Applies To:
  • CitectSCADA

Summary:
Using the DATATAKR driver, it seems a unit will come online even if it is disconnected under some circumstances.  Why is this, and how can I determine whether the unit is truly online? 

Solution:
The DATATAKR driver design is unusual.  This mode of operation supports the modem functions of the driver.  However, if data is read from the driver regularly (e.g. using an alarm tag) a unit will be seen to go offline if communications are broken. On unit initialisation, the driver makes an initial request for data.  If Citect is requesting data from the unit, the driver should inform Citect within a few seconds that the unit is offline if there is a communication failure.  Also, when a driver unit poll is made, the unit will go offline if there is a communication failure, provided Citect is making requests to the driver.  Cicode can determine if a unit is offline using a combination of the IODeviceInfo and the TagRead Cicode functions.  The rule is that a unit is not "truly" online until the IODeviceInfo status indicates the unit is online and a test read of a tag using the TagRead function returns without an error.  Tagread returns an empty string if there is an error when reading numeric values.  If it is needed to find out the error code, use the ErrGetHw() function.  

Keywords:
 

Attachments