OPC Client Driver

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Setting the Poll Rate

Selecting a poll rate to use depends on whether you are using asynchronous or synchronous I/O.

Poll Rate and Asynchronous I/O

If you are using asynchronous I/O, we recommend setting the poll rate to 5 minutes (5:00). Also selectthe Enable Asynchronous Watchdog check box so that the client can periodically request data from theserver. If you do not select this check box, the client must rely on asynchronous callbacks from theOPC server in order to refresh its data cache.

Poll Rate and Synchronous I/O

If you are using synchronous I/O, set the item’s poll rate shorter than your scan time. For example, ifyou have a database block with a scan time of 10 seconds, set the poll rate for the item it accesses to 5seconds. Likewise, set the update rate to be shorter than the scan time and the poll rate.

Keep in mind that if you set poll and update rates for groups to values that are shorter than needed, youimpose unnecessary stress on your system.

Example

• Database block scan time: 10 seconds

• Poll Rate: 5 seconds

• Update Rate: 2 seconds

Using a Zero Poll or Update Rate

Setting the poll rate to zero forces the driver to run at its maximum rate.

Setting the update rate to zero requests the OPC server to update its group at its maximum rate. TheOPC server will return the actual, or revised, rate that it can run at. This revised rate is displayed in theActual Rate field on the group’s statistics display in the OPC Client’s Power Tool.

Troubleshoot ing Your SystemClick the following links for information about troubleshooting your system.

• How Do I?

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Troubleshooting

• The Most Common I/O Driver Problems

• Tools for Troubleshooting the OPC Client

• Using the Windows Event Viewer



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• Using the Data Monitor

• Error Codes

• Getting Technical Support

How Do I?

• Add items to maximize performance?

• Choose poll and update rates?

• Eliminate excess items?

• Set up for remote configuration and control?

• Prevent the driver from writing to the hardware?

• Create reports of my driver configuration files?

• Save items created in iFIX Process Database to the I/O driver configuration file?

• Open the OPC Client Power Tool in iFIX Process Database?

• Configure my driver for demand polling?

• Poll the group only when data is being accessed?

• Set up security for using the I/O Server remotely?

• Set up security when the driver runs as a service?

• Enable or disable servers, groups or items using iFIX?

• Write data to an item using the Block Writes option?

• View my driver statistics?

• Browse an OPC server?• View the driver’s I/O Server Event Window?

Frequently Asked Questions

Consult the frequently asked questions below to find out how to correct common problems with yourI/O driver:

• How do I avoid Asynchronous timeouts when the timeout is set?

• What is causing the error "Databasemanager !Unable to locate Driver Image Table"?

• How do I upgrade a GE Intelligent Platforms OPC Server from one version to another?

• Why do I have to install/register my OPC Server on the Client machine?

• How does the new array support in the OPC Client work with Register tag offsets?

• Why are simultaneous writes to an array in the OPC Client failing?

• What are the RSLinx array size limitations with OPC topics when using ControlLogix processors?



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• Why won't the OPC Client automatically enable items upon startup?

• Where can I find information about DCOM configuration and security?

Troubleshooting

Select from the Troubleshooting tips below to find out how to correct problems with your I/O driver.

• What program or tools can I use to troubleshoot my driver when I am experiencing problems?

• My driver doesn’t load.

• I receive a message that the server is busy.

• My driver loads but does not start polling.

• The OPC Client does not connect to a local OPC server after restarting my HMI software.

• My driver doesn’t communicate with any group or I receive ????? in my operator displaylinks.

• The driver is not transmitting or receiving messages.

• The driver is transmitting messages but not receiving any messages.

• The driver is receiving messages, but not transmitting messages.

• The driver communicates to some but not all of the items in a group.

• I can’t connect to a remote server.

• I can’t see the driver in iFIX Process Database.

• I am receiving old data in my HMI display.

• What do the numbers in the Errors field of the Power Tool’s statistics display mean?

• My message rate is slow.• My driver stops running after a period of time.

• I do not receive driver messages in Alarm History.

• Automatic driver startup does not work.

• CPU usage is high.

• Floating Point errors appear after an upgrade.

The Most Common I/O Driver Problems

Some of the most common problems encountered when setting up and using I/O drivers are caused byone or more of the following:

• Failing to match the communication parameters of the process hardware in the OPC server.For information about appropriate values for these fields, consult your OPC server’sdocumentation.

• Failing to run SAC. You cannot access data from your I/O driver in the Event Viewer or theiFIX WorkSpace until SAC is running.



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• Attempting to communicate to areas of memory not defined in the controller. Verify that eachitem’s address is valid.

• Setting an item’s access time to be larger than its poll time so that OPC Client never polls fordata.

• Not enabling the server, group or item in the OPC Client.

• Leaving the item ID blank.

Tools for Troubleshooting the OPC Client

Click the following links for more information regarding the OPC Client:

• View the I/O Server program in the I/O Server

• Close the I/O Server program

Statistics View in the OPC Client Power Tool

The Power Tool displays communication statistics for each item, group, server, and the entire driver.Displaying these statistics is useful for narrowing down which part of the driver is not functioning. Toview the statistics, select an item, group, or server from the Tree Browser and then select Stats Modefrom the Display Mode menu.

Statisti cs in iFIX Mission Control

Mission Control is the main iFIX tool for monitoring background tasks, such as SAC, HistoricalCollect, and I/O drivers. Using Mission Control, you can start and stop a driver, and view driver errornumbers. This is useful for quickly determining if the driver is having a problem.

Mission Control also provides a summary of driver-level statistics. To see the statistics for each server,use the OPC Power Tool.

Windows Event Viewer

The driver reports any major errors to Windows Event Viewer. To learn more about using thisapplication, refer to Using the Event Viewer.

Alarm History in iFIX

Because the I/O driver reports event messages to the Alarm History application in iFIX, you can usethis program for debugging your driver. The events reported include when the driver:

• Starts and stops.

• Connects and disconnects.

• Fails to connect with the OPC Server and subsequently recovers.

Refer to the iFIX documentation for details about enabling alarm services.



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Message Log in the I/O Server Program

The message log in the I/O Server program tracks the following events:

• The date and time a configuration file loads.

• Which configuration file loads. If the driver is not loading the configuration file you want,you can change the default file name and location in the Power Tool’s Setup dialog box.

• The date and time other applications attach to the server. This data can help you determine ifsomeone is attached and making changes to the server you are working on.

• CSV import errors.

To view t he I/O Server prog ram in the I/O Server:

1. Open the Power Tool.

2. Select an object from the Tree Browser.

3. Press A LT + SHIFT + S.

The options in the Server’s View menu let you choose the types of messages to display. The message priority is as follows:

Server View Displays...

Errors Connection errors, run-time errors, and any exceptions caused by the driver orOPC server.

Warnings General warnings.

Information General information such as loading files or .CSV activity.

Debug1 The connection status of the driver to an OPC server when the server isenabled. Debug1 messages also contain information about any OPC interfacethat was not obtained when the driver connected to the OPC server.

Debug2 Information about asynchronous transactions between the driver and the OPCserver.

Debug3 Information about failed writes to the OPC server.



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The default setting for the Server is to display errors, warnings, and informational messages. However,you can also enable any debug message you want more information about.

To close the I/O Server program:

1. Select an item from the Tree Browser.

2. Press Alt + Shift + S.

iFIX Process Database Log File

The driver reports all actions performed to add items and database blocks to the iFIX process database.For more information, see Use the iFIX Process Database Log File.

Use the Windows Event Viewer

GE Intelligent Platforms’s Version 7.x drivers take advantage of a Windows feature known as the

Event Viewer. This feature allows software to write messages and data to the Windows Event Log.These messages can then be viewed using the Windows Event Viewer application. Version 7.x driversuse this ability primarily to log information about problems that arise during execution, particularly inthe lowest layers of the driver where reporting the problem to users is more difficult. It also allows themessages logged to include specific information about the error. For instance, if the memory objectencounters a problem while mapping an area of global memory via the "CreateFileMapping()" Win32function, it not only reports that the error happened, but it can also translate the error code returned byWindows and include that text as well.

The Windows Event Viewer contains three different categories of messages: System, Security, andApplication. The OPC Client writes its messages to the Application log.

To view messages that mi ght b e generated by the driver:

1. Start the Windows Event Viewer.

2. Select the Application log from the Log menu. All the log messages associated with theApplication log appear. Any message specific to your driver contains the driver’s acronym(OPC) in the Source column.

3. Select a message and press the Enter key;

- Or -

Highlight a message and choose Detail from the View menu;

- Or -

Double-click the message.

Information that may be helpful for troubleshooting your I/O driver includes:

• Time – The time that the message was logged.

• Computer – The name of the computer that the message was logged on.

• Type – The severity of the message. Options include: Error, Information, and Warning.

• Description – The actual message logged.



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• Data – The specific data associated with the message. The OPC Client rarely uses thisinformation.

Error Codes

Error codes display in the Power Tool’s statistics display and in Mission Control’s DRVST fields. Thefollowing table lists the errors that appear in the statistics display. To view an error, select an item fromthe Tree Browser and select Stats Mode from the Display Mode menu. The error appears in the LastError field of the selected item. To learn more about Mission Control errors, refer to one of thefollowing:

• DRVSTA Error Codes

• DRVSTB Error Codes

• DRVSTC Error Codes

Item Last Error Field

Error Description Possible Cause

0x0000 No error N/A

0x0001 Generic error Any error that does not fall into any other category.

0x0002 Unable to copy tocommon memory

The item cannot copy its data, timestamp, or quality to memoryfor access for iFIX NIO applications. Process Database andyour operator displays may show old data.

0x0003 Unable to setactive state

The driver cannot change the active state of the item in the OPCserver. Typically, this error occurs when you select the item’sEnable check box and the server rejects the request.

0x0004 Unable to setclient handle

The server cannot change the client handle for the item.

0x0005 Unable to set datatype

The server cannot handle or does not support the requested datatype.

0x0006 Unable to read The OPC server for this item’s group rejected a read request.Typically, this error occurs when you attempt to read data froma write-only OPC item.

0x0007 Unable to write The OPC server rejected a write request for this item. Typically,this error occurs when you attempt to write data to a read-onlyOPC item.



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0x0008 Bad handle The OPC server sent an asynchronous callback containing a bador unknown handle.

0x0009 Unable to advise The driver attempted to establish an asynchronous connectionwith the OPC server, but the request failed. Verify that yourserver supports asynchronous communications.

0x000A Unable tounadvise

The driver attempted to break an asynchronous connection withthe OPC server, but the request failed.

0x000B Exceptiongenerated

An exception was generated based on a call to the OPC server.Refer to the driver’s Event window for a more detailedexplanation.

0x000C Invalid Item ID The specified item ID is invalid or unknown by the OPC server.

0x000D Invalid AccessPath

The specified access path is invalid or unknown by the OPCserver.

0x000E Bad Item Quality The quality of the item is no longer Good.

0x000F Advise notreceived

The driver made an asynchronous connection to the OPCserver; however, server did not return data for the item.Examine the item to ensure the item ID and the access path arevalid. Also verify that the item is enabled and communicating.

0x0010 Write clamped The OPC server accepted the data you are writing, but thenclamped its value.

0x0011 Write value out ofrange

The data you are writing is out of range.

0x0012 Bad type for writevalue

The OPC server cannot accept the data type of the item you arewriting to.

0x0013 Insufficient accessrights

The item does not have sufficient access rights. Typically, thiserror occurs when you write to a read-only item.

0x0014 Unable to blockwrite

The OPC Client could not process the block write.

0x0015 Block writesdisabled

Block writes are disabled; however, a database block attemptedto execute a !SEND command.



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0x1700 Out of local memory The temporary local memory buffer allocated by the OPCClient is full; consequently, the operation in progress cannot

be completed.

0x1800 Queue Empty One of the queues used by the OPC Client is empty;consequently, the driver found nothing to process.

0x1900 Error accessing data The OPC Client cannot access the data it needs.

0x2000 Item not added toserver

The item being processed does not exist on the OPC server because it was never added to the server’s configuration.

0x2100 Outputs disabled Outputs for the item being processed are disabled; however, awrite from the item was attempted using a database block.

0x2200 Not setup as array The item being processed uses data array syntax in its itemID; however, the item is not configured as an array. Toconfigure the item as a data array, select the Array check box.

0x2300 Setup as an array The item being processed does not use data array syntax in itsitem ID; however, the item is configured as an array. Tocorrect the error, clear the Array check box.

0x2400 Address out of bounds

The specified item ID does not exist on the OPC server.

0x2500 Data size out of bounds

The specified array length is larger than is supported on theOPC server or the size of the data returned by the OPC serverdoes not match the size of the array configured in the PowerTool.

0x2600 Data type mismatch The item’s specified data type does not match the data typespecified by the OPC server.

0x2700 Data type invalid The OPC server or OPC Client does not support the item’sspecified data type.

0x2800 Database block typeinvalid

The database block you configured cannot be used with thecommand entered in the I/O Address field. Refer toSpecifying I/O Addresses in iFIX Process Database todetermine the correct block to use.

0x2900 Data type is empty No data type has been selected for the item being processed.



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0x2A00 Invalid floating pointvalue

The server processed an IEEE floating point value that wasfound to have an invalid format.

Mission Control DRVST Errors

Field Contains the...

DRVSTA Number of the last error caused by an item. Refer to the previous tables forinformation on the error.

DRVSTB Group number contains the erroneous OPC item.

DRVSTC Item number causing the error.

Getting Technical Support

By World Wide Web

http://www.ge-ip.com/support

By Phone

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

• Within the United States: 1-800-433-2682 , Option 3 for Support

• International: 1-434-978-5100, Option 2 for Support

Creating a Custom Client Application

The OPC I/O Server is an OLE application that you can control programmatically. It exposes itsfunctionality to other OLE applications through its interfaces, which means you can create customOLE applications to access or control the driver. For example:

• You can use Visual Basic to programmatically enable servers, groups, or items depending onuser input.

• You can use VBA in Excel to create a program that generates reports comparing groupstatistics within a driver.



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• You can write programs that control the driver with higher performance using C or C++.

Refer to the following topics for steps on getting started with creating custom applications:

• Creating a Custom Application Using Microsoft Visual Basic

• Creating a Custom Application Using C or C++

Create a Custom Application Using Microsoft Visual Basic

Microsoft Visual Basic is one of many applications that you can use to develop custom OLEapplications for use with the OPC Client.

To start designin g a Visual Basic application t hat accesses the OPC Client objects:

1. Start Visual Basic and from the Projects menu, choose References. The GE IntelligentPlatforms OPC Client 7.10 Library should display in the Available References list box. If itdoes not, browse your directories for .TLB files and add OPCDRV.TLB to the AvailableReferences list box.

2. From the View menu, choose Object Browser and then from the Libraries/Projects list at thetop of the browser, select OPCDRV.

3. Select a property or method and press F1 to learn how to use it.

The type library, OPCDRV.TLB, is installed in the same path that you installed the OPC Client.

NOTE: To use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) instead of the VB Compiler, select References fromthe Tools menu in step 1 and follow steps 2 and 3 above.

Create a Custom Application Using C or C++

You can create a custom client application for use with the I/O Server using Microsoft Visual C orC++.

To get started creating an client applic ation wi th C or C++:

1. Add a call to CoCreateInstance to load the server and get a pointer to the driver interface.

2. Include InterfaceDef.h in the source from your driver.

3. Add Interfacedef_i.obj to the project.

You can obtain copies of InterfaceDef.h and Interfacedef_i.obj from GE Intelligent Platforms. Contactyour local sales representative for more information.

The OPC Client as a Data Source in iFIX

Refer to the following sections for more information regarding Data Sources in iFIX:



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• Access the OPC Client as a Data Source in iFIX

• Access String Data with the OPC Client

Access the OPC Client as a Data Source from iFIX

You can access any item in the OPC Client as a data source in iFIX. Using this method, the valuesfrom your OPC server can be displayed directly to an operator without the overhead of using the

process database. Typically, this approach is best when you only want to display the data and do notneed to alarm or historically trend the information.

To access an item in t he OPC Client as a data source:

1. Configure the OPC Client as needed. For more information about configuring the client, referto Choosing a Method for Configuring Your Driver.

2. Register the OPC Client as a data server with the Data Server Installer.

a. From the Base path (C:\Dynamics, by default), double-click the icon for the DataServer Installer (DataServerInstaller.exe).

b. Click Add or double-click the data server you want to modify.

c. In the Data Server box, enter a name. Make sure the name is not already in use.

d. From the OPC server list, select an OPC driver.

e. Select the Set as Default Server check box to make the server the default.

3. Start iFIX and add a Data link to any picture you have in your Pictures folder. The Data linkdialog box appears.

4. Click the Browse button to the left of the Source field. The Expression Builder dialog boxappears.

5. Click the Data Servers tab.

6. Select the OPC Client and navigate to the item you want to use.

7. Click OK to accept your selection and close the Expression Builder.

8. Click OK to close the Data link dialog box.

Access String Data wi th the OPC Cli ent

You can read string values in the OPC client by using the following syntax as your data source:

• server;group;itemid|bytes (ASCII values)

Where:

• server is the name of the OPC server you want to access.

• group is the name of the group that you want to read data from.

• itemid is a itemID of the string data to read.

• bytes is the number of bytes (characters) you want to read. Specifying the number of bytes isoptional. When omitted, the client reads 20 bytes. You can specify a maximum of 256 bytes.



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SAC – The Scan, Alarm, and Control program (SAC) is a iFIX system task that runs on a SCADAserver. SAC transmits and receives data back and forth between the process database and the I/Odriver’s common memory.

• SAC performs the following tasks:

• Fetches data from the I/O driver’s common memory.

• Translates the data into the format expected by the process database.

• Checks the data against the alarm limits and generates alarm messages.

• Executes the control logic.

• Detects exceptions.

• Makes requested writes to the driver’s common memory.

Signal Conditioning – The method by which a raw process data value is scaled.

SIM Driver – An I/O driver used to simulate input and output of the process database for iFIXapplications. SIM values are saved in the process database itself but are cleared when SAC is started or

when you reload the process database. SIM registers range from 0 to 2000 for analog values and 0:0 to2000:15 for digital values.

Time-Based Scan Time – With a time-based scan time, SAC retrieves data at set time intervals. Usetime-based scanning when your data changes frequently.

Where to Find InformationWelcome to OPC Client I/O driver online help. This help system provides all the information you needto use the OPC Client I/O driver. Refer to the following topics to learn more about the features of theOPC Client online help:

• Using Help

• Accessing Information

• Navigating in the Online Help

• Using F1 Help

• Using the Help Table of Contents

• Using the Help Index

• Using the Help Full-Text Search

• Printing the Online Help

Use Help

The OPC Client Help appears in a browser consisting of three panes: the help button bar, thenavigation pane, and the viewer.



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Help But ton Bar

Each menu contains a list of commands. To display the commands, click the menu name. Thefollowing table explains the function of each command.

Command Function

Hide/Show Hides or shows the navigation pane. The Hide button is displayed by default.

Locate Finds and highlights the current help topic in the Contents tab.

Back Displays the previously viewed help topic.

Forward Displays the next help topic in a previously viewed sequence of topics.

Print From the Contents tab, prints pages, headings and subtopics, or the entire table ofcontents. From the Index or Search tab, opens the Print dialog for printing thecurrent topic.

Options Opens a menu that provides access to:

Hide/Show tabs; Locate; Back/Forward; Home; Stop; Refresh; Print; SearchHighlight Off

WebSupport Opens the GE Intelligent Platforms Support web site, if an Internet connection isavailable.

Navigation Pane

The Navigation pane consists of the following three tabs. For information on each tab, click the link.

• Contents

• Index

• Search

Viewer Pane

The Viewer pane displays the selected help topic. Topics that refer you to additional information havea See Also button below the topic title.



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Access Information

The OPC Client I/O driver online help consists of independent topics with specific information on I/Odriver concepts and procedures. You can access these topics using one of the following methods:

• Use F1 Help

• Use the Help Index

• Use the Help Full-Text Search

• Use the Help Table of Contents

The index, full-text search, and table of contents are all located in the Help Topics dialog box. You candisplay this dialog box by using one of the following methods:

• Choose Help Topics from the Power Tool’s Help menu;

- Or -

• Choose OPC Help from the Start menu as follows:

1. From the Start menu, point to Programs, and then FIX Dynamics or iFIX.

2. From the menu that pops up, choose OPC Help.

Navigate the Online Help

When you access a topic in the OPC Client online help, it may not provide all the information youneed. To learn more about a topic, you can:

• Use help links.

• Click the See Also button and select another topic.

Using Help Links

Blue words or phrases are links. Clicking a link either displays another topic or a pop-up window ontop of the current topic. If you are using the keyboard, press Tab to move to the next link in the topicand press Enter to activate the link.

Links to other topics are blue with a solid underline and are called jumps. Jumps take you out of thecurrent topic to a new topic. Links that display pop-up windows are blue italics with a solid underline.Pop-up windows display over the current window and are usually definitions of terms.

Using the See Also Li st

Most topics have a See Also button located directly under the topic title. Click the See Also button todisplay a list of topics related to the current topic. If you select one of the topics from the list, that topicdisplays. To get back to your original topic, click the Back button on the button bar.



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Use F1 Help

The fastest way to get help on the Power Tool controls is to press the F1 key. To display F1 help,select the control you want information on and press the F1 key. The topic that appears is specific tothe selected control and usually explains the effect of the control, which entries are valid, and providesexamples of valid entries when applicable.

Use the Help Table of Contents

The table of contents provides an overview of what’s available in the OPC Client online help. Itdisplays the titles of the books and the topics within each book.

To use the Table of Contents:

1. On the Help Topics dialog box, select the Contents tab.

2. Double-click a book to open or close it.

3. Double-click the topic you want to read.

Use the Help Index

The online help provides an index to all its topics. This index is similar to the index in a printed book.

To search th e index:

1. On the Help Topics browser, select the Index tab.

2. Type or select the word you want information on.

3. Double-click the indexed item in the lower part of the Index tab to display the associatedtopic. If the word you entered is associated with more than one topic, a Topics Found list boxappears displaying all the topics indexed under that word.

4. If applicable, in the Topics Found list box, double-click the topic you want to display.

Use the Help Full-Text Search

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the index, you can use the full-text searchcapability. A full-text search finds every occurrence of a selected word or phrase anywhere within theonline help.

To use the full-text search:

1. On the Help Topics browser, select the Search tab.

2. Enter the word or phrase you want to locate.

3. Click the right arrow button next to the Search field to perform a boolean search; that is, touse AND, OR, NEAR, or NOT to create a boolean search expression.



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4. Click List Topics. A list of topics appears in the Select topic box.

5. From the Select topic box, double-click the topic you want to display.

Print the Online Help

To print one OPC Client Help topi c at a time:

1. Display the help topic you want to print.

2. On the Help button bar, click Print. The Print Topics dialog box appears.

3. Select Print the selected topic and then click OK. The Print dialog box appears.

4. Click Print. The displayed topic prints.

To print t he entir e online help as a book:

1. Display a topic in the book you want to print.

2. On the Help button bar, click Print. The Print Topics dialog box appears.

3. Select Print the selected heading and all subtopics and then click OK. The Print dialog boxappears.

Click Print. All of the topics under the selected heading print.



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Index1.

!

!MODE .............................................................90

!POLL ...............................................................90

!QUALITY .......................................................90

!SEND ..............................................................27

!START ............................................................90

!SWITCH .........................................................90

!TIME ...............................................................90

1

12AL signal conditioning ...............................101

12BN signal conditioning ...............................102





3

3BCD signal conditioning ..............................106

4

4BCD signal conditioning ..............................108

8

8AL signal conditioning .................................107

8BN signal conditioning .................................109

A

About Power Tool command ............................54

access times ....................................................124

accessing documentation ................................150

accessing items from iFIX ..............................146

accessing string data .......................................146

accessing the Power Tool .................................42

Add Group command .......................................52

Add Item command ..........................................52

Add Server command .......................................52

adding ...............................................................16

existing items to iFix PDB ......... ........... ........16

item IDs .................................................. 16, 88

adding existing items to iFix PDB ....................88

adding groups ....................................... 49, 52, 85

adding items .......... ........... . 14, 16, 49, 52, 86, 130

adding items to iFIX process database ....... 14, 16adding multiple items .......... .......... ....... 16, 17, 88

adding OPC servers ............. .......... ........... .. 49, 52

addressing format in process database ........... ...90

advanced settings ..............................................61

arrays ................................................................24

asynchronous I/O ......... ........... ........... ......... 19, 90

asynchronous watchdog ....................................19

automatic item creation ....................................13

automatic server connections ............................64automatic startup...............................................61

B

binary files ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .112

block writes .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ..27

browsing OPC servers ................. .......... ...........24

C

C++ custom client applications ......................145

cache reads ........................................................24

changing servers ...............................................63

checking communication ................................129

choosing commands .........................................50

command line parameters .................................64

communicating locally .....................................63



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communicating remotely ..................................63

conditioning data ............................................100

configuration file default settings .....................88

configuration file name .....................................61

configuration file path ......................................61configuration mode .......... ........... ........... ..... 42, 53

Configuration Mode command .........................53

Configuration toolbar .......................................49

hiding ............................................................53

showing .........................................................53

Configuration toolbar command .......................53

configuring drivers from custom applications ..17

configuring drivers remotely ............................18

configuring groups ............................................85configuring items ..............................................86

configuring items automatically .......................13

configuring local communication .....................63

configuring remote communication .......... ........63

configuring the OPC Client18, 28, 48, 49, 52, 66,90, 110

configuring the Power Tool 48, 49, 52, 55, 61, 66

connecting to local servers... .......... ....... 48, 54, 63

connecting to remote servers ............. ... 48, 54, 63creating custom applications using C or C++ .145

creating custom applications with Visual Basic....................................................................145

creating custom client applications ........... ......144

creating groups in iFIX process database .......100

creating items automatically from clientapplications ...................................................13

creating items in iFIX process database .........100

creating items with iFIX ...................................90

creating new files .......... .......... ........... ......... 47, 51

creating reports ...............................................112

CSV files ........................................................112

custom applications ..........................................17

custom client applications..... .......... ........ 144, 145

customizing the Power Tool .............................18

D

data and alarms .................................................21

date stamp .....................................................21

time stamp ....................................................21

data arrays .........................................................24

accessing from process database .......... .........26

syntax ............................................................25

data quality .....................................................123

data sources .............................................. 24, 146

data types ..........................................................99

database blocks ...............................................110

Database Manager ..........................................129

database tag dialog box .......... .......... ........... 16, 88

datablock browser dialog box ................... .. 16, 88

date stamp for data and alarms .........................21

DCOM security ................................................61

deadband ...........................................................19

default configuration file name .......... ......... 42, 61

default configuration file path ........ .......... .. 42, 61

default settings ........... .......... ........... .......... 88, 100

Delete command ...............................................52

demand polling .................................................90

device browser dialog box .......... .......... ...... 16, 88

device reads ......................................................24

disabling groups ................................................20

disabling items ..................................................20

disabling servers ...............................................20

Display Mode menu........... .......... ........... .... 50, 53

displaying data quality ......................................90

displaying statistics .......... ....... 114, 115, 117, 118

documentation ................................ 148, 150, 151driver messages ..............................................137

drivers

selecting an account to run as a service ........22

DRVST ...........................................................140



Index

155

E

Edit menu.................................................... 50, 52

EGU range ......................................................100

eliminating extra items ...................................132

enabling groups ................................................20

enabling items ...................................................20

enabling servers ................................................20

entering driver information in iFIX processdatabase ......................................................110

error numbers .......... ........... .......... ........... 137, 140

Event Viewer .......... ........... .......... ........... 137, 139

Event Window command .................................54

exception handling ............................................19

exception-based processing ..............................19excess items ....................................................132

Exit command ...................................................51

F

F1 help ............................................................151

FAQs ..............................................................135

File menu .................................................... 50, 51

file path .............................................................61

finding ...................................................... 49, 111groups ................................................... 49, 111

items ..................................................... 49, 111

finding groups .................................................111

finding information ................................. 148, 151

finding items ...................................................111

finding servers ................................................111

fine-tuning the OPC Client ...............................61

FIX applications ....................................... 13, 128

FIXIOUser Account .........................................22

format for I/O addresses ...................................90

frequently asked questions ..............................135

full text search ................................................151

G

graphical user interface .....................................18

groups ......................................................... 20, 85

adding ............................................... 49, 52, 85

creating automatically in process database .100

disabling .......................................................20

enabling ........................................................20finding...........................................................49

using the Power Tool's Find and Sorttoolbar 111

modifying .....................................................85

polling .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......24

properties .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ..85

saving ..........................................................111

sorting ...........................................................49

using the Power Tool's Find and Sorttoolbar 111

statistics ......................................................117

viewing statistics .........................................117

growth increment for memory ..........................61

H

handling exceptions ..........................................19

hardware options...............................................99

help ................................................. 148, 150, 151

Help menu .................. .......... ........... .......... . 50, 54

help printing ....................................................152

Help Topic command .......................................54

help topics .........................................................54

hiding the Configuration toolbar ......................53

hiding the Main toolbar ....................................53

hiding the Run-time toolbar ..............................53

hiding the status bar ..........................................53hiding the Tree Browser ...................................53

how the driver works ........................................11

how to use the OPC Client..............................135

I

I/O address format ............................................90



OPC Client Driver

156

I/O Server ............................................. 11, 63, 64

I/O type .............................................................19

iFIX applications .......... ...... 90, 99, 100, 110, 111

iFix PDB ...........................................................16

adding existing items ............ ........... ....... 16, 88iFix process database ........................................90

adding existing items ....................................88

addressing format .........................................90

verifying items created from .......................110

iFIX process database ...... 13, 14, 16, 90, 99, 100,110, 111

iFix process database log file .......... .......... ........16

index ...............................................................151

information ..................................... 148, 150, 151

Interfacdef_i.obj .............................................145

InterfaceDef.h .................................................145

interfaces...........................................................41

item ids

adding ..................................................... 16, 88

items ........................................................... 13, 20

accessing from iFIX ....................................146

adding ....................................... 49, 52, 86, 130

adding multiple .......... ........... .......... .. 16, 17, 88adding to iFix PDB ............... .......... ........ 16, 88

adding to iFIX process database ............. 14, 16

block writes ........ .......... ........... ........... ..........27

configuring automatically .............................13

creating automatically in process database . 13,100

creating in iFIX applications ........................90

creating with iFIX .........................................90

disabling .......................................................20eliminating extras .......................................132

enabling ........................................................20

finding................................................... 49, 111

last read time .................................................90

modifying .....................................................86

properties .......... .......... ........... .......... ..... 86, 124

saving ..........................................................111

sorting .........................................................111

verifying .....................................................110

viewing .......................................................110


L

last error statistics ...........................................140

latched data .......................................................21

local communication .........................................63

local connections ..............................................63

local server connections ....................................54

local servers ......................................................63

log file ...............................................................16

iFix process database ....................................16

logging messages ............................................137

M

Main toolbar .....................................................47

hiding ............................................................53

showing .........................................................53

Main Toolbar command ...................................53

making new files ...............................................47

manual start-up ....................................... 125, 128

maximum memory size ....................................61

menu bar ................................... 50, 51, 52, 53, 54

message logs ...................................................137

Mission Control .................. ........... ......... 128, 137

modifying configurations................................130

modifying groups ..............................................85

modifying items ................................................86

multiple itemsadding ............................................... 16, 17, 88

N

navigating in the Help system ........... ........... ...150

New command .......... .......... ........... .......... .........51

new files...................................................... 47, 51



Index

157

nodename.OPC .................................................61

O

OLE Automation ............................................... 9

OLE for Process Control ................................... 9

OLE Server command ......................................54

OPC ................................................................... 9

OPC Client........... ........... .......... ........... ... 9, 18, 48

alarms ...........................................................21

architecture ...............................................9, 11

automatic start-up .......................................126

cache reads ....................................................24

configuring . 17, 18, 28, 48, 49, 52, 66, 90, 110

configuring remotely ....................................18

decreasing unnecessary stress ........... ..........133

device reads ..................................................24

error numbers ..............................................140

features .........................................................13

fine-tuning ....................................................61

how they work ..............................................11

manual start-up ............. ........... .......... . 125, 128

optimization techniques ..............................130

optimizing ........... .......... ........... .......... . 130, 133overrun buffer ...............................................61

performance .......... .......... ........... .......... .......130

remote configurations ...................................18

running as a service ......................................22

selecting from process database ........... .........90

setting up ................. .......... ........... .......... 28, 54

starting .......................................... 90, 125, 137

starting from FIX ........................................125

statistics ........................................ 61, 114, 137

stopping .................................. 48, 90, 128, 137


OPC driver features ..........................................13

OPC interfaces ..................................................41

OPC servers ....................................................... 9

adding ..................................................... 49, 52

automatic connections ..................................64

browsing ................... .......... ........... ... 16, 24, 88

changing .......................................................63

connecting to..................................... 48, 54, 63disabling .......................................................20

enabling ........................................................20

how they work ..............................................11

overrun buffer ...............................................61

properties .......... .......... ........... ........... .......... ..66

remote connections .......................................66

remote machine name ...................................66


Open command .................................................51opening files ............................................... 47, 51

opening menus ..................................................50

opening the Power Tool .......... ........ 110, 125, 137

optimization techniques ................ .......... 130, 133

optimizing the OPC Client........ ........ 61, 130, 133

Options menu .......... ........... ........... .......... .... 50, 54

overview ...........................................................11

About the Power Tool ...................................42

creating items in iFIX applications ...............90

Setting Up the Driver ....................................28

P

path to configuration files ........... .......... ........... .61

path to error resource DLL .............. .......... .......61

path to signal conditioning DLL ......... ........... ...61

performance ........... .......... ........... .......... .. 130, 133

poll rates .............. .......... ........... ........ 24, 124, 133

polling ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... ..........90

polling groups ........... .......... ........... ........... ........24

Power Tool ............... .......... .... 18, 42, 44, 50, 110

Configuration toolbar....................................49

configuring ..................... 48, 49, 52, 55, 61, 66

creating files .................................................51



OPC Client Driver

158

creating new files ..........................................47

customizing ...................................................18

finding...........................................................49

fine-tuning ....................................................61

how it works .................................................11opening files ........................................... 47, 51

opening from process database ...................110

options ..........................................................54

overview .......................................................42

saving files .......... ........... .......... ........... .... 47, 51

setup .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .... 55, 61

sorting ...........................................................49

starting .................................................. 42, 125

status bar .......................................................46 printing help .......... ........... .......... ........... ..........152

printing OPC Client documentation ...... .........152

process database

accessing data arrays.....................................26

protocols .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......41

Q

quality statistics ................................................90

R

refresh rate ........................................................61

setting ...........................................................61

refreshing statistics ...........................................61

remote communication .....................................63

remote configurations .......................................18

remote connections ..................................... 63, 66

remote control ...................................................18

remote machineaddress ..........................................................66

name .............................................................66

remote server connections .......... ........... ..... 54, 66

remote servers .......... .......... ........... .......... .... 63, 66

report files .......................................................112

requested data types ..........................................99

requirements .....................................................41

Reset Counters command .................................54

resetting statistics .......... .......... ........... ......... 48, 54

running the driver as a service ..........................22

Run-time toolbar ...............................................48hiding ............................................................53

showing .........................................................53

Run-time Toolbar command .............................53

S

SAC .......................................................... 19, 126

Save As command ............................................51

Save command ..................................................51

saving configuration changes .........................111

saving files .......... ........... .......... ........... .. 47, 51, 61

saving groups ..................................................111

saving items ....................................................111

SCADA configuration ............................ 125, 126

scaling data .....................................................100

scan times .......................................................133

SCU ........................................................ 125, 126

searching help .................................................151

searching in the Tree Browser ..........................49selecting commands ..........................................50

selecting drivers in iFIX process database ........90

server connections ...................................... 63, 64

servers ...............................................................20

adding ..................................................... 49, 52

automatic connections ..................................64

browsing .................. ........... .......... .... 16, 24, 88

changing .......................................................63

connecting to..................................... 48, 54, 63

disabling .......................................................20

enabling ........................................................20

finding.........................................................111

how they work ..............................................11

overrun buffer ...............................................61



Index

159

properties ......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ...66

remote connections .......................................66

remote machine name ...................................66

sorting ........... .......... ........... ........... ........ 49, 111

statistics ......................................................115viewing statistics .........................................115

service under Windows

running the driver as .....................................22

setting up default values ........ .......... ........... 54, 88

setting up the OPC Client ................ ........... 28, 54

setting up the Power Tool .................................55

Setup command ................................................54

shortcut keys .....................................................47

showing the Configuration toolbar ...................53showing the Main toolbar .................................53

showing the Run-time toolbar ..........................53

showing the status bar .......... .......... ........... ........53

showing the Tree Browser ................................53

signal conditioning 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105,106, 107, 108, 109

sorting ......... ........... .......... ........... ........... ... 49, 111

groups ................................................... 49, 111

items ...........................................................111servers .......... ........... .......... ........... ......... 49, 111

sorting groups .................................................111

sorting in the Tree Browser ..............................49

sorting items ...................................................111

sorting servers .................................................111

specifying hardware options in iFIX processdatabase ........................................................99

specifying I/O addresses in iFIX processdatabase ........................................................90

specifying signal conditioning in iFIX processdatabase ......................................................100

specifying the I/O driver in iFIX processdatabase ........................................................90

starting automatically in FIX ..........................126

starting drivers from FIX ................................125

starting drivers manually ....... ........... ...... 125, 128

starting the OPC Client ....... 48, 90, 125, 128, 137

automatic startup .........................................126

starting the Power Tool .......... ........... ........ 42, 125

statistics .............. 54, 61, 114, 115, 117, 118, 137

statistics mode ................ ........... .......... ....... 42, 53Statistics Mode command .................................53

statistics refresh rate .........................................61

status bar ...........................................................46

hiding ............................................................53

showing .........................................................53

Status Bar command .........................................53

stopping the OPC Client ............. 48, 90, 128, 137

string data .......................................................146

supported data types .........................................99supported protocols...........................................41

supported signal conditioning .........................100

supported software ............................................41

switching between asynchronous andsynchronous I/O ............................................90

synchronous I/O .......... .......... ........... ........... 19, 90

system account ..................................................22

T

table of contents ..............................................151

tags

auto-creating .................................................88

Templates command .........................................54

Templates dialog box .......... .... 42, 48, 54, 88, 100

time stamp for data and alarms .........................21

Tree Browser ....................................................42

hiding ............................................................53

showing .........................................................53Tree Browser command ....................................53

troubleshooting .......... ........... .. 136, 137, 139, 140

U

Understanding Data Quality ...........................123

unused items ...................................................132



OPC Client Driver

update rates .......... ........... .......... ........... ..... 24, 133

user interface ....................................................18

using a logon account when running the driver asa service ........................................................22

using default driver .........................................100

using drivers remotely ......................................18

using help.................................................. 54, 150

using the Power Tool ........................................44

using the power tools find and sort toolbar .......49

V

verifying items ................................................110

View menu.................................................. 50, 53

viewing configuration properties ......................53

viewing data quality ..........................................90

viewing error messages ..................................139

viewing items created from process database .110

viewing statistics..... .... 48, 53, 114, 115, 117, 118Visual Basic custom applications ...................145

W

writing to items .................................................27

Z

zero poll rates .................................................133

zero update rates .............................................133

2.

OPC Client Driver

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