Browse the OPC UA server namespace

The OPC UA connection in the Gateway Communication Driver is acts as an OPC UA client. Thus, it can access the OPC UA server namespace to browse diagnostic items and server data items. Selected items are automatically added in the Device Items tab for easy mapping.

Browse the OPC UA server

1. In the DeviceGroup Parameters tab, select Browse OPCUA Server.

   The OPCUA Tag Browser window appears.

   Note: If you have enabled OPC UA reverse connect, it may take some time to open the OPCUA Tag Browser as the OPC UA server has to initiate the connection to the Gateway Communication Driver.

   

   For errors while connecting to the OPC UA Server, see Connectivity with the OPC UA server.

2. Select the required diagnostic item tag or server-specific tag to view the properties of the tag in the right pane:

   • Node Class: Indicates the type of the node (object, function, or variable)

   • Reference: Indicates the unique item reference or Node ID of the tag.

   • Data Type: Indicates the data type of the tag.

   • Access Level: Indicates the access level of the tag (R (read),W (write) or R/W (read/write))

     Note: Hold the Ctrl button to select multiple tags. If you select multiple tags, the tag properties will not be displayed. If you select a folder, all the items inside that folder will be moved to the lower grid.

3. Select Add to list. To remove an item, select the item and then select Remove from list.

4. Select OK.

   The Device Items tab is auto-populated with the selected items. You can modify the item reference if required.

Browsing the OPC UA Connection with multiple subscription device groups

For an OPC UA connection with multiple subscription device groups, the OPC UA Tag Browser launched from any of the device groups of an OPC UA connection displays the system items hierarchy ($SYS$DIAG) with all the device groups associated with that connection, in addition to the Global and UA Client items. Select the device group (Conn=<device group>) to view the corresponding system items in that device groups .

Example:

Consider two OPC UA Connections: New_OPCUA_000 and New_OPCUA_001.

• New_OPCUA_000 consists of three device groups: OPCUAGroup1, OPCUAGroup2, OPCUAGroup3

• New_OPCUA_001 consists of two device groups: OPCUAGroupA and OPCUAGroupB

Launching the OPCUA Tag browser from any of the device groups under New_OPCUA_000 displays the three device groups (OPCUAGroup1, OPCUAGroup2, and OPCUAGroup3) in the $SYS$DIAG hierarchy. Select each device group to view the corresponding system items.

Launching the OPCUA Tag browser from any of the device groups under New_OPCUA_001 displays the two device groups (OPCUAGroupA and OPCUAGroupB) in the $SYS$DIAG hierarchy. Select each device group to view the corresponding system items.