john.doe wants to read the item Random.Real4. The permission routine
would not be able to find an exact location match under the Configured Paths list. However, it
would loop through each partial match in the Configured Paths list looking for a defined permission.
The location Random would be the closest match and the permission would be DENY.

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 Appendix F Offline Mode
Introduction
Offline mode allows the MatrikonOPC Server Framework to be disconnected to the end device, but
still return data as if the date was coming from it. This is useful in two situations:
1. A configuration can be set up with to interact with any hardware, allowing any problems in
the configuration to be worked out without having them affect the device.
2. Diagnosing problems becomes much simpler when an implementer can remove the device
hardware from the architecture.
Offline mode can be applied to the entire configuration of a MatrikonOPC server or to a portion of
it.

Offline Mode Toggling

A Boolean control item, named #OfflineMode, is provided at each branch in a MatrikonOPC server
browsing hierarchy. Adding this item will allow an OPC client to monitor the offline mode for that
location using read operations and provide the ability to toggle offline mode for that location using
write operations.
When reading the item #OfflineMode, the value True represents enabled and the value False
represents disabled. Likewise, writing a value of True to #OfflineMode enables offline mode and
writing a value of False to #OfflineMode disables offline mode. When offline mode is toggled at a
particular location in the hierarchy, it also toggles offline mode for all branches underneath it in
hierarchy. For example, if offline mode was enabled at the root in the hierarchy, every branch
would have its offline mode enabled. Upon server start-up, every branch has the #OfflineMode
item set to False (i.e., offline mode is disabled).

Offline Mode Item Values

When offline mode is enabled at a particular location in the browsing hierarchy, all OPC items at
that location generate random values according to their data type (the Date data type is the one
exception to this). Table 59 shows the value behavior for each data type:

Data Type Behavior

Boolean (VT_BOOL) True or False.
Character (VT_I1) Value between -128 and 127.
16-bit Integer (VT_I2) Value between -32768 and 32767.
32-bit Integer (VT_I4 and VT_INT) Value between -2147483648 and 2147483647.
Byte (VT_UI1) Value between 0 and 255.
Word (VT_UI2) Value between 0 and 65525.
Double Word (VT_UI4 and VT_UINT) Value between 0 and 4294967295.
Float (VT_R4) Value between -13388.5962 and 13388.5962.
Value between -8345.512588035 and
Double (VT_R8)
8345.512588035.
Date (VT_DATE) Current system time.

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 Data Type Behavior
String (VT_BSTR) Simulated or Data.
Table 59 - Offline Mode Item Values

Operational Effects
When offline mode is enabled at a particular location in a servers hierarchy, there is no
communication between the server and the end-device/application to which the location refers.

Note: Some servers allow communication to multiple

devices/applications. To ensure there is no communication in the
entire server, offline mode should be enabled at the root level.

To ensure that there is no communication when offline mode is enabled, the MatrikonOPC Server
Framework will disable the object associated with that branch. When an object is disabled due to
offline mode, the Enabled checkbox will be cleared (i.e., unselected) in its panel within the
configuration utility. Enabling the object will have no effect while the object has offline mode
enabled. When offline mode is disabled for that particular object, the MatrikonOPC Server
Framework will re-enable it and the Enabled checkbox will be selected (i.e., checked) once again.

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Appendix G SCADA Servers Connection Logic
Introduction
In MatrikonOPC SCADA servers the data is polled in a round-robin mechanism (as long as the items
belong to the same Channel Device link). This means that the OPC items will be scanned in
sequence depending on the unit device links to which they belong. If one of the device links fails,
then the server will apply the retry sequence on this device link. If after applying the retry
sequence, the device link is still failing, the server will move to the next device link in the
sequence. The failing device link will be treated differently then the rest of the working device links
based on the failure and reconnection logic settings that were entered for that particular device
link.

Polling
Polling is described as the operation where the server requests and extracts data from the device.
As explained in the Introduction section of this appendix, polling is done in a round-robin
mechanism depending on which device links are currently being scanned.
Every Channel device link does its own polling for all of its sub-device links. If your server
configuration contains multiple Channel device links then they will do the polling independently of
each other.
Note: If a unit device link does not have any items added by an OPC client, it will disconnect until
a client requests items that belong to that unit device link. Some servers, like the MatrikonOPC
Server for SCADA DNP3, may have an option to force a unit device link to stay connected at all
times.

Connection Failures and Reconnection Logic

In the case of a connection failure, the reconnection logic (meaning the timeout values, retries
counts, and other related options) applied will depend on the type of device link that failed.
Example:
Suppose in our configuration we have a Network Channel device link called Channel. Under the
Network Channel device link we have a Network Host device link named Host. Under the Host
device link we have multiple unit device links (U1, U2).
If failure happens due to an IP Address problem, the reconnection logic applied will depend on the
values and options defined in the Host device link.
If a failure happens due to a Unit Address problem, the reconnection logic parameters will be those
defined in the unit device link that failed.

Figure 88 - Example

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Appendix H Features and Examples
Introduction
This appendix describes the common features and newest enhancements added for the
MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3, complete with examples.

Round-Robin Example
As explained in Appendix G SCADA Servers Connection Logic, all of the MatrikonOPC SCADA
servers poll in a round-robin mechanism. The MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3 is not an
exception to that. The best way to explain that is by an example:
Example 1 (Unit Device Link Failure)
Suppose your OPC client is currently scanning the following items (or tags):
A1, A2, and A3 from device link Unit A
B1, B2, and B3 from device link Unit B
C1, C2, and C3 from device link Unit C.
During polling, scanning will go through device link Unit A followed by device link Unit B, and
finally device link Unit C. The items are then read in the following order:
A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3

Figure 89 - Example 1

Suppose that the communication on Unit B failed for any reason. For this example, we will imagine
that the failure came from the unit device link itself and that all of its parent device links are fine.
In the next polling cycle, items A1, A2, and A3 are scanned and the server identifies the fact that
there is a problem accessing the items that belong to Unit B. The server then applies the number
of connection retries defined in the Retries field on the Data Acquisition tab.
After the specified number of retries is consumed, scanning will continue on to the next device link,
and then the next, in order. In the next polling cycle, if Unit B is still failing the server will check

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the Failed Polls Allowed option on the Data Acquisition tab. This option is used to specify how
many more cycles the server will try the number of retries defined in the Retries field before
determining the connection has failed and setting the Quality for all to Bad, Last Known Value.
After the number of poll cycles defined in the Failed Polls Allowed field has elapsed, the device
link will no longer be in the polling sequence. This means that Unit C will be scanned directly after
Unit A, and Unit B will be skipped.
At this point the server will check the Reconnect delay option defined in Unit B and it will only try
to connect to Unit B at that delay interval. That is, if Reconnect delay is set to X, the server will
try to connect to Unit B every X seconds. Then, every time the server tries to connect to Unit B it
will apply the number of retries defined in the Reconnect retries field.
The previous scenario can be summed up in the following steps:
1. Unit B disconnects due to a communication failure.

Figure 90 - Unit B Fails

2. The retry sequence is applied to Unit B and the server continues scanning the remaining
device links.

Figure 91 - Retry Applied on Unit B Items

3. The server checks the Failed Polls Allowed counter. If the counter has not yet been
exceeded, the same retry sequence is applied to Unit B in the next poll, and the Quality
for the items stay Good.

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 Figure 92 - Failed Polls Allowed Counter

4. After the Failed Polls Allowed counter has been exceeded, the Quality of the those items
that belong to Unit B will change to Bad and it is removed from the polling sequence.

Figure 93 - Unit B Confirmed Failure

5. The server checks the Reconnect delay interval and if it passes, the server tries to
reconnect to Unit B again.

Figure 94 - Reconnect Delay

6. Thereafter, the number of retries applied is that which has been defined in the Reconnect
retries field of Unit B.

Figure 95 - Reconnect Retries

Note: The reconnection logic applied depends on which type of device link failed to connect. For
example, if what fails is the Modbus Unit address (defined in the unit device link) then the
reconnection logic applied will depend on the options defined in the unit device link. On the other
hand, if what fails is the Socket then the reconnection logic applied will depend on the options
defined in the Network Host device link.

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Writes OPC Item
Under any Channel device link, there is an OPC item called Writes. This OPC item was designed to
prevent the writes from taking up the whole channel bandwidth. This item can be accessed and
edited through OPC. This item indicates the number of successive writes allowed before forcing the
next poll in the queue for that specific Network Channel. If the value of that item is set to 0 then
the feature will be turned off. After the forced poll is completed, the server will reschedule the polls
for that specific network channel starting now.
Example:
Suppose the OPC client is currently scanning items A, B, and C from the Network Channel, as
well as the Writes OPC item. Suppose the OPC clients update rate is set to 23 seconds.
Assume we performed the following actions:
Wrote 10 in the Writes OPC item.
Wrote 4 successive values in Item A in a time span of 4 seconds.
Wrote 3 successive values in Item B in a time span of 3 seconds.
Wrote 5 successive values in Item C in a time span of 5 seconds.
Since the clients update rate is 23 seconds, the data is requested from the client every 23
seconds, which means polling happens every 23 seconds.
The server will perform the 4 successive writes to Item A, then 3 successive writes to Item B, and
then it will do only 3 of the 5 writes to Item C. The server then forces the next poll to occur
immediately instead of waiting for it until 10 writes have passed. The polls are then rescheduled for
this specific Network Channel starting now, meaning the next poll will happen exactly 23 seconds
from now, and so on.

PacketSent and PacketReceived OPC Items

PacketSent and PacketReceived OPC items are found only under the unit device links and they
can only be accessed through OPC. The PacketSent item shows the last packet that was sent from
the server in a hexadecimal format. The PacketReceived OPC item shows the last packet that was
received from the device in a hexadecimal format.

Figure 96 - Packets Sent and Received at a Certain Point

Note: These OPC items update at the rate the client requests. So, if the packets are sent out or
received faster than the update rate, the OPC client will miss some of the hexadecimal data.

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Total Reads and Writes Indicators
For any type of device link in the MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA DNP3, there are four OPC items
(or counters) that can be used to monitor the total number of write or read request packets that
are being sent by the server. This is also the case for the total number of reply packets received
from the device. Those items are accessible through OPC and can be found under any type of a
device link. The four items are defined as follows:
TotalReadsSent - the number of read request packets sent by the server through this
specific device link until now.
TotalReadsReceived - the number of reply packets received from the device until now, in
response to the read requests.
TotalWritesSent - the number of write request packets sent by the server through this
specific device link until now.
TotalWritesReceived - the number of reply packets received from the device until now, in
response to the write requests.
Figure 97 shows an example where the number of packets is being monitored for every type of
device link. The server configuration being used contains the Network Channel device link Nc, the
Network Host device link H2 and the Modbus Unit device link U.

Figure 97 - Server Configuration

Figure 98 - Monitoring Request and Reply Counters from the Client

In Figure 98 we can see that the number of read packets sent by Nc.H2.U (which is the full path of
the unit device link U) was 2811. The same unit device link received 5620 packets meaning that
for every request packet being sent by the server, there is an average of approximately 2 reply
packets received from the device.
We can also see that the total number of write requests that was sent by the server (i.e.,
TotalWritesSent) is 1 which means that only one write operation was done up until this point.
This write operation had 2 reply packets received from the device to indicate success or failure.

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In this example, the values of those counters were the same for the different type of device links.
It should be noted that is not always the case. If the Network Host device link had two unit device
links being scanned instead of one, the values of the counters on the Network Host device link will
be more than those of its individual unit device links. This is because it will be the summation of
the number of packets of all of its sub-device links that are currently being scanned by the OPC
client.
Note: The qualities of any of the four OPC items will be Bad until a write or a read operation is
completed for the device link to which they belong.

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 Appendix I OPC Items
Introduction
This appendix explains the OPC items that can be found in SCADA servers and what they are used
for.

Base OPC Items

These OPC items are found in the Root Device Link of the server. This link is the root for all of the
configured device links.

OPC Item Description

A Boolean that indicates if the server is currently monitoring the Access List
#MonitorACLFile
file or not (i.e., if the security is enabled or not).
@Clients A string the shows the clients the server is currently connected to.
If 1 is written to that item, all of the device links that are marked for deletion
Purge
will be removed as long as they are neither enabled nor connected to a client.
Table 60 - Root Device Link OPC Items

Generic OPC Items

OPC Item Description
Bpsin Number of bytes received by the server per second.
Bpsout A counter indicating the number of bytes sent from the server per second.
Broadcast Number of broadcast packets sent until now.
Bytesin Number of bytes received by the server until now.
Bytesout Number of bytes sent from the server until now.
A counter indicating the number of times a check sum error or invalid
Checksumerror
response occurs.
A Boolean that indicates whether communication failed or not on that specific
Commfail
device link. This option exists in all types of device links
Shows the configuration for that type of device link in a string format. This
Configuration
option exists for all types of device links
Connected A Boolean that indicates whether that specific device link is connected or not.
Indicates the full path for the unit device link in a blank string that is currently
polling. It should be noted that if the polling operation is very fast, you might
Currentunit
not have a chance to see the value because when the polling is done the
value returns to a blank string.
Deleted Disables the device link and mark it for deletion.
Description Description defined for the current device link.
Enabled Indicates whether the device link is enabled or not.
Errorresponse The number of errors received from the device until now for the current

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 object.
Number of failures that happened up until now, for the current object. The
Failure same value can be seen in the servers GUI in the lower left-hand side under
the name Failed.
Incomplete A counter indicating the number of incomplete responses from the device.
A counter that indicates the number of invalid or incomplete responses from
Invalid
the server.
A timestamp that shows the time of the last response received from the
Lastresponse
device.
Lastsent A timestamp that shows the time the last packet was sent to the device.
Name The name of the current object.
Noresponse A counter that increments when there is no response from the device.
A counter that indicates the number of overruns that happened up until now.
Overrun
This counter can also be seen in the servers GUI the lower left-hand side.
The percentage of number of packets received compared to the number of
Precentreturn
packets sent.
The percentage between (the total packets initially sent + the retries) and
Percentvalid
(the total packets received + the error responses).
Pollcomplete The number of polls completed up until now.
Received The number of packets received up until now.
reconnectDelay The value set for the reconnect delay option in the servers GUI.
Resetstats Resets the statistics of the server.
Retried A counter for the number of retries accomplished up until now.
Scan A Boolean that is True if the object is currently scanning.
A counter that indicates the number of packets sent from this object up until
Sent now. This option can only be seen in the lower left-hand side of the servers
GUI.
TimeOut A counter indicating the number of timeouts.
TotalReadsReceived The total number of read packets received to the current object up until now.
TotalReadsSent The total number of read packets sent from the current object up until now.
TotalWritesReceived The total number of write packets received to the current object up until now.
TotalWritesSent The total number of write packets sent from the current object up until now.
Totalsent Total number of packets sent from the current object and any sub-objects.
Totalreceived Total number of packets received to the current object and any sub-objects.
Unsolicited A counter indicating the number of unsolicited messages.
Table 61 - Generic OPC Items

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 Network Channel Object OPC Items
OPC Item Description
An OPC item that gives access to the Inter-Device Delay option which
allows you to enter a value specifying the minimum amount of time (in
InterDeviceDelay
milliseconds) between the last response from one unit, and the next request
to another unit on this channel.
An OPC item that gives access to the Log bytes received option which shows
LogRx the hexadecimal format of the packets received in the log file (-1 means the
option is enabled and 0 means the option is disabled).
An OPC item that gives access to the Log bytes transmitted option which
LogTx shows the hexadecimal format of the packets sent in the log file (-1 means
the option is enabled and 0 means the option is disabled).
MaxUnsolicited Maximum unsolicited messages allowed. Default is 2048.
MinUnsolicited Minimum unsolicited messages allowed. Default is 4.
Writes This OPC item is fully explained in Appendix H Features and Examples.
This OPC item allows access to the Schedule all polls checkbox in the
Scheduleallpolls
servers GUI.
This OPC item allows access to the Threshold rate field in the servers GUI.
Threshold The OPC item is measured in milliseconds, whereas the field itself in the
servers interface is in seconds.
Table 62 - Network Channel OPC Items

Network Host Object OPC Items

OPC Item Description
The value of the socket timeout. This is the same as the Socket timeout field
SocketTO
in the servers GUI for the network host object.
The IP address of the remote device. This is the same as the Host name/IP
Host
field in the servers GUI for the network host object.
The port number of the remote device. This is the same as the Service
Service
name/port field in the servers GUI for the network host object.
The reconnect delay configured for the connection. This is the same as the
Reconnectdelay
Reconnect delay field in the servers GUI for the network host object.
Table 63 - Network Host OPC Items

Fail-Over Channel Object OPC Items

OPC Item Description
User name assigned to the object, which becomes an element of the item ID
Name
for data items. Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Enabled Enables or disables communication for the object.
Description User-defined text (64-character maximum) for documentation purposes.

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Configuration Shows the configuration for the Fail-Over Channel object.
Table 64 - Fail-Over Channel OPC Items

Serial Channel Object OPC Items

OPC Item Description
User name assigned to the object, which becomes an element of the item ID
Name
for data items. Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Enabled Enables or disables communication for the object.
Description User-defined text (64-character maximum) for documentation purposes.
This OPC item allows you to enter the COM port number for the connected
Device
device.
This OPC item is for entering the Baud rate of the communication through
Baud OPC. Values range between 110 and 256000.
Default = 9600.
This OPC item displays and allows selecting the type of parity to be used.
Parity Options available are 0-none, 1-odd, 2-even, 3-mark, and 4-space.
Default = none.
This OPC item is for entering the number of data bits through OPC. Values
Databits range between 4 and 8.
Default = 8.
This OPC item is for entering the number of stop bits through OPC. Values
Stopbits available are 1, 1.5, and 2.
Default = 1.
Same as the RTS Line option in the GUI. Select a Request To Send (RTS)
preset. Available options are 0-disable, 1-enable, 2-handshake, and 3-
RTScontrol toggle.
Default = disable.
Same as the DTS Line option in the GUI. Allows you to select a Data Terminal
DTRcontrol Ready (DTR) Available options are 0-disable, 1-enable, and 2-handshake.
Default = disable.
This OPC item allows you to enable or disable Data Set Ready (DSR) flow
control.
OutxDsrFlow
Default = 0. A value of -1 indicates that the option is enabled and a value of 0
indicates the option is disabled.
This OPC item allows you to enable or disable Data Set Ready (DSR).
DSRsensitivity Default = 0. A value of -1 indicates that the option is enabled and a value of 0
indicates the option is disabled.
This OPC item allows you to enable or disable Clear To Send (CTS) flow
control.
OutxCtsFlow
Default = 0. A value of -1 indicates that the option is enabled and a value of 0
indicates the option is disabled.

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 OPC Item Description
This OPC item allows you to enable or disable XON/XOFF software flow
control.
OutxOnOffFlow
Default = 0. A value of -1 indicates that the option is enabled and a value of 0
indicates the option is disabled.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the minimum amount of
time (in milliseconds) between the last request/response to/from one unit and
Interdevicedelay the next request to another unit on this channel. If this OPC Item is set to 0
then the option will be disabled.
Default = 0.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the minimum amount of
time (in seconds) to wait before attempting to recover communications after
Reconnectdelay the communication channel itself has failed.
Default = 1.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the maximum achievable
scan interval (in seconds) for the circuit. The server polls items with update
rates faster than this on a continuous basis. Changing this option requires the
Threshold server re-optimize communications with all units on this channel. If it is set to
0 then the option is turned off.
Default = 0.
Note: All units on the channel must re-optimize if this parameter changes.
This OPC item is the same as the Schedule all polls option in the servers
GUI. When this option is enabled, rather than polling them continuously, the
ScheduleAllPolls server schedules items with update rates faster than the threshold rate to poll
at the threshold rate.
Default = 1.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the maximum amount of
time (in milliseconds) between the reception of one character and the arrival
ReadIntervalTimeout of the next. A value of 0 indicates no limit.
Default = 0.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the minimum amount of
time (in milliseconds) for DCD to be low before transmitting to avoid
backoffDelay collisions. Set both backoff delay and backoff random items to 0 to ignore
DCD.
Default = 0.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the maximum amount of
extra random time (in milliseconds) for DCD to be low before transmitting. Set
backoffRandom both backoff delay and backoff random items to 0 to ignore DCD.
Default = 0.
Table 65 - Serial Channel Object OPC Items

Radio Object OPC Items

OPC Item Description
Name User name assigned to the object, which becomes an element of the item ID

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 OPC Item Description
for data items. Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Enabled Enables or disables communication for the object.
Description User-defined text (64-character maximum) for documentation purposes.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining the minimum amount of
Keyup time (in milliseconds) to wait after setting the RTS signal to allow the
transceiver to warm up.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining the minimum amount of
keydown time (in milliseconds) to wait before clearing the RTS signal to allow the
transceiver to cool down.
Table 66 - Radio Object OPC Items

Dial-Up Object OPC Items

OPC Item Description
Answered Indicates that a call has been answered.
Busy Indicates that the line was busy.
Carrier A Boolean that indicates if there is a carrier for the Dial-Up object or not.
Dialout Indicates that a dial out occurred.
Lastanswered The date of the last time a call was answered.
Lastdialout The date the last time a dial out occurred.
Lastresponse The date of the last response.
Lastsent Last sent time.
Nocarrier Indicates that no carrier was found in the response.
Nodialtone Indicates that there is no dial tone.
Noresponse Indicates that there is no response.
Percentanswered The percentage of calls answered based on the number of dial outs.
User name assigned to the object, which becomes an element of the item ID
Name
for data items. Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Enabled Enables or disables communication for the object
Description User-defined text (64-character maximum) for documentation purposes.
This OPC item allows you to enter any valid sequence of characters that can
Dial
follow an ADT command.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the minimum amount of
PostConnectDelay time (in seconds) to wait after establishing a dial-out connection before
transmitting.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining the maximum number of
Redials times to redial a connection before concluding that communication has failed
with the units on that connection.

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 This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the minimum amount of
ReconnectDelay time (in seconds) to wait before attempting to recover communications after
communication has failed with the connection.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining the maximum number of
ReconnectRedials times to redial when trying to reconnect after communication has failed with a
dial-up connection.
This OPC item allows you to select a modem reset command. This command
Reset
is sent before initialization commands.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value specifying the amount of time (in
ResetDelay
milliseconds) to wait after the reset command completes.
This OPC item allows you to enter modem initialization command or
Initialize commands, issued before dialling out and after hanging up. The command
should always end with E0Q0V1.
This OPC item allows you enter a value to define the maximum number of
CommandRetries times to resend a command wait for a response before concluding that
communication has failed with the modem.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining the maximum amount of
CommandTimeout time (in seconds) to wait for the modem to respond to AT commands with a
valid result code.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining the maximum amount of
DialTimeout time (in seconds) to wait for the modem to receive a carrier from the dialed
connection before aborting the call.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining the maximum amount of
HangupTimeout time (in seconds) to wait for the modem to hang up after issuing the ATH0
command.
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining the maximum amount of
Idle timeout time (in seconds) to allow an idle connection to continue (i.e., no
communication) before hanging up.
This item is the same as the Command terminator option in the GUI. Allows
CarriageReturn you to enter or select a value defining an ASCII character to be used to
terminate commands and responses (usually a carriage return).
This OPC item allows you to enter a value defining an ASCII character that is
EscapeCharacter
sent three times to escape into command mode (usually a plus sign).
This OPC item allows you to enter or select a value defining the amount of
EscapeGuardTime
time (in milliseconds) to wait before and after sending the escape sequence.
Table 67 - Dial-Up Object OPC Items

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