OPC implementation tools

If you’re doing an OPC implementation, especially if it's your first, you will soon learn two very important things:1) OPC client and server tags must be a perfect match, including the full path, or things don’t work; and 2) DCOM (distributed component object model) can be fickle.

By Control Engineering Staff November 13, 2003

NOTE: This item first appeared in our Process Control Monthly Newsletter in October. Based on the topic, it is equally important to the readership of this newsletter. Therefore I have included it here for your consideration. —David Greenfield, Editorial Director

If you’re doing an OPC implementation, especially if it’s your first, you will soon learn two very important things:

1) OPC client and server tags must be a perfect match, including the full path, or things don’t work; and

2) DCOM (distributed component object model) can be fickle.

Fortunately a visit to Matrikon’s Web site will get you solutions for both problems.

Problem number one can be solved using Matrikon’s OPC Explorer (a free tool). OPC Explorer is a full-featured OPC client designed to help the installation, testing, and configuration of OPC compliant servers.

Problem number two can be solved using Matrikon’s OPC Tunneller by eliminating problems associated with the configuration of DCOM.

Using OPC Tunneller, different protocols, security settings, or locations are no longer a factor when sharing data among computers. Following a simple OPC Tunneller installation on the OPC client and OPC server nodes, all that’s left to do is specify a computer name or IP address and the port setting.

OPC Tunneller isn’t free, but you can download a fully function trial version and try it before you buy.
To learn more about Matrikon’s OPC products, go to the Matrikon website and look in the left side navigation bar.

—Dave Harrold, senior editor, Control Engineering, dharrold@reedbusiness.com