Issue
In EcoStruxure Process Expert 2019 (former HDCS) and previous versions the communication between the supervision participant Citect Scada and Modicon PAC controllers are handle by OFS – OPC Factory Server. The OFS is an OPC DA Server which is installed in the same server as the EPE operation server(s). Whenever a third-party software needs to collect data from EPE it can be done by connecting to OFS Server in either primary or standby operation server.
This solution using OFS Server as an unique OPC DA Server to interface with other system works fine but some customers standard/ customers best practice doesn’t allow other systems to collect data direct from the controllers. These customers prefer third-party software collecting data from the supervision servers. Another motivating force to have an OPC DA server enabled on supervision participant is that some projects could have calculate variables on supervision which does not exist on control project.
Currently there is no option to create OPC DA Server from EcoStruxure Process Expert interface as below. The only way to enable it is from inside out using an include project..
Resolution
This article shows a step-by-step process to enable and test the native OPC DA Server in supervision participant Citect SCADA 2018.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.
