Specifications

76 RSLinx – Training Guide
Configuring Rockwell Software for OPC over a network
No special configuration should be required for RSI servers built with the RSServer OPC
Toolkit such as RSLinx or RSServers. You must have RSLinx 2.0 or higher to use OPC.
See the help files of each specific RSServer to see if it supports OPC or call Rockwell
Software. However, because Rockwell Software clients use local registry entries to find
information about OPC servers, the server must be registered on both the client and
server PCs.
The easiest way to do this is to install the server on all PCs involved, clients and
servers. Activation for the server does not have to be installed, since the server will not
be run on the client machines, just the registry entries are required.
Another way to register the server is by using a “.REG” file. Double clicking on a file
with the .REG extension will insert the contents of that file onto the PCs registry. This
file may be available from the Rockwell Software, call for more information. The OPC
foundation is considering standardizing the way a client might browse a server machine
over the network for a list of available OPC servers. Such a standard would eliminate
the need to register the server on the client PCs. Rockwell Software will implement this
feature once the OPC foundation has agreed on a standard method.
Configuration of OPC via DCOM varies from client to client. RSView32 and RSTools
will be covered here. See the help files of other RSI client product for instructions on
configuring OPC or all Rockwell Software.
RSView32 version 6.0 or higher can be configured for OPC through the Node
Configuration. Under the Systems folder in the project dialog, choose “Node ”. Radio
buttons on the top of the dialog will allow you to select Direct Driver, DDE or OPC as a
node type. Choose OPC. Next move to the Name text box and enter a name for the
station. It can be anything you want. Then move to the server text box, click browse.
Select the OPC server you wish to connect to, RSLinx OPC Server for example. Below
this text box select the “Remote” radio button. In the Server Computer Name or
Address text box enter the name of the server PC or click browse if you are on a domain
and select the server PC. Finally, under Access Path type in the name of the DDE topic
you wish to connect to in the server. The Access Path is the DDE topic. Note, that
although you are entering a DDE topic name, RSView32 will communicate to the server
via OPC, not DDE!
RSTools can connect to an OPC server by using a special syntax for the
application name under the “Link” Tab. Right click on the RSTools Active X
control and select properties. Go to the “Link” tab. Under application type in
“OPC:\\Server PC Name/Server Name”, for example “OPC:\\Server\RSLinx OPC
Server”. Enter the topic name as usual.
Note: You must have a version of tools that specifically supports OPC.
See the help file or call Rockwell Software to see if you have the right version.