MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus

User's Manual
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
User's Manual

This manual is a product of Matrikon International.

Matrikon International.
Suite 1800, 10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 3N4
Canada

Phone: +1.780.448.1010
Fax: +1.780.448.9191
www.matrikonopc.com

Document Revision History:

Document
Date Description Author
Version
2006-06-01 1.0 Initial document
2006-10-18 1.1 Merge from old template and update for new CB
release.
2007-06-29 2.0 Update template, general edit, update for new CD
release (i.e., Omni functionality).
2007-11-12 2.1 Updated Item syntax and installed file sections. ZA
2008-07-01 2.2 Updates for 4.3.0.0. MH

Version updated to 4.3.0.0. Added the following:

 Creating and Configuring a Redundancy
Group Object
 Getting Data without Being Connected to a
2008-07-10 3.0 MH, LB
Device
 Appendix E - OPC Security Custom
Interface
 Appendix F - Offline Mode

Version updated to 4.3.1.0. Appendix E - OPC

2008-09-08 3.1 Security Custom Interface replaced with updated LB
Appendix E - Security.
Installed Files section updated. Modbus Address
field description updated in the following Creating
and Configuring sections: Modbus Ethernet PLC
2008-09-09 3.2 TNM, LB
(TCP/IP) Device, Serial Device, MTL Serial Device,
Terminal Server PLD Device, UPD Device.
Troubleshooting section updated.
2008-09-15 3.3 Version updated to 4.3.2.0. REK

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 2

 Installation and Un-Installation sections updated
to reflect new installer. Installed Files section
2008-09-22 3.4 LB
updated. Replaced Security appendix with newest
version.
Updated with support information for Modbus+
2008-12-05 3.5 JFY
SA85 or PCI85 Card.
Added View Tags and Security Settings
descriptions to Tools menu. Replaced
Configuration screen graphic with updated
2008-12-08 3.6 LB
screenshot showing View Tags and Security
Settings icons. Enter Password screen added to
Installation section.
2009-09-10 4.0 Updates for version 4.5.0 of the Modbus driver. CHB, LB
Updated product version to 4.5.1. Removed
2010-01-04 5.0 SL, LB
references to MTL 8000 device.
2010-01-08 5.1 Updated Sample Item IDs (Table 20). ZB, LB
2010-01-27 5.2 Software Requirements section updated. AB, LB

2010-04-06 5.3 Updated to new framework and plug-in LB

documentation standard.
2010-05-05 5.4 Removed references to plug-in. GEAK
2010-05-25 6.0 Software version updated to 4.6.0. GEAK
Converted document to standard. Added Serial
2010-06-28 7.0 Master/Slave communication issue to LB
Troubleshooting section.

2010-07-09 7.1 Added Quick Start Guide to Appendix I – Installed LB

Files.

2010-07-26 7.2 Removed references to hardware licensing in GEAK, LB

Licensing and Troubleshooting sections.

2010-08-25 7.3 Corrected Modbus folder file list in Appendix I – LB

Installed Files.
2011-08-31 7.4 Updated software version to 4.6.1. LB
2011-11-30 8.0 Updated to latest iC framework. LB

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 3

 Updated Software Requirements, Creating and
Configuring a Modbus Ethernet PLC Node,
Creating and Configuring a Modbus Terminal
Server PLC Object, Creating and Configuring a
Modbus Serial PLC Object, Creating and
Configuring Modbus UDP PLC Object, and OPC
Data Items sections. Updated Appendix H –
2012-01-06 8.1 Installation. SKG, LB
Added Server Status configuration which included
updating Advanced Options introduction, replacing
Alias Configuration and Redundancy Configuration
screenshots to include Server Status
Configuration item in the navigation pane, adding
Server Status Configuration section, and adding
Server Status items to OPC Data Items section.

2012-03-27 9.0 Updated software version to 5.0.1. Updated LB

Contacting Support after-hours numbers.
Updated software version to 5.0.2. Added
Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card to Node
Configuration section. Added Creating and
2012-11-27 10.0 Configuring a Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card LB
Object. Added Creating and Configuring a
Modbus+ Device Object. Updated OPC Data
Items.
2012-12-10 10.1 Updated Licensing and Troubleshooting sections. LB

Updated the screenshots in Node Configuration

2012-12-20 10.1 chapter. Added Validate Item option for all the SG
configuration nodes.

Updated Creating and Configuring a Modbus+

2012-12-21 10.1 SG
Device Object section as per the new GUI.

2013-03-25 10.2 Updated software version to 5.0.3. SG

2014-09-25 10.3 Update software version to 5.0.4 MJL

2015-07-27 10.4 Update software version to 5.0.5 ASP

Update software version to 5.1.0; update list of

2016-12-05 10.5 MJL
supported OSes; update install screenshots.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 4

SOFTWARE VERSION
Version: 5.1.0

DOCUMENT VERSION
Version: 10.5

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
© Copyright 1997 - 2017, Matrikon International. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Matrikon International.

CONFIDENTIAL
The information contained herein is confidential and proprietary to Matrikon International. It may not be disclosed or
transferred, directly or indirectly, to any third party without the explicit written permission of Matrikon International.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Although every endeavour has been made to ensure that the information contained within this document is up
to date and accurate, Matrikon cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracy or error in the information
contained within this document. Matrikon makes no warranty of any kind with regard to the information
contained within this document and Matrikon shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or
consequential damages which may arise in connection with the furnishing, reliance, or use of the information
contained within this document.

Specifications and statements as to performance in this document are Matrikon estimates, intended for general
guidance. Matrikon reserves the right to change the information contained within this document and any
product specification without notice.

Statements in this document are not part of a contract or program product licence insofar as they are
incorporated into a contract or licence by express preference. Issue of this document does not entitle the
recipient to access or use of the products described, and such access or use shall be subject to separate
contracts or licences.

The receiving party shall not disclose, publish, report, communicate, or otherwise transfer any information in
this document to any third party, and shall protect all information contained herein from unauthorized
disclosure. The receiving party shall permit access to this document only to its employees, agents,
subcontractors, and affiliates who reasonably require access to such information contained herein, have been
made aware of the confidential nature of this document and have executed a written employment or other
confidentiality agreement party to maintain the confidential status of this document.

LICENSE AGREEMENT
This document and the software described in this document are supplied under a license agreement and may only be used
in accordance with the terms of that agreement. Matrikon reserves the right to make any improvements and/or changes to
product specifications at any time without notice.

TRADEMARK INFORMATION
The following are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective organizations:

Matrikon and MatrikonOPC are trademarks or registered trademarks of Matrikon International.

OTHER
MatrikonOPC™ is a division of Matrikon™ International.

This product includes software developed by the OpenSSL Project for use in the OpenSSL Toolkit
(http://www.openssl.org/). Copyright © 1998-2008 The OpenSSL Project. All rights reserved.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 5

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 12
Who Should Use This Manual ............................................................................................ 12
Overview of Manual ......................................................................................................... 12
References ..................................................................................................................... 13
Document Terminology .................................................................................................... 13
Getting Started............................................................................................................... 15
System Requirements ...................................................................................................... 15
Software Requirements ................................................................................................. 15
Hardware Requirements ................................................................................................ 15
Configuration ................................................................................................................. 17
Configuration Window ...................................................................................................... 17
Toolbar........................................................................................................................ 18
File Menu ..................................................................................................................... 19
Edit Menu .................................................................................................................... 20
View Menu ................................................................................................................... 21
Window Menu .............................................................................................................. 22
Help Menu ................................................................................................................... 22
Node Configuration .......................................................................................................... 23
Creating and Configuring a Modbus Ethernet PLC Node...................................................... 24
Creating and Configuring a Modbus Serial Port Node ......................................................... 27
Creating and Configuring a Modbus Serial PLC Object ........................................................ 31
Creating and Configuring a Modbus Serial Slave Port Node ................................................ 34
Creating and Configuring a Modbus Serial Slave PLC Object ............................................... 36
Creating and Configuring a Modbus Terminal Server Node ................................................. 38
Creating and Configuring a Modbus Terminal Server PLC Object ......................................... 39
Creating and Configuring a Modbus UDP Port Node ........................................................... 42
Creating and Configuring a Modbus UDP PLC Object .......................................................... 44
Creating and Configuring a Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card Node ......................................... 46
Creating and Configuring a Modbus+ Device Object .......................................................... 48
Advanced Options .......................................................................................................... 51
Alias Configuration .......................................................................................................... 51
Inserting Alias Groups ................................................................................................... 51
Adding New Aliases ....................................................................................................... 52
Editing Aliases .............................................................................................................. 71
Removing Aliases ......................................................................................................... 72
Removing Alias Groups .................................................................................................. 72
Cloning Aliases ............................................................................................................. 73
Exporting Aliases .......................................................................................................... 73
Importing Aliases.......................................................................................................... 73
Expression Wizard ........................................................................................................ 74
Redundancy Configuration ................................................................................................ 77
Creating and Configuring a Redundancy Node .................................................................. 78
Editing a Redundancy Configuration ................................................................................ 83
Disabling a Redundancy Configuration ............................................................................. 84
Enabling a Disabled Redundancy Configuration ................................................................. 85
Cloning a Redundancy Configuration ............................................................................... 85
Deleting a Redundancy Configuration .............................................................................. 86
Adding a Failover Node to an Existing Redundancy Configuration ........................................ 86
Editing a Failover Node .................................................................................................. 87
Deleting a Failover Node ................................................................................................ 88

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 6

 Re-Ordering a Failover Node .......................................................................................... 89
Removing a Configured Server Node ............................................................................... 90
Server Status Configuration .............................................................................................. 91
Enabling and Configuring the Server Status Node ............................................................. 91
Server Options ................................................................................................................ 93
Logging Options .............................................................................................................. 95
Clearing a Configuration ................................................................................................... 96
Importing a Configuration................................................................................................. 97
Exporting a Configuration ................................................................................................. 97
OPC Data Items .............................................................................................................. 98
Modbus Items ................................................................................................................. 98
Examples ..................................................................................................................... 99
Getting Data without Being Connected to a Device ............................................................ 101
Diagnostics .................................................................................................................. 102
Logging ........................................................................................................................ 102
Limitations ................................................................................................................... 103
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................... 104
Problems and Solutions .................................................................................................. 104
Questions and Answers .................................................................................................. 108
Licensing ...................................................................................................................... 109
Feature Licenses ......................................................................................................... 110
Contacting Support ........................................................................................................ 110
OPC Compliance ........................................................................................................... 112
Installation ................................................................................................................... 112
Common Interfaces ....................................................................................................... 112
Data Access .................................................................................................................. 112
Groups ...................................................................................................................... 113
Items ........................................................................................................................ 113
Browsing and Item Properties ...................................................................................... 113
I/O Operations ........................................................................................................... 113

Table of Appendices
Appendix A Distributed COM (DCOM) ...................................................................... 115
DCOM Configuration Utility ............................................................................................. 115
Default Properties .......................................................................................................... 115
Security Permissions ...................................................................................................... 116
Server Identity .............................................................................................................. 119
Default Protocols ........................................................................................................... 119
Remote Program ID ....................................................................................................... 120
Appendix B Aliases .................................................................................................. 121
Scaling Expressions ....................................................................................................... 121
Advanced Calculations ................................................................................................... 122
CSV File Format ............................................................................................................ 124
Scaling Algorithms ......................................................................................................... 126
Appendix C Standard Data Types ............................................................................. 127
Appendix D Microsoft Excel as a DDE Client ............................................................. 128
DDE Read ..................................................................................................................... 128
DDE Write .................................................................................................................... 128
Net DDE ....................................................................................................................... 129
Appendix E Configuring Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) .......................................... 130

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 7

Appendix F Security ................................................................................................ 131
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 131
OPC Security Implementation ......................................................................................... 131
MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility ................................................................. 132
Security Details ............................................................................................................. 152
Appendix G Offline Mode ......................................................................................... 157
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 157
Offline Mode Toggling .................................................................................................... 157
Offline Mode Item Values................................................................................................ 157
Operational Effects ........................................................................................................ 158
Appendix H Installation ........................................................................................... 159
Appendix I Installed Files ....................................................................................... 170
Appendix J Un-Installation ..................................................................................... 174

Table of Figures
Figure 1 - Configuration Window .................................................................................... 17
Figure 2 - Modbus Ethernet PLC Configuration Page ...................................................... 25
Figure 3 - New Modbus Ethernet PLC Node .................................................................... 27
Figure 4 - Modbus Serial Port Configuration Page .......................................................... 28
Figure 5 - New Modbus Serial Port Node ........................................................................ 31
Figure 6 - Modbus Serial PLC Configuration Page ........................................................... 31
Figure 7 - New Modbus Serial PLC Object ....................................................................... 33
Figure 8 - Modbus Serial Slave Port Configuration Page ................................................. 34
Figure 9 - New Modbus Serial Slave Port Node ............................................................... 35
Figure 10 - Modbus Serial Slave PLC Configuration Page ................................................ 36
Figure 11 - New Modbus Serial Slave PLC Object ........................................................... 37
Figure 12 - Modbus Terminal Server Configuration Page ................................................ 38
Figure 13 - New Modbus Terminal Server Node .............................................................. 39
Figure 14 - Modbus Terminal Server PLC Configuration Page ......................................... 40
Figure 15 - New Modbus Terminal Server PLC Object ..................................................... 42
Figure 16 - Modbus UDP Port Configuration Page .......................................................... 42
Figure 17 - New Modbus UDP Port Node ........................................................................ 44
Figure 18 - Modbus UDP PLC Configuration Page ........................................................... 44
Figure 19 - New Modbus UDP PLC Object ....................................................................... 46
Figure 20 - Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card Configuration Page ....................................... 46
Figure 21 - New Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card Node ..................................................... 48
Figure 22 - Modbus+ Device Configuration Page ............................................................ 48
Figure 23 - New Modbus+ Device Object ........................................................................ 50
Figure 24 - New Alias Group Window ............................................................................. 52
Figure 25 - Alias Configuration Page .............................................................................. 52
Figure 26 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 1: Alias Type ............................................ 53
Figure 27 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity ...................................... 54
Figure 28 - Browse OPC Tag Window ............................................................................. 55
Figure 29 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties ................................... 56
Figure 30 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms .............................. 57
Figure 31 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Linear Scaling) .... 58
Figure 32 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Square Root Scaling)
....................................................................................................................................... 59
Figure 33 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Gain/Offset Scaling)
....................................................................................................................................... 60

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 8

Figure 34 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Expression Scaling)
....................................................................................................................................... 61
Figure 35 - Expression Wizard ........................................................................................ 62
Figure 36 - Select Function Window ............................................................................... 63
Figure 37 - Select Variable Window................................................................................ 63
Figure 38 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity ...................................... 64
Figure 39 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties ................................... 65
Figure 40 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Alias Calculation .................................. 66
Figure 41 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Alias Events ..................................................... 67
Figure 42 - Manage Event Categories Window ............................................................... 68
Figure 43 - New Event Category Window ....................................................................... 69
Figure 44 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity ...................................... 70
Figure 45 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties ................................... 71
Figure 46 - Function Parameter Window ........................................................................ 75
Figure 47 - Operators Buttons ........................................................................................ 76
Figure 48 - New Redundancy Window ............................................................................ 78
Figure 49 - Add Failover Node(s) Window ...................................................................... 80
Figure 50 - Edit Failover Node Window .......................................................................... 81
Figure 51 - Redundancy Configuration Page .................................................................. 82
Figure 52 - Redundancy Configuration Page .................................................................. 83
Figure 53 - Edit Redundancy Window ............................................................................. 84
Figure 54 - Disabled Configuration ................................................................................. 85
Figure 55 - Enabled Configuration .................................................................................. 85
Figure 56 - Delete Confirmation Message Window ......................................................... 90
Figure 57 - Server Status Configuration Page ................................................................ 91
Figure 58 - Server Options ............................................................................................. 93
Figure 59 - Logging Options ........................................................................................... 95
Figure 60 - Configuration Example ................................................................................. 99
Figure 61 - Distributed COM Configuration Properties Window .................................... 116
Figure 62 - Distributed COM Configuration Security Tab .............................................. 117
Figure 63 - Registry Value Permissions Window .......................................................... 118
Figure 64 - Add Users and Groups Window .................................................................. 118
Figure 65 - DDE Share .................................................................................................. 129
Figure 66 - Start Menu Navigation ................................................................................ 133
Figure 67 - Enter Server Password Window ................................................................. 133
Figure 68 - MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility Main Screen ..................... 134
Figure 69 - MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility Main Screen: Users & Groups
..................................................................................................................................... 135
Figure 70 - Add User Window (NT) ............................................................................... 136
Figure 71 - Defined Users and Groups .......................................................................... 137
Figure 72 - Add User Window (Private) ........................................................................ 138
Figure 73 - Add Group Window (NT) ............................................................................ 139
Figure 74 - Add Group Window (Private) ..................................................................... 140
Figure 75 - Enter New Name Window ........................................................................... 140
Figure 76 - Edit <Username> Window (Permissions Tab) ............................................ 142
Figure 77 - Add Permission Screen (Server Address Space) ......................................... 143
Figure 78 - Add User Permission Window ..................................................................... 144
Figure 79 - Add Permission Window: Browsing Server Address Space ......................... 145
Figure 80 - Edit <Username>: Example ........................................................................ 146
Figure 81 - Edit <Username> Window (General Tab) ................................................... 147
Figure 82 - Reset Password Window ............................................................................ 147
Figure 83 - Edit <Groupname> Window (Permissions Tab) ......................................... 148
Figure 84 - Edit <Groupname> Window (General Tab) ................................................ 149

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 9

Figure 85 - Edit <Groupname> Window (Members Tab) .............................................. 150
Figure 86 - Add Existing User Window ......................................................................... 151
Figure 87 - Change Password Window ......................................................................... 152
Figure 88 - InstallAware Wizard Verification Window .................................................. 159
Figure 89 - Pre-Requisites Screen ................................................................................ 160
Figure 90 - License Agreement Screen ......................................................................... 161
Figure 91 - Setup Type Screen ..................................................................................... 162
Figure 92 - Destination Folder Screen .......................................................................... 163
Figure 93 - Start Menu Screen ...................................................................................... 164
Figure 94 - Enter Password Screen .............................................................................. 165
Figure 95 - Licensing Screen ........................................................................................ 166
Figure 96 - Ready to Install Screen .............................................................................. 167
Figure 97 - Installing MatrikonOPC Server Screen ....................................................... 168
Figure 98 - MatrikonOPC Server Setup Complete Screen .............................................. 169
Figure 99 - Add or Remove Programs ........................................................................... 174
Figure 100 - Welcome to MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Maintenance Screen ........... 175
Figure 101 - Ready to Uninstall Screen ........................................................................ 176
Figure 102 - Uninstalling MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Screen ............................... 177
Figure 103 - MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Setup Complete Screen ......................... 178

Table of Tables
Table 1 - Terms and Definitions...................................................................................... 14
Table 2 - Supported Features ......................................................................................... 16
Table 3 - Configuration Window Components ................................................................. 18
Table 4 - Toolbar Items .................................................................................................. 19
Table 5 - File Menu Command ........................................................................................ 20
Table 6 - Edit Menu Commands (Alias Group) ................................................................ 21
Table 7 - Edit Menu Commands (Redundancy Node) ...................................................... 21
Table 8 - View Menu Commands ..................................................................................... 22
Table 9 - Window Menu Command ................................................................................. 22
Table 10 - Help Menu Command ..................................................................................... 22
Table 11 - Modbus Ethernet PLC Configuration Page Components ................................. 26
Table 12 - Modbus Serial Port Configuration Page Components ..................................... 30
Table 13 - Modbus Serial PLC Configuration Page Components ...................................... 32
Table 14 - Modbus Serial Slave Port Configuration Page Components ............................ 35
Table 15 - Modbus Serial Slave PLC Configuration Page Components ............................. 37
Table 16 - Modbus Terminal Server Configuration Page Components ............................. 38
Table 17 - Modbus Terminal Server PLC Configuration Page Components ...................... 41
Table 18 - Modbus UDP Port Node Configuration Page Components ............................... 43
Table 19 - Modbus UDP PLC Configuration Page Components ........................................ 45
Table 20 - Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card Configuration Page Components .................... 47
Table 21 - Modbus+ Device Configuration Page Components ......................................... 49
Table 22 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Alias Type Components ..................................... 53
Table 23 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity Components .................... 54
Table 24 - Browse OPC Tag Window Components .......................................................... 55
Table 25 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties Components ................ 56
Table 26 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms Component ............. 57
Table 27 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Linear Scaling) ...... 58
Table 28 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Square Root Scaling)
Components ................................................................................................................... 59

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 10

Table 29 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Gain/Offset Scaling)
Components ................................................................................................................... 60
Table 30 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Expression Scaling)
Components ................................................................................................................... 61
Table 31 - Expression Wizard Components ..................................................................... 62
Table 32 - Select Function Window Components ............................................................ 63
Table 33 - Select Variable Window Components ............................................................. 64
Table 34 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity Components .................... 64
Table 35 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties Components ................ 65
Table 36 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Alias Calculation Components ............... 66
Table 37 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Alias Events Components .................................. 68
Table 38 - Manage Event Categories Window Components ............................................ 68
Table 39 - New Event Category Window Components .................................................... 69
Table 40 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity Components .................... 70
Table 41 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties Components ................ 71
Table 42 - Expression Wizard Options ............................................................................ 75
Table 43 - Redundancy Modes ........................................................................................ 77
Table 44 - New Redundancy Window Components ......................................................... 80
Table 45 - Add Failover Node(s) Window Components ................................................... 80
Table 46 - Edit Failover Node Window Components ....................................................... 81
Table 47 - Server Status Configuration Page Components ............................................. 92
Table 48 - Server Options Components .......................................................................... 94
Table 49 - Logging Options Components ........................................................................ 96
Table 50 - Item ID Field Descriptions ............................................................................. 99
Table 51 - Sample Item IDs ......................................................................................... 100
Table 52 - Standard Data Items ................................................................................... 100
Table 53 - Server Data Items ....................................................................................... 101
Table 54 - Redundancy Node OPC Items ...................................................................... 101
Table 55 - Server Status List Device Link OPC Items .................................................... 101
Table 56 - Feature Licenses .......................................................................................... 110
Table 57 - MatrikonOPC Support Regional Contact Information ................................... 110
Table 58 - After-Hours Support .................................................................................... 111
Table 59 - Expressions Constructs for Alias Scaling ..................................................... 122
Table 60 - Calculation Operators for Alias Scaling ........................................................ 123
Table 61 - Calculation Functions for Alias Scaling ........................................................ 124
Table 62 - File Import/Export Field Descriptions ......................................................... 125
Table 63 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Linear/Square Root Scaling
..................................................................................................................................... 125
Table 64 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Offset Scaling ................ 126
Table 65 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Expression Scaling ........ 126
Table 66 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Calculation Scaling ........ 126
Table 67 - Scaling Algorithms ....................................................................................... 126
Table 68 - Standard Data Types ................................................................................... 127
Table 69 - Default Tag Security .................................................................................... 154
Table 70 - Example 1 .................................................................................................... 155
Table 71 - Example 2: Permissions ............................................................................... 155
Table 72 - Example 2: Groups and Members ................................................................. 155
Table 73 - Offline Mode Item Values ............................................................................ 158
Table 74 - Files Installed in "Modbus" Folder ............................................................... 171
Table 75 - Files Installed in "Common" Folder ............................................................. 172
Table 76 - Files Installed in "system32" Folder ............................................................ 173

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 11

Introduction
This MatrikonOPC™ Server for Modbus is an OPC product that enables data interchange between
OPC clients and Modbus-compliant devices. Each read/write with the device is optimized to
maximize throughput. This server can be configured with the following connection types:
 Modbus Serial (RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485, as available on the user’s computer)
 Ethernet (TCP/IP or UDP)
The limit on the number of connections is determined by the user’s computer RAM and the number
of physical ports available for use. There are no limits built into the OPC server itself.
This server supports the following operations:
 Modbus
This product is commonly used in many industries. Modbus is a standard protocol.

Who Should Use This Manual

This manual is intended for use by all users of the MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus.
This manual explains how to install and configure the software, and how to perform common tasks.
In addition, technical information about OPC data items is included, along with sections on
diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Overview of Manual
This document uses icons to highlight valuable information. Remember these icons and what they
mean, as they will assist you throughout the manual.

This symbol denotes important information that must be

acknowledged. Failure to do so may result in the software not
functioning properly.

Font displayed in this color and style indicates a hyperlink to the

BOLD applicable/associated information within this document, or if
applicable, any external sources.

The User’s Manual has been designed as such so that you can click on references in the document
to jump to that referenced point without having to scroll through several pages (in some cases).
For example, if you were to see the sentence “Refer to Figure 1 for more information”, pressing the
CTRL key and clicking your mouse on the text “Figure 1” automatically takes you to the location of
Figure 1 within the document.
This manual consists of several sections and is structured as follows:
 Introduction – this introductory chapter.
 Getting Started – provides system requirements information.
 Configuration – shows how to start and configure the server, and describes each
component in detail, including windows/screens/pages, panels, tabs, and menu commands.
 OPC Data Items – describes the server’s items.
 Diagnostics – explains how to use logging, statistical items, data qualities, timestamps,
and result codes to get the most efficiency from the user’s system.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 12

  Limitations – provides information on specific performance and operational limitations of
the software.
 Troubleshooting – provides licensing, MatrikonOPC Support contact information, solutions
for common problems that may be encountered, and answers to frequently asked questions.
 OPC Compliance – details supported interfaces with regard to installation, common
interfaces, and data access.
 Appendices:
o A - DCOM
o B – Aliases
o C – Standard Data Types
o D – Microsoft Excel as a DDE Client
o E – Configuring Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
o F – Security
o G – Offline Mode
o H – Installation
o I – Installed Files
o J – Un-Installation

References
This document references information found within the following documents/sites:
 www.opcfoundation.org
 www.matrikonopc.com
 www.opcsupport.com
 www.modbus.org
 OPC Overview 1.0
 OPC Common Definitions and Interfaces 1.0
 OPC Data Access Specification 2.05a
 OPC Data Access Specification 3.00
 OPC Historical Data Access Specification 1.2
 OPC Alarms and Events Specification 1.10
 Modicon Modbus Protocol Reference Guide
 Modbus Application Protocol Specification

Document Terminology
The following terms are used interchangeably throughout this document:
 screen and window
 tab and panel
Table 1 provides a list of definitions for terms used throughout this document.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 13

Term/Abbreviation Description
A&E OPC Alarms and Events. Provides access to process alarm and event data.
ACL Access Control List.
Component Object Model. A method for organizing software, specifying how to
COM
build components that can be dynamically interchanged.
DA OPC Data Access. Provides access to real-time process data.
Distributed Component Object Model. An extension of COM that allows
DCOM
communication between COM components over a network.
Dynamic Data Exchange. Allows the transfer of data between two running
DDE
applications.
FIFO First In, First Out. The way data stored in a queue is processed.
HDA OPC Historical Data Access. Provides access to historical process data.
Human Machine Interface. Device that allows interaction between the user and
HMI
machine. Typically used in process control applications.
Matrikon Matrikon International.
MatrikonOPC Matrikon’s brand name for its OPC servers and clients.
A communication standard. Refer to www.opcfoundation.org for more
OPC
information.
PLC Programmable Logic Controller.
Table 1 - Terms and Definitions

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 14

Getting Started
This chapter contains important information about installing the server and how to contact the
MatrikonOPC Support team.
The System Requirements section shows how to avoid future problems by ensuring that the
system meets the minimum software and hardware requirements. Detailed step-by-step
instructions in Appendix H - Installation walk you through the installation process. Appendix I
– Installed Files lists the files that are installed during this process.
Once the software is installed, refer to the Licensing section for information on how to obtain the
appropriate license. The Licensing section will refer you to the Licensing Procedures document that
was installed along with the server and this User’s Manual. If any problems are encountered during
installation or licensing, refer to the Contacting Support section for information about how to
contact the MatrikonOPC Support team for assistance.

System Requirements
The software has minimum Software and Hardware system requirements. These requirements
must be met for the software to function properly.

Note: To install and configure a MatrikonOPC server, you must be set

up as an administrative user account rather than a restricted user
account.

Software Requirements
The server requires the following software:
 Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) or
 Microsoft Windows 10 or
 Microsoft Windows 2008 SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit) or
 Microsoft Windows 2008 Server R2 or
 Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 or
 Microsoft Windows Server 2016

Note: It is recommended that the most current service packs are

installed.

 Microsoft .NET Framework

o On Microsoft Windows 7 and 2008, the MatrikonOPC installation package will
automatically install the required Dot Net framework.
o On Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 2012, and higher, Microsoft Dot Net 3.5 will need
to be installed manually by the user before the OPC server can be installed.

Hardware Requirements
The server requires the following hardware:
 Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 15

  512 MB RAM
 40 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
The server requires the following additional hardware to make use of the following functionality:
 For Ethernet communication with Modbus devices: Windows-compatible Ethernet network
card.
 For Serial communication with Modbus devices: Windows-compatible Serial Port.
 For information about Modbus, refer to the documentation found at www.modbus.org .
H H

 X Table 2 lists and describes the supported features.

X

Function Code Description Supported?

01 Read Coil Status YES
02 Read Input Status YES
03 Read Holding Registers YES
04 Read Input Registers YES
05 Force Single Coil
06 Preset Single Register YES
07 Read Exception Status
11 Fetch Communications Event Counter
12 Fetch Communications Event Log
15 Force Multiple Coils YES
16 Preset Multiple Registers YES
17 Report Slave ID
20 Read General Reference
21 Write General Reference
22 Mask Write 4X Register
23 Read/Write 4X Registers
24 Read FIFO Queue
Table 2 - Supported Features

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 16

Configuration
The server’s Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows users to view and alter configuration parameters
at run time. When you view a configuration parameter, the information is retrieved and displayed.
The updated parameters are sent as a group to the server when submitted.
Minimal configuration of the MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus is required for the server to function
properly, but you can customize the server’s behaviour as required. This section of the manual
shows you how to start and configure the server and describes each component in detail, including
the windows, panels, and menu commands.
This section describes, in detail, how to configure the server. Instructions for configuring the
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus as a DDE service appear in Appendix D - Microsoft Excel as a
DDE Client. The Alias Configuration section explains how to create user-defined aliases in place
of regular OPC items, followed by four sub-sections that cover saving, clearing, and loading
configuration settings, and shutting down the server. The Redundancy Configuration section
explains how to create redundant pairs of your configurations.

Configuration Window
Following installation of the product, the Configuration window is accessed via the Windows
Start menu. The Configuration window is used to configure the server. It displays the current
configuration and allows you to change configuration parameters.
To view the Configuration window:
1. Click on the Windows Start button and select Programs -> MatrikonOPC -> Modbus,
and choose MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus.
2. The Configuration window appears and the Server Nodes Configuration pane (Figure 1)
is displayed on the left side of the window.

Figure 1 - Configuration Window

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 17

 Table 3 describes the components of the Configuration window.

Component Description
Main Menu Provides access to the File, Edit, View, Window, and Help menus.
Provides items that make navigation within a configuration, easier. Refer to
Toolbar
Table 4 for more information.
Location Bar Allows you to track the current configuration’s location.
Displays a tree of configuration objects currently defined in the application.
Navigation Panel Select an object to display its current settings in the right-hand panel. This
panel is also referred to as the tree-view pane.
Displays the current settings of the item presently selected in the tree-view
Settings Panel
pane.
Table 3 - Configuration Window Components

The following sections describe the menus available from the Configuration window, and what
they are used for.

Toolbar
Table 4 describes those items available from the Toolbar.
Note: Depending on the node or item selected in the navigation pane will determine the items
displayed on the Toolbar.

Command Description
Returns you to the previous configuration.
Back
Moves you to the next configuration history.
Forward
Selects the node in the navigation pane that is above the currently-
Up selected node.
Selecting this item displays the Import Configuration window which
allows you to import configurations from previous versions of this server.
Import Configuration The imported configuration will be the default configuration for this server
the next time it starts up.
Selecting this item displays the Export Configuration window which
allows you to export the current configuration of your server in the form
Export Configuration
of an XML file.
Selecting this item (when it is enabled) allows you to create a new
configuration node.
This toolbar item is available only when you have selected an item in the
New Node Configuration window’s navigation pane that allows you to create a
configuration node below it. For example, when you select the Server
Nodes Configuration node, this item is enabled.
Selecting this item (when it is enabled) allows you to delete the selected
Delete node or item.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 18

 Command Description
Selecting this item (when it is enabled) allows you to create a new Alias
Group by accessing the New Alias Group window (Figure 24).
New Group This toolbar item is available only when you have selected either the Alias
Configuration node, or an existing Alias Group, in the Configuration
window’s navigation pane.
Selecting this item (when it is enabled) allows you to create a new Alias
by accessing the Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure 26).
This toolbar item is available only when you have selected either the Alias
New Alias
Configuration node, an existing Alias Group, or an existing Alias, in the
Configuration window’s navigation pane.
Select this item to display either the Edit Redundancy window (Figure
53), or the Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure 26), allowing you to edit
an Alias Group, an Alias, or Redundancy node.
Edit This toolbar item is available only when you have selected either an
existing Alias or Redundancy item in the Configuration window’s settings
pane (i.e., pane on the right side of the window).
Select this item to display either the Edit Redundancy window (Figure
53), or the Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure 26), allowing you to
clone the selected Alias or Redundancy node.
Clone This toolbar item is available only when you have selected either an
existing Alias or Redundancy item in the Configuration window’s settings
pane (i.e., pane on the right side of the window).
Select this item to display the Import Alias File window which allows you
Import to select the .csv file you wish to import.
Select this item to display the Export Alias File window which allows you
Export to select the .csv file you wish to export.
Select this item to display the New Redundancy window (Figure 48)
where you can then create and configure a new Redundancy node.
New Redundancy
Table 4 - Toolbar Items

The following sections describe the menus available from the Configuration window, and what
they are used for.

File Menu
Table 6 describes the File menu commands.

Command Description
Selecting this menu option allows you to create a new configuration. If
New Configuration you choose to create a new configuration you are first given the option
of exporting the current configuration, or deleting it.
Selecting this menu option displays the Import Configuration window
which allows you to import configurations from previous versions of this
Import Configuration
server. The imported configuration is used as the default configuration.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 19

 Command Description
Selecting this menu option displays the Export Configuration window
which allows you to export the current configuration of your server in
Export Configuration
the form of an XML file.
Exit Selecting this menu option hides the main Configuration window.
Table 5 - File Menu Command

Edit Menu
The Edit menu options are determined by the item selected in the navigation pane.
Table 6 describes the Edit menu commands that are available when an Alias Group is selected in
the navigation pane.

Command Description
Selecting this option allows you to create a new Alias Group by
accessing the New Alias Group window (Figure 24).
This menu option is available only when you have selected either the
New Group
Alias Configuration node in the Configuration window’s navigation
pane, or an existing Alias in the settings pane (i.e., pane on the right
side of the window).
Selecting this option allows you to create a new Alias by accessing the
Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure 26).
New Alias This menu option is available only when you have selected either the
Alias Configuration node in the Configuration window’s navigation
pane, or an existing Alias in the settings pane.
Select this option to display the Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure
26), allowing you to edit the selected alias.
Edit This menu option is available only when you have selected either the
Alias Configuration node in the Configuration window’s navigation
pane, or an existing Alias in the settings pane.
Select this option to display the Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure
26), allowing you to clone the selected alias.
Clone This menu option is available only when you have selected either the
Alias Configuration node in the Configuration window’s navigation
pane, or an existing Alias in the settings pane.
Selecting this option allows you to delete the selected Alias in the
Delete Configuration window’s settings pane.
Select this option to display the Import Alias File window which allows
you to select the .csv file you wish to import.
Import From CSV This menu option is available only when you have selected either the
Alias Configuration node or Alias Group in the Configuration
window’s navigation pane, or an existing Alias in the settings pane.
Select this option to display the Export Alias File window which allows
you to select the .csv file you wish to export.
Export To CSV
This menu option is available only when you have selected either the
Alias Configuration node or Alias Group in the Configuration

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 20

 Command Description
window’s navigation pane, or an existing Alias in the settings pane.
Table 6 - Edit Menu Commands (Alias Group)

Table 7 describes the Edit menu commands that are available when either the Redundancy
Configuration node is selected in the navigation pane, or a Redundancy item is selected in the
settings pane.

Command Description
Select this option to display the New Redundancy window (Figure 48)
New Redundancy where you can then create and configure a new Redundancy node.
Select this item to display the Edit Redundancy window (Figure 53),
allowing you to edit the selected Redundancy item.
Edit This menu option is available only when you have selected an existing
Redundancy item in the settings pane (i.e., pane on the right side of
the window).
Select this item to display the Edit Redundancy window (Figure 53),
allowing you to clone the selected Redundancy configuration.
Clone
This menu option is available only when you have selected an existing
Redundancy item in the settings pane.
Selecting this option allows you to delete the selected Redundancy
Delete configuration in the Configuration window’s settings pane.
Table 7 - Edit Menu Commands (Redundancy Node)

View Menu
Table 8 describes the View menu commands.

Command Description
Toolbar When selected, the Toolbar appears below the Main Menu.
When selected, displays the Location Bar below the Main Menu and above
the navigation pane. The Location Bar allows you to track the current
configuration’s location. By clicking on each segment of the Location Bar,
you can easily navigate to the required configuration screen.
Location Bar
Each segment of the Location Bar also provides a drop-down menu that
allows you to browse to the next available configuration. To access the drop-
down menu, click on the arrow on the right side of the required Location
Bar segment.
When selected, displays the navigation pane including the navigation tree.
Navigation Tree Allows you to efficiently browse through the available configuration of the
current product.
When selected, shows the available windows tabs at the bottom of the
Configuration window. Allows you to view all currently-open configurations.
Window Tabs The currently-open configurations may be organized with options offered in
the Windows menu from the Main Menu.
Note: This option is not selected by default.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 21

 Command Description

Start Page When selected, shows the current product Start Page.

When selected, allows you to quickly navigate to previously-accessed

Go To configurations by moving Back, Forward, Up One Level, to another
window, and so on.
Select this option to refresh the display.
Refresh
Note: This option is disabled if it is not applicable.
Table 8 - View Menu Commands

Window Menu
Table 9 describes the Window menu commands that allow you to define how the settings of
pages/tabs are to appear on the right side of the Configuration window.

Command Description

Cascade Cascades the currently-opened windows within the configuration.

Horizontally arranges the currently-opened windows within the

Tile Horizontally configuration.

Tile Vertically Vertically arranges the currently-opened windows within the configuration.

Closes all currently-opened windows in the configuration. The server

Close All continues to run even with the windows closed.
Table 9 - Window Menu Command

Help Menu
Table 10 describes the Help menu command.

Command Description
Displays an About screen, which includes information about the Integrated
About iC
Configuration (iC) configuration management system version.
Table 10 - Help Menu Command

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 22

Node Configuration
The server requires minimal configuration for it to run properly. You can customize the server’s
behaviour as required. This section shows you how to create and edit Modbus device link objects,
using the Configuration window.
The following sub-sections contain information on the types of nodes available and how to
configure them:
 Modbus Ethernet PLC
 Modbus Serial Port
o Modbus Serial PLC
 Modbus Serial Slave Port
o Modbus Serial Slave PLC
 Modbus Terminal Server
o Modbus Terminal Server PLC
 Modbus UDP Port
o Modbus UDP PLC
 Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card
o Modbus+ Device

Note: The Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card option is available ONLY if

the card driver is installed on the system.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 23

Creating and Configuring a Modbus Ethernet PLC Node

Figure 2 displays the Modbus Ethernet PLC Configuration page.

This node is used as the Master to configure Modbus PLC devices over Modbus TCP protocol via
Ethernet.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 24

 Figure 2 - Modbus Ethernet PLC Configuration Page

Table 11 describes the components of the Modbus Ethernet PLC Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Hostname If this option is selected, you can specify the network name of the device.
IP Address If this option is selected, you can specify the IP address of the device.
Port Number Allows you to enter or select the TCP port on which the device is listening.
Allows you to enter or select the Modbus address of the device (maximum
length of 255). If set to 0, writing to this device will cause a Modbus broadcast
Modbus Address message to go out to all devices on the communications port, writing to all
devices simultaneously. When using a Modbus address of 0, you cannot
read tags through the device link. Change the address to match the

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 25

 Component Description
address of the Modbus slave from which you wish to read data.
While adding the OPC items, if this checkbox is selected, the OPC server
validates whether the OPC items exist within your device and are valid.
The OPC items are rejected:
Validate Items
 If the OPC server is not connected to the device or,
 If the OPC items are not available in the device
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds to wait before a
Reply Timeout timeout occurs (maximum of 30000 milliseconds).
Default = 1000.
Allows you to enter or select the number of retries if timeouts occur (maximum
Number of Retries of 10).
Default = 3.
Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds to wait before re-
Reconnect Delay trying the connection.
Default = 10000.
The maximum number of registers to read/write per transmission (maximum
Maximum Registers of 123). Setting this value to 0 will cause the server to select the optimal size.
Default = 0.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, a device type to be used for
automatic tag configuration.
Device Type
Selecting a device type such as HC900 (for example), enables the Import
Configuration button.
This button is enabled only when a Device Type other than None (for
example, HC900) has been selected.
Use this button to access the Open window where you can locate the
Import
configuration file you wish to import.
Configuration
Note: Once the import is a success, tags will be available in the following
location: MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus -> Advanced Options -> Alias Configuration.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 11 - Modbus Ethernet PLC Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus Ethernet PLC node:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
2. Select the Server Nodes Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server
for Modbus node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus Ethernet PLC item on the Toolbar.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 26

 Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus Ethernet PLC item from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus Ethernet PLC from the
displayed menu.
The Modbus Ethernet PLC Configuration page. Figure 2 is displayed in the settings pane on
the right side of the screen.
3. Enter a name for the item.
Notes:
 An error message is displayed when a valid name is not
entered. If the entered name is a duplicate of an existing item,
the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
 For the object to be used for communication, it must be
enabled (i.e., the Enabled checkbox is selected). This can be
done at any time.

4. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Server
Nodes Configuration node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 - New Modbus Ethernet PLC Node

Creating and Configuring a Modbus Serial Port Node

Figure 4 displays the Modbus Serial Port Configuration page.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 27

 Figure 4 - Modbus Serial Port Configuration Page

Table 12 describes the components of the Modbus Serial Port Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the serial port to which the
Port device is connected.
Default = COM1.
Allows you to define the communication rate by selecting a value from the
Baud Rate drop-down list. Values range between 110 and 256000.
Default = 9600.
Data Bits Allows you to define the number of data bits by selecting a value from the

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 28

 Component Description
drop-down list. Values range between 4 and 8.
Default = 8.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the type of parity to be used.
Parity Options available are None, Odd, Even, Mark, and Space.
Default = Even.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the number of stop bits. Options
Stop Bits available are 1, 1.5, and 2.
Default = 1.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the number of milliseconds to
wait for a device response before a timeout occurs (maximum of 30000
Reply Timeout milliseconds).
Default = 2000.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the number of retries if timeouts
Number of Retries occur (maximum of 10).
Default = 2.
Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds to wait before re-
trying the connection.
Reconnect Delay Default = 0.
Note: This configuration will be overridden by the Reconnect Delay of the
serial device.
Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds to wait between
messages (maximum of 60000 milliseconds). This delay can help control
Inter-Message Delay traffic load on the serial connection.
Default = 0.
This checkbox allows you to enable (i.e., select the checkbox) or disable (i.e.,
DSR Flow Control clear the checkbox) Data Set Ready (DSR) flow control.
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Allows you to select a Data Terminal Ready (DTR) preset from the drop-down
DTR Control list. Available options are Disable, Enable, and Handshake.
Default = Enable.
This checkbox allows you to enable (i.e., select the checkbox) or disable (i.e.,
DSR Sensitivity clear the checkbox) Data Set Ready (DSR).
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
From the drop-down list, select a Request To Send (RTS) preset. Available
RTS Control options are Disable, Enable, Handshake, and Toggle.
Default = Enable.
This checkbox allows you to enable (i.e., select the checkbox) or disable (i.e.,
CTS Flow Control clear the checkbox) Clear To Send (CTS) flow control.
By default, this checkbox is cleared.

RTS Rise Delay Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds (to a maximum of
1000) for rise delay. This option is available only when RTS Control is set to

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 29

 Component Description
Enable.
Default = 20.
This checkbox allows you to enable (i.e., select the checkbox) or disable (i.e.,
XON/XOFF Flow clear the checkbox) XON/XOFF software flow control.
Control
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds (to a maximum of
1000) for drop delay. This option available only when RTS Control is set to
RTS Drop Delay Enable.
Default = 20.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 12 - Modbus Serial Port Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus Serial Port node:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
2. Select the Server Nodes Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server
for Modbus node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus Serial Port item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus Serial Port item from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus Serial Port from the
displayed menu.
3. The Modbus Serial Port Configuration page (Figure 4) is displayed in the settings pane
on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Server
Nodes Configuration node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 5.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 30

 Figure 5 - New Modbus Serial Port Node

Creating and Configuring a Modbus Serial PLC Object

Figure 6 displays the Modbus Serial PLC Configuration page.
This node is used as the Master to configure Modbus devices using RTU or ASCII protocol over
serial.

Figure 6 - Modbus Serial PLC Configuration Page

Table 13 describes the components of the Modbus Serial PLC Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Modbus Address Allows you to enter or select the Modbus address of the device (maximum

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 31

 Component Description
length of 255). If set to 0, writing to this device will cause a Modbus broadcast
message to go out to all devices on the communications port, writing to all
devices simultaneously. When using a Modbus address of 0, you cannot
read tags through the device link. Change the address to match the
address of the Modbus slave from which you wish to read data.
Default = 1.
If this checkbox is selected, communication will occur in ASCII mode.
ASCII Mode
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
While adding the OPC items, if this checkbox is selected, the OPC server
validates whether the OPC items exist within your device and are valid.
The OPC items are rejected:
Validate Items
 If the OPC server is not connected to the device or,
 If the OPC items are not available in the device
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the number of retries if
Number of Retries timeouts occur (maximum of 10).
Default = 3.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the number of milliseconds to
wait before re-trying the connection.
Reconnect Delay Default = 10000.
Note: This configuration will override the Reconnect Delay of the Serial
Port.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of
registers to read/write per transmission (maximum of 123). Setting this value
Maximum Registers to 0 causes the server to select the optimal size.
Default = 0.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 13 - Modbus Serial PLC Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus Serial PLC object:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus -> Server
Nodes Configuration
2. Select the previously-configured Modbus Serial Port node displayed under the Server
Nodes Configuration node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus Serial PLC item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus Serial PLC from the Edit menu.
Or,

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 32

  Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus Serial PLC from the
displayed menu.
3. The Modbus Serial PLC Configuration page (Figure 6) is displayed in the settings pane
on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Modbus
Serial Port node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7 - New Modbus Serial PLC Object

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 33

 Creating and Configuring a Modbus Serial Slave Port Node
Figure 8 displays the Modbus Serial Slave Port Configuration page.

Figure 8 - Modbus Serial Slave Port Configuration Page

Table 14 describes the components of the Modbus Serial Slave Port Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the serial port to which the
Port device is connected.
Default = COM1.
Allows you to define the communication rate by selecting a value from the
Baud Rate drop-down list. Values range between 110 and 256000.
Default = 9600.
Allows you to define the number of data bits by selecting a value from the
Data Bits drop-down list. Values range between 4 and 8.
Default = 8.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the type of parity to be used.
Parity
Options available are None, Odd, Even, Mark, and Space.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 34

 Component Description
Default = Even.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the number of stop bits. Options
Stop Bits available are 1, 1.5, and 2.
Default = 1.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 14 - Modbus Serial Slave Port Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus Serial Slave Port node:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
2. Select the Server Nodes Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server
for Modbus node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus Serial Slave Port item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus Serial Slave Port item from the Edit menu.
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus UDP Port from the
displayed menu.
3. The Modbus Serial Slave Port Configuration page (Figure 8) is displayed in the settings
pane on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Server
Nodes Configuration node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9 - New Modbus Serial Slave Port Node

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 35

 Creating and Configuring a Modbus Serial Slave PLC Object
Figure 10 displays the Modbus Serial Slave PLC Configuration page.
This node is used as the Slave to configure Modbus devices using RTU or ASCII protocol over serial.

Figure 10 - Modbus Serial Slave PLC Configuration Page

Table 15 describes the components of the Modbus Serial Slave PLC Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to enter or select the Modbus address of the device (maximum
length of 255). If set to 0, writing to this device will cause a Modbus broadcast
message to go out to all devices on the communications port, writing to all
Modbus Address
devices simultaneously. When using a Modbus address of 0, you cannot read
tags through the device link. Change the address to match the address of the
Modbus slave from which you wish to read data.
ASCII Mode If this checkbox is selected, communication will occur in ASCII mode.
Validate Items This field is not applicable for Modbus Serial Slave PLC Object.

Number of Retries This field is not applicable for Modbus Serial Slave PLC Object.
Reconnect Delay This field is not applicable for Modbus Serial Slave PLC Object.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 36

 Component Description
Maximum Registers This field is not applicable for Modbus Serial Slave PLC Object.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 15 - Modbus Serial Slave PLC Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus Serial Slave PLC object:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus -> Server
Nodes Configuration
2. Select the previously-configured Modbus Serial Slave Port node displayed under the
Server Nodes Configuration node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus Serial Slave PLC item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus Serial Slave PLC from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus Serial Slave PLC from
the displayed menu.
3. The Modbus Serial Slave PLC Configuration page (Figure 10) is displayed in the settings
pane on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Modbus
Serial Slave Port node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11 - New Modbus Serial Slave PLC Object

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 37

 Creating and Configuring a Modbus Terminal Server Node
Figure 12 displays the Modbus Terminal Server Configuration page. Table 16 describes the
components of the Modbus Terminal Server Configuration page.

Figure 12 - Modbus Terminal Server Configuration Page

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Hostname If this option is selected, you can specify the network name of the device.
IP Address If this option is selected, you can specify the IP address of the device.
Port Number Allows you to enter or select the TCP port on which the device is listening.
Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds to wait before a
Reply Timeout timeout occurs (maximum of 30000 milliseconds).
Default = 1000.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 16 - Modbus Terminal Server Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus Terminal Server node:

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 38

 1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
2. Select the Server Nodes Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server
for Modbus node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus Terminal Server item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus Terminal Server item from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus Terminal Server from
the displayed menu.
3. The Modbus Terminal Server Configuration page (Figure 12) is displayed in the settings
pane on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Server
Nodes Configuration node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13 - New Modbus Terminal Server Node

Creating and Configuring a Modbus Terminal Server PLC Object

Figure 14 displays the Modbus Terminal Server PLC Configuration page.
This node is used as the Master to configure using RTU or ASCII protocol over TCP/IP.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 39

 Figure 14 - Modbus Terminal Server PLC Configuration Page

Table 17 describes the components of the Modbus Terminal Server PLC Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to enter or select the Modbus address of the device (maximum
length of 255). If set to 0, writing to this device will cause a Modbus broadcast
message to go out to all devices on the communications port, writing to all
Modbus Address devices simultaneously. When using a Modbus address of 0, you cannot
read tags through the device link. Change the address to match the
address of the Modbus slave from which you wish to read data.
Default = 0.
While adding the OPC items, if this checkbox is selected, the OPC server
validates whether the OPC items exist within your device and are valid.
The OPC items are rejected:
Validate Items
 If the OPC server is not connected to the device or,
 If the OPC items are not available in the device
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the number of retries if timeouts
Number of Retries
occur (maximum of 10).

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 40

 Component Description
Default = 3.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the number of milliseconds to
Reconnect Delay wait before re-trying the connection.
Default = 10000.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of
registers to read/write per transmission (maximum of 123). Setting this value
Maximum Registers to 0 causes the server to select the optimal size.
Default = 0.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 17 - Modbus Terminal Server PLC Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus Terminal Server PLC object:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus -> Server
Nodes Configuration
2. Select the previously-configured Modbus Terminal Server node displayed under the
Server Nodes Configuration node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus Terminal Server PLC item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus Terminal Server PLC from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus Terminal Server PLC
from the displayed menu.
3. The Modbus Terminal Server PLC Configuration page (Figure 14) is displayed in the
settings pane on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Modbus
Terminal Server node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 15.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 41

 Figure 15 - New Modbus Terminal Server PLC Object

Creating and Configuring a Modbus UDP Port Node

Figure 16 displays the Modbus UDP Port Configuration page.

Figure 16 - Modbus UDP Port Configuration Page

Table 18 describes the components of the Modbus UDP Port Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Hostname If this option is selected, you can specify the network name of the device.
IP Address If this option is selected, you can specify the IP address of the device.
Port Number Allows you to enter or select the UDP port on which the device is listening.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 42

 Component Description
Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds to wait before a
Reply Timeout timeout occurs (maximum of 30000 milliseconds).
Default = 2000.
Allows you to enter or select a value that specifies the number of retries if
Number of Retries timeouts occur (maximum of 10).
Default = 2.
Allows you to enter or select the number of milliseconds to wait before re-
Reconnect Delay trying the connection.
Default = 20000.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 18 - Modbus UDP Port Node Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus UDP Port node:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
2. Select the Server Nodes Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server
for Modbus node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus UDP Port item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus UDP Port item from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus UDP Port from the
displayed menu.
3. The Modbus UDP Port Configuration page (Figure 16) is displayed in the settings pane
on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Server
Nodes Configuration node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 17.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 43

 Figure 17 - New Modbus UDP Port Node

Creating and Configuring a Modbus UDP PLC Object

Figure 18 displays the Modbus UDP PLC Configuration page.
This node is used as the Master to configure Modbus devices using Modbus RTU or ASCII protocol
over UDP/IP.

Figure 18 - Modbus UDP PLC Configuration Page

Table 19 describes the components of the Modbus UDP PLC Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 44

 Component Description
Allows you to enter or select the Modbus address of the device (maximum
length of 255). If set to 0, writing to this device will cause a Modbus broadcast
message to go out to all devices on the communications port, writing to all
Modbus Address devices simultaneously. When using a Modbus address of 0, you cannot
read tags through the device link. Change the address to match the
address of the Modbus slave from which you wish to read data.
Default = 1.
If this checkbox is selected, communication will occur in ASCII mode.
ASCII Mode
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
While adding the OPC items, if this checkbox is selected, the OPC server
validates whether the OPC items exist within your device and are valid.
The OPC items are rejected:
Validate Items
 If the OPC server is not connected to the device or,
 If the OPC items are not available in the device
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum number of
registers to read/write per transmission (maximum of 123). Setting this value
Maximum Registers to 0 causes the server to select the optimal size.
Default = 0.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 19 - Modbus UDP PLC Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus UDP PLC object:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus -> Server
Nodes Configuration
2. Select the previously-configured Modbus UDP Port node displayed under the Server
Nodes Configuration node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus UDP PLC item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus UDP PLC from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus UDP PLC from the
displayed menu.
3. The Modbus UDP PLC Configuration page (Figure 18) is displayed in the settings pane on
the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 45

 Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Modbus
UDP Port node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19 - New Modbus UDP PLC Object

Creating and Configuring a Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card Node

Note: The Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card option is available ONLY if the card driver is installed
on the system.
The Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card configuration window (Figure 20) displays the settings
available for a connection to a Modbus+ SA84 or PCI85 card.

Figure 20 - Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card Configuration Page

Table 20 describes the components of the Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card configuration page.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 46

 Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the device number of the card
Card Number installed.
Default = 0.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the Modbus+ node address of
Modbus+ Address the SA85 or PCI85 card. The maximum value allowed is 255.
Default = 8.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 20 - Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card Configuration Page Components

To create and manually configure a Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card node:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
2. Select the Server Nodes Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server
for Modbus node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card
from the displayed menu.
3. The Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card configuration page (Figure 20) is displayed in the
settings pane on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 47

 6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the Server
Nodes Configuration node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 21.

Figure 21 - New Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card Node

Creating and Configuring a Modbus+ Device Object

Figure 22 displays the Modbus+ Device Configuration page.
A Modbus+ Device can be created as a child of a Modbus+SA85 or PCI85 Card.

Figure 22 - Modbus+ Device Configuration Page

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 48

 Table 21 describes the components of the Modbus+ Device Configuration page.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to enter a five-byte routing array. Each byte in the routing array
specifies the node address of the bridge, the destination node, or the path of
host-based adapter.
 If the Modbus+ device is connected to a local network, enter only the
node address of the Modbus+ device.
Example: A routing array of 25.0.0.0.0 routes the message to the
Modbus+ device at node 25.
 If the Modbus+ device is connected to a remote network through a
Modbus+Routing bridge, enter the node address of the bridges on the local and the
remote network, and then the node address of the Modbus+ device.
Example 1: A routing array of 14.36.0.0.0 routes the message first to
the bridge at node 14 on the local network, and then to the Modbus+
device at node 36 on the remote network.
Example 2: A routing array of 6.43.18.4.30 routes the message first to
the bridge at node 6 on the local network, and then to the bridges at
nodes 43, 18, and 4 on the remote networks in the same sequence, and
finally to the Modbus+ device at node 30.

Allows you to enter the number of milliseconds to wait before a timeout occurs,
Reply Timeout to a maximum of 30000 milliseconds.
Default = 1000.
Allows you to enter or select a value specifying the number of retries if
Retries timeouts occur, to a maximum of 10.
Default = 3.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the number of milliseconds to
Reconnect Delay wait before re-trying the connection, to a maximum of 3600 seconds.
Default = 10.
Create Select this button to confirm your creation of this node.
Cancel Select this button to cancel your process of creating a node.
Table 21 - Modbus+ Device Configuration Page Components

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 49

To create and manually configure a Modbus+ Device object:
1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus -> Server
Nodes Configuration
2. Select the previously-configured Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card node displayed under the
Server Nodes Configuration node, and either:
 Select the New Node -> Modbus+ Device item on the Toolbar.
Or,
 Select New Node -> Modbus+ Device from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select New Node -> Modbus+ Device from the
displayed menu.
3. The Modbus+ Device Configuration page (Figure 22) is displayed in the settings pane on
the right side of the screen.
4. Enter a name for the item.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing item, the new item will not be created. The Description field is
optional.
5. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
6. Click on the Create button. The new item is created and appears as a child of the
Modbus+ SA85 or PCI85 Card node in the navigation pane as shown in Figure 23.

Figure 23 - New Modbus+ Device Object

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 50

Advanced Options
The Advanced Options node in the navigation pane of the Configuration screen, when
expanded, displays the following configurable options:
 Alias Configuration
 Redundancy Configuration
 Server Status Configuration
 Server Options
 Logging Options
Instructions on how to configure these options (if required), is provided in this section of the
manual.

Alias Configuration
MatrikonOPC servers, including this one, provide the ability to create user-defined aliases that can
be used in place of regular OPC items. This feature is particularly useful when the item path for a
given server is very complex or difficult to remember, for example: Com1.Radio1.Unit1.41.4.123.
Servers can also be configured so that client applications have access to configured aliases only,
rather than every available item.
This section of the manual describes how to create and edit aliases using the Configuration
window.
Note: It is not necessary to define aliases before accessing server data items from an OPC client.

Inserting Alias Groups

Notes:
 Creating an Alias Group is optional. You can create an alias without “grouping” it.
 Alias Groups are used to contain one or more configured aliases.
To add a New Alias Group:
1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options
2. Select the Alias Configuration item displayed under the Advanced Options node, and
either:
 Select the New Group option from the Edit menu.
Or,
 Select the New Group button from the Toolbar.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse on the Alias Configuration item in the navigation pane, and
select New Group from the displayed menu.
3. The New Alias Group window (Figure 24) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 51

 Figure 24 - New Alias Group Window

4. Enter a name for the new Alias Group.

5. Click on the OK button.
6. The new Alias Group appears in the list displayed on the Alias Configuration page in the
settings pane, as well as under the Alias Configuration node in the navigation pane.

Figure 25 - Alias Configuration Page

Adding New Aliases

To add a new Alias:
1. In the navigation pane, select the previously-created Alias Group, and either:
 Select the New Alias option from the Edit menu.
Or,

 Select the button from the Toolbar.

Or,
 Right-click your mouse on the selected Alias Group in the navigation pane, and select
New Alias from the displayed menu.
2. The Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure 26) appears. The wizard provides the necessary
guidance to create your own Alias.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 52

 Figure 26 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 1: Alias Type

Table 22 describes the Alias Type configuration components.

Component Description
This Alias type is used to rename an item in this server. Basic Aliases also
Basic provide basic scaling options. Refer to Basic Alias Configuration for more
information.
Use this Alias type to define an Alias that is the result of a mathematical
Calculation equation involving one or more data items in the server. Refer to
Calculation Alias Configuration for more information.
Use this Alias type to create a brand new data item not associated with any
Holding item in the server. This type of item is useful for temporary items and
testing. Refer to Holding Alias Configuration for more information
Table 22 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Alias Type Components

Basic Alias Configuration

Figure 27 shows the Alias Identity configuration step when the Basic Alias configuration option
has been selected in Step 1 of the Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure 26).

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 53

 Figure 27 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity

Table 23 describes the Alias Identity configuration components.

Component Description
Displays the path where the new Alias item will reside once created.
Alias Group
This field is read-only.
Allows you to enter a name for the Alias you are creating. This name
Alias Name
must be unique within the Alias Group.
Allows you to enter or select a fully-qualified item ID for the OPC
item to which the Alias refers. Click on the Browse OPC Tag button
to display the Browse OPC Tag window which can be used to select
an existing OPC item on the server.
OPC Tag Alternatively, leave the item path blank to use the Alias as a general
in-memory variable. When doing so, either define the data type for
the Alias point as something other than Default, or have the Alias
set for reading and define the data type while writing values to the
Alias from an OPC client.
Table 23 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity Components

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 Figure 28 shows the Browse OPC Tag window which allows you to browse for tags on existing
OPC servers.

Figure 28 - Browse OPC Tag Window

Table 24 describes the Browse OPC Tag window components.

Component Description
Browser Allows you to browse the OPC servers available on your system.
Available Tags Displays the tags available in the selected OPC server.
Refresh Click on this button to refresh your browser.
Allows you to filter available tags using a string pattern. For example
*a will display all tags starting with the letter a. Enter a string pattern
Filter in the field to the left of the Filter button. Select the Filter button,
and all applicable tags are listed in the Available Tags screen
section.
Click on this button to confirm the tag you have selected, and to close
OK
the Browse OPC Tag window.
Click on this button to cancel your selection and return to the previous
Cancel
window.
Table 24 - Browse OPC Tag Window Components

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 Figure 29 shows the Alias Properties configuration step when the Basic Alias configuration option
has been selected.

Figure 29 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties

Table 25 describes the Alias Properties configuration components.

Component Description
From the drop-down list, allows you to set the value of the OPC item
Data Type to the specified type unless Default is selected. Also serves as the
“canonical” data type for the Alias.
When this checkbox is selected, OPC clients are prevented from
Read-Only
writing values to the Alias.
Force alias to be updated If this checkbox is selected, the Alias value continues to be updated
even when no OPC clients at the specified update rate even if there are no OPC clients
are subscribed to it currently accessing the Alias.
This field is available only if the Force alias to be updated even
when no OPC clients are subscribed to it checkbox is selected. If
Forced Update Rate this field is available, you can enter or select a value indicating the
rate (in milliseconds) at which the update rate applies to the current
Alias when no OPC clients are connected to it.
Table 25 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties Components

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 Figure 30 shows the Scaling Algorithm configuration step when the Basic Alias configuration
option has been selected.

Figure 30 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms

Table 26 describes the Scaling Algorithms configuration component.

Component Description
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the required scaling
Scaling
option for the Alias.
Table 26 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms Component

Figure 31 shows the Linear Scaling configuration step when the Basic Alias configuration option
has been selected.

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 Figure 31 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Linear Scaling)

Table 27 describes the Linear Scaling configuration components.

Component Description
Raw High Maximum expected raw value of the OPC item.
Raw Low Minimum expected raw value of the OPC item.
Maximum desired scaled value for the Alias (corresponds to Raw
Scaled High
High).
Minimum desired scaled value for the Alias (corresponds to Raw
Scaled Low
Low).
Clamp the scaled value at the high limit to prevent it from going out
Clamp High
of range.
Clamp the scaled value at the low limit to prevent it from going out
Clamp Low
of range.
Table 27 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Linear Scaling)

Figure 32 shows the Square Root Scaling configuration step when the Basic Alias configuration
option has been selected.

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 Figure 32 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Square Root Scaling)
Table 28 describes the Square Root Scaling components.

Component Description
Raw High Maximum expected raw value of the OPC item.
Raw Low Minimum expected raw value of the OPC item.
Maximum desired scaled value for the Alias (corresponds to Raw
Scaled High
High).
Minimum desired scaled value for the Alias (corresponds to Raw
Scaled Low
Low).
Clamp the scaled value at the high limit to prevent it from going out
Clamp High
of range.
Clamp the scaled value at the low limit to prevent it from going out
Clamp Low
of range.
Table 28 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Square Root Scaling) Components

Figure 33 shows the Gain/Offset configuration step when the Basic Alias configuration option has
been selected.

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 Figure 33 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Gain/Offset Scaling)

Table 29 describes the Gain/Offset Scaling configuration components.

Component Description
Gain Scaling factor. (No limits are assumed.)
Offset Scaling offset.
Table 29 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Gain/Offset Scaling) Components

Figure 34 shows the Expression Scaling configuration step when the Basic Alias configuration
option has been selected.

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 Figure 34 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Expression Scaling)

Table 30 describes the Expression Scaling configuration components.

Component Description
Simple text equation to apply to incoming values (reads). Click on the Editor button
Input to display the Expression Wizard screen used to help build a formula. For more
information, refer to the Expression Wizard section in this manual.
Simple text equation to apply to outgoing values (writes). Click on the Editor button
Output to display the Expression Wizard screen used to help build a formula. For more
information, refer to the Expression Wizard section in this manual.
Table 30 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Scaling Algorithms (Expression Scaling) Components

Figure 35 shows the Expression Wizard that is used to configure the input and output
expressions.
Notes:
 The Expression Wizard appears and functions the same for an input expression as it does
for an output expression. The differences being the expression field label: Input
Expression, Output Expression, and that one is for reads and the other for writes.
 If you are expecting to read a particular alias, create an Input Expression. If you are
expecting to write to a particular alias, create an Output Expression.
Please refer to the Expression Wizard section in this User’s Manual for examples.

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 Figure 35 - Expression Wizard

Table 31 describes the Expression Wizard components.

Component Description
Displays the expression as it is created. This field is free-form which allows you to
Input/Output manually enter or edit information. This field reads Input Expression when
Expression creating an input or “read” expression. It reads Output Expression when
creating an output or “write” expression.
Select this button to display the Select Function window which allows you to
Function
select the necessary function from those available.
Select this button to display the Select Variable window which allows you to
Variable
select the necessary variable from those available.
Select the applicable button to add the corresponding operator or operators to the
Operators
expression.
Clear Select this button to clear the Input/Output Expression field.
OK Select this button to accept changes to (or the creation of) the expression.
Select this button to discard changes to (or abandon the creation of) the
Cancel
expression.
Table 31 - Expression Wizard Components

Figure 36 shows the Select Function options of the Expression Wizard.

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 Figure 36 - Select Function Window

Table 32 describes the components of Select Function window.

Component Description
Displays the available categories for selection. Allows you to select the
Category
required category.
Displays the available functions associated with the selected category.
Available Functions
Allows you to select the required function.
Select this button to accept the selections made and return to the
Continue
initial Expression Wizard window.
Select this button to disregard the selections made and return to the
Cancel
initial Expression Wizard window.
Table 32 - Select Function Window Components

Figure 37 shows the Select Variable window of the Expression Wizard.

Figure 37 - Select Variable Window

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 Table 33 describes the Select Variable window components.

Component Description
Displays the available variables for selection. Allows you to select the
Select variable
required variable.
Select this button to accept the selection made and return to the
OK
initial Expression Wizard window.
Select this button to disregard the selection made and return to the
Cancel
initial Expression Wizard window.
Table 33 - Select Variable Window Components

Calculation Alias Configuration

Figure 38 shows the Alias Identity configuration step when the Calculation Alias configuration
option has been selected in Step 1 of the Alias Configuration Wizard (Figure 38).

Figure 38 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity

Table 34 describes the components of Alias Identity step when the Calculation Alias
configuration option has been selected.

Component Description
Displays the path where the new Alias item will reside once created. This field is
Alias Group
read-only.
Allows you to enter a name for the Alias you are creating. This name must be
Alias Name
unique within the Alias Group.
Table 34 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity Components

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 Figure 39 shows the Alias Properties configuration step when the Calculation Alias configuration
option has been selected.

Figure 39 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties

Table 35 describes the Alias Properties configuration components.

Component Description
From the drop-down list, allows you to set the value of the OPC item
Data Type to the specified type unless Default is selected. Also serves as the
“canonical” data type for the Alias.
Force alias to be updated If this checkbox is selected, the Alias value continues to be updated
even when no OPC clients at the specified update rate even if there are no OPC clients
are subscribed to it currently accessing the Alias.
This field is available only if the Force alias to be updated even
when no OPC clients are subscribed to it checkbox is selected. If
Forced Update Rate this field is available, you can enter or select a value indicating the
rate (in milliseconds) at which the update rate applies to the current
Alias when no OPC clients are connected to it.
Table 35 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties Components

Figure 40 shows the Alias Calculation configuration step when the Calculation Alias
configuration option has been selected.

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 Figure 40 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Alias Calculation

Table 36 describes the Alias Calculation configuration components.

Component Description
Alias Calculation Allows you to enter a calculation equation.
Select this button to display the Insert OPC Tag window (i.e., Tag
Insert OPC Tag Browser – Figure 28) allowing you to insert OPC tags as part of the
calculation formula.
This field lists a wide selection of mathematical functions that can be
used as part of your Alias calculation configuration. Double-click your
Insert Function
mouse on the required function and it appears in the calculation
equation displayed in the Alias Calculation screen section.
Table 36 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 4: Alias Calculation Components

Figure 41 shows the Alias Events configuration step when the Calculation Alias configuration has
been selected.

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 Figure 41 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Alias Events

Table 37 describes the Alias Events configuration components.

Component Description
When this checkbox is selected, Alias events are enabled for this
Enable events for this Alias
Alias item.
Source Allows you to enter the name of the source of the event.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the severity of the
Severity
alarm. The allowable range is 1 through 1000.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the event category
Category
under which the event is to be registered.
The Manage Categories button launches the Manage Event
Manage Categories Categories window (Figure 42) where you can create new
categories, as well as edit or delete existing categories.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, how the Alias event is
Trigger Condition
to be triggered: Value Change, Positive Edge.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, whether the
Timestamp Source timestamp for the Alias event is retrieved from the Server or the
Device (if it is different).
Allows you to enter a message that is to appear in the posted event.
This message can contain references to data items in the server.
Message
These references are replaced with the values of those items at the
time the event was generated.

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 Component Description
Select this button to display the Browse OPC Tag window (Figure
Insert OPC Tag
28) which is used to add item paths to this field.
Table 37 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Alias Events Components

Figure 42 displays the Manage Event Categories window.

Figure 42 - Manage Event Categories Window

Table 38 describes the Manage Event Categories window components.

Component Description
Select this button to access the New Event Category window (Figure 43) and
New
create a new category.
Select this button to edit the currently selected category.
Edit Note: This button is available only if at least one event category has been created
and selected.
Select this button to delete the selected category.
Delete Note: This button is available only if at least one event category has been created
and selected.
Select this button to close the Manage Event Categories window and return to
Close
Step 5 of the Alias Configuration Wizard.
Table 38 - Manage Event Categories Window Components

Figure 43 displays the New Event Category window.

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 Figure 43 - New Event Category Window

Table 39 describes the New Event Category window components.

Component Description
This is an automatically-assigned field that identifies the newly-
Category ID
created category.
Name The name of the newly-created category.
Description A description of the newly-created category.
Table 39 - New Event Category Window Components

Holding Alias Configuration

Figure 44 displays the Alias Identity configuration step when the Holding Alias configuration
option has been selected.

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 Figure 44 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity

Table 40 describes the components of Step 2: Alias Identity when the Holding Alias
configuration option has been selected.

Component Description
Displays the path where the new Alias item will reside once created.
Alias Group
This field is read-only.
Allows you to enter a name for the Alias you are creating. This name
Alias Name
must be unique within the Alias Group.
Table 40 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 2: Alias Identity Components

Figure 45 shows the Alias Properties configuration when the Holding Alias configuration option
has been selected.

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 Figure 45 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties

Table 41 describes the components of Step 3: Alias Properties.

Component Description
From the drop-down list, allows you to set the value of the OPC item
Data Type to the specified type unless Default is selected. Also serves as the
“canonical” data type for the Alias.
When this checkbox is selected, OPC clients are prevented from
Read-only
writing values to the Alias.
Default Value The default value of the holding Alias item created.
Table 41 - Alias Configuration Wizard - Step 3: Alias Properties Components

Editing Aliases
To edit an Alias:
1. From the Alias Configuration panel, select the Alias item you wish to edit.

2. Click on the button.

Or,
Select Edit from the Edit menu.
Or,
Right-click your mouse on the Alias item you wish to edit, and select Edit from the
displayed menu.

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 3. The Alias Configuration Wizard appears.
4. Make the changes as required.
5. Click on the Finish button to confirm your edit details.

Removing Aliases
Note: Any Alias that was created can be removed.
To remove an Alias:
1. From the Alias Configuration panel, select one or more Aliases you wish to remove.

2. Click on the button.

Or,
Select Delete from the Edit menu.
Or,
Right-click your mouse on the highlighted Alias item or items you wish to remove, and
select Edit from the displayed menu.
3. A message appears asking you to confirm the deletion.
4. Select the Yes button.
5. The Alias is removed.

Removing Alias Groups

Notes:
 Any Alias Group that was created can be removed.
 Deleting an Alias Group removes that group and all of its contents (i.e., Aliases).
To remove an Alias Group:
1. In the navigation pane, select and expand the Alias Configuration node.
2. All associated Alias Groups are listed in the Alias Configuration panel.
3. Select the Alias Group or Groups you wish to remove.

4. Click on the button.

Or,
Select Delete from the Edit menu.
Or,
Right-click your mouse on the highlighted Alias Group or Groups you wish to remove, and
select Edit from the displayed menu.
5. A message is displayed asking you to confirm the action.
6. Click on the Yes button.
7. The Alias Group is removed.

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Cloning Aliases
To clone an Alias:
1. From the Alias Configuration panel, select the Alias that you wish to clone.

2. Click on the button.

Or,
Select Clone from the Edit menu.
Or,
Right-click your mouse on the Alias you wish to clone, and select Clone from the displayed
menu.
3. The Alias Configuration Wizard appears.
4. By default, the Alias Name will be the name of the selected Alias item with a number
appended in parentheses. For example, Alias_003 (1).
5. Configure the cloned Alias, as required.
6. Click on the Finish button when you have completed the configuration.

Exporting Aliases
Note: Use the Export Alias File window to export all currently configured Aliases to a CSV file.
To export all currently configured Aliases:
1. From the navigation pane, select the Alias Configuration node.

2. Click on the button.

Or,
From the File menu, select the Export To CSV menu option.
Or,
Right-click your mouse and select the Export To CSV option from the displayed menu.
3. The Export Alias File window appears.
4. Enter a file name for the CSV export file and specify a location for it.
5. Click Save.
6. The Aliases are exported.

Importing Aliases
Note: Use the Import Alias File window to clear all Aliases and import new ones from a CSV file.
To import Aliases from a CSV file:
1. From the navigation pane, select either the Alias Configuration node.

2. Click on the button.

Or,

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 From the File menu, select the Import To CSV menu option.
Or,
Right-click your mouse and select the Import To CSV option from the displayed menu.
3. The Import Alias File window appears.
4. Browse to the required CSV file name.
5. Click Open.
6. The previous Aliases are cleared and the new ones are imported.

Expression Wizard
The Expression form of scaling uses an Expression Wizard to build formulas. The created
formula is a simple text equation that is applied to either incoming values (i.e., reads), or outgoing
values (i.e., writes).

Examples
Example 1:
The following turns any number into a Boolean value. Any non-zero value shows up as a 1.
IF(INPUT = 0,0,1)
OUTPUT
Example 2:
The following takes the text out of SAMPLE and converts it to ON. All other values show as OFF. If
OUTPUT is specified in the Output field, then the value is transferred to the end OPC item. Using
this alias, you can write SAMPLE or any other value to the Alias to get the display to changed from
OFF to ON.
String comparisons are case-sensitive.
IF(INPUT = ‘SAMPLE’,’ON’,’OFF’)
OUTPUT
Table 42 describes the Expression Wizard fields.

Component Description
Displays the expression as it is created. This field is free-form which
allows you to manually enter or edit information. This field reads Input
Input/Output Expression
Expression when creating an input or “read” expression. It reads
Output Expression when creating an output or “write” expression.
Select this button to display the Select Function window which allows
Function
you to select the necessary function from those available.
Select this button to display the Select variable window which allows
Variable
you to select the necessary variable from those available.
Select the applicable button to add the corresponding operator or
Operators
operators to the expression.
Clear Select this button to clear the Input/Output Expression field.
OK Select this button to accept changes to (or the creation of) the

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 Component Description
expression.
Select this button to discard changes to (or abandon the creation of) the
Cancel
expression.
Table 42 - Expression Wizard Options

Notes:
 The Expression Wizard appears and functions the same for an input expression as it does
for an output expression. The differences being the expression field label: Input
Expression, Output Expression, and that one is for reads and the other for writes.
 If you are expecting to read a particular Alias, create an Input Expression. If you are
expecting to write to a particular Alias, create an Output Expression.
To create an Input or Output Expression:
1. When the Expression Wizard (Figure 35) is displayed.
2. Manually enter your new expression in the Input Expression field and proceed to step 8.
Or,
Perform steps 3 through 7 using a combination of the Function, Variable, and Operators
buttons to create your expression, which will be displayed in the Input/Output
Expression field as you build it.
3. Click on the Function button to go to the Select Function (Figure 36) window. After
selecting the required function, click on the Continue button to bring up the Function
Parameter (Figure 46) window.
4. Complete the parameters as required.
5. Click on the OK button.

Figure 46 - Function Parameter Window

6. Click on the Variable button to go to the Select variable (Figure 37) window. After
selecting the required variable, click on the OK button to close the Select variable window
and return to the Expression Wizard.

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 7. The Operators buttons (Figure 47) allow you to enter an operation descriptor based on the
selected button.

Figure 47 - Operators Buttons

8. Click on the OK button on the Expression Wizard screen to close the wizard and display
the expression in either the Input or Output field, depending on which expression you
defined.

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 Redundancy Configuration
Redundancy configuration contains a list of device links that can exist anywhere in the OPC server
hierarchy. The Redundancy node assigns one of the device links in the list as the active device
link. Depending on the selected redundancy mode (refer to Table 43), the non-active device links
are placed in communicating, standby or disabled states. As operations (e.g., adding items,
reading/writing) are performed on the Redundancy node, these actions are forwarded through to
the active device link. If the active device link enters a failure condition (e.g., becomes
disconnected), the Redundancy node assigns a new active device link by iterating through its list
until it can find a device link that is connected.
Multiple Redundancy nodes can exist, and there can be one or more device links contained within a
Redundancy node. A particular device link may only be a member of one Redundancy node at a
time. The node tries to make one of the device links within itself, the active device link (i.e., the
device link from/to which the Redundancy node is reading/writing data).
Each device link within a Redundancy node will have an assigned priority. When deciding which
device link to make active, the Redundancy node goes through the list of its device links in order of
priority, from highest to lowest. When not in Cold Redundancy mode, if a device link that has a
higher priority than the active device links becomes connected, the Redundancy node makes that
particular device link active.
Items within the Redundancy node are added with the same item ID as those in its redundant
device links with the name of the redundant device link being replaced with the name of the
Redundancy node. Therefore, redundant device links should have identical hierarchy layout and
naming conventions below their level. The success of a redundancy item addition depends on
whether the Redundancy node can add the mapped item to the active device link. OPC reads and
writes performed on the Redundancy item are forwarded to the mapped item in the active device
link.
Table 43 describes the Redundancy modes available for redundancy configuration.

Mode Description
All redundant nodes are connected. Items are added only to the active
redundant node, but are not removed when a failover occurs. As failovers
Classic
occur and cause multiple redundant nodes to become active, the collection
state becomes the same as Hot.
All redundant nodes are connected. When items are added they are added
Hot to all redundant nodes in the Redundancy Group. This means that all
redundant nodes are actively collecting all the time.
All redundant nodes are connected. When items are added they are added
Warm to the active redundant node. When a failover occurs, the items will be
removed from the formerly active redundant node.
Only the active redundant node is connected. When items are added they
are added to the active redundant node. When a failover occurs the items
will be removed from the formerly active redundant node.
Cold
Note: When a redundant node is a member of a Cold mode Redundancy
node and not the active redundant node, then all communication through
that redundant node is disabled.
Table 43 - Redundancy Modes

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 Redundancy Node Failover Conditions
The MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus triggers a redundancy failover when it detects a disconnection
(@Connected = FALSE) via a request/response message timeout.

Creating and Configuring a Redundancy Node

Figure 48 displays the New Redundancy window. Table 44 describes the components of the New
Redundancy window.

Figure 48 - New Redundancy Window

Component Description
Allows you to enter the name of the redundant node, which becomes an
Name element of the item ID for data items.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.

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 Component Description
This field is optional and takes any user-defined text (64-character
Description maximum) for documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to enter a value to define how often (in milliseconds) to check
connected redundant nodes to make sure they are still actively
Status Check Period communicating with a device.
Default = 5,000.
Allows you to enter a value to define how often (in milliseconds) to check
connections that have failed (i.e., communication is down) to determine if
Connection Period connections have been restored.
Default = 1,000.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the style (Classic, Hot,
Warm, Cold) of redundancy management that should be used by this
Redundancy Mode group.
Default = Warm.
This section of the New Redundancy window displays those redundant
nodes defined as part of this particular redundant set, and the priorities of
the redundant nodes.
The Failover Nodes section contains the following fields and buttons
Failover Nodes which are described below: Configuration Node, Priority, Add Failover
Node(s), Edit, Delete, Move Up, and Move Down.

Select this button to access the Add Failover Nodes(s) window (Figure
49) which allows you to define one or more Failover nodes and assign a
priority to them.
Add Failover Node(s) After defining the list of nodes, they will appear listed in the Failover
Nodes section of the New Redundancy window.
Note: Once you have added a node, you can make changes to it, or
delete it, or change its order within the list.
Select this button to access the Edit Failover Node window (Figure 50)
which allows you to update the selected node.
Edit
This button is only available once a Failover node has been added to the
list.
Select this button to delete the selected Failover node or nodes.
Delete This button is only available once a Failover node has been added to the
list.
Select this button to move the selected Failover node up through the list,
Move Up
according to priority.
Select this button to move the selected Failover node down through the
Move Down
list, according to priority.
Configuration Node Displays the names of the added Failover nodes.

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 Component Description
Displays the priority (High, Medium, or Low) assigned to the current
Priority Failover node. Nodes of higher priority are preferred to lower priority
nodes.
OK Select this button to save any changes made and close the window.
Cancel Select this button to close the window without saving any changes made.
Table 44 - New Redundancy Window Components

Figure 49 - Add Failover Node(s) Window

Table 45 describes the Add Failover Node(s) window components.

Mode Description
Node(s) Name of the Failover node.
Allows you to select a priority (High, Medium, or Low) for the current
Priority redundant node from the drop-down list. Redundant nodes of higher
priority are preferred to those of lower priority.
OK Select this button to save any changes made and close the window.
Cancel Select this button to close the window without saving any changes made.
Table 45 - Add Failover Node(s) Window Components

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 Figure 50 - Edit Failover Node Window

Table 45 describes the Edit Failover Node window components.

Mode Description
Node Name of the selected Failover node.
Allows you to select a priority (High, Medium, or Low) for the current
Priority node from the drop-down list. Nodes of higher priority are preferred to
those of lower priority.
OK Select this button to save any changes made and close the window.
Cancel Select this button to close the window without saving any changes made.
Table 46 - Edit Failover Node Window Components

To create and configure a Redundancy node:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page (Figure 51) appears on the right side of the screen.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 81

 Figure 51 - Redundancy Configuration Page

4. From the Toolbar, select the button.

Or,
From the navigation pane, right-click your mouse on the Redundancy Configuration item,
and select New Redundancy from the displayed menu.
Or,
From the Edit menu, select the New Redundancy option.
5. The New Redundancy window (Figure 48) appears.
6. Enter a name for the redundancy node.
7. Enter or select a value to define the Status Check Period.
8. Enter or select a value to define the Connection Period.
9. Select a Redundancy Mode from the drop-down list.
10. Add one or more Failover nodes:

a. Select the button.

b. The Add Failover Node(s) window (Figure 49) appears.
c. Enter a name for the new Failover node.
d. Select a Priority from the drop-down list.
e. Click OK to close Add Failover Node(s) window and return to the New
Redundancy window.
f. If required, add more Failover nodes by following step 10.
11. Select the OK button to close the New Redundancy window and return to the
Configuration screen.
12. The newly-created configuration is listed on the Redundancy Configuration page (Figure
52).

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 82

 Note: The Failover Nodes column on the Redundancy Configuration page displays the
number of Failover nodes created and configured for the current Redundancy configuration.

Figure 52 - Redundancy Configuration Page

Editing a Redundancy Configuration

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.
4. Select the configuration you wish to edit and either:

 Select the button on the Toolbar.

Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select Edit from the displayed menu.
Or,
 From the Edit menu, select the Edit option.
Or,
 Double-click your mouse on the selected configuration.
5. The Edit Redundancy window (Figure 53) appears.
Note: This window contains the same components as in the New Redundancy window.
Refer to Table 44 for Edit Redundancy window field descriptions.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 83

 Figure 53 - Edit Redundancy Window

6. Make the necessary change or changes.

7. Select the OK button.
8. The Edit Redundancy window closes and you are returned to the Redundancy
Configuration page where the edited configuration is displayed.

Disabling a Redundancy Configuration

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 84

 4. Right-click your mouse on the configuration you wish to disable and select Disable from the
displayed menu.
5. The Redundancy Configuration page is refreshed. The icon to the left of the Name field
changes and the Enabled column now displays No (Figure 54) indicating the configuration
is now disabled.

Figure 54 - Disabled Configuration

Enabling a Disabled Redundancy Configuration

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.
4. Right-click your mouse on the disabled configuration you wish to enable and select Enable
from the displayed menu.
5. The Redundancy Configuration page is refreshed. The icon to the left of the Name field
changes and the Enabled column now displays Yes (Figure 55) indicating the configuration
is now enabled.

Figure 55 - Enabled Configuration

Cloning a Redundancy Configuration

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.
4. Select the configuration you wish to clone and either:

 Select the button on the Toolbar.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 85

 Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select Clone from the displayed menu.
Or,
 From the Edit menu, select the Clone option.
5. The Edit Redundancy window (Figure 53) appears.
6. Enter a unique name for the cloned configuration.
7. Make any other necessary change or changes.
8. Select the OK button.
9. The Edit Redundancy window closes and you are returned to the Redundancy
Configuration page where the cloned configuration is displayed.

Deleting a Redundancy Configuration

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.
4. Select the configuration you wish to delete and either:

 Select the button on the Toolbar.

Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select Delete from the displayed menu.
Or,
 From the Edit menu, select the Delete option.
5. A confirmation message window appears asking you to confirm the deletion.
6. Select Yes.
7. The Redundancy Configuration page is refreshed and the deleted configuration is no
longer listed.

Adding a Failover Node to an Existing Redundancy Configuration

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 86

 4. Select the configuration you wish to add a Failover node to, and either:

 Select the button on the Toolbar.

Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select Edit from the displayed menu.
Or,
 From the Edit menu, select the Edit option.
Or,
 Double-click your mouse on the selected configuration.
5. The Edit Redundancy window (Figure 53) appears.

6. Select the button.

7. The Add Failover Node(s) window (Figure 49) appears.
8. Enter a name for the new Failover node.
9. Select a Priority from the drop-down list.
10. Select the OK button to close the Add Failover Node(s) window and return to the Edit
Redundancy window where the new node is now listed in the Failover Nodes section.
11. Select the OK button to close the Edit Redundancy window and return to the
Configuration screen.
12. The Failover Nodes column on the Redundancy Configuration page is now updated to
include the newly-created Failover node.

Editing a Failover Node

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.
4. Select the configuration associated with the Failover node you wish to edit, and either:

 Select the button on the Toolbar.

Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select Edit from the displayed menu.
Or,
 From the Edit menu, select the Edit option.
Or,
 Double-click your mouse on the selected configuration.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 87

 5. The Edit Redundancy window (Figure 53) appears.
6. In the Failover Nodes screen section, either:
 Double-click your mouse on the node you wish to edit.
Or,
 Select the node you wish to edit, and select the Edit button.
7. The Edit Failover Node window appears.
8. Make the required change or changes.
9. Select the OK button to close the Edit Failover Node window and return to the Edit
Redundancy window where the edited node is displayed in the Failover Nodes section.
10. Select the OK button to close the Edit Redundancy window and return to the
Configuration screen.

Deleting a Failover Node

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.
4. Select the configuration associated with the Failover node you wish to delete, and either:

 Select the button on the Toolbar.

Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select Edit from the displayed menu.
Or,
 From the Edit menu, select the Edit option.
Or,
 Double-click your mouse on the selected configuration.
5. The Edit Redundancy window (Figure 53) appears.
6. In the Failover Nodes screen section, select the node you wish to delete and either:
 Right-click your mouse and select Delete from the displayed menu.
Or,
 Select the Delete button.
7. A confirmation message window appears asking you to confirm the deletion.
8. Select Yes.
9. The Edit Redundancy Configuration window is refreshed and the deleted node is no
longer listed.

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 10. Select the OK button to close the Edit Redundancy window and return to the
Redundancy Configuration page where the value in the Failover Nodes column not
reflects the node deletion.

Re-Ordering a Failover Node

Notes:
 The order of the Failover configuration nodes determines the sequence in which
failover occurs.
 When re-ordering Failover configuration nodes, you can only re-order them within
the same priority. For example, you cannot move a node with a Priority of Medium
or Low above a node with a Priority of High.
1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Redundancy Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server for
Modbus.
3. The Redundancy Configuration page appears on the right side of the screen displaying
any Redundancy configurations.
4. Select the configuration associated with the Failover node you wish to delete, and either:

 Select the button on the Toolbar.

Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select Edit from the displayed menu.
Or,
 From the Edit menu, select the Edit option.
Or,
 Double-click your mouse on the selected configuration.
5. The Edit Redundancy window (Figure 53) appears.
6. In the Failover Nodes screen section, select the node you wish to move up or down within
the list and either:
 Right-click your mouse and select the Move Up or Move Down option from the
displayed menu.
Or,
 Select the Move Up or Move Down button.
7. Continue to select the required option until the node appears in the necessary order.
8. Select the OK button to close the Edit Redundancy window and return to the
Redundancy Configuration page.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 89

Removing a Configured Server Node
Note: You can easily remove any server node that you have created.
The node is immediately removed from the navigation pane (i.e., tree
view), but it can still be working in the background until there is no
longer any reference to it.
To remove a server node:
1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select the server node you wish to
remove and either:
 Select the Delete button from the Toolbar.
Or,
 From the Edit menu, select the Delete menu option.
Or,
 Right-click your mouse and select Delete from the displayed menu.
2. A message window (Figure 56) appears asking you to confirm the deletion.

Figure 56 - Delete Confirmation Message Window

3. Select the Yes button.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 90

Server Status Configuration
Enabling and Configuring the Server Status Node
Some OPC clients use the OPC call, GetServerStatus(), to monitor the state of an OPC server.
MatrikonOPC’s Server Status Configuration page allows you to monitor an OPC server status in
a customizable way.
The Monitored Node(s) tree allows the user to subscribe to nodes that can exist anywhere in the
OPC server hierarchy. The status of the OPC server is updated every configured Status Check
Period by examining the status of the subscribed nodes within the OPC server hierarchy. Nodes
within the OPC server hierarchy can be subscribed by checking the checkbox beside the node in the
Monitored Node(s). Once you have checked all desired nodes, click on the Apply button to
commit your selections.
There are two options (Server Check Type) for the logic that will determine the server status. For
the Server Status to be Running, the first option (‘Running’ if at least one node is
connected) requires that there is at least one subscribed node that is connected. In this case, if all
subscribed nodes enter a failure condition (e.g., become disconnected), the Server Status will be
Failed. The second option (‘Running’ if all nodes are connected) is stricter as it is required that
all subscribed nodes be running. In this case, if any subscribed nodes enter a failure condition, the
Server Status will be Failed.
Figure 57 displays the settings available for configuring the Server Status node.

Figure 57 - Server Status Configuration Page

Table 48 describes the Server Status Configuration advanced option components.

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 Component Description
Selecting this checkbox enables the server status node functionality
for the OPC server.
Enable Server Status By default, the checkbox is cleared.
Note: This checkbox must be selected to enable the fields on the
Server Status Configuration page.
Allows you to enter or select a value to define how often (in
milliseconds) to check the connected node or nodes to make sure
Status Check Period they are still actively communicating with a device.
Default = 5000.
Allows you to select the type of logic used to determine Server
Status. Selecting the first option, ‘Running’ if at least one node is
connected, results in a Server Status of Running (rather than
Status Check Type Failed) if there are one or more nodes with a status of Running.
Selecting the second option, ‘Running’ if all nodes are connected,
results in a Server Status of Failed if there are one or more nodes
with a status of Failed.
This tree displays your OPC server’s node configuration hierarchy.
Monitored Node(s) Select the applicable checkbox or checkboxes to define the node or
nodes you wish to subscribe to a server status check.
Displays the number of nodes selected in the Monitored Node(s)
Node(s) checked
tree.
Select All Use this button to select all configurable nodes of the OPC server.
Use this button to clear (i.e., deselect) all configurable nodes of the
Deselect All
OPC server.
Use this button to select all descendants of the selected node of the
Select All Descendants
OPC server.
Use this button to clear (i.e., deselect) all descendants of the
Deselect All Descendants
selected node of the OPC server.
Apply Use this button to commit any changes made on this page.
Cancel Use this button to discard any changes made on this page.
Table 47 - Server Status Configuration Page Components

To enable and configure the Server Status node:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation pane, select and expand the following
nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options.
2. Select the Server Status Configuration item displayed under the MatrikonOPC Server
for Modbus.
3. The Server Status Configuration page (Figure 57) appears on the right side of the
screen.
4. Select the Enable Server Status checkbox.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 92

 5. Configure the Status Check Period and Status Check Type properties, as required.
6. In the Monitoried Node(s) tree, select the required node or nodes.
7. Click on the Apply button.

Server Options
The Server Options page is used to edit the general server options.

Note: These settings should only be changed by a MatrikonOPC

representative or by someone on their behalf. Incorrectly setting these
options may adversely affect the operation of the server. Do not
adjust these settings unless specifically requested by
MatrikonOPC Support personnel.

Figure 58 displays the Server Options page.

Figure 58 - Server Options

Table 48 describes the Server Options components.

Component Description
Allows you to enter or select a value to define an OPC
Time Granularity group/subscription scan thread resolution (in milliseconds).
Default = 100.

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 Component Description
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the period of time (in
milliseconds) to wait after the last COM client disconnects before
Shutdown Delay automatically shutting down.
Default = 60,000.
Allows you to enter or select a value to specify the minimum OPC
Min. Group Update Rate group rate update (in milliseconds).
Default = 100.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum amount
of time (in milliseconds) to wait for COM clients to disconnect after
Shutdown Wait Time the shutdown notification has been sent, when shutting down
manually.
Default = 5,000.
Selecting this checkbox this will allow the server to accept Dynamic
Enable DDE communication Data Exchange (DDE) connections.
By default, this checkbox is cleared (i.e., not selected).
Allows you to specify the character to be used to indicate the start of
DDE Item Delimiter a new item in the DDE data request.
Default = \.
Allows you to specify the DDE service name that should be used by
DDE Service Name
clients to connect to this program.
When this checkbox is selected, only those items with configured
Restrict adds to Aliases can be added to groups on the server.
preconfigured aliases
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Normally, the OPC server will shut down after the last COM client
disconnects from the server. Select this checkbox to force the server
Lock server to keep the server running events when all COM clients have
disconnected.
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Allows you to enter or select a bit mask value specifying to which
Processor Affinity
processors to bind (e.g., bit 1 = CPU1).
Apply Use this button to commit any changes made on this page.
Cancel Use this button to discard any changes made on this page.
Table 48 - Server Options Components

To access the Server Options page:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options
2. Select the Server Options item displayed under the Advanced Options node.
3. The Server Options page is displayed in the settings pane (i.e., the pane on the right side
of the Configuration window).

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 94

 Logging Options
The Logging Options panel allows you to customize how error and debug information is recorded.
Figure 59 shows the Logging Options page.

Figure 59 - Logging Options

Table 49 describes the Logging Options components.

Component Description
Selecting this checkbox enables general activity logging at the
Enable server activity specified detail level (High, Medium, Low, or None). If this
logging checkbox is cleared, all other fields on this page are disabled.
By default, this checkbox is selected.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the level at which
general activity is to be logged.
Default = None.
Log Level
Note: Unless you are debugging a problem, it is recommended that
you set this field to None or Low so that server performance is not
affected.
Allows you to specify the full path for the log file. The default path is
Filename C:\Program Files\Matrikon\Common\PSTCFGModbus.1.LOG.
If required, select the Browse button adjacent to this field, to

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 95

 Component Description
access the Open window allowing you to locate and select the
required file.
Selecting this checkbox overwrites the old log file each time the
Overwrite old log server starts up. Otherwise, rename the old log file with an
information underscore (_) prefix.
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Selecting this checkbox purges the file buffer after each message is
Commit all log file writes logged in the event of an unexpected server shut down.
By default, this checkbox is cleared.
Allows you to enter or select a value defining the maximum size of
the log file (in MB). Once this size is reached, the oldest data in the
file is erased at the same rate that new information is written to the
Wrap log file if exceeds log file.
By default, this checkbox is selected and the field adjacent to the
checkbox is set to a value of 10 MB.
Filter String Allows you to enter the filtered log match string.
Allows you to enter the full path for the filtered log file.
Filename If required, select the Browse button adjacent to this field, to
access the Open window allowing you to locate and select the
required file.
Use this button to commit any changes made on the Logging
Apply
Options page.
Use this button to discard any changes made on the Logging
Cancel
Options page.
Table 49 - Logging Options Components

To access the Logging Options page:

1. From the Configuration window, in the navigation (i.e., tree view) pane on the left, select
and expand the following nodes:
 MyMatrikonOPC -> Localhost -> MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus ->
Advanced Options
2. Select the Logging Options item displayed under the Advanced Options node.
3. The Logging Options page is displayed in the settings pane (i.e., the pane on the right
side of the Configuration window).

Clearing a Configuration
Note: Starting a new configuration will clear the existing one.
To clear a configuration:
1. From the File menu, choose the New menu option.
2. A confirmation message appears asking if you wish to export the configuration for later use.
3. Select Yes if you wish to export the configuration.
Or,

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 96

 Select No if you wish to clear the configuration without exporting it first.
4. The configuration is cleared.

Importing a Configuration
To import a configuration file:
1. From the navigation pane, right-click your mouse on the current server node, and either:

 Select the button from the Toolbar.

Or,
 Select the Import Configuration option from the File menu.
2. The Import Configuration window appears.
3. Enter, or browse and select, the configuration file that you want to import.
4. Select the Open button.
5. A confirmation message window appears asking you to confirm that you are replacing the
currently active configuration and whether you wish to export it for later use.
6. Select the Yes button to export the configuration.
Or,
Select the No button to clear the current configuration and import the selected file.

Exporting a Configuration
To export a configuration file:
1. From the navigation pane, right-click your mouse on the current server node, and either:

 Select the button from the Toolbar.

Or,
 Select the Export Configuration option from the File menu.
2. The Export Configuration window appears.
Note: If during the import configuration procedure, you selected the Yes button on the
confirmation message window when asked if you would like to export the current
configuration for later use, this same window appears and you can follow the same steps
below.
3. Enter, or browse and select, the configuration file to which you wish to export.
4. Select the Save button.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 97

 OPC Data Items
This section describes the OPC data items used in the MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus.

Modbus Items
The OPC item ID syntax of this OPC server is as follows with field descriptions defined in Table 50:
[PORT.]DEVICE.X:YYYYY{:N}{D|F|U|P|A}[S}[/ZZ}*

Field Description
Name of the SA85 Card, Serial Port, or UDP Port under which the Modbus device
PORT
appears. Not required for Modbus Ethernet.
DEVICE Name of the Modbus device link defined in the OPC server configuration.
Modbus register file number. Not all devices support all file types.
File Type Description Size Read Write
0 Digital Output Coil 1 bit  
1 Digital Input Coil 1 bit 
X
3 Analog Input Register 16 bits 
4 Analog Output Register 16 bits  
3W Non-Standard Analog Input Register** 32 bits 
4W Non-Standard Analog Output Register** 32 bits  
Modbus register address. Possible range is from 1 to 65535. The actual range
YYYYY
depends on the Modbus device configuration for the particular register file type.
Append a letter D to the end of an item ID to indicate that the 3X or 4X register
D pairs up with the next register to form a 32-bit integer. For example, 4:1D reads
the least significant word from 4:1 to the most significant word of 4:2.
Append a letter F to the end of an item ID to indicate that the 3X or 4X register
F
pairs up with the next register to form a 32-bit IEEE floating-point real.
Append a letter U to the end of an item ID to indicate that the 3X or 4X register
U
should be treated as an unsigned rather than a signed 16-bit integer.
Append a letter S to the end of an item ID after a D or an F to swap the word
S order from the default (least significant word in lowest address) reverse format
(most significant word in lowest address).
Append a letter P to the end of an item ID to indicate that the 4X register should
be written to using Function 6. This option may be used in conjunction with a U.
P
When doing so, the P should be placed after the U. This option is available only
with the Modbus Ethernet PLC and Modbus Serial devices.
Append a forward slash followed by an integer to the end of an item ID to access
ZZ an individual bit in a 3X or 4X register. The valid range for the bit index is 0 to
15 or, 0 to 31 if the D modifier is specified. These items are always read-only.
Append an A to the end of an item ID to indicate that the item should be parsed
A
as an ASCII String.

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 Field Description
Append :N to the end of the item ID to indicate that the item should be an array
:N
of N elements starting from register YYYYY.
Table 50 - Item ID Field Descriptions

* The syntax does not support items with a combination of D, F, and U modifiers. Although the Tag
Studio allows these items to be added, the last letter in the combination is all that will be
interpreted when reading values. For example, Port.Device.X:YYYYYDU will act as an unsigned
16-bit value as the D is ignored.
** Registers 3W and 4W are provided in case your unit does not conform to standard Modbus
design. They should only be used in your Modbus unit uses the non-standard larger 32-bit
registers. Since 32-bit register design is not part of the standard Modbus protocol, we cannot claim
to successfully support his mode for any particular device.

Examples
Consider the configuration shown in Figure 60 .
X X

Figure 60 - Configuration Example

The Sample Item IDs shown in Table 51 are examples that could be created from the configuration
X X

shown in Figure 18 .
X X

Sample Item ID Description

Analog Input (AI) register 1 on serial device Device1
Com1.Device1.3:1
communicating using serial port Com1.
Analog Output (AO) register 3 on serial device Device2
Com1.Device2.4:3P communicating using serial port Com1. All writes to this
register will be done with Function 6.

Ethernetplc1.3:7FS AI register 7 on device Ethernetplc1 as a 32-bit IEEE

float-point real with the words swapped (register 8

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 Sample Item ID Description
contains the least significant word).
AI register 8 on device Ethernetplc1 as an unsigned 16-
Ethernetplc1.4:8UP
bit integer and using Function 6 to write.
AO register 231 on device Slave1 communicating on
Serialslave1.Slave1.4:231F serial slave connection Serialslave1 as a 32-bit IEEE
float-point real.
DI coil 3 on device Terminal1 communicating on TCP/IP
connection Tcp-terminal-server as a 32-bit integer with
Tcp-terminal-server.Terminal1.1:3DS
the words swapped (register 4 contains the least
significant word).
Bit 4 of Analog Output (AO) Register 4 on device
Device1 communicating on UDP connection Udp1.
Udp1.Device1.4:4/3
Note: Although the AO register file is normally writable,
since this Item ID specifies a bit, it is read-only.
AI Register4 on device Device1 communicating on UDP
Udp1.Device1.3:4U
connection Udp1 as an unsigned integer.
Bit 32 of Register 9 on device Device2 communicating
Udp1.Device2.3:9D/31 on UDP connection Udp1 as a 32-bit integer (actually bit
16 of register 10).
Bit 16 of AI Register 9 on device Device2 communicating
Udp1.Device2.3:9DS/31 on UDP connection Udp1 as a 32-bit integer (actually bit
16 of register 9 since the words are reversed).
This reads a string starting at register 10 up to register
Ethernetplc1.4:10:5A 15 (10 + 5). Each register contains two ASCII characters
meaning the length of the string is 10 characters.
Table 51 - Sample Item IDs

The MatrikonOPC Server Framework creates a number of standard data items which can be used
for monitoring and controlling certain behaviour.
Table 52 describes the standard items available for most device links.

Field Description
This is a Boolean OPC tag which indicates whether or not the device link to
#Enabled which it belongs is enabled. If the value is True or a value of True is written
to this item then the device link is enabled.
Adding this item allows an OPC client to monitor the offline mode for that
location using read operations and provide the ability to toggle offline mode
#OfflineMode for that location using write operations. For more information, refer to
Appendix G - Offline Mode.

This is a Boolean OPC tag which indicates whether or not the device link is
@Connected connected to its resources. Typically True indicates that a connection of an
end device has been established.
Table 52 - Standard Data Items

Table 53 describes the standard items available for at the root branch of the server browse tree.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 100

 Field Description
This is a Boolean OPC tag that has a default value of True when the server
starts which indicates that the tag security permissions are monitored and
applied while the server is running. By adding this item to an OPC group and
#MonitorACLFile writing a value of False to this item, the server no longer applies tag security
configuration changes while the server is running. The server would need to
be stopped and restarted for the changes to take effect. For more
information, refer to Appendix F - Security.

This is a read-only string item which lists the name of every client currently
@Clients
connected to the OPC server.
Table 53 - Server Data Items

Table 54 describes the statistical and control items available for the Redundancy node.

Field Description
Write to this control item to indicate which redundant node, to which the
Redundancy node is subscribed, is forced to be active whether or not it is
#Manual Device Link available. Clear the value of this control item to allow the OPC server to
decide which of the subscribed device links should be active, according to
their configured priorities and availabilities.
The current active redundant node, which will be the highest-priority of the
@Active Device Link
available device links on the Redundancy node’s subscription list.
A numbered list of redundant nodes to which the Redundancy node is
subscribed. They are ordered from highest to lowest priority. Writing a
numbered list of redundant nodes will modify the subscribed nodes for the
#Redundancy Group Redundancy node.
Note: Writing to this item is not supported if the redundant node name
contains colon “:” or bracket “()” characters.
Table 54 - Redundancy Node OPC Items

Table 55 describes the statistical and control items available for the Server Status node.

Field Description
A numbered list of the device links being monitored by the Server Status node.
@Monitor List The full path of the node is provided, as entered in the Server Status node’s
subscription list.
Indicates the customized status of the server based on the settings for the
@Server Status Server Status node. The status options are: Running, Failed, or No
Configuration (if the monitor list is empty).
Table 55 - Server Status List Device Link OPC Items

Getting Data without Being Connected to a Device

The MatrikonOPC Server Framework supports “offline mode”, which allows OPC clients to obtain
changing good quality data without being connected to a device. This is useful if you wish to test
an HMI or other OPC client without worrying about the connection to the device, or the quality of
the data provided. For more information, refer to Appendix G - Offline Mode.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 101

Diagnostics
The server supplies diagnostic information to assist operators and support personnel with
troubleshooting communication problems and software faults.

Logging
All MatrikonOPC servers produce log files that record errors and debugging information. The log
files can be extremely valuable for troubleshooting. As such, it is important to note that the default
log level is set to low. The Logging Options page in the main configuration window contains
settings to control server logging.
Activity Log Settings records information about the internal workings of the OPC server. It is useful
for troubleshooting problems with configuration and device communication. Interface Activity
Logging records information about the client/server OPC communication. It is useful for
troubleshooting compliance issues.
For general logging, the higher the log level, the more information that is recorded. However,
server performance may decrease at higher log levels. The recommended operating level is
Medium. More log levels are available for both types of logging which record more detailed
information, as well as the ability to output log statements to a console window at run time.
Contact MatrikonOPC support for further instructions on how to enable the higher log levels and
console logging.
For Interface logging, the log level can be considered very high and therefore should never be used
during normal operation of the OPC server unless specifically working on problems related to
interfacing.
MatrikonOPC Sniffer is a useful tool for logging OPC client/server communication. It enhances
the Interface Activity Logging by recording the client-side transactions. It can also be used with
other OPC servers. MatrikonOPC Sniffer is a utility used to troubleshoot OPC client/server
interoperability issues. Contact the MatrikonOPC Sales department for further information about
this product, or use the following link to access the MatrikonOPC Sniffer Download.
In general, the server logs all errors and other information of immediate importance to the user at
the low detail level, all warnings and other information of moderate importance to the user at a
medium detail level, and additional information concerning the normal functioning of the software
at a high detail level. The server also logs further information of concern to support personnel at
the debug log level.

Note: The higher the log level, the slower the performance of the
server. It is recommended that the log level be left at the default,
unless troubleshooting needs to be performed.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 102

Limitations
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus has the following limitation:
1. Array data type OPC items – OPC items with a data type of Array are read-only.
2. Modbus+ device – The Modbus+ functionality has been implemented but could not been
tested due to the absence of a device that supports this protocol.

Refer to the MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Release Notes for known issues.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 103

Troubleshooting
This section is intended to assist you by providing licensing information and MatrikonOPC
Support contact information. Also addressed here are some of the most common problems
encountered, and questions asked, while using this OPC server. Please check the following
Problems/Solutions and Questions/Answers sections before contacting the MatrikonOPC
Support team.

Problems and Solutions

“aprxdist” error on install
Problem: What is this “aprxdist” error on install?
Solution: For our installations to work correctly, the install must be able to access the
C:\WINDOWS\system32 directory to add, use, and remove the file called
aprxdist.exe and add the file opcenum.exe.
Generally, we will see this error on Windows 2003 SP1 system where this is not
possible. To resolve the issue, download these files, and place them in
C:\WINDOWS\system32, and rerun the install.

Logged in as Administrator to run install

Problem: Why do I need to be logged in as an Administrator to run the install?
Solution: For MatrikonOPC software to install correctly, you must be logged in as a user with
access to the registry. If you are not an Administrator on the system, the installation
will not be able to register the software correctly.

Server stops updating client with item values after two hours
Problem: The server stops updating the client with item values after two hours.
Solution: The server may be licensed with a hardware key and the hardware key may not be
properly detected, or the software license has expired.
Alternatively, try running the MatrikonOPC Licensing utility from the shortcut menu.
Click on the Check Licenses button to see the status of all MatrikonOPC product
licenses.
Check that the correct HASP hardware key is securely fastened to the parallel port. If it
is, run the HINSTALL program that is located in the Program Files\Common
Files\MatrikonOPC\Common directory.

Server stops updating client with item values after 30 days

Problem: The server stops updating the client with item values after 30 days.
Solution: The evaluation period for the license has expired. Please contact MatrikonOPC
Support.

More than one HASP attached to parallel port, but only first one is recognized
Problem: There is more than one HASP hardware key from MatrikonOPC attached to the parallel
port, but the software recognizes only the first one.
Solution: HASP keys from the same vendor cannot be chained together. Send an email to the

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 104

 MatrikonOPC Support team to obtain a HASP key containing the combined codes of all
installed MatrikonOPC servers.

OPC client unable to create or read items under configured object (device)
Problem: The OPC client is unable to create or read items under a configured object (device).
Solution: Check the object configuration (for more information, refer to Server Configuration).
Ensure the Enabled checkbox is selected.

Server cannot save configuration in XML format

Problem: The OPC server cannot save the configuration in XML format.
Solution: Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 (or later) must be installed to use the XML format.

Server does not show up in the list of locally available program IDs in OPC client
application
Problem: The server does not show up in a list of locally available program IDs in the OPC client
application.
Solution: Make sure that a user with local administrative rights installs the OPC server so that it
can create the necessary entries in the registry.
Ensure OPCEnum is registered as a service, DCOM permissions are configured
properly, and the OPCEnum service is running.
Also, especially for older OPC clients that do not use the OPC server browser, make
sure the client is running as a user that has read access to the registry.

Server does not show up as remote program in OPC client application

Problem: The OPC server does not show up in a list of remotely available program IDs in my
OPC client application.
Solution: Follow the steps found in Appendix A – Distributed COM (DCOM) to copy the
program ID from the server machine to the client machine.

Access denied or time-out error when connecting to remote server via DCOM
Problem: Access Denied error message appears, or time out occurs when trying to connect to
a remote OPC server via DCOM.
Solution: Ensure that the access and launch permissions for the OPC server are set correctly on
the server machine. For more information, refer to Appendix A – Distributed COM
(DCOM).

Server does not start up or client cannot connect

Problem: A client tries to connect to the server and fails, or the server does not start up.
Solution: Ensure that the access and launch permissions for the OPC server are set correctly.
For more information, refer to Appendix A – Distributed COM (DCOM).

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 105

About screen and Configuration window do not show up
Problem: The About screen and Configuration window do not show up when a remotely
connecting client or a client that runs as a service (such as the Aspen Technologies
CIMIO OPC Manager) tries to launch the OPC server.
Solution: Either set the identity for the OPC server to the interactive user, or consider running
the server as a service. For more information, refer to Appendix A – Distributed
COM (DCOM).

DA 2.05 asynchronous I/O does not work

Problem: After installing an older OPC server, DA 2.05 asynchronous I/O no longer works.
Solution: The old installation program installed and registered its own (older) version of the OPC
proxy/stub DLL.
Reinstall the standard OPC proxy/stub DLLs, using an up-to-date installation program
or re-register them using the REGSVR32 command-line utility (refer to the OPC
Compliance - Installation section in this manual).

Server is using a large portion of CPU resources

Problem: Server is using 99% of CPU resources.
Solution: Check the server’s Time Granularity settings in the servers Server Options. Ensure
the granularity is not set to 0. It is recommended that you not set the value lower
than 100.

Trouble communicating through a network

Problem: Experiencing problems communicating to the product’s device through a network.
Solution: Make sure users can ping the device. Use the Start -> Run with command CMD to
bring up a command window and type:
Ping ipaddress ( e.g., C:\temp>ping 127.0.0.1
Pinging 127.0.0.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Ping statistics for 127.0.0.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms)
Where ipaddress is the IP address of the user’s <System X> device. If it says “no
response”, then there are likely network issues between user’s computer and the
product.
Note: Refer to the DCOM Manual to further diagnose any DCOM issues.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 106

Events are not being generated
Problem: Aliases have been configured to generate events, but a subscribed A&E client is not
receiving events as expected.
Solution: It is possible to disable event generation at the Alias Group level. Make sure that all of
the Alias Groups are set to have events enabled.

“This item is set to broadcast (address 0)” error message

Problem: While configuring Modbus, I get an error stating “This item is set to broadcast (address
0)”.
Solution: If the Modbus address is set to 0, this indicates that the device link is configured for
writing to all Modbus slaves that are available. When using a Modbus address of 0,
you cannot read tags through the device link. Change the address to match
the address of the Modbus slave from which you wish to read data.

Minimizing communications to the devices

Problem: I need to minimize communications with my device.
Solution: Consider which items change frequently and which do not. Having your OPC client or
clients read different items at different rates (different OPC group update frequency)
can result in reduced communications.
If some items are not needed for a considerable period, consider having your OPC
client either remove them or disable/deactivate them. MatrikonOPC Modbus will not
scan items unless they are actively demanded by at least one OPC client.
Group items together sequentially. Modbus will send one packet to read sequential
registers. For example:
Reg 1
Reg 2 1 read (because registers are sequential)
Reg 3

Reg 1
Reg 3 3 reads (because registers are not sequential)
Reg 5

Trouble scheduling poll cycles

Problem: I need more options to schedule my polls at specific times or better manage the
fairness of data access among devices.
Solution: MatrikonOPC SCADA Modbus allows significantly more configuration options and is
preferable in SCADA environments.

Noisy communications
Problem: I am having interference problems when communication with my SCADA devices.
Solution: MatrikonOPC Modbus has some head and tail squall squelch capabilities. Consider
using MatrikonOPC SCADA Modbus for enhanced features.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 107

Reads and Writes time out
Problem: My device does not seem to want to communicate. All of my Reads and Writes time
out.
Solution: Check your configuration to make sure it matches the configuration of your Modbus
device. In particular, make sure that the data/parity/stop settings match (serial),
make sure you are using the correct node number or numbers, and make sure you
have the correct IP address and port number (Ethernet Modbus).
If your device is a Daniel (32-bit) device supporting Modbus-like protocol, you will
need to use the 3W and 4W registers because this device will send and receive twice
as much data per register as a normal Modbus device.
If the time outs are occurring because your connection is slow, increase the Reply
Timeout field value in the Configuration panel. This will increase the amount of time
before a time out takes place.

Serial Master/Slave communication

Problem: When connecting two OPC servers as Master and Slave using serial communication,
the data throughput is less than expected.
Solution: MatrikonOPC Server for SCADA Modbus has some enhanced speed and scheduling
capabilities for slow communication scenarios. Consider using MatrikonOPC Server for
SCADA Modbus in these instances.

Questions and Answers

How can I get OPC data into other applications?
Problem: How can I get OPC data into Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, or another application
with support for Visual Basic, VBA, or VB Script?
Solution: Use the MatrikonOPC Automation Component to create a Visual Basic script that
connects to a server, creates groups and items, and receives data change updates.
Contact Support for examples of how to do this in Excel, Visual Basic, or an HTML
document.

How can I access individual bits from an integer item?

Problem: How can I access individual bits from an integer item?
Solution: In order to do this, users will have to apply a mask to the value, which will null all of
the bits in the integer value except the one that users want to keep.
For example, if the user wanted to isolate the third bit, they would have to apply a
mask that is in binary which will only have the third bit present. In binary, this is the
number 4 (0100).
To apply the mask, users must use the AND operator, which will leave a 1, if and only
if, both the bits in that position are 1.
0110 1100
+ 0000 0100 = 0000 0100

Data bit we want to access

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 108

 In decimal notation, this would be expressed as 108 AND 4 = 4.
To do this in an OPC server, users would configure an Alias to use the IF operator.
With the example above, where the user wishes to access the third bit in the integer,
the statement would appear as:
IF (INPUT AND 4 = 4, 1, 0)
Therefore, if the bit in position 3 is a 1, since 1 AND 1 =1, the IF statement would be
true and would return a 1. If the bit in position is 0, 0 AND 1 = 0, the IF statement
would return a false value, which is a 0.

What is RS-485/RS-422 and can I connect it to my computer’s serial port?

Question: I don’t have any familiarity with RS-485/RS-422. Is it similar to RS-232? How can my
computer talk to an RS-485/RS-422 device? Can I connect it to my computer’s serial
ports?
Solution: Computers come standard with RS-232 serial ports. RS-485 serial ports must either
be specially purchased, or an RS-232/RS-485 converter must be purchased.
RS-485 and RS-422 allow you to serially chain all of the devices to a single
communications port. The devices then take turns on the communication port. This
allows reduced cost due to having to provide only a single communication port. Also
results in reduced bandwidth since the total bandwidth provided to all devices cannot
exceed the bandwidth of the communications port.

Should I be using the 3W and 4W registers, or the 3 and 4 registers?

Question: What should I be using – 3W and 4W registers, or the 3 and 4 registers?
Solution: The difference between 3W and 4W registers is the assumption as to the width of one
register point. For example, in standard Modbus devices, register 4:1 will send and
receive 16 bits of data. Daniel devices using a variant of the Modbus protocol 9 also
called Daniel Modbus) use 32-bit registers, and send and receive 32 bits for each
register requested or sent. The actual protocol is different, and they are mutually
incompatible. A standard Modbus device will not correctly accept data fed to it using
the 3W and 4W registers, and a Daniel Modbus device will not correctly accept data
fed to it using the 3 and 4 registers.
Your Modbus device User’s Manual should indicate whether the device registers are
standard (16-bit) or Daniel (32-bit).
Generally, if one type does not work, try the other.

Search the MatrikonOPC Support Knowledge Base at www.opcsupport.com to find the answers
to other commonly-asked MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus questions.

Licensing
Most MatrikonOPC products require that some form of licensing criteria be met for it to function
correctly. A license is required to enable the server’s functionality.
The MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus supports both software and hardware licensing.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 109

 IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
The following licensing information is described in detail within the
Licensing Procedures document which accompanies the MatrikonOPC
Server for Modbus software and User’s Manual:
 Hardware and Software key licensing information.
 Information about the MatrikonOPC Licensing Utility that is
used to license driver software, and the variety of ways in
which licenses can be obtained (e.g., Internet Connection, Web
Page, Email).
 Licensing Q&A and Troubleshooting.

Feature Licenses
Featured Component Default License State
Alias Events 30-Day Demo
Security 30-Day Demo
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus 30-Day Demo
Table 56 - Feature Licenses

Note: MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus, Alias Events, and Security need to be licensed separately,
and by default, are delivered with only a 30-day demo. To purchase a full license for Alias Events,
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus, or Security, please contact your MatrikonOPC Account Manager.

Contacting Support
The MatrikonOPC Customer Services department (www.opcsupport.com) is available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.
Contact MatrikonOPC Support using the information below, or send an email
([email protected]).
For Monday to Friday daytime support requests, contact MatrikonOPC Support using the regional
phone numbers provided in Table 57.

Region Office Hours Contact Information

North America 8:00 am-5:00 pm +1-877-OPC-4-ALL
UTC/GMT -7 hours (MST)
South America 9:00 am-5:00 pm +55 (11) 3475-1846
UTC/GMT -3 hours (BRT)
Europe /Africa/Middle East 9:00 am-5:00 pm +49-221-969-77-10
UTC/GMT +1 hours (CET) (Request OPC Support)
Australia/Asia 9:00 am-5:00 pm +61-2-4908-2198
UTC/GMT + 10 hours (AEST)
Table 57 - MatrikonOPC Support Regional Contact Information

For after-hours support in all regions, please use the following number. There is no extra charge
from MatrikonOPC for calling their after-hours support number.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 110

 Region Contact Information
All +1-780-231-9480
Table 58 - After-Hours Support

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 111

OPC Compliance
For more information on OPC, view the documents listed below (as well as other OPC
Specifications) at http://www.opcfoundation.org. MatrikonOPC supports the following
interfaces:
 OPC Overview 1.0
 OPC Common Definitions and Interfaces 1.0
 OPC Data Access Specification 2.05a
 OPC Data Access Specification 3.00
 OPC Historical Data Access Specification 1.2
 OPC Alarms and Events Specification 1.10
 OPC Security 1.00

Installation
The server is by default installed as a local out-of-process COM server and enters its registration
information in the Windows registry when instructed to do so with the /REGSERVER command-
line option. The server installs itself as a Windows service and enters its registration information in
the Windows registry when instructed to do so with the /SERVICE command-line option.
 Version-independent program ID is Matrikon.OPC.Modbus.
 Version-specific program ID is Matrikon.OPC.Modbus.1.
 OPC sub-key and vendor information string.
 Globally unique application ID (e.g., F8582CED-88FB-11D0-B850-00C0F0104305).
 Globally unique class ID number (e.g., F8582CEC-88FB-11D0-B850-00C0F0104305).
 Full path of 32-bit local server executable.
 OPC Data Access Server 2.05a and 3.00 implemented component categories.
The server removes its registration information from the Windows registry when commanded to do
so with the /UNREGSERVER command-line option.

Common Interfaces
The server supports the mandatory functionality specified in OPC Common Definitions and
Interfaces. The server supports the following locales for result code translation:
 US English (0x0409)
 System default (0x0800)
 User default (0x0400)
 Neutral (0x0000).
The server allows the client to set the client name for each connection. The server supports the
shutdown event notification client-side interface.

Data Access
The server supports the mandatory functionality specified in the OPC Data Access Custom Interface
Standard.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 112

Groups
The server supports the addition, removal, and cloning of private groups. The server allows the
client to manage group state.
 Name
 Active state
 Update rate (100 millisecond resolution)
 Time bias
 Dead-band (percent of analog item high-low range)

Items
The server supports the addition, removal, and validation of items in a group. The server allows the
client to manage item configuration.
 Active state
 Requested data type
 Dead-band (percent of analog item high-low range)
 Sampling rate
 Buffer values (used only when sampling rate is enabled and is sampling faster than the
group update rate).

Browsing and Item Properties

The server supports address space browsing.
 Hierarchical address space
 Simulate flat address space
 Branch/leaf name filter (pattern matching)
 Item data type filter
 Item access rights filter
The server supports the following mandatory item properties.
 Value, quality, and timestamp
 Canonical data type
 Access rights
 Scan rate

I/O Operations
The server supports synchronous I/O operations.
 Read active item values from cache.
 Read item values from device.
 Read items value from device based on how old the cache items value is.
 Read items without adding the item to an OPC group.
 Write control values to items (on device).

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 113

  Write control value, quality, and/or timestamp to items (if the server supports such
features).
 Write control values without adding the item to an OPC group.
The server supports asynchronous I/O operations as defined for DA 3.00.
 Read items value from device based on how old the cache items value is.
 Write control value, quality, and/or timestamp (if the server supports such feature).
The server supports the data change event notification client-side interface as defined for DA 3.00.
 Keep-alive call-back indicating server is alive.
The server supports asynchronous I/O operations as defined for DA 2.05a.
 Read items value from device.
 Write control values to items (on device).
 Refresh active items from cache.
 Cancel outstanding operations.
 Enable/disable event notifications.
The server supports the data change event notification client-side interface as defined for DA
2.05a.
 Data change or dead-band exceeded.
 Asynchronous refresh operation complete.
 Asynchronous read operation complete.
 Asynchronous write operation complete.
 Asynchronous operation cancellation complete.
The server supports asynchronous I/O operations as defined for DA 1.0.
 Read items values from device.
 Read items values from cache.
 Write control values to items (on device).
 Refresh active items from cache.
 Cancel outstanding operations.
The server supports the data change event notification client-side interface as defined for DA 1.0.
 Data change or dead-band exceeded – data with timestamps.
 Data change or dead-band exceeded – data without timestamps.
 Asynchronous write operation complete.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 114

Appendix A Distributed COM (DCOM)
DCOM is an object protocol that enables COM components (such as OPC clients and servers) to
communicate directly with each other across a network. A certain amount of configuration is
required on the system where the OPC server is installed to allow remote clients to connect to it
over the network.
Readers should be familiar with DCOM and with Windows 2000 security features and security
administration. Information regarding Distributed COM and various links to related sites, white
papers, specifications, and so on, can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/com/default.mspx.

Notes:
 The following steps are suggestions only. Ask your Windows
Network Administrator for more information about the settings
that you should use, especially between different domains.
 The steps provided in this appendix apply to Windows NT
operating systems only. For information on how to configure
DCOM settings for newer Windows operating systems, please
refer to the MatrikonOPC Online Support page on DCOM
Settings.

DCOM Configuration Utility

Start the DCOM configuration utility either from the server configuration utility or from the
command-line (DCOMCNFG). Answer, yes to any message boxes that appear (allowing the utility to
assign application ID entries to those servers that do not already have them).
The main window for DCOMCNFG allows the user to either configure default settings for all COM
servers or else to configure settings for a specific server chosen from the list. The former will affect
all servers configured to use the default settings. The latter will affect the selected server only.

Note: DCOM settings are stored in the registry and loaded by COM
(and OPC) servers at start-up. Therefore, server processes must be
shut down and re-started for these changes to take effect.

Default Properties
The Default Properties tab contains settings that affect all DCOM communication on the machine.
 First of all, ensure that the Enable Distributed COM on this computer is selected in
so that the machine is available to others via DCOM.
 Select the Enable COM Internet Services on this computer to allow DCOM access to
the machine from the Internet (check with your administrator).
 In general, the other settings do not need to be changed.

The Authentication Level specifies when COM should authenticate the identity of calling clients
(each call, each packet, etc).
 Normally, it should be set to Connect, indicating that COM should authenticate clients
when they first connect to a server. If it is set to None, then COM performs no
authentication and ignores any access permission settings.

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The Impersonation Level specifies whether servers can ascertain the identity of calling clients
and whether they can then perform operations on the client's behalf (as if the server is the client).
 Normally, it should be set to Identify, allowing the server to identify the calling client to
see if it is allowed access to a certain resource but not to actually access any of these
resources as the client.
 Select the Provide additional security for reference tracking to make even the
reference counting on COM objects secure. This setting is not generally required.

Security Permissions
The most important DCOM settings for an OPC server are the security permissions. There are two
ways for you to set these:
1. Change the specific settings for the server (recommended).
2. Change the default settings (not recommended) and make sure that the OPC server will use
these.
Either way, be certain that the access and launch permissions are correct for the server.

Setting Security Permissions

To set the security permissions for an OPC Server:
1. Open the DCOM configuration utility.
2. Select the OPC server, and then click Properties.
3. The Distributed COM Configuration Properties window (Figure 61) appears.

Figure 61 - Distributed COM Configuration Properties Window

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 116

 4. Click on the Security tab to set the security for the server.
5. The Distributed COM Configuration Security tab (Figure 62) appears.

Figure 62 - Distributed COM Configuration Security Tab

Notes:
 The Access Permissions contain an Access Control List of principals that are
allowed to interact with objects supplied by a server.
 The Launch Permissions contain an Access Control List of principals that are
allowed to start up a server process or service.
6. Include the names of users or user groups from trusted domains that you wish to be able to
use the OPC server on this machine. Include the Everyone group to allow access to all
users on a particular domain.
7. To set the Access permissions, click Use custom access permissions and then click Edit.
8. The Registry Value Permissions window (Figure 63) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 117

 Figure 63 - Registry Value Permissions Window

9. To add users to the list click Add.

10. The Add Users and Groups window (Figure 64) appears.

Figure 64 - Add Users and Groups Window

11. To add a user to the list, select the user, and then click Add. If the user you wish to add
does not appear then click Show Users.

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 12. When you are done adding users, click OK to close the Add Users and Groups window.
You can then choose to Allow Access or Deny Access for each user.
Notes:
 The procedure to set the launch permissions is similar to the above, but instead of
choosing Allow Access for a user you would choose Allow Launch.
 The Configuration Permissions contain an Access Control List of principals that are
allowed to modify the configuration information for a server. In other words, it
indicates who is allowed to alter the registry entries for installed servers as well as
who is able to access the registry for the purposes of installing new servers. It is
usually simpler to install and configure servers as a user with local administrative
rights.
13. To connect to an OPC server from outside of the domain, create a local user account on
both the server and the client machine with identical username and password. Then, add
the local user on the OPC server to the DCOM permissions. Use the local account on the
client machine to connect to the OPC server.

Server Identity
The Identity tab for a selected COM (or OPC) server specifies the user account that should be
used when COM starts up the process. The available settings are different for servers that run as
local executables as opposed to those that run as NT services.

Note: It is strongly recommended that OPC servers should be

installed to run as NT services if they are going to be accessed by
remote clients via DCOM. This ensures that the server can always be
accessed even if no one is presently logged on to the machine, and
only one server process ever starts up. It also adds a greater degree
of security in terms of who is able to shut down the server process.
Servers that run as local executables have the option of running as the launching user (the calling
client–this is the default), the interactive user (the one currently logged onto the machine), or a
specified user. It is usually best to use the interactive user or a specified user. Otherwise, remote
clients might start up multiple separate server processes that are not accessible to others.
Servers that run as NT services should generally run as the local System account. Alternatively,
the server can be set to run as a specified user, although this is usually done from the Service
Control Manager applet rather than DCOMCNFG. Access and Launch permissions are particularly
important when installing a server to run as an NT service.

Default Protocols
The Default Protocols tab specifies the communication protocols available to DCOM. The order
that protocols appear in the list indicates the priority in which they will be used (the topmost
having the highest priority).
The more protocols that appear in the list, the better the chances of connecting to an OPC server
on an unknown remote machine (such as at an OPC Interoperability Workshop). However, it may
also take longer for DCOM to time out if a server machine is not present since it has to try each
protocol in turn.
For most situations, it is best to remove all unused protocols from the list and only include those
that are necessary for your network. For example, on a TCP/IP network, one would include the
Connection-oriented TCP/IP protocol. Contact your IT personnel for more information about
your network.

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 Note: Evidence indicates that there are problems with the datagram-
oriented protocols (such as UDP/IP) that can cause memory leaks in
DCOM. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that these protocols be
removed from the list of default protocols. Datagram-oriented
protocols are not supported under Windows 2000 at all (although the
DCOM configuration utility still allows you to configure them).

Remote Program ID
Before the OPC Server Browser became available, OPC client applications had to search the
registry to generate a list of available OPC servers. Therefore, some older OPC clients need to have
a program ID in the local registry in order to connect to a particular OPC server.
The simplest solution is to install the OPC server software on the client machine even if it is not
used. Alternatively, use the following steps to copy a program ID to the client machine.
Note: This method may not work for every OPC client. Please check the client documentation for
more information.

WARNING: Any changes made to the registry must be made with

extreme caution!

1. Back up your registry.

2. On the server machine, run REGEDIT as a user that has access rights to the local registry.
3. Expand the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT key.
4. Find the program ID(s) for the desired OPC server(s).
Note: In the case of MatrikonOPC servers, the ID has the form Matrikon.OPC.Device. If you
quickly type the first few letters then REGEDIT should jump to the location of that key.
Some servers may have both a version-specific as well as a version-independent program
ID. In this case both IDs should be copied to the client machine.
5. For each program ID, select the key and choose Export Registry File from the Registry
menu. Enter a file name, and then click Save. Be careful not to overwrite other export files
that you are creating.
6. Copy the exported REG files to the client machine.
7. Merge the REG files into the registry of the client machine.
Note: This should simply be a matter of double clicking on the file from the desktop of the
client machine. Alternatively, run REGEDIT on the client machine and choose Import
Registry File from the Registry menu, selecting each file in turn. This must be done as a
user who has write access to the local registry.
8. Use REGEDIT to check that the program IDs have in fact, been copied.
9. Delete the REG files since they are no longer needed.

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 Appendix B Aliases
Scaling Expressions
Alias scaling expressions may use any of the expression constructs listed in Table 59.

Construct Description Examples

Text value (single quotation marks). ‘hello’
‘text’
‘Joe’s Alias’
Addition (or Append), Subtraction, (3 * 7 + 1) / 8 – 2
+ - * /
Multiplication, and Division. ‘hi’ + ‘there’
Equal To, Less Than, Greater Than,
= < > <> <= >= Unequal To, Less or Equal To, 3<4
Greater or Equal To.
Logical Not, Logical And, Logical Or. (7 >= 3) And (1 <> 0)
Not And Or
May also be used for binary math. (12 And 5) = 4
TIME Current time as text. ‘The time is’ + TIME
DATE Current date as text. ‘Today is’ + DATE
INT(x) Returns the integer part of x. INT(3.14) = 3
FRAC(x) Returns the fractional part of x. FRAC(3.14) = 0.14
SQRT(x) Returns the square root of x. SQRT(16) = 4
DIV(x, y) Divides x by y. DIV(42, 7) = 6
Returns x if expression evaluates to
IF(expr, x, y) IF(6 <= 12, ‘OK’, ‘Bad’) = ‘OK’
TRUE, otherwise returns y.
TRUE FALSE Constant Boolean true and false. (5 > 6) = FALSE
Returns the data type of x as a text
TYPEOF(x) description (‘STRING’, ‘INTEGER’, TYPEOF(‘hello’) = ‘STRING’
‘FLOAT, ‘BOOLEAN’, ‘ERROR’).
Converts the numeric value x to
STR(x) STR(3.14) = ‘3.14’
text.
Converts the text value x to all UPPER(‘alarm’) = ‘ALARM’
UPPER(x)
upper case or lower case letters, or
LOWER(x) LOWER(‘ALARM’) = ‘alarm’
the first letter upper case and the
PRETTY(x) PRETTY(‘ALARM’) = ‘Alarm’
rest lower.
Returns a sub-string of the x,
COPY(x, start, length) copying length characters starting at COPY(‘FIDDLE’, 2, 4) = ‘IDDL’
start.
Converts the numeric value x to text FORMATNUMERIC('####.#',
FORMATNUMERIC(mask, x)
using the format mask. 123.4567) = ‘123.5’
INPUT The incoming value read from OPC. INPUT * 3.1415
OUTPUT The outgoing value written to OPC. OUTPUT / 3.1415

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 Construct Description Examples
Text value (single quotation marks). ‘hello’
‘text’
‘Joe’’s Alias’
Table 59 - Expressions Constructs for Alias Scaling

Advanced Calculations
Calculations may contain references to any OPC item in the server’s syntax. However, they may
not contain references to other Alias items. There are no limits on how many items can be used in
a calculation. The only limiting factor may be performance related. To reference another OPC item
in the calculation, wrap the items full item path in square brackets. For example to add the items
Com1.Rtu.Reg1 and Com1.Rtu.Reg2 together, the correct expression would be:
[Com1.Rtu.Reg1] + [Com1.Rtu.Reg2]
If the OPC item being referenced in a calculation is not found within the servers address space, the
server attempts to add it.
In the event that the server cannot create a subscription to the OPC item, the Alias quality reports
Bad, bad configuration.
Advanced Alias calculations may use any of the operators listed in Table 60.

Construct Description Examples

- Minus operator. x-y
- Unary minus operator. -x
Not logical operator.
! !x
Returns 1 if x is 0, else returns 0.
Not equal logical operator.
!= x != y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
Modulo; find remainder of the division
% x%y
of x by y.
And logical operator.
& x&y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
* Multiplication operator. x*y
/ Division operator. x/y
^ Calculates x raised to the power of y. x^y
Or logical operator.
| x|y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
+ Addition operator. x+y
< Lesser than logical operator.
x<y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
<= Lesser than or equal logical operator.
x <= y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
== Equal logical operator. x == y

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 Construct Description Examples
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
> Greater than logical operator.
x>y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
>= Greater than or equal logical operator.
x >= y
Returns 1 if true, 0 if false.
Table 60 - Calculation Operators for Alias Scaling

Alias scaling calculations may use any of the functions listed in Table 61.

Construct Description Examples

abs Absolute value. abs(x)

acos Arccosine acos(x)

asin Arcsine asin(x)
atan Arctangent atan(x)

avg Returns the average of a set of avg(v1,v2,v3,...)

values.

bin Converts a binary number to a bin(binNumber)

decimal number.
ceil Ceiling. ceil(x)
cos Cosine. cos(x)
cosh Hyperbolic cosine. cosh(x)

fact Returns the factorial of x: x*(x- fact(x)

1)*(x-2)*...(x-x+1).
floor Floor. floor(x)

hex Converts an hexadecimal number hex(hexNumber)

to a decimal number.

if If the condition is true, returns if(condition, val1, val2)

val1 else returns val2.
isNaN Returns 1 if the number is a NaN value. isNaN(value)
log Natural logarithm. log(x)
log10 Base-10 logarithm log10(x)
max Returns larger of a set of values. max(v1,v2,v3,...)
max Returns larger of two values. max(x,y)
max Returns larger of three values. max(x,y,z)
min Returns smaller of a set of values. min(v1,v2,v3,...)
Min Returns smaller of two values. min(x,y)

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 Construct Description Examples
Min Returns smaller of three values. min(x,y,z)
Rand Random value between 0 and 1. rand()

Rand Random value between min and rand(min, max)

max.
Round Round the fractional part of a number. round(x)
Sin Sine. sin(x)

Sinh Hyperbolic sine. sinh(x)

Sqrt Square root. sqrt(x)

Sum Returns the sum of a set of values. sum(v1,v2,v3,...)
Tan Tangent. tan(x)
Tanh Hyperbolic tangent. tanh(x)
Table 61 - Calculation Functions for Alias Scaling

CSV File Format

Note: The CSV file format does not support Alias Event custom category configuration settings. If
aliases referencing custom categories are exported to CSV, all custom categories must be created
before import.
The Alias import/export file contains lines of comma-separated values. Each line contains the fields
listed in Table 62.
 Values containing commas are enclosed in double-quotation marks (“ ”).
 Double-quotation marks occurring inside quoted values are escaped with an extra double-
quotation mark.
 Lines beginning with a hash mark (#) are ignored (used for comments).

Field Description
Name of the Alias Group folder where the Alias belongs. Periods in the name
Alias Group indicate subfolders below the root (e.g., North.FIC101 = Alias Group North
under the Alias Configuration root and Alias Group FIC101 under that).
Name of the alias. Full Alias path name composed of the Alias Group path, a
Alias Name
period, and the Alias name (e.g., North.FIC101.CV for an Alias named CV).
Fully qualified item ID for the OPC item to which the Alias refers. Leave this field
Item Path
blank to specify a holding register.
Data Type Decimal number indicating the data type for the alias.
Specifies whether the Alias is read-only or read-write.
Read-only 0 = read-write
1 = read-only

Poll Always Specifies whether the Alias is polled continuously or not.

0 = only poll as requested by an OPC client (normal)

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 Field Description
1 = poll continuously at the specified update rate
Update Rate Update rate (milliseconds) to use with the Poll Always option.
Scaling type for the alias.
0 = none
1 = linear
Scaling 2 = square root
3 = gain/offset
4 = expression
5 = calculation

Scaling Option 1 High Raw, Gain, Input Expression, or Calculation, depending on the value
of Scaling.
Scaling Option 2 Low Raw, Offset, or Output Expression, depending on the value of Scaling.
Scaling Option 3 High Scaled if Scaling is 1 or 2.
Scaling Option 4 Low Scaled if Scaling is 1 or 2.
Scaling Option 5 Clamp if Scaling is 1 or 2.
Register Initial Initial value of a holding register.
Value

Event Enabled 0 if events are not to be generated, or 1 if events will be generated. If 0, all
other event fields can be left blank.
Event Source Text that appears as the data source in generated events.
ID of an event category for the generated events. If the category ID does not
Event Category ID exist at import time, the import will fail. To create custom categories, see
Configure Categories.
Event Severity Severity of the generated events. This can be a value from 1 to 1000.
Event Message Message to be included in generated events.
Table 62 - File Import/Export Field Descriptions

When the scaling field specifies linear (1) or square root (2) scaling, the five scaling option fields
are defined in Table 63.

Field Description
High Raw Raw value range (double-precision real).
Low Raw
High Scaled Scaled value range (double-precision real).
Low Scaled
Clamp options.
0 = none
Clamp 1 = clamp low value
2 = clamp high value
3 = clamp both high and low values
Table 63 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Linear/Square Root Scaling

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When the scaling field specifies gain/offset (3) scaling, the first two scaling option fields are defined
as listed in Table 64. The other scaling option fields can be left blank.

Field Description
Gain Scaling factor (double-precision real).
Offset Scaling offset (double-precision real).
Table 64 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Offset Scaling

When the scaling field specifies expression (4) scaling, the first two scaling option fields are defined
as listed in Table 65. The other scaling option fields can be left blank.

Field Description
Input Expression Simple formula applied to the value read from the OPC item.
Simple formula applied to values written to the OPC item. The
Output Expression
output formula should be the reciprocal of the input formula.
Table 65 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Expression Scaling

When the scaling field specifies calculation (5) scaling, the first scaling option field is defined as
listed in Table 66. The other scaling option fields can be left blank.

Field Description
Input Calculation Calculation applied to the value read from the OPC item.
Table 66 - Additional File Import/Export Field Descriptions - Calculation Scaling

Scaling Algorithms
For each type of scaling, a different algorithm (Table 67) is applied to values read from the OPC
item. A reverse algorithm is applied to any values written to the OPC item.

Scaling Algorithm/Example Reverse Algorithm/Example

 Scaled High  Scaled Low   Raw High  Raw Low 
Linear x  Raw Low    Scaled Low

x  Scaled Low    Raw Low

 Raw High  Raw Low   Scaled High  Scaled Low 

 Scaled High  Scaled Low   Raw High  Raw Low 

Square x  Raw Low    Scaled x  Scaled Low 2    Raw
 Scaled High  Scaled Low 
Root  Raw  Raw  Low 2  Low
 High Low  

Gain/ x  Offset
Gain  x  Offset
Offset Gain
Expression SQRT(INPUT) + 5 (OUTPUT – 5) * (OUTPUT – 5)
Table 67 - Scaling Algorithms

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Appendix C Standard Data Types
The Standard data types and their descriptions are listed in Table 68.

Hex Dec Data Type Description

0000 0 VT_EMPTY Default/Empty (nothing)
0002 2 VT_I2 2-byte signed integer
0003 3 VT_I4 4-byte signed integer
0004 4 VT_R4 4-byte (single-precision) real
0005 5 VT_R8 8-byte (double-precision) real
0006 6 VT_CY Currency
0007 7 VT_DATE Date
0008 8 VT_BSTR Text (UNICODE)
000A 10 VT_ERROR Error code
000B 11 VT_BOOL Boolean (TRUE = -1, FALSE = 0)
0011 16 VT_I1 1-byte signed integer
0012 17 VT_UI1 1-byte unsigned integer
0013 18 VT_UI2 2-byte unsigned integer
0014 19 VT_UI4 4-byte unsigned integer
2002 8194 VT_ARRAY | VT_I2 Array of 2-byte signed integers
2003 8195 VT_ARRAY | VT_I4 Array of 4-byte signed integer
2004 8196 VT_ARRAY | VT_R4 Array of 4-byte (single-precision) real
2005 8197 VT_ARRAY | VT_R8 Array of 8-byte (double-precision) real
2006 8198 VT_ARRAY | VT_CY Array of currency values
2007 8199 VT_ARRAY | VT_DATE Array of dates
2008 8200 VT_ARRAY | VT_BSTR Array of text values
200A 8202 VT_ARRAY | VT_ERROR Array of error codes
200B 8203 VT_ARRAY | VT_BOOL Array of Boolean values
2011 8208 VT_ARRAY | VT_I1 Array of 1-byte signed integers
2012 8209 VT_ARRAY | VT_UI1 Array of 1-byte unsigned integers
2013 8210 VT_ARRAY | VT_UI2 Array of 2-byte unsigned integers
2014 8211 VT_ARRAY | VT_UI4 Array of 4-byte unsigned integers
Table 68 - Standard Data Types

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Appendix D Microsoft Excel as a DDE Client
Microsoft Excel can act as both DDE client and DDE server. When using Excel as the client, DDE
items can be bound to specific cells in a spreadsheet, creating a read-only “hot link” to the DDE
items. Using Visual Basic, Excel can also be used to transmit (write) the data contained in a specific
cell of a spreadsheet to a DDE server.

DDE Read
To perform a DDE Read using Excel, simply enter a DDE Item as a formula in some spreadsheet
cell:
=SERVICE|TOPIC! NAME
Excel will initiate a DDE Advise loop, or “hot link”, to the topic and item within the service. The DDE
Management system (in this case, Windows) will forward any update sent by the DDE service, to
the appropriate DDE client (in this case, Microsoft Excel). The DDE service is responsible for update
rate/behaviour.
To disable a specific hotlink in Excel, use the Links menu option under the Edit menu.

Special Characters in Excel

Excel reserves the use of specific characters for use in any cell. If a SERVICE, TOPIC, or NAME
contains any special characters, surround the specific field with single quotation characters (‘ ‘):
=SERVICE|TOPIC!’NAME’
=SERVICE|’TOPIC’!’NAME’
=SERVICE|’TOPIC’!NAME
To include single quotation characters in the name, enter two simultaneous single quotation
characters:
=matrikon_opc_simulation_1|’Power.Generator”s Value’!’1000\’

DDE Write
To perform any DDE command other than requests (read) or advise (hot link), a Visual Basic (VB)
function must be used. Most DDE commands are available by using the application object. For
example, the following function will poke (write) the contents of column 1, row 1 to an item in the
OPC Simulation server:
Sub WriteToDDE()

' open a DDE channel. Field 1 = SERVICE, Field 2 = TOPIC

'channel = DDEInitiate("matrikon_opc_simulation", "Bucket Brigade.Real4")

' poke to the Item 1000\, the value of cell A1

DDEPoke channel, "1000\", Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("A1")

' close the channel

DDETerminate channel

End Sub

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Net DDE
Since DDE commands are routed by the operating system, it is not possible to establish a DDE
session between two computers unless some transport mechanism is used. This is usually supplied
as a plug-in component of the operating system. In the Windows Environment, the NetDDE
Windows Service allows DDE communication between two computers.

Figure 65 - DDE Share

NetDDE must first be configured using the DDEShare application (DDEShare.exe) as shown in
Figure 65. Each SERVICE and TOPIC pair, or “NetDDE Share”, that is to be available through
NetDDE must be assigned a unique name.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 129

Appendix E Configuring Dynamic Data
Exchange (DDE)
The server may act as a DDE service. In this way, a DDE client can request data from the server
using the following DDE commands:
XTYP_POKE Write data to an item in the server.
XTYP_REQUEST Read data from an item in the server.
XTYP_ADVREQ Read latest data from an active advice loop.
XTYP_ADVSTART Create and activate an advice loop on a single item in the server.
XTYP_ADVSTOP Stop and destroy an advice loop on a single item in the server.

DDE service can be enabled or disabled using a checkbox (refer to Server Options for more
information, including the location of, this checkbox). Note that these options will not be available
if the server does not support DDE.
Items within the server can be referenced using the following syntax:
SERVICE_NAME |ITEM! SCANDETAILS
SERVICE_NAME represents the name of the DDE service. The first edit box specifies the service
name used by this server.
ITEM refers to an Item ID of a point within the server.
SCANDETAILS is a combination of the desired scan rate of the item, and an access path. One or
more delimiting characters separate the scan rate and access path. The second edit box can be
used to change the delimiters. The delimiting characters must be provided when referencing an
item in the server. However, the scan rate and access path are optional. If no scan rate is
specified, only data contained in the server cache is available through DDE, and an advise loop is
not created.
Changes to the DDE options do not take effect until the server is restarted.

Note: DDE Name Syntax – DDE Names may be described in the

following syntax: SERVICE|TOPIC|NAME
In this case, consider the TOPIC to be the item ID, and the NAME to
be a combination of the scan rate and access path.

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Appendix F Security
Introduction
The OPC Framework has implemented the OPC Security Customer Interface version 1.0 of the
specification. Both the IOPCSecurityNT and IOPCSecurityPrivate interfaces are fully supported
(there are no optional pieces).
IOPCSecurityNT describes how NT authentication is used in OPC Security. IOPCSecurityPrivate
describes how proprietary user credentials are used in OPC Security. The OPC Security specification
defines how user credentials are passed from client to server, but very little else. The type of
functionality in an OPC server that is controlled by OPC Security is vendor-determined.

Appendix Structure
This appendix is structured as follows:
 Introduction – this introductory section.
 OPC Security Implementation – description of user access dependencies.
 MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility – describes the utility that is used to
configure security for MatrikonOPC servers.
 Security Details – describes how permissions are applied, how security settings are
stored, and other important details.

OPC Security Implementation

Whether a user has access or not will depend on:
1. Identity – the user behind the OPC client’s actions.
2. Location – the OPC item ID or hierarchy path being accessed.
3. Type – the type of functionality the user is trying to perform.

Identity
Using the IOPCSecurityNT interface for OPC Security, the identity of the OPC client is the domain
user that is running the OPC client and connecting to the OPC server. The OPC Framework will
attempt to impersonate the client that is connected to the server, and use the name from those
credentials for access control. This method does not require any implementation of OPC Security by
the OPC client, since no interface calls are necessary.
Using the IOPCSecurityPrivate interface for OPC Security, the OPC client must make a call to the
OPC server to log on with a user name and password. In this scenario, the OPC client must
implement and follow the OPC Security specification in terms of following the calls necessary to
provide credentials. The credentials provided through the private interface override those provided
from the NT interface. The OPC client may choose to log off, at which point the NT credentials are
used until the log on call is made again.

Location
Some of the interface calls made from an OPC client to an OPC server require the client to provide
an OPC item ID. The OPC Framework will take the OPC item ID provided, and determine whether
access to that location is allowed or not. A particular server installation may want to control access
to a particular device or branch in the hierarchy, and is able to do so by setting permissions for a
partial item ID or path.

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Other interface calls do not provide an ID, but may depend on the state of the server with respect
to previous calls. OPC Browsing (DA 2.0) is an example of this. In this case, the full path up to that
particular location is used for determining access rights.

Type
There are seven types of interface functionality in the OPC Framework (specifically the OPC Outer
Layer) that are controlled using OPC Security:
1. Browsing
2. Adding items
3. DA Reading
4. DA Writing
5. HDA Reading
6. HDA Writing
7. HDA Deleting
Browsing is the least intrusive, followed by adding items, reading values from the items, and finally
writing to the items being the most intrusive. There are multiple interfaces, and functions within
those interfaces, that can be used to perform the types of functionality listed above. Thus, security
control has been added to each possible entry. For example, read control has been added to group
subscriptions call-backs as well as synchronous reads and asynchronous reads – denying read
control would disable reads for the possible types.
A location that is being accessed by an OPC client may have different permissions for the different
types of access. For example, one particular item may be browseable, added, and read, but the
writing permissions might be restricted so that the user cannot interfere with the operation of the
end device.
Note: Of the seven functionality types listed above, six of them make use of the full OPC item ID
when an interface call is made from the client to the server: Adding Items, Reading, Writing, or
Deleting. When browsing, only a partial path leading to an OPC item may be known at any location
in the browsing hierarchy.

MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility

The tag security settings for MatrikonOPC servers are configured and managed via the
MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility, a tool that is installed with the server. This
utility allows users to define, per MatrikonOPC server, the following:
 Who has permission
 Which tags/locations they have permissions for
 The type of permissions for those locations
Security settings configured using this utility are read by the OPC Framework and populated in
memory upon server start-up, and are monitored for changes.
Note: In order for the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility to work properly, the
windows user running the utility must have Administrator rights to the computer.
The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility is a component of an OPC server
installation, and is installed in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\MatrikonOPC\Common\ACLConfig.exe

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The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility can be run either directly from its
installed location, or from a shortcut found in the Start Menu. If the utility is run from the installed
location, then the user must select the OPC server for which security will be configured. If the
MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility is run from the shortcut, then it will configure
security for the OPC server to which the shortcut belongs.
To run the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility from its shortcut:
1. Click on the Windows Start button.
2. Select Programs -> MatrikonOPC -> <OPC Server Name> ->Tag Security.

Figure 66 - Start Menu Navigation

After the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility is run:

1. A window appears asking for a password to be entered. This protects the security settings
and prevents unauthorized individuals from accessing these settings. For servers that
required a security password to be entered during their installation, the Enter server
password window (Figure 67) appears.

Figure 67 - Enter Server Password Window

2. Enter the password created during the installation of the OPC server.
Note: The default password provided for you during installation (if you chose to use the
default) is MatrikonOPC.
3. Click on the OK button.
4. The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility screen (Figure 68) appears.

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Layout

Figure 68 - MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility Main Screen

The MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility screen displays the name of the OPC
server that is being configured for tag security. In Figure 68 above, the Utility screen shows that
the MatrikonOPC Server for Simulation and Testing tag security is being configured.
The left-hand side of the Utility screen shows a column of action icons that can be clicked upon.
These actions are further described later in this appendix. Some actions may not be applicable,
depending on the context in which they are used, and are identified by greyed-out icons.
In the center of the Utility screen there are descriptions for each of the actions that can be
performed. The appearance of these descriptions can be toggled at any time by clicking on the
Hide Help/Show Help link that exists in the bottom-right corner of the Utility screen. When the
Help screen is hidden, a list of users and groups that have been added appears (Figure 69). By
default, there is always a user named Everyone in the Users & Groups list. This user defines the
permissions used for other NT users that are not configured.

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 Figure 69 - MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility Main Screen: Users & Groups

Note: After any action is performed, the changes made do not take effect until either the OK or
Apply button has been selected. Clicking on the OK button saves the changes and closes the
Utility screen. Clicking on the Apply button saves the changes and keeps the Utility screen open.
Clicking on the Cancel button or the X button on the top-right of the screen, discards any changes
made.

Add User
There are two types of users for which security can be configured: NT Users and Private Users.
Adding a user to the configuration will allow permissions to be defined for that user. For NT users,
the IOPCSecurityNT interface is used, and for Private users, the IOPCSecurityPrivate interface is
used.
NT User
To add an NT user:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Add
User button.

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 2. The Add User window (Figure 70) appears. The NT User option button is selected by
default. This will allow the addition of a user from a Windows NT Domain.

Figure 70 - Add User Window (NT)

3. By default, the local machine name appears in the From this Location field. To browse to
a different location, click the Locations button.
4. The User field can be entered manually. Clicking on the Check Name button performs
validation on the entered user. The user names are the same as the Windows NT domain
names used on the network. To avoid manually entering a user, click on the Search button,
and select a user from the displayed list of users.
5. To add the selected user, click on the OK button. The user is then added to the list of users
and/or groups currently defined (refer to Figure 71 for a sample list of defined users and
groups).
6. The Edit <Username> window (Figure 76) appears. Follow the instructions in the Edit
User section for adding permissions.

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 Figure 71 - Defined Users and Groups

Private User
Private users have names and passwords associated with them, custom to the OPC client
application, which must implement the OPC Security Private interface for this section to be
meaningful. Private users exist only in the OPC server. They are not created in any NT domains.
To add a Private user:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Add
User button.
2. The Add User window (Figure 70) appears.
3. Select the Private User option button (Figure 72).

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 Figure 72 - Add User Window (Private)

4. In the Username field, enter a user name.

5. In the Password field, enter a password.
6. In the Password Confirmation field, re-enter the new password.
7. Click OK to create the Private user. It will be added to the list of users and/or groups
currently defined (refer to Figure 71 for a sample list of defined users and groups).
Note: The user name cannot be added if there is already a configured User or Group with
that same name.

Add Group
Groups are used to group users together so that they can share common permissions. Groups are
not necessary to use OPC Security. However, they are convenient when you need to apply common
permissions to multiple users. A group must contain at least one user, and any combination of
users can be grouped together.
Note: A user can exist in multiple groups, but if two or more of the groups have the same
configured path (refer to the Edit User section), and each group defines a permission (Allow/Deny)
for the type of access, then the group whose name alphabetically comes first is used.
There are two types of groups for which security can be configured: NT Groups and Private
Groups.
NT Group
To add an NT group:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Add
Group button.

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 2. The Add Group window (Figure 73) appears. The NT Group option button is selected by
default. This will allow the addition of an NT group from a Windows NT Domain.

Figure 73 - Add Group Window (NT)

3. By default, the local machine name appears in the From this Location field. To browse to
a different location, click the Locations button.
4. The Group field can be entered manually. Clicking on the Check Group button performs
validation on the entered group. The group names are the same as the Windows NT domain
group names used on the network. To avoid manually entering a group, click on the Search
button, and select a group from the displayed list of groups.
5. To add the selected group, click on the OK button. The group is then added to the list of
users and/or groups currently defined (refer to Figure 71 for a sample list of defined users
and groups).
6. The Edit <Groupname> window (Figure 83) appears (for NT Groups, there is only the
Permissions tab). Follow the instructions in the Edit Group section for adding
permissions.
Private Group
To add a Private Group:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Add
Group button.
2. The Add Group window (Figure 73) appears.
3. Select the Private Group option button (Figure 74).

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 Figure 74 - Add Group Window (Private)

4. Enter a name for the group to be created. The group is private and will only exist in the OPC
server. The group cannot be created if there is already a configured user or group with that
same name.
5. Click on the OK button to create the group. It will be added to the list of users and/or
groups currently defined (refer to Figure 71 for a sample list of defined users and groups).
6. The Edit <Groupname> window (Figure 83) appears. Follow the instructions in the Edit
Group section for adding permissions.

Duplicate
Another way to create a new user or group is to duplicate an existing one.
To create a new user or group via duplication:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, right-click your
mouse on the user or group you wish to duplicate.
2. From the displayed menu, select Duplicate.
3. The Enter New Name window (Figure 75) appears.

Figure 75 - Enter New Name Window

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 4. Enter a name for the new user or group to be created.
5. Click on the OK button. There must not already be a configured user or group with that
same name. The new user or group will then appear in the list, and will contain the same
properties as the duplicated parent (i.e., original) user or group.

Edit
Once the desired users and/or groups are defined, they must be edited to configure their
respective permissions.
Note: Permissions can also be defined for the user Everyone, which is defined as the default user.
For every NT user not configured in the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility, the user
Everyone is used for determining security permissions.
Permissions for allowing/denying browsing, adding items, reading items, and writing items can be
configured. Permissions are defined for users and groups for a particular location in the server’s
address space hierarchy. A location can either be a tag (i.e., OPC Item ID) or a path leading up to
an item.
Edit User
To edit a user:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, either:
 Double-click your mouse on the user you wish to edit, or
 Right-click your mouse on the required user and select Edit User from the displayed
menu, or
 Click your mouse on the required user, and then select the Edit button.
2. The Edit <Username> window (Figure 76) appears.
Notes:
 In this example, the user being edited is User1 so the window’s title reads Edit
User1.
 There are two tabs on this window: Permissions and General. The General tab
only appears for private users.

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 Figure 76 - Edit <Username> Window (Permissions Tab)

Permissions
On the Permissions tab, the permissions associated with this user relating to browsing, adding,
reading, and writing for any specific paths or OPC items are configured. The Configured Paths
screen section lists the paths and/or OPC items for which permissions are defined. The
Permissions screen section indicates those permissions with option buttons, which can be set to
Allow, Deny, or Unspecified. Selecting Unspecified directs the OPC Framework to look for the
permission higher up in the hierarchy.
From the Permissions tab, when the Add button is selected, the Add Permission screen is
displayed. In the Server Address Space screen section, folders and items are shown as nodes are
selected and expanded.
Red folders indicate a null branch. This means that the item names below this branch do not
contain the branch name, so permissions set on the branch will not reflect on Add, Write, Read,
and Delete permissions for the items below the branch. To properly set permissions on the items
below the branch, they have to be set on the items themselves.
Figure 77 provides an example of a null branch and items below it, all of which are outlined in
black.

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 Figure 77 - Add Permission Screen (Server Address Space)

When browsing, using the example in the diagram above, Simulation Items is a null branch
(identified by the red folder), Saw-toothed Waves is a non-null branch, and Int1 is an item.
Setting permissions on the Simulation Items branch does not affect Read, Write, Delete, and
Add permissions for the Saw-toothed Waves branch of the Int1 item below that. This is because
when adding the Int1 item, the item ID of the Int1 item is actually Saw-toothed Waves.Int1
and not Simulation Items\Saw-toothed Waves.Int1.
Setting Read, Write, Delete, and Add permissions for the Saw-toothed Waves branch will
affect the items below as Saw-toothed Waves is part of the item ID of the Int1 item (Saw-
toothed Waves.Int1), and therefore the Saw-toothed Waves folder does not appear as a red
folder like the Simulation Items folder does.
Note: User permissions override group permissions. For example, if a defined group is denied
writing privileges to an OPC item, Random.Int4, while a defined user (a member of that group) is
allowed writing privilege to Random items (Random.<itemID>), then the user permissions would
take precedence for that OPC item (even though the permissions relating to the group are a better
match for the OPC item, Random.Int4).
To edit a user’s permissions:
1. Click on the Add button to begin configuring permissions for the current user.
2. The Add User Permission window (Figure 78) appears. This window allows you to browse
the OPC server address space to find either a path in the hierarchy, or a particular OPC
item.

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 Figure 78 - Add User Permission Window

3. Expand on the server address space’s root node and continue to browse to the desired path
in the hierarchy, or the desired OPC item.
Note: Branches (i.e., folders) that are red in colour (see Figure 79) are not part of an item’s
path, but rather are used for browsing organization. Configuring permissions for adding,
reading, and writing will not affect items below it. For more information, refer to
Permissions.

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 Figure 79 - Add Permission Window: Browsing Server Address Space

4. Click on the OK button.

5. The selected path or item will be listed in the Configured Paths screen section of the Edit
User window. Permissions can now be assigned, as in the example depicted in Figure 80.
Note: In this example, User1 is allowed to browse the Random path of the OPC server’s
address space. Adding privileges are denied, and Reading and Writing privileges are
unspecified.

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 Figure 80 - Edit <Username>: Example

On the General tab (Figure 81) of the Edit <Username> window, the name and password of the
user can be changed.
To edit a user’s name:
1. Enter a new name in the Name field.
2. Click on the OK button.

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 Figure 81 - Edit <Username> Window (General Tab)

To change the user’s password:

1. Click on the Reset Password button. The Reset Password window (Figure 82) appears.

Figure 82 - Reset Password Window

2. Enter the new password in the Password field.

3. Re-enter the password in the Password Confirmation field.
4. Click on the OK button.

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Edit Group
To edit a group:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, either:
 Double-click your mouse on the group you wish to edit, or
 Right-click your mouse on the required group and select Edit Group from the
displayed menu, or
 Click your mouse on the required group and then select the Edit button.
2. The Edit <Groupname> window (Figure 83) appears.
Notes:
 In this example, the group being edited is Group1 so the window’s title reads Edit
Group1.
 For Private Groups, there are three tabs on this window: Permissions, General,
and Members. For NT Groups, there is only the Permissions tab.

Figure 83 - Edit <Groupname> Window (Permissions Tab)

On the Permissions tab, the permissions associated with this group relating to browsing, adding,
reading, and writing for any specific paths or OPC items are configured. Refer to the Edit User

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section regarding configuration on the Permissions tab. Group and user permissions are
configured in the same way.
On the General tab (Figure 84) of the Edit <Groupname> window, the name of the group can
be changed.
To edit a group’s name:
1. Enter a new name in the Name field.
2. Click on the OK button.

Figure 84 - Edit <Groupname> Window (General Tab)

On the Members tab (Figure 85), the users that are part of the current group are defined. By
default, the Group Members screen section is empty. In Figure 85, User1 has been added to
Group1.

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 Figure 85 - Edit <Groupname> Window (Members Tab)

To add one or more members to the group:

1. Click on the Add button. The Add Existing User window (Figure 86) appears.

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 Figure 86 - Add Existing User Window

2. The Members screen section lists all the defined users from which you may choose. Select
one or more desired users to become members of the group.
3. Click on the OK button. The selected user or users appear in the Group Members screen
section on the Members tab (Figure 85).
To remove a user from the group:
1. Select that user in the Group Members screen section.
2. Click on the Remove button.
Notes:
 If a user name and a group name (to which the user belongs) have permissions
defined for the same location, the user name will be used. If a user belongs to two
groups that have permissions defined for the same location, the group that is
alphabetically first will be used.
 The exact location (full item ID for reading, writing, deleting, and adding, or the full
path for browsing) is always looked for first when determining the permission for a
particular user. If the exact location is not found, or is found but does not contain a
defined permission, then the closest match in location is looked at next, and so on.
The root location (i.e., empty string) will always match, and is used if no partial
location match is made.

Delete
To delete a previously added user or group:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility main screen, either:
 Select the required user or group from the list and click on the Delete button
(Figure 71), or

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  For a group, right-click your mouse on the required group and select Delete Group
from the displayed menu, or
 For a user, right-click your mouse on the required user and select Delete User from
the displayed menu

Change Password
To change the security password for the OPC server:
1. From the MatrikonOPC Security Configuration Utility main screen, click on the Change
Password button (Figure 68).
2. The Change Password window (Figure 87) appears.

Figure 87 - Change Password Window

3. Enter the old password for the current OPC server.

4. Enter and confirm the desired new password.
5. Click on the OK button.
Note: Changes are applied in the Utility main window by clicking on either the OK or
Apply button.

Security Details
ACL File
The permissions that the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility creates are stored in
a file named ACL.sec that is located in the same directory as the MatrikonOPC server executable:
C:\Program Files\Matrikon\OPC\< OPC Server Name >\.
ACL.sec is encrypted with 256-bit AES using the password key that was provided during
installation (or changed in the security utility).
While the server is running, if the ACL.sec file is moved or deleted from its location above, security
functions as it did before the file was moved. If the server is re-started with the ACL.sec file
missing, no users will have permissions to do anything (i.e., browsing, adding, reading, writing)
and must re-configure their security settings.
Note: It is advised that this file is backed up and stored somewhere safe, once tag security
configuration has been completed. In the event that this file is lost or deleted by accident, simply
transfer the stored backup (if one was made) to the directory stated above. If ACL.sec becomes
deleted and no backup was made, tag security will need to be re-configured.

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Run-Time Tag Security Configuration
Tag security can be configured and updated while a MatrikonOPC server is running. This run-time
security configuration can be controlled using the #MonitorACLFile OPC item (found in the root
branch when browsing the server).
The #MonitorACLFile is a boolean OPC tag that has a default value of True when the server
starts which indicates that the tag security permissions are monitored and applied while the server
is running. By adding this item to an OPC group and writing a value of False to this item, the
server no longer applies tag security configuration changes while the server is running. The server
would need to be stopped and restarted for the changes to take effect.
By disabling the ability of run-time tag security configuration, a malicious user that has access to
the machine cannot delete the ACL file and thus remove all user permissions for OPC security. Run-
time tag security configuration can be re-enabled when changes to the tag security need to be
made, and then disabled again once they have been applied.
Security should be applied to the #MonitorACLFile tag so that unauthorized users are unable to
control this ability described above.
Client Connections and Private Log On
When an OPC client connects to the server, the OPC Framework impersonates the client and
determines the name of the NT user that is running the client. This client name (consisting of the
domain name and the user for that domain) is what the OPC Framework uses when checking
permissions set in the MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility. If this NT user was not
added in the Users & Groups list (Figure 71), then the user Everyone is used instead.
If the OPC client chooses to use the IOPCSecurityPrivate interface, it must call the Logon() function
and provide a name and password. The OPC Framework will immediately look for the private user
in the Users & Groups list (Figure 71). If the user is found and the password provided is correct,
the Logon() result is successful and the user name provided replaces the NT user that was obtained
through impersonation. If not found, the Logon() result is failure and the NT user remains as the
name used for security permissions. When the OPC client calls Logoff(), the NT user becomes the
name used for security permissions.

Determining Permission
Whenever a browsing, item addition, read, write, or delete operation is performed by the OPC
client, the OPC Framework will call a permission routine to determine if permission is allowed or
denied. Three pieces of information are always sent to this routine call:
1. Identity
2. Location
3. Type
Identity is the user name described in the previous section – either the NT domain name, a private
name, or the default user Everyone. In addition, identity includes any groups (private or NT) that
the user belongs to. Location is either the full item ID or a partial path in the server hierarchy.
Type is the access type: browsing, item addition, reading, or writing. Each piece of information is
checked in the order listed above.
The following information details the procedure used in determining permission rights:
1. Look for a permission match with the NT domain name or private name. This step occurs
only if the NT domain name or private name has been defined in the Users & Groups list.

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 2. If a permission match was not yet found, look for one using each group defined in the
Users & Groups list that the NT domain name or private name belongs to. The first group
that contains a permission match will be the one used. An NT domain name does not need
to be defined in the Users & Groups list for a group it belongs to, to have a permission
match. The NT domain name must be part of Group Members for private groups, or in the
Active Directory for NT groups.
3. If a permission match was not yet found, look for a permission match using the default user
Everyone.
The procedure used in finding a permission match for a particular identity is as follows:
1. Check whether the exact location is found in the Configured Paths list for the identity. If
found:
a. Check whether the permission type (browse, add, read, write, or delete) is
specified (Figure 80). If the permission type is specified for the action being
performed, a match is found and the permission (either allow or deny) is used.
2. If a permission match was not found in step 1a, check whether a partial match of the
location is found in the Configured Paths list for the identity. A partial match is always a
sub-string of the given location that starts with the same characters. This represents
starting from the root location and moving down the browsing hierarchy.
For example, the location Random is a partial match of the full item ID Random.String.
However, String is not a partial match (even if it is a sub-string) because it does not match
the first seven characters. The root location \ is considered a partial match for every full
item ID.
For each partial match from step 2, apply step 1a. The best partial match (i.e., the one that
has the most characters) that is successful in step 1a is the one whose permission is used.

Examples
This section contains examples of tag security settings made via the MatrikonOPC Tag Security
Configuration Utility, and the impact of these settings.
Default
The default tag security configuration provided is quite simplistic as is shown in Table 69:

User/Group Configured Paths Browse Add Read Write

Everyone \ Allow Allow Allow Allow
Table 69 - Default Tag Security

As no users or groups are defined, any NT user connecting to the OPC server will use the
Everyone default user for permissions. Only the root level location is defined under the
Configured Paths list, which gives full permissions to the entire OPC server. An administrator will
want to change these default settings for the OPC server to provide more security on its tags.

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Example 1
Table 70 contains a possible tag security configuration enforces complete restricted access except
for the NT user DOMAIN\Admin:

User/Group Configured Paths Browse Add Read Write

Everyone \ Deny Deny Deny Deny
DOMAIN\Admin \ Allow Allow Allow Allow
Table 70 - Example 1

At this point, more users can be added which belong to a more restricted group. This group may be
denied write capability or restricted to certain areas in the server hierarchy.
Example 2
Following is an example of a tag security configuration for the MatrikonOPC Server for Simulation
and Testing, with sample use-cases. Table 71 lists all defined users and groups and their
associated permissions. Table 72 indicates which users are members of the defined groups.
Unspec. permission indicates Unspecified. Groups in this example are Private Groups.

User/Group Configured Paths Browse Add Read Write

Everyone \ Allow Deny Deny Deny
Everyone Configured Aliases Deny Unspec. Unspec. Unspec.
DOMAIN\john.doe
DOMAIN\fred.stone
DOMAIN\sally.simpson
DOMAIN\the.admin
Supervisor \ Deny Allow Allow Deny
Restricted (group)
Common (group) \ Allow Allow Allow Deny
Common (group) Triangle Waves Deny Deny Deny Deny
Admin (group) \ Allow Allow Allow Allow
Admin (group) Bucket Brigade.Int4 Unspec. Unspec. Unspec. Deny
Table 71 - Example 2: Permissions

User/Group Configured Paths

Restricted DOMAIN\john.doe
Common DOMAIN\fred.stone, DOMAIN\sally.simpson
Admin DOMAIN\the.admin
Table 72 - Example 2: Groups and Members

Case 1
User DOMAIN\no.name connects. This name is not defined, so the Everyone permissions are
used. At the root level location, the default user can browse but no more. The only other location
where permissions are defined for the default user is Configured Aliases where browsing is

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denied, and adding, reading, and writing permissions are not defined. Thus, DOMAIN\no.name
will be able to browse the entire server except the Configured Aliases branch and all aliases
under it. Also, DOMAIN\no.name will not be able to do any item addition, reading, or writing.
Since item addition, reading, and writing permissions were not defined for the default user under
Configured Aliases - it would use the permissions defined at the root level.
Case 2
User DOMAIN\john.doe connects. No permissions have been defined for this user name or the
Restricted group to which it belongs - the Everyone permissions apply. The user has no access to
any tags under the Configured Aliases path but has Browse access to the rest of the address
space.
Case 3
User DOMAIN\fred.stone connects. This user belongs to the defined group Common. At the root
level, the group Common can browse, add, and read items, but writing is denied. The only other
location which defines permissions for this group is Triangle Waves. This location has denied all
permissions for the Common group.
Case 4
User Supervisor connects through the private security interface and logs on. This user does not
belong to any group, but its name has a root level permission which allows it to add and read
items. No other locations have permissions defined. Since the user cannot browse, it will need to
know the item syntax for any items it wishes to add and read.
Case 5
User DOMAIN\the.admin connects. This user belongs to the Admin group, which at the root
level has all permissions allowed. The only other location where the Admin group has permissions
defined, is the full item ID Bucket Brigade.Int4. This user is unable to write to that item.
However, the root permissions for browsing, adding, and reading the item apply as they are not
defined at this level.

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 Appendix G Offline Mode
Introduction
Offline mode allows the MatrikonOPC Server Framework to be disconnected to the end device, but
still return data as if the date was coming from it. This is useful in two situations:
1. A configuration can be set up with to interact with any hardware, allowing any problems in
the configuration to be worked out without having them affect the device.
2. Diagnosing problems becomes much simpler when an implementer can remove the device
hardware from the architecture.
Offline mode can be applied to the entire configuration of a MatrikonOPC server or to a portion of
it.

Offline Mode Toggling

A Boolean control item, named #OfflineMode, is provided at each branch in a MatrikonOPC server
browsing hierarchy. Adding this item will allow an OPC client to monitor the offline mode for that
location using read operations and provide the ability to toggle offline mode for that location using
write operations.
When reading the item #OfflineMode, the value True represents enabled and the value False
represents disabled. Likewise, writing a value of True to #OfflineMode enables offline mode and
writing a value of False to #OfflineMode disables offline mode. When offline mode is toggled at a
particular location in the hierarchy, it also toggles offline mode for all branches underneath it in
hierarchy. For example, if offline mode was enabled at the root in the hierarchy, every branch
would have its offline mode enabled. Upon server start-up, every branch has the #OfflineMode
item set to False (i.e., offline mode is disabled).

Offline Mode Item Values

When offline mode is enabled at a particular location in the browsing hierarchy, all OPC items at
that location generate random values according to their data type (the Date data type is the one
exception to this). Table 73 shows the value behaviour for each data type:

Data Type Behaviour

Boolean (VT_BOOL) True or False.
Character (VT_I1) Value between -128 and 127.
16-bit Integer (VT_I2) Value between -32768 and 32767.
32-bit Integer (VT_I4 and VT_INT) Value between -2147483648 and 2147483647.
Byte (VT_UI1) Value between 0 and 255.
Word (VT_UI2) Value between 0 and 65525.
Double Word (VT_UI4 and VT_UINT) Value between 0 and 4294967295.
Float (VT_R4) Value between -13388.5962 and 13388.5962.
Value between -8345.512588035 and
Double (VT_R8)
8345.512588035.
Date (VT_DATE) Current system time.

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 Data Type Behaviour
String (VT_BSTR) Simulated or Data.
Table 73 - Offline Mode Item Values

Operational Effects
When offline mode is enabled at a particular location in a server’s hierarchy, there is no
communication between the server and the end-device/application to which the location refers.

Note: Some servers allow communication to multiple

devices/applications. To ensure there is no communication in the
entire server, offline mode should be enabled at the root level.

To ensure that there is no communication when offline mode is enabled, the MatrikonOPC Server
Framework will disable the object associated with that branch. When an object is disabled due to
offline mode, the Enabled checkbox will be cleared (i.e., unselected) in its panel within the
configuration utility. Enabling the object will have no effect while the object has offline mode
enabled. When offline mode is disabled for that particular object, the MatrikonOPC Server
Framework will re-enable it and the Enabled checkbox will be selected (i.e., checked) once again.

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Appendix H Installation
Once the system requirements have been met, you are ready to install the software.

Note: As part of the installation process, the MatrikonOPC Analyzer

tool is installed and used to detect the system settings that affect the
use of this software. No information is communicated back to
Matrikon. Information is stored on this system only for future use by
MatrikonOPC Support to assist with troubleshooting, if required.

To install the software:

1. Insert the MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus CD into the CD drive.
2. If the MatrikonOPC InstallAware screen does not automatically appear, double-click the
installation .exe file. The MatrikonOPC Server – InstallAware Wizard verifies its
contents (Figure 88).

Figure 88 - InstallAware Wizard Verification Window

3. Either a Pre-Requisites screen (Figure 89) appears, or you are taken directly to the
Licensing Agreement (Figure 90) screen. If the Licensing Agreement screen is the
displayed screen, go to step 5.
4. If the Pre-Requisites screen appears, then click on the Next button to install the listed
pre-requisites.

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 Figure 89 - Pre-Requisites Screen

5. After all pre-requisites have been installed, the License Agreement screen (Figure 90)
appears.
Note: From the License Agreement screen, you have the option of selecting the I reject
the license agreement option. Selecting the I reject the license agreement option
button disables the Next button so your options are to return to the previous screen, cancel
the install by clicking on the Cancel button, or select the I accept the license agreement
option button enabling you to proceed through the install.

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 Figure 90 - License Agreement Screen

6. Read the Software License Agreement, using the scroll bar to view the entire message.
7. Select the I accept the license agreement option button.
8. Click on the Next button. The Setup Type screen (Figure 91) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 161

 Figure 91 - Setup Type Screen

9. Select the type of setup to be performed.

Note: MatrikonOPC recommends that you select the Express Setup option.
10. Click on the Next button. If you selected Express Setup, the Licensing screen (Figure 95)
appears, otherwise the Destination Folder screen (Figure 92) appears.

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 Figure 92 - Destination Folder Screen

11. Select the folder in which to install the MatrikonOPC server, or accept the default location
displayed in the Folder path field.
12. Click on the Next button. The Start Menu screen (Figure 93) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 163

 Figure 93 - Start Menu Screen

13. Select the Start Menu group and specify whether you want shortcuts created only for
yourself, or for all users, by selecting the applicable option button.
14. Click on the Next button. The Enter Password screen (Figure 94) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 164

 Figure 94 - Enter Password Screen

15. A default password is supplied for you in the Password and Confirm Password fields.

Notes:
 The default password provided for you is MatrikonOPC. Note
this password for future reference.
 If you need to change the password at a later date, access the
Tag Security shortcut from the Start menu. Click on the
Windows Start button. Select Programs -> MatrikonOPC ->
<OPC Server Name> -> Tag Security. For more
information, refer to Appendix F – Security.

16. Click on the Next button to accept the default password. The Licensing screen (Figure 95)
appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 165

 Figure 95 - Licensing Screen

17. Select the applicable licensing option.

18. Click on the Next button. The Ready to Install screen (Figure 96) appears.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 166

 Figure 96 - Ready to Install Screen

19. Click on the Next button. The Installing MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus screen (Figure
97) appears, installation begins, and the product files are copied to the computer.
Note: Prior to starting the installation, you have the option of clicking on the Back button
to change any of the installation information. Click on the Cancel button if you wish to stop
or cancel the installation.

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 Figure 97 - Installing MatrikonOPC Server Screen

20. When the installation has finished, the MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Setup
Complete screen (Figure 98) appears stating that the MatrikonOPC server has been
successfully installed.

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 Figure 98 - MatrikonOPC Server Setup Complete Screen

21. At this point, you have the option of launching any or all of the following by selecting the
necessary checkbox or checkboxes:
 Configuration panel
 Release Notes
 User’s Manual
 Quick Start Guide
22. Click on the Finish button to complete the installation and exit the Wizard.
23. The necessary files have now been copied to the target computer, the software components
are registered, and shortcut icons are created in the Start menu.

Note: At this point, it is recommended that you verify the DCOM

settings. Reference to the DCOM configuration can be found in the
DCOM Manual. This configuration varies for different operating
systems.

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 Appendix I Installed Files
The installation program copies all necessary files to the target computer and creates shortcut
icons in the Start menu.
The files listed in Table 74 are installed by default, in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Matrikon\OPC\[SERVER/PRODUCT NAME]

File Name Description

Plugins\Calculations\SimpleMath.dll
Plugins\Couriers\
Resources\CalcEngineServerResource\EN.res
Resources\CalcEngineServerResource\EN_CA.res
Resources\CalcEngineServerResource\root.res
Resources\CoreLibraryResource\EN.res
Resources\CoreLibraryResource\EN_CA.res
Resources\CoreLibraryResource\root.res
Resources\NetPortalQueryServerResource\EN.res
Resources\NetPortalQueryServerResource\EN_CA.res
Resources\NetPortalQueryServerResource\root.res
Resources\OpcDataDeliveryResource\EN.res
Resources\OpcDataDeliveryResource\EN_CA.res
Resources\OpcDataDeliveryResource\root.res
Resources\ProcessNetDataDeliveryResource\EN.res
Resources\ProcessNetDataDeliveryResource\EN_CA.res
Resources\ProcessNetDataDeliveryResource\root.res
Resources\SchedulerResource\EN.res
Resources\SchedulerResource\EN_CA.res
Resources\SchedulerResource\root.res
Calculation Engine binary files.
Resources\SimpleMathResource\EN.res
Resources\SimpleMathResource\EN_CA.res
Resources\SimpleMathResource\root.resAliasControl.dll
Altova.dll
AltovaXML.dll
CalcEngine.dll
CalcEngineResource.dll
CalcEngineServerPS.dll
CalcEngineWrapper.dll
CalculationGraph.dll
clipsdll.dll
dbghelp.dll
icudt40.dll
icuin40.dll
icuuc40.dll
log4cxx.dll
LogOptions.dll
lsapiw32.dll
NetPortalQueryServerPS.dll
ProcessNetDataDelivery.dll

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 File Name Description
Scheduler.dll
ScriptLibrary.dll
xerces-c_2_8.dll
Access control list containing users and
ACL.sec
permissions configured for the server.
Command-line security utility used to
ACLSecure.exe
encrypt/decrypt the ACL file.
AliasControl.dll OPC Alias control panel DLL.
DefaultConfig.xml Default configuration file.
DotNetControlsLib.dll Common controls file.
Licensing Procedures.pdf Licensing Procedures document.
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Quick Start Guide.pdf Quick Start Guide for this product.
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Release Notes.pdf Release Notes for this product.
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus User Manual.pdf This User’s Manual.
Modbus.ic Integration configurations file for iC.
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
ModbusConfigControl.dll
configuration control panel DLL.
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus
OPCModbus.exe
executable.
OptionChannelControl.dll OPC server channel control panel DLL.
PreRegistration.LOG Registration log file.
Security information file used by the
ProgID.txt
encryption utility.
RedundancyControl.dll OPC Redundancy control panel DLL.
security.cfg MatrikonOPC server security settings.
OPC server configuration control panel
ServerConfigControl.dll
DLL.
Table 74 - Files Installed in "Modbus" Folder

The files listed in Table 75 are installed by default, in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\MatrikonOPC\Common

File Name Description

OPCAnalyzer Logs\ Logs generated by MatrikonOPC Analyzer.
MatrikonOPC Tag Security Configuration Utility that configures tag-
ACLConfig.exe
level security in MatrikonOPC servers.
ClientToolkit.dll MatrikonOPC product configuration library.
ConfigPanels Caches iC configuration panel DLLs.
DotNetControlsLib.dll Common controls file.

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 File Name Description
EULA.pdf License document.
EventLogger.dll DLL containing text of messages logged to Windows event logger.
iC.EXE MatrikonOPC product configuration utility.
LicenseRemover.exe License Removal Utility.
LicenseWizard.exe License Wizard Utility.
LogLibrary.dll MatrikonOPC product configuration library.
Marshal.exe iC service.
Marshal.log Marshal log file.
Marshal.log.bak Marshal backup log file.
Moces.log iC log file.
MocesInterfaces.dll MatrikonOPC product configuration library.
OEM_Matrikon_OPC.dll MatrikonOPC OEM Badge Library.
MatrikonOPC Automation Component – enables developers to access
OPCAuto.dll OPC data from client applications developed using Automation tools
such as Visual Basic, VBA, and VB Script.
opcda20_auto.doc MatrikonOPC Automation Component Interface Standard
MatrikonOPC Automation Component – enables developers to access
OPCDAAuto.dll OPC data from client applications developed using Automation tools
such as Visual Basic, VBA, and VB Script.
opchda10_auto.doc Developer documentation for the HDA Automation Component.
The proxy-stub file to allow OPC Clients to make remote connections
opchda_ps.dll
to an OPC HDA server.
MatrikonOPC HDA Automation Component – enables developers to
OPCHDAAuto.dll access OPC HDA data from client applications developed using
Automation tools.
OPCModbus.ver MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus version file.
PSTCFG.exe MatrikonOPC Product Configuration Utility.
PSTCFGBasicInnerLayerLib.ocx Server ActiveX configuration panel.
PSTCFGps.dll MatrikonOPC Product Configuration Marshalling Library.
PXPComfigps.dll MatrikonOPC Product Configuration Library.
RmsApiProxy.dll Licensing engine file.
security.cfg MatrikonOPC server security settings.
Table 75 - Files Installed in "Common" Folder

The files listed in Table 76 are installed in the WINDOWS\system32 folder:

File Name Description

EXPREVAL.DLL Expression Evaluation Library for Alias Equations.

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 File Name Description
OPC_AEPS.DLL OPC Alarms and Events 1.0 Interfaces Marshalling Library.
OPCBC_PS.DLL OPC Batch Custom 2.00 Proxy/Stub Library.
OPCCOMN_PS.DLL OPC Common Interfaces and Marshalling Library.
OPCDXPS.DLL OPC Data eXchange 1.00 Proxy/Stub Library.
OPCENUM.EXE OPC Server List Component.
OPCHDA_PS.dll OPC Historical Data Access 1.20 Proxy/Stub Library.
OPCPROXY.DLL OPC Data Access 2.0 and 1.0a Interfaces and Marshalling Library.
OPCSEC_PS.DLL OPC Security 1.00 Proxy/Stub Library.
ACTXPRXY.DLL ActiveX Interface Marshalling Library.
Table 76 - Files Installed in "system32" Folder

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 173

Appendix J Un-Installation
To successfully un-install MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus, using the Add or Remove Programs
from the Microsoft Windows Control Panel is recommended.
To un-install MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus:
1. Click on the Start button and highlight the Control Panel item.
2. From the displayed menu, select Add or Remove Programs.
3. The Add or Remove Programs window (Figure 99) is displayed.
4. Scroll through the list of currently installed programs and updates to find and select
MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus.

Figure 99 - Add or Remove Programs

5. Click on the Remove button associated with the MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus program
to initiate the un-install process.
6. The MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus – InstallAware Wizard appears, and the
Welcome to MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Maintenance screen (Figure 100) is
displayed.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 174

 Figure 100 - Welcome to MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Maintenance Screen

7. Select the Remove option button to un-install MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus entirely.
8. Click on the Next button. The Ready to Uninstall screen (Figure 101) is displayed.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 175

 Figure 101 - Ready to Uninstall Screen

9. Click on the Next button.

10. The Uninstalling MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus screen (Figure 102) appears and the
un-install takes place.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 176

 Figure 102 - Uninstalling MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Screen

11. When the un-install has finished, the MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Setup Complete
screen (Figure 103) appears stating that MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus was successfully
un-installed.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 177

 Figure 103 - MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus Setup Complete Screen

12. Click on the Finish button to complete the un-install and exit the Wizard.
13. The program no longer appears listed in the Add or Remove Programs window.

MatrikonOPC Server for Modbus v5.1.0 User’s Manual 178