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MultipleChannels TOPServer

The document discusses how configuring multiple channels in the Toolbox OPC Power (TOP) Server can optimize performance when connecting to multiple devices. Using one channel for each device allows them all to communicate simultaneously, unlike a single channel where devices would take turns. Most drivers support up to 100 channels with around 100 devices each. Additional advantages include each channel running independently so a problem with one device does not block others.

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18 views1 page

MultipleChannels TOPServer

The document discusses how configuring multiple channels in the Toolbox OPC Power (TOP) Server can optimize performance when connecting to multiple devices. Using one channel for each device allows them all to communicate simultaneously, unlike a single channel where devices would take turns. Most drivers support up to 100 channels with around 100 devices each. Additional advantages include each channel running independently so a problem with one device does not block others.

Uploaded by

cementsaim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Using Multiple Channels in TOP Server

to Optimize Performance

Configuring What’s Best for Your Project

The Toolbox OPC Power Server can be optimized for performance by configuring of multiple channels.
If your project is connecting to one serial device, you simply configure one channel and one device, but if
you’re connecting to more than one device there are options you must consider.

If you configure all your devices under one channel then when your One Channel with 4 Devices
Client program asks for information from the devices the TOP
Server will have to read or write the data requested one device at a
time. This is a good thing for some modem or radio networks, but
may not take full advantage of your hardware’s capabilities.

4 Channels with 4 Devices If you configure each device


Only one device can
under its own channel, the TOP
communicate at a time.
Server can request the information
from all the devices at the same
time and you can get data from all your devices when you need it.

With an Ethernet connection this is easy, but if you doing serial


connections you will need a communications port available for each
channel. Some Ethernet devices also allow more than one connection a
Each device can at a time, so you can actually create more then one channel with a copy
communicate at the same of the same device under each Channel to get more communications
time throughput to the same device.

The key is that with the TOP Server you can control the number of connections with most drivers, so
you’re in control of how best to optimize your project. This is important to know because many
competing products do not provide you with this level of control.

How Many Channels and Devices Can Be Configured?

Most drivers for use in the TOP Server can be configured for up to 100 Channels. A serial driver can
support about 100 devices under a specific Channel and an Ethernet connection can support 1000 per
channel. Some drivers can be made to support more channels, so contact us if you have more than 100
devices to connect to on one server.

Other Advantages

Each channel configured in the TOP Server uses its own thread for communication to a specific device.
These means the communications from a device on one channel is independent of the communications to
a device on a different channel. If the device on the first channel is turned off or can’t communicate you
can still communicate to the device on the other channel. If both devices were on the same channel they
you would have to wait for the communications to timeout on the device that stopped before you could
hear back from the other device.

For situations where you must put all your devices under one channel but you want to minimize the
impact of offline devices on throughput, there are features in the TOP Server and in our optional OPC
Server Manager plug-in that can help to further optimize your application. Contact us for more details.

Contents of this document are Copyright 2006, Software Toolbox Inc., All Rights Reserved
148A East Charles Street y Matthews, NC USA 28105 y Phone: 1-888-665-3678 (USA) 704-849-2773 worldwidey fax: 704-849-6388
www.softwaretoolbox.com

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