How to connect an OPC DA client

Summary

  1. Download and install Cogent DataHub software.
  2. Start the DataHub, select the OPC DA option.
  3. Check the box for Act as an OPC Server.
  4. Click Apply.
  5. In your OPC client, connect to the Cogent DataHub.1 OPC server.

For more details and options, see the documentation.

Transcript

  1. How to connect an OPC DA Client.
  2. First, download and install Cogent DataHub software.
  3. Start the DataHub, and from the Properties window, select the OPC DA option.
  4. Check the box for Act as an OPC Server.  Then click Apply.
  5. In your OPC client, connect to the OPC server named Cogent DataHub.1.  Add a group, then select your items.
  6. Now you are connected.

Background

OPC Classic Data Access (OPC DA) is a legacy protocol with a wide user base. Learning how to connect an OPC DA client with Cogent DataHub software is a good way to integrate the OPC DA protocol with all of the other supported protocols, like OPC UA, A&E, A&C, as well as MQTT, Modbus, ODBC, and more.

Networking OPC DA requires DCOM, which is difficult to configure and not very secure. Instead, you can use the DataHub Tunnel/Mirror feature to bypass DCOM altogether. It is easy to configure, and it keeps all OPC servers and clients connected during network outages.  Most important, it allows you to keep all inbound firewall ports closed on the OPC server side of the tunnel.

Skkynet provides Cogent DataHub secure-by-design software and services to let you acquire, aggregate, monitor, control visualize, and network live process data in-plant or over insecure external networks, making it ideal for OT to IT and cloud connections.  You can isolate control networks from cyber attacks and integrate industrial data under a unified namespace, all without compromising the plant.

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