Configuration Notes:
The OPC server on the multipanel is an OPC XML server.
You cannot communicate directly with the OPC XML server on the multipanel via DCOM .
Therefore, an OPC gateway (OPC XML wrapper) is always required for communication between a PC (OPC client) and a multipanel (OPC XML server). The OPC gateway facilitates the implementation of XML to DCOM.
The OPC XML wrapper has to be installed on the PC which serves as an "OPC client" later on.
This results in two ways of using the multipanel as an "OPC XML server".
Version A:
Communication between a multipanel (OPC XML server) and a PC (OPC client PC and its DCOM interface) via the OPC XML wrapper.
 
Fig. 01
Version B:
Communication between a multipanel (OPC XML server) and another PC via a gateway PC.
A connection is parameterized internally between the "OPC XML wrapper" and the DCOM interface via the "gateway PC". A further connection is then established between this DCOM interface and the next PC's DCOM interface. This PC acts as an "OPC client PC".
Fig. 02
Note:
OPC XML has been newly defined in the OPC standard. Benefit: You can also transmit data over the Internet via OPC XML. The restriction is that it only supports a maximum of 8 connections. You can get around this restriction by using the gateway.
This entry describes how to configure a PC (OPC client) with WinCC, ProTool/Pro and WinCC flexible in conjunction with a multipanel (OPC server) in the versions shown above.
Requirements:
- WinCC flexible 2004
- WinCC flexible option /OPC server for multipanels
- MP270B or MP370
- Ethernet connection between multipanel and PC (see Entry ID 13336639)
- OPC XML wrapper for installing the gateways
(The OPC XML wrapper is located on WinCC flexible installation CD 2)
The following table provides an overview of the paragraphs of this document in which each configuration is described.
Table 1: Configuration variants with the multipanel as an OPC XML server and a PC as an OPC client.
Para. 1) Configuration of a multipanel as an OPC XML server
| No. |
Procedure |
| 1 |
The configuration of the multipanel as an "OPC XML server" is identical for both configuration versions A) and B).
Note
- The OPC server for the multipanel is an OPC XML server.
- The OPC communication with a multipanel as an OPC server can only be implemented via Industrial Ethernet.
- Multipanels can only be used as OPC XML servers, not as an OPC client.
- WinCC flexible Runtime must be started on the multipanel with the OPC XML server so that the OPC server is activated.
|
| 2 |
Procedure for configuring the OPC XML server
- Open the WinCC flexible project in which the multipanel is configured.
- Configure the interface to the controller in "Communication > Connections".
- Create an "INT" data type tag ("Tag_1"), for example, in "Communication > Tag".
- Double-click "Device settings" in the project window.
- Activate the "Act as OPC server" option in the working area.
Fig. 03
|
Para. 2) Settings in the PC's Control Panel (OPC client PC)
| No. |
Procedure |
| 1 |
The gateway is informed of the IP address of the multipanel via the setting for the OPC client PC's Control Panel.
The settings are required in the two configuration versions A) and B). Depending on the number of gateways used, this configuration should be carried on a number of PCs.
- Select the entry "Settings > Control Panel" in the Windows Start menu.
- Double-click "OpcXml Settings" on the "Control Panel". The "OpcXml Settings" dialog is opened.
- Enter the name or IP address of the Operator Panel which is being used as an OPC XML server.
- Close the dialog via the OK button.
Fig. 04
|
Para. 3) Configuration of WinCC as an OPC client (local)
| No. |
Procedure |
| 1 |
Open the WinCC project and right-click "Tag Management" to add the "OPC.chn" driver.
Fig. 05
|
| 2 |
Then right-click the OPC channel to add a new connection.
The OPC server name "1_OPC.Siemens.XML" must be specified in the general properties for the connection.
Note:
Don't select the property XML DA server!
Fig. 06
|
| 3 |
Once the connection has been configured, you can create tags in the "Tag" tab.
Set the data type first of all. Then click "Select" to specify the item name for the tag. Heed the following syntax:
Win CC Flexible RT<@>Tag.
Fig. 07
|
Para. 4) Configuration of ProTool/Pro Runtime as an OPC client (local)
| No. |
Procedure |
| 1 |
Open a ProTool/Pro PC project.
Select "Controllers" and double-click the existing controller in order to open the properties dialog.
Select "OPC V6.0" as the protocol and then open the "Parameters...".
Fig. 08
|
| 2 |
Select "1_OPC.Siemens.XML" as an OPC server.
Click "OK" to close the dialogs.
Fig. 09
|
| 3 |
Once the OPC connection has been configured, you can create tags.
If the OPC server is activated on the multipanel (Runtime on the panel is started), you can access the OPC server tags in the Tag dialog via "Browse". Otherwise, you can also use the following syntax for the OPC items:
Win CC Flexible RT<@>Tag.
Fig. 10
|
Para. 5) Configuration of WinCC flexible 2004 Runtime as an OPC client (local)
| No. |
Procedure |
| 1 |
Open a WinCC flexible PC project.
Go to "Communication > Connections" and add an OPC connection
(Communication drivers: OPC).
Select "1_OPC.Siemens.XML" in the list of Local Servers.
Fig. 11
|
| 2 |
Once the OPC connection has been configured, you can create tags.
If the OPC server is activated on the multipanel (Runtime on the panel is started), you can access the OPC server tags in the Tag dialog via "Symbol". Otherwise, you can also use the following syntax for the OPC items:
Win CC Flexible RT<@>Tag.
Fig. 12
|
Para. 6) Configuration of WinCC as an OPC client (remote); DCOM
| No. |
Procedure |
| 1 |
Open the WinCC project and right-click "Tag Management" to add the "OPC.chn" driver.
Fig. 13
|
| 2 |
Then right-click the OPC channel to add a new connection.
The OPC server name "1_OPC.Siemens.XML" and the IP address of the PC with an installed OPC gateway must be specified in the general properties ("Start the server on this computer:").
Fig. 14
|
| 3 |
Once the connection has been configured, you can create tags in the "Tag" tab.
Set the data type first of all. Then click "Select" to specify the item name for the tag. Heed the following syntax:
Win CC Flexible RT<@>Tag.
Fig. 15
|
Para. 7) Configuration of ProTool/Pro Runtime as an OPC client (remote); DCOM
| No. |
Procedure |
| 1 |
Open a ProTool/Pro PC project.
Select "Controllers" and double-click the existing controller in order to open the properties dialog.
Select "OPC V6.0" as the protocol and then open the "Parameters..." by clicking the button.
Fig. 16
|
| 2 |
Select "1_OPC.Siemens.XML" as the OPC server and specify the IP address of the PC with an installed OPC gateway ("Start the server on this computer:").
Click "OK" to close the dialogs.
Fig. 17
|
| 3 |
Once the OPC connection has been configured, you can create tags.
If the OPC server is activated on the multipanel (Runtime on the panel is started), you can access the OPC server tags in the Tag dialog via "Browse". Otherwise, you can also use the following syntax for the OPC items:
Win CC Flexible RT<@>Tag.
Fig. 18
|
Para. 8) Configuration of WinCC flexible 2004 Runtime as an OPC client (remote); DCOM
| 
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