External Data Source

When setting up an import, export, or link, you need to provide a data source and the format of the data.

Your data source can be entered as:

• An explicit path and file (for example, "C:\Data\Tags.csv")

• An IP address and node (for example, "127.0.0.1\HMI_Scada")

• A URL (for example, "http://www.abicom.com.au/main/scada")

• A computer name (for example, "\\coms\data\scada").

The database type field specifies the format of the external data source. When Plant SCADA attempts to read from this data source, it will use the mechanism specified by the database type. The supported database types are:

• OPC (OPC1 is not supported)

• CSV (comma-separated values)

• Concept Ver 2.1 ASCII file.

To configure the external data source as a file

The example uses a CSV file, in this case an RSLOGIX database driver

In the Import/Export or Links dialog box, enter details as follows:

• External database C:\Data\Tags.csv

• Database type RSLOGIX Driver

• Connection string (leave blank)

To configure the external data source using a specialized driver

Note: This example uses the supplied OPC driver.

In the Import/Export or Links dialog, enter details as follows:

• External database: The name of the OPC server process, for example, FactorySoft.InProc

• Database type: OPC

• Connection string: The parameters are ServerNode or Branch, though both are optional. Their use depends on the location of the OPC server and the scope of the necessary data. ServerNode can be an IP address or the network path to the server. For example:

  • ServerNode=127.0.0.1

  • ServerNode=\\Server

  • ServerNode=www.server.com

    For Branch, OPC data can be either a tree (hierarchical) or a flat structure. The OPC driver supports access to both types of storage. If the data is in a tree structure, it can be accessed to the first branch level down from the root node, by entering the name of the branch. For example:

  • Branch=device1

    Deeper levels of branching might be supported in the future.

See Also

Format File