I am looking for a scalable OPC UA Server solution.

Environment: 

- OPC Server will be installed on a Windows or Linux server

- Several Siemens S7 PLCs

- In future probably PLCs from other vendors like Rockwell

- One (or in future maybe several) OPC UA Clients

The only option I've found so far is the softing OPC suite. Unfortunately, it is rather pricey.

We used the SIMATIC NET OPC Server in past projects however, it is tied to Siemens PLCs and the effort to configure the items was enormous (to have all PLCs in one TIA project is no option with approximately 50 PLCs).

Hello,

a very interesting idea... any solutions found? SIMATIC NET OPC Server is the Best.? (for Siemens PLCs...)

Hello

We have used also OPC UA Servers of company "Softing" the OPC Server you can use much more general also for non Siemens PLCs. BUt for S7 PLCs i would use the simatic NEt OPC Server because its one Company and you will get also good support.

But in the  future the PLCs should have their own OPC Server integrated like S71500 PLC since V14 (Firmware 2.X).

Bye Murof

Murof

But in the  future the PLCs should have their own OPC Server integrated like S71500 PLC since V14 (Firmware 2.X).

Bye Murof

 That was what I thought of, too. The new plcs have a running opc ua server and you can access the data with the opc ua client. What would a external server be used for? It servers the access to the plcs to what?!?

Hello

I have the same problem too :

I have principaly 3 types of products :

- Products in MODBUS TCP : i use OPUA PROSYS : (good price and no need to pay maintenance cost every year). Free test can be done for 1h, need to restart server.

https://www.prosysopc.com/products/opc-ua-modbus-server/

- SIEMENS S7-1200 : SIMATIC NET.(V12 and V13) principaly. working well more exactly when there is some siemens updates .... I prefer to keep Simens in this case and tell theim problem in case of. It's easier than to other external server

For each program need only to make a S7 Link and don't forget to include PUT-GET. You can put all variables access in each program. (or make an individually choise) Or in the SIMATIC NET edit variables for each PLC and delete variables not need...

- Kep Server for OMRON PLC. (quite expensive). A lot of other drivers possible, each driver can be payed individually.

Hello

But if you want to work with Optimized Block Access then you cannot use any OPC UA Server.

There are only a few non Siemens OPC UA Server that supports this.

SO in futore it would be better to use the build in OPC UA Server of the Controller itself.

Bye Murof

Checking into this thread... 

We are also looking to collect data from multiple Siemens PLC's (S7-300 / S7-1200 / S7-1500) and put it into a MS SQL Express database.

All systems also have an HMI or SCADA, which have OPC-UA server capability.

From Siemens we came accross Industrial Databridge: https://w3.siemens.com/mcms/automation-software/en/scada-software/scada-options/wincc-industrial-data-bridge/pages/default.aspx

And SNMP OPC Server: https://mall.industry.siemens.com/mall/en/be/Catalog/Products/10015519?tree=CatalogTree

We don't have any experience with the two packages above. So any tips are welcome.

We don't need a full WinCC or HMI. Just get the data into SQL with a sort off handshaking so the PLC knows the data is send correctly.

So if any have a good solution for this? 

Hello

If your Systems also have a WinCC HMI running then you can use the OPC Server functionality of the HMI Runtimes (Comfort Panel, WinCC Professional RT or WinCC Advanced RT, it takes no additional license).

But in that case you need a OPC Client Application that gather the needed Signals and Data from all the HMI OPC UA Server and write it into SQL Server.

(First Result from goolge : https://integrationobjects.com/opc-products/opc-data-archiving/opc-client-for-microsoft-sql-server/)

Industrial Data Bridge is also an option we used before. its quite easy to set up. you do not have to program anything you can click your project together (you also can use it standallone without WinCC!!!).

Bye Murof

About the link you provided: Looking at the specs it seems it is for OPC-DA. We only will be using OPC-UA. KepserverEX is also a stabel solution I've been testing.

But I'm now installing IndustrialDataBridge on our test system. I'll post back my findings (if I don't forget)... 

hello,

here some info from Industry Online Support:

Application example https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/de/en/view/109483465
WinCC/IndustrialDataBridge: Writing data from SIMATIC WinCC or from SIMATIC controllers in MS Office files

FAQ https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/de/en/view/18621775
How do you find examples, explanations and further information about SNMP and the SIMATIC NET SNMP OPC server?