External data source

When setting up an import, export, or link, you need to provide a data source and the format of the data.

Your data source can be entered as:

• An explicit path and file (for example, C:\Data\Tags.csv)
• An IP address and node (for example, 127.0.0.1\HMI_Scada)
• A URL (for example, http://www.abicom.com.au/main/scada)
• A computer name (for example, \\coms\data\scada)

The database type field specifies the format of the external data source. When CitectSCADA attempts to read from this data source, it will use the mechanism specified by the database type. The supported database types are:

• OPC (OPC1 is not supported)
• CSV (comma-separated values)
• Concept Ver 2.1 ASCII file
• Mitsubishi FastLinx (a specialized driver which allows you to connect directly to the PLC programming software)

The example uses a CSV file, in this case an RSLOGIX database driver

In the Import/Export or Links dialog box, enter details as follows:

• External database C:\Data\Tags.csv
• Database type RSLOGIX Driver
• Connection string (leave blank)

In the Import/Export or Links dialog, enter details as follows:

• External database: The name of the OPC server process, for example, FactorySoft.InProc
• Database type: OPC
• Connection string: The parameters are ServerNode or Branch, though both are optional. Their use depends on the location of the OPC server and the scope of the necessary data. ServerNode can be an IP address or the network path to the server. For example:
• • ServerNode=127.0.0.1
  • ServerNode=\\Server
  • ServerNode=www.server.com

  • For Branch, OPC data can be either a tree (hierarchical) or a flat structure. The OPC driver supports access to both types of storage. If the data is in a tree structure, it can be accessed to the first branch level down from the root node, by entering the name of the branch. For example:

  • Branch=device1

  • Deeper levels of branching might be supported in the future.

    Note: This example uses the supplied Mitsubishi Driver

In the Import/Export or Links dialog box, enter details as follows:

• External database: 127.0.0.1\HMI_Scada (you can also use the computer name instead of the IP address)
• Database type: Mitsubishi FastLinx
• Connection string: UserID=Citect;Password=Citect

• The Connection String needs to be in the format which the specialized driver (in this case Mitsubishi FastLinx) expects; otherwise it might be ignored.

  Note: Tags in your external data source need to conform to the CitectSCADA standard. Tag names that are longer than 79 characters are truncated. If this truncation results in duplicate tags, you are informed when you compile your project. Characters other than (a to z, A to Z, and 0 to 9) and the underscore character "_", are removed on import/link (and before any truncation).

See Also