AF SDK Reference

PIServer.Connect Method (AFConnectionPreference)

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PIServer.Connect Method (AFConnectionPreference)

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Last UpdatedNov 18, 2025
3 minute read

Open a connection to the PI Data Archive using the specified connection preference to allow sending and retrieving data.

Namespace: OSIsoft.AF.PI
Assembly: OSIsoft.AFSDK (in OSIsoft.AFSDK.dll) Version: 3.1.1.1182

Syntax

public void Connect(
	AFConnectionPreference preference
)

Public Sub Connect ( 
	preference As AFConnectionPreference
)

Dim instance As PIServer
Dim preference As AFConnectionPreference

instance.Connect(preference)

public:
void Connect(
	AFConnectionPreference preference
)

member Connect : 
        preference : AFConnectionPreference -> unit

Parameters

preference: Type: OSIsoft.AFAFConnectionPreference
The connection preference to use when determining which member of the PICollective is selected for the connection. The default preference can be obtained from Preference property of the this object's ConnectionInfo. The Preference setting will be updated to this value after a successful connection.

Exceptions

Exception	Condition
PIConnectionException	A connection to the PI Data Archive server cannot be made.

Remarks

If an application accesses a property or invokes a method that requires server access, an implicit connection is performed. When a connection is no longer needed, it can be closed using the Disconnect method.

Examples

// Get the PIServers collection for the current user and default PIServer.
PIServer myPIServer = new PIServers().DefaultPIServer;

// Simple connect.
myPIServer.Connect();
myPIServer.Disconnect();


// Connect and display a credential prompt dialog if current user login fails.
// Only available in .Net Framework AFSDK
// myPIServer.Connect(true, null);
// myPIServer.Disconnect();

try
{
    // Connect using a specified credential.
    NetworkCredential credential = new NetworkCredential("guest", String.Empty);
    myPIServer.Connect(credential);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Expected exception since credential needs a valid user name and password.
    Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
}

' Get the PIServers collection for the current user and default PIServer.
Dim myPIServer As PIServer = New PIServers().DefaultPIServer

' Simple connect.
myPIServer.Connect()
myPIServer.Disconnect()

' Connect and display a credential prompt dialog if current user login fails.
' Only available in .Net Framework AFSDK
' myPIServer.Connect(True, Nothing)
' myPIServer.Disconnect()

Try
    ' Connect using a specified credential.
    Dim credential As NetworkCredential = New NetworkCredential("guest", String.Empty)
    myPIServer.Connect(credential)
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Expected exception since credential needs a valid user name and password.
    Console.WriteLine(ex.Message)
End Try

No code example is currently available or this language may not be supported.

Version Information

AFSDK

Supported in: 3.1.1

AF SDK Reference