Configuring a DDE/SuiteLink Data Source Object

To add a DDE or SuiteLink data source object to your OI Gateway hierarchy

1. Right-click Configuration in the hierarchy, and select either Add DDE Object or Add SuiteLink Object. The following rules apply:

   • A new object is created in the hierarchy tree and is named New_DDE_000 or New_SuiteLink_000 by default. You are allowed to add an unlimited number of DDE and SuiteLink data sources.

   • In this step and succeeding steps, each hierarchy entry is added in "edit mode," providing a convenient place for you to appropriately name components of your specific environment. If you do not rename the object at this time, the numeric sequence system is applied. Any hierarchy entry can be renamed at a later time.

     The New_DDE_000 Parameters or New_SuiteLink_000 Parameters configuration view (right pane) is displayed.

2. Configure the new DDE or SuiteLink object according to the following option definitions:

   • Server Name – Name of the DDE or SuiteLink server you want to use as a data source (for instance, Invensys DASABTCP). Default value is MyServer. Server Name can be from 1 to 32 characters long (cannot be blank), and all printable characters are allowed except a space and > : " / \ | , . ; ? ' [ ] { } ` ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + - =.

   • Server Node – The computer node on which the specified data source can be found. This parameter is displayed for SuiteLink only because DDE servers must be located on the same node as OI Gateway. Default value is localhost. Use the browse button to select from a list of all nodes on your network.

   • Reconnect Attempts – Number of times OI Gateway attempts to reconnect to the specified data source if a connection fails. The value minus one (-1) means no limit to the number of attempts. The value zero (0) means no attempts. Minimum/maximum range is -1 to 1,000,000. Default value is 3. Entry of a value that is excessively out of the allowed range will display an error message about illegal format.

   • Reconnect Period – Delay (in ms) between reconnection attempts if a connection fails. Minimum/maximum range is 10,000 to 300,000 ms (corresponding to the range of 10 sec to 5 min). Default value is 30000 ms. Entry of a value that is excessively out of the allowed range will display an error message about illegal format.