Security information 1

Preface 2

Basics 3
SIMATIC
Installation and licensing 4
Process control system PCS 7
OpenPCS 7 (V9.1) 5
PCS 7 Engineering

Plant configurations 6
Function Manual

OpenPCS 7 interface 7

Appendix A

Lists and folders B

Valid for PCS 7 as of V9.1

02/2021
A5E50316936-AA
Legal information
Warning notice system
This manual contains notices you have to observe in order to ensure your personal safety, as well as to prevent damage
to property. The notices referring to your personal safety are highlighted in the manual by a safety alert symbol, notices
referring only to property damage have no safety alert symbol. These notices shown below are graded according to
the degree of danger.

DANGER
indicates that death or severe personal injury will result if proper precautions are not taken.

WARNING
indicates that death or severe personal injury may result if proper precautions are not taken.

CAUTION
indicates that minor personal injury can result if proper precautions are not taken.

NOTICE
indicates that property damage can result if proper precautions are not taken.
If more than one degree of danger is present, the warning notice representing the highest degree of danger will be
used. A notice warning of injury to persons with a safety alert symbol may also include a warning relating to property
damage.
Qualified Personnel
The product/system described in this documentation may be operated only by personnel qualified for the specific
task in accordance with the relevant documentation, in particular its warning notices and safety instructions.
Qualified personnel are those who, based on their training and experience, are capable of identifying risks and
avoiding potential hazards when working with these products/systems.
Proper use of Siemens products
Note the following:

WARNING
Siemens products may only be used for the applications described in the catalog and in the relevant technical
documentation. If products and components from other manufacturers are used, these must be recommended or
approved by Siemens. Proper transport, storage, installation, assembly, commissioning, operation and maintenance
are required to ensure that the products operate safely and without any problems. The permissible ambient
conditions must be complied with. The information in the relevant documentation must be observed.

Trademarks
All names identified by ® are registered trademarks of Siemens AG. The remaining trademarks in this publication may
be trademarks whose use by third parties for their own purposes could violate the rights of the owner.
Disclaimer of Liability
We have reviewed the contents of this publication to ensure consistency with the hardware and software described.
Since variance cannot be precluded entirely, we cannot guarantee full consistency. However, the information in this
publication is reviewed regularly and any necessary corrections are included in subsequent editions.

Siemens AG A5E50316936-AA Copyright © Siemens AG 2021.

Digital Industries Ⓟ 03/2021 Subject to change All rights reserved
Postfach 48 48
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Table of contents

1 Security information.............................................................................................................................. 7
2 Preface ................................................................................................................................................... 9
3 Basics ................................................................................................................................................... 13
3.1 General information........................................................................................................... 13
3.2 Microsoft basics ................................................................................................................. 15
3.3 OPC Foundation................................................................................................................. 17
3.4 Components of OpenPCS 7 ................................................................................................ 18
3.5 Security concept for OPC UA connections in PCS 7 .............................................................. 21
3.6 OLE DB interface ................................................................................................................ 22
3.7 COM / DCOM components of OpenPCS 7 ............................................................................ 23
4 Installation and licensing .................................................................................................................... 25
4.1 Hardware requirements ..................................................................................................... 25
4.2 Installing the OpenPCS 7 station ........................................................................................ 26
4.3 Licensing of the OpenPCS 7 station .................................................................................... 28
4.4 Licensing of the OS-internal OPC server.............................................................................. 29
5 PCS 7 Engineering................................................................................................................................ 31
5.1 Configuring an OpenPCS 7 station ...................................................................................... 31
5.2 OpenPCS 7 and OS application on a shared PC station ........................................................ 33
5.3 Configuring an OPC client................................................................................................... 34
5.4 Loading the OpenPCS 7 station .......................................................................................... 35
5.5 Configuration support with the PCS 7 project wizard........................................................... 36
6 Plant configurations............................................................................................................................. 37
6.1 General configuration ........................................................................................................ 37
6.2 OpenPCS 7 without OS....................................................................................................... 39
6.3 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS ....................................................................................... 40
6.3.1 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS client.............................................................................. 40
6.3.2 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS server............................................................................. 41
6.3.3 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS single station system ...................................................... 41
6.4 OpenPCS 7 station for multiple PCS 7 projects .................................................................... 43
6.5 Linking two PCS 7 projects using OpenPCS 7....................................................................... 45
6.6 Plant configuration with firewall ......................................................................................... 47
6.7 Setting the Windows firewall for OpenPCS 7 ....................................................................... 48

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Table of contents

6.8 Users and passwords in a workgroup .................................................................................. 50

7 OpenPCS 7 interface ............................................................................................................................ 51
7.1 Access options ................................................................................................................... 51
7.2 Data transmission .............................................................................................................. 52
7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) ..................................................................................... 53
7.3.1 How the OPC UA server works ............................................................................................ 54
7.3.2 Configuring the OPC UA server ........................................................................................... 55
7.3.3 Security concept ................................................................................................................ 56
7.3.3.1 Configuration of security mechanisms ................................................................................ 57
7.3.4 Supported OPC UA services and profiles.............................................................................. 58
7.3.5 Namespace of the OPC UA server ....................................................................................... 59
7.3.6 OPC UA Data Access ........................................................................................................... 62
7.3.7 OPC UA Log Access ............................................................................................................ 63
7.3.8 OPC UA alarm & conditions ................................................................................................ 64
7.3.8.1 Supported event methods .................................................................................................. 64
7.3.8.2 Filters ................................................................................................................................ 64
7.3.9 Mapping the WinCC message system to OPC UA ................................................................. 65
7.3.9.1 OPC UA event types ........................................................................................................... 65
7.3.9.2 WinCC attributes ................................................................................................................ 65
7.3.9.3 Message class and message type ........................................................................................ 66
7.3.9.4 Priority............................................................................................................................... 66
7.3.9.5 OPC UA mapping rules ....................................................................................................... 67
7.3.9.6 Message statuses / acknowledgment statuses..................................................................... 68
7.3.9.7 Settings for mapping the WinCC message system ............................................................... 69
7.3.9.8 Alarm groups ..................................................................................................................... 69
7.4 OPC Data Access (OPC DA) ................................................................................................. 70
7.4.1 Introduction to the OPC Data Access interface .................................................................... 70
7.4.2 How the OPC DA server works ............................................................................................ 71
7.5 OPC Historical Data Access (OPC HDA) ................................................................................ 72
7.5.1 How the OPC HDA server works.......................................................................................... 72
7.5.2 Data structure of the OPC HDA server ................................................................................. 73
7.5.3 Overview of supported attributes ....................................................................................... 74
7.5.4 Overview of supported aggregates ..................................................................................... 74
7.5.5 Overview of supported functions ....................................................................................... 75
7.5.6 Time format of the OPC HDA server.................................................................................... 76
7.5.7 Quality codes of the OPC HDA server .................................................................................. 78
7.5.8 Write access supported by the OPC HDA server ................................................................... 78
7.6 OPC Alarms and Events (OPC A&E) ..................................................................................... 79
7.6.1 Introduction to OPC A&E .................................................................................................... 79
7.6.2 Mapping the PCS 7 OS message system on OPC A&E........................................................... 81
7.6.3 Mapping the message classes and message types of PCS 7 OS on OPC A&E ......................... 83
7.6.4 Mapping priorities of PCS 7 OS messages on OPC A&E ........................................................ 83
7.6.5 Attributes of the PCS 7 OS message system ........................................................................ 83
7.6.6 Acknowledgment scheme .................................................................................................. 85
7.6.7 Quality codes for OPC A&E ................................................................................................. 87
7.6.8 OPC A&E with hierarchical access ....................................................................................... 88
7.6.8.1 Differences between OPC A&E and OPC A&E with hierarchical access .................................. 88
7.6.8.2 Example 1: Messages are not assigned to any area.............................................................. 90

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 Table of contents

7.6.8.3 Example 2: Messages are assigned to an area ..................................................................... 92

7.6.8.4 Example 3: Messages of an area are assigned to an alarm hiding group............................... 93
7.6.9 Upgrading OPC A&E ........................................................................................................... 94
7.6.9.1 Updating PCS 7 projects with OPC A&E ............................................................................... 94
7.6.9.2 How to update an OPC project with PCS 7 V9.1................................................................... 94
7.7 OPC Historical Alarms and Events (OPC "H" A&E) ................................................................. 96
7.7.1 Introduction to OPC "H" A&E............................................................................................... 96
7.7.2 Reading archived messages................................................................................................ 97
7.7.3 Syntax for access to archived messages .............................................................................. 97
7.7.4 Read modes for archived messages .................................................................................... 99
7.7.5 Identifying archived messages.......................................................................................... 100
7.8 OLE DB ............................................................................................................................ 102
7.8.1 Basics of OLE DB .............................................................................................................. 102
7.8.2 Establishing the connection to the database..................................................................... 103
7.8.3 Access to the OLE DB provider .......................................................................................... 104
7.8.4 Querying archive data...................................................................................................... 105
7.8.4.1 Representation of the process value archive ..................................................................... 105
7.8.4.2 Querying process value archives....................................................................................... 106
7.8.4.3 Representation of the message archives ........................................................................... 109
7.8.4.4 Querying the message archives ........................................................................................ 111
A Appendix............................................................................................................................................ 113
A.1 Commissioning ................................................................................................................ 113
B Lists and folders................................................................................................................................. 115
B.1 List of sources.................................................................................................................. 115
B.2 List of abbreviations/acronyms ......................................................................................... 116
Index .................................................................................................................................................. 117

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Table of contents

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
6 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
Security information 1
Siemens provides products and solutions with industrial security functions that support the
secure operation of plants, systems, machines, and networks.
In order to protect plants, systems, machines and networks against cyber threats, it is necessary
to implement – and continuously maintain – a holistic, state-of-the-art industrial security
concept. Siemens’ products and solutions form one element of such a concept.
Customers are responsible for preventing unauthorized access to their plants, systems,
machines and networks. These systems, machines and components should only be connected
to the enterprise network or the Internet if and only to the extent necessary and with appropriate
security measures (firewalls and/or network segmentation) in place.
You can find more information on protective measures in the area of industrial security by
visiting:
https://www.siemens.com/industrialsecurity.
Siemens’ products and solutions undergo continuous development to make them more secure.
Siemens strongly recommends performing product updates as soon as they are available and
using only the latest product versions. Use of product versions that are no longer supported, and
failure to apply latest updates may increase customer’s exposure to cyber threats.
To stay informed about product updates, subscribe to the Siemens Industrial Security RSS Feed
under
https://www.siemens.com/industrialsecurity.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
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Security information

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
8 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
Preface 2
Purpose of this documentation
PCS 7 is an open system that allows access to process values, archived process values and
hardware interrupts by third-party applications. PCS 7 uses the following industry standards of
the OPC Foundation for this purpose:
• OPC Unified Architecture (DA, HA, A&C)
• OPC Data Access
• OPC Historical Data Access
• OPC Alarm and Events
PCS 7 also supports access by third-party applications using the WinCC OLE DB database
mechanism.
This documentation describes access to one or more PCS 7 OS servers using the OpenPCS 7
station. The information provided here will show you the configuration options with OpenPCS 7
and help you get started with the configuration of the OpenPCS 7 station in PCS 7.
To familiarize yourself in detail with the topics relating to the OPC interfaces, you will also require
the OPC-documentation from the OPC Foundation. You can find the documentation on the
Internet at: OPC Foundation (www.opcfoundation.org).

Required basic knowledge

You require general knowledge of automation engineering to understand this manual. Because
OpenPCS 7 is based on the PCS 7 process control system, you should also be familiar with the
operation of PCS 7.
Basic knowledge of the general use of the PC and Windows operating system is required.

Conventions
In this documentation, the names of elements in the software interface are specified in the
language of this documentation. If you have installed a multi-language package for the
operating system, some of the designations will be displayed in the basic operating system
language even after you change the language and will, therefore, differ from the designations
used in the documentation.
You can find the Siemens SIMATIC programs in the "Start" menu under Siemens Automation.

Changes compared to the previous version

Below, you will find an overview of the most important changes in the documentation compared
to the previous version:

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
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Preface

As of PCS 7 V9.1
• Adaptation of Windows operating system
• OPC UA - read only property

Target Audience of this Documentation

This documentation is intended for PCS 7 users.

Options for accessing PCS 7 documentation

The documentation required for PCS 7 includes the following types:
• PCS 7 Readme
The readme file is available in two versions:
– PCS 7 Readme (offline)
This version is installed by PCS 7 Setup. The file only contains general information and
links to documents on the Internet.
– PCS 7 Readme (online)
This version contains all information on the installation and use of PCS 7 in the format
which is already familiar to you. The file is only available on the Internet to keep it always
up-to-date.
Note
The information provided in the PCS 7 Readme (online) on the Internet takes precedence
over all other PCS 7 documentation. Refer PCS 7 Online Readme (https://
support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109780270).
Read this PCS 7 Readme carefully, because it contains important information and
amendments on PCS 7.

• PUD Manager
The "PUD Manager" an innovative tool to access documentation, comes with PCS 7 USB flash
drive. Some of the highlights:
– Create your own Manual Collection.
– Customize the documentation set according to your needs.
– Efficient search engine to access your information.
For more information on PUD Manager, refer Process Control System PCS 7; PUD Manager
V2.1 Online Help.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
10 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Preface

• PCS 7 System Documentation

System documentation contains information that covers several products, such as
configuration manuals and Getting Started manuals. This documentation serves as a
guideline for the overall system and explains the interaction between the individual
hardware and software components.
Note the information on "PCS 7 Documentation Portal Setup" in the product overview Process
Control System PCS 7; PCS 7 ‑ Documentation; Section "Options for accessing the
documentation".
• PCS 7 Product Documentation
Product documentation contains information about special hardware and software
components. The individual documents provide detailed information on the specific
component.
Full versions of the documentation are available from the "Technical Documentation SIMATIC
PCS 7" website: Technical Documentation (http://www.siemens.com/pcs7-documentation).
You can find additional information in the product overview Process Control System PCS 7; PCS 7
- Documentation; Section "Options for accessing the documentation".

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
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Preface

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
12 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
Basics 3
3.1 General information

Overview
Higher-level process control systems for production planning, process data evaluation, and
process data management can access SIMATIC PCS 7 process data via the OpenPCS 7 station. The
higher-level systems are OPC clients of the OpenPCS 7 station.

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Depending on the system configuration, the OpenPCS 7 station can provide data from various
OS servers and from a Process Historian. The OpenPCS 7 station hides the distribution of the data
in terms of:
• Time period (OS1, OS2, …, Process Historian)
• Location (OS1, OS2, …, Process Historian) and
• Redundancy (OS1 master, OS1 standby …)
OpenPCS 7 replaces @PCS 7, previously available in the context of SIMATIC PCS 7 and is, at the
same time, the equivalent of the Connectivity Station and the Connectivity Pack of the WinCC

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
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Basics
3.1 General information

SCADA system. Direct access to SIMATIC BATCH and SIMATIC Route Control data is not possible
with OpenPCS 7.

Layout
The OpenPCS 7 station can be operated in various configurations:
• OpenPCS 7 station without OS client, based on a SIMATIC PCS 7 Industrial Workstation in the
client version. This is the recommended preferred configuration.
• OpenPCS 7 station on an OS client.
• OpenPCS 7 station on an OS single station.
• OpenPCS 7 station on the OS server.
Note
The hardware and software requirements of the PC station on which the OpenPCS 7 station
is to be installed must be met.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
14 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Basics
3.2 Microsoft basics

3.2 Microsoft basics

Microsoft basics
The basis of OPC "Classic" is provided by several Microsoft technologies. These technologies are
explained in the following section.

OPC
OPC stands for "OLE for Process Control".
OPC is a standardized, vendor-independent software interface that allows data to be exchanged
between hardware and software. One system can provide another system with process data via
OPC .

OLE
OLE means "Object Linking and Embedding", the technology for embedding objects in
documents.

COM
COM means "Component Object Model" and is necessary for the use of OPC.
COM is a central component of Windows operating systems and controls the interaction
between multiple software components. By using COM , the OPCserver effectively becomes part
of the Windows operating system and is therefore not dependent on file names, storage
locations and versions.
COM defines a standard that allows objects to be defined as self-contained units in Windows and
to access these units beyond the limits of a process.
COMobjects can be understood as extensions of the operating system. They are not dependent
on programming languages and are available in principle to all applications.
The data and code of the object are not directly accessible to the user of the COMobject.

DCOM
DCOM is the acronym for "Distributed Component Object Model". It is based on COM technology
and provides the additional option of communicating over a network.

Object
Objects are defined by properties and methods that can be used on objects.

Events
An event is used to control program flow. Program execution is not linear, instead special event
handling routines are executed whenever a specific event occurs.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
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Basics
3.2 Microsoft basics

In terms of OpenPCS 7 and the OPC standard, events mean messages/operation messages of the
PCS 7-system.

DLL
It is possible to use DLLs with Microsoft Visual Basic (VB) and Microsoft Visual Basic for
Applications (VBA). DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library. A DLL is a dynamic link library. Users can
link the functionalities of a DLL into their own applications. If you want to program an OPCclient
with VB, make sure that the relevant automation interface DLL is selected in the VB Editor in
"Project > References".

Collection
Collections are objects that support count and item properties. A collection consists of a certain
number of items. An item can be collection-specific, any data structure, or an object. The count
property specifies the number of items in a collection. In Microsoft Visual Basic, each item in a
collection can be identified using loops.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
16 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Basics
3.3 OPC Foundation

3.3 OPC Foundation

OPC Foundation
The aim of the OPC Foundation is to ensure compatibility between different subsystems in
automation and process control engineering. Compatibility is achieved by creating and
maintaining open specifications for the standardization of communication between subsystems
of different manufacturers. This allows process data, alarms and messages as well as archived
process data to be exchanged between subsystems regardless of their manufacturer.
The OPC Foundation has more than 300 members worldwide. These include the most important
manufacturers of control systems, process instrumentation and process control systems
worldwide. SIEMENS is a member of the OPC Foundation.
The declared goal of the OPC Foundation is vertical integration of information from the field level
through to the enterprise level. Using the OPC standard, this integration is possible regardless of
the system and manufacturer.

The most important standards of the OPC Foundation for OpenPCS 7

• OPC Unified Architecture
– DataAccess
– Historical Data Access
– Alarms&Conditions
• OPC “Classic”:
– Data Access Custom Interface
– Data Access Automation Interface
– Historical Data Access Specification
– Historical Data Access Automation Interface
– Alarms and Events Custom Interface
– Alarm & Events Automation Interface

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
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Basics
3.4 Components of OpenPCS 7

3.4 Components of OpenPCS 7

Overview
OpenPCS 7 provides the following components:
• OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA server for OpenPCS 7)
• OPC "Classic":
– OPC DA (Data Access server)
– OPC HDA (Historical Data Access server)
– OPC A&E (Alarms & Events server)
– OPC "H" A&E (Historical Alarms & Events server)
• OLE DB

Note
For security reasons, we recommend converting the applications to OPC Unified Architecture
(UA). The OPC UA server uses the TCP/IP protocol to exchange data. Certificates are exchanged
for authorization between OPC UA server and OPC UA client. You can encrypt or sign data traffic
in addition.

In the following graphic, you can see all the OPC components that will run on the OpenPCS 7
station. The figure also shows the PCS 7environment. OLE DB starts a direct database query on
the PCS 7 OS server.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
18 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Basics
3.4 Components of OpenPCS 7

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OPC UA (Unified Architecture server)

For access to the data management, messages and archive system according to the OPC
specification OPC UA 1.02.
As OPC UA server, the OpenPCS 7 station offers other applications the following data:
• Current data from the OS data management (data access)
• Historical data from the OS measured value archives (historical access)
• OS messages (alarms & conditions)
Possible uses:
• An OPC UA client can register on the OPC UA server for ongoing changes of process values
(subscriptions) or write values.
• An OPC UA client can access measured value archives.
• The OPC UA server can forward OS messages with all associated process values to registered
clients on the production and corporate management level. OS messages can also be
acknowledged here.
• Filter mechanisms and subscriptions ensure that only selected, changed data or selected
messages are transmitted.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 19
Basics
3.4 Components of OpenPCS 7

OPC DA (Data Access server)

For read and write access to process values according to the OPC specification OPC DA V1.00,
V2.05a, V3.00.
As an OPC DA server, the OpenPCS 7 station provides other applications with current data from
the OS data management. The OPC DA client can register for current changes or write values.

OPC HDA (Historical Data Access server)

For read access to archived process values according to the OPC specification OPC HDA V1.20.
As an OPC HDA server, the OpenPCS 7 station provides other applications with historical data
from the OS archive system. The OPC client - for example a reporting tool - can specifically
request the data required by specifying the start and end of a period. Various aggregate
functions, such as variance, mean value, or integral, allow preprocessing by the OPC HDA server
and contribute to a reduction in the communication load.

OPC A&E (Alarms & Events server)

For read access to messages, alarms and events according to the OPC specification OPC A&E
V1.10.
As an OPC A&E server, the OpenPCS 7 station forwards OS messages with all the associated
process values to the subscribers at the production and enterprise management level. OS
messages can also be acknowledged here. Filter mechanisms and subscriptions ensure that only
selected, changed data is transmitted.

OPC "H" A&E (Historical Alarms & Events server)

For read access to archived alarms and messages.
The standard OPC interface has been extended by Siemens. This enables the OpenPCS 7 station
to send historical alarms and messages from the archive to subscribers on the production and
corporate management level.

OLE-DB
The WinCC OLE DB Provider allows standardized and direct access to the archive data in the
Microsoft SQL server database on the OS server.
This setup permits access to all OS archive data, along with the associated process values,
message texts, and user texts.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
20 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Basics
3.5 Security concept for OPC UA connections in PCS 7

3.5 Security concept for OPC UA connections in PCS 7

OPC Unified Architecture (UA) has an integrated security concept, which is essentially based on
the following components:
• Authentication and authorization of the participating applications and users
• Assurance of integrity and confidentiality of messages exchanged between applications
You can find technical details on this in the documentation OPC Unified Architecture –
Specification – Part 2 (Release 1.02)

Additional information
You can find information on the structure and configuration of plants with OPC UA connections
in the following sections:
• Section "Plant configuration with firewall (Page 47)"
• Section "OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) (Page 53)"

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
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Basics
3.6 OLE DB interface

3.6 OLE DB interface

OLE DB
OLE DB is an open standard for fast access to different databases. The connection between the
OLE DB level and the database is established by a database provider.
The WinCC OLE DB Provider has been tested and approved for PCS 7. The WinCC OLE DB Provider
allows access to the process value and message archives.
You can find additional information about this in the section "Basics of OLE DB (Page 102)".

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
22 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Basics
3.7 COM / DCOM components of OpenPCS 7

3.7 COM / DCOM components of OpenPCS 7

COM / DCOM components used by OpenPCS 7

• OPC client runs on the OpenPCS 7 station
If the OPC client and OPC server process run on one computer, the OPC client accesses the local
OPC server object using an "in-process server" component via LRPC and a stub object.

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If the OPC client and the OPC server process run on separate computers, the OPC client accesses
a local and a remote proxy object. These objects communicate via RPC and a stub object, with
the OPC server object on a different computer.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a technique used for communication between different
processes. The processes typically run on different computers.

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OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 23
Basics
3.7 COM / DCOM components of OpenPCS 7

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
24 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
Installation and licensing 4
4.1 Hardware requirements

Recommended configuration for PC stations

You can find recommendations for SIMATIC PCS 7 PC stations in the PCS 7 Readme (see "Preface
(Page 9)").

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 25
Installation and licensing
4.2 Installing the OpenPCS 7 station

4.2 Installing the OpenPCS 7 station

OpenPCS 7 stations in different configurations

Configuration Requirements for installa‐ Intended use of the software Program package in the PCS 7 Setup
tion for the installation
OpenPCS 7 sta‐ Installation requirements This serves as software for a sepa‐ • "OpenPCS 7" package
tion without OS for the SIMATIC PCS 7 Work‐ rate OpenPCS 7 station without OS
client station with an OS client client functionality.
configuration
OpenPCS 7 sta‐ Installation requirements This serves to expand an existing OS • "OpenPCS 7 with OS‑Client" pack‐
tion with OS cli‐ for the SIMATIC PCS 7 Work‐ client with the functionality of an age (corresponds to the software
ent station with an OS client OpenPCS 7 station. packages: "OpenPCS 7" + "OS‑Cli‐
configuration ent")
OpenPCS 7 sta‐ Installation requirements This serves to expand an existing OS • "OpenPCS 7" package
tion on the OS for the OS single station single station with the functionality • Package "OS Single Station"
single station of an OpenPCS 7 station.
OpenPCS 7 sta‐ Installation requirements This serves to expand an existing OS • "OpenPCS 7" package
tion on the OS for the OS server server with the functionality of an • Package "OS-Server"
server OpenPCS 7 station.

Note
If you only purchase the "OpenPCS 7 (OS-Client)" software package, you will only receive the
license for OpenPCS 7 . The required licenses for OS clients must be obtained additionally and
must be available on the computer at runtime.

Requirement
Message queuing must be installed.

Procedure
An example procedure for the standalone variant is explained below:
1. Insert the "SIMATIC Process Control System; PCS 7" USB flash drive in the USB port.
2. Run the "SETUP.exe" installation program.
3. Select the setup language and click "Next".
4. Close all programs and click "Next".
5. Read the product instructions and click "Next".
6. Accept the license conditions and click "Next".
7. Select the setup type "Install" and click "Next".
8. Enter the user information and click "Next".
9. Select the package installation and click "Next".

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
26 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Installation and licensing
4.2 Installing the OpenPCS 7 station

10.Select the program package and click "Next".

If, for example, you want to select the OpenPCS 7 station without OS client, click on
OpenPCS 7".
11.Check the components selected for installation and click "Next".
12.Click the "Install" button.
The following picture shows the selection for the program package:

Note
Uninstalling PCS 7 software via the system setup is not supported.
The uninstallation of single software components via the Windows control panel is not
recommended.

Additional information
• You can find additional information about installation requirements in the system
documentation Process Control System PCS 7; PCS 7 - PC Configuration.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 27
Installation and licensing
4.3 Licensing of the OpenPCS 7 station

4.3 Licensing of the OpenPCS 7 station

General
Two licenses are available for OpenPCS 7. The licenses for the OpenPCS 7 station are license keys
that must be transferred directly to the machine on which the OpenPCS 7 station runs using the
Automation License Manager. A license is required for each OpenPCS 7 station. The licenses for
the OpenPCS 7 station are single licenses. This means that a license server cannot be used for
OpenPCS 7.

Note
PCS 7data can be accessed via OpenPCS 7 under the following conditions as regards license keys:
• The OpenPCS 7 station / OS require a license for a PCS 7 OS. This is applicable for all
configurations of the OpenPCS 7 station.
• If you use the "OpenPCS 7 Station / OS" license key, the PCS 7 OS must be in process mode.
• If you use the "OpenPCS 7 station" license key, you can always access PCS 7data via OpenPCS
7.
• Access to the corresponding PCS 7data is only ensured when a license is available.

Licenses for OpenPCS 7

The following licenses are available for OpenPCS 7. The article numbers are available in the
current PCS 7 catalog or in the online catalog.

License Description
OpenPCS 7 station / OS License for the software to expand an existing operator station with the
OpenPCS 7 station functionality.
This is a single license for one installation.
OpenPCS 7 station License for one OpenPCS 7 software installation for a separate OpenPCS 7
station based on the hardware of the SIMATIC PCS 7 workstation (client
version).
This is a single license for one installation.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
28 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Installation and licensing
4.4 Licensing of the OS-internal OPC server

4.4 Licensing of the OS-internal OPC server

Licensing
The PCS 7 OS provides the following internal OPC servers on an OS server or an OS single station:
• SOPCSRVRWinCC.exe for OPC DA
• SOPCAESRVRWinCC.exe for OPC A&E
• SOPCHDASRVRWinCC.exe for OPC HDA
• OPCUASERVERWinCC.exe for OPC UA
These internal OPC servers can be used with OpenPCS 7-licenses. This is only possible if the
"OpenPCS 7 station / OS" or "OpenPCS 7 station" license is available on the OS station.

Note
If the internal OPC servers of an OS station are used, this represents additional load in terms of
the OS station's performance.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 29
Installation and licensing
4.4 Licensing of the OS-internal OPC server

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
30 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
PCS 7 Engineering 5
5.1 Configuring an OpenPCS 7 station

Introduction
The OpenPCS 7 station is configured as a SIMATIC PC station in the SIMATIC Manager. It includes
the "SPOSA application" object. SPOSA is the acronym for Single Point Of System Access. The OPC
client application can also be executed on the OpenPCS 7 station. During configuration, the
following steps need to be taken:
• Insertion of a SIMATIC PC station
• Insert and configure the SPOSA application in the hardware configuration of the SIMATIC PC
station
If you created the multiproject with the PCS 7wizard, you will already have inserted an
OpenPCS 7 station if you selected the appropriate option. You can also insert an OpenPCS 7
station by expanding the project later with the "Expand Project" PCS 7wizard. The steps required
to create an OpenPCS 7 station manually are explained in the following section.

Requirement
The PCS 7 project is open. You have created the OS servers and generated the server packages.

Procedure
1. Select the project into which you want to insert the OpenPCS 7 station, in the component
view of the SIMATIC Manager.
2. Select the menu command "Insert > Station > SIMATIC PC Station".
A new SIMATIC PC station is inserted into the selected project.
3. Select the SIMATIC PC station, select the menu command "Edit > Object Properties" and
enter the desired name for the PC station and the computer name.
4. Select the SIMATIC PC station in the component view and open the hardware configuration
by double-clicking on the "Configuration" object in the detailed view.
The SIMATIC PC station hardware configuration opens.
5. If the hardware catalog is not visible, select the menu command "View > Catalog".
6. Select the SPOSA application from "SIMATIC PC Station > HMI" in the hardware catalog and
drag it to the configuration table.
7. Save and compile the hardware configuration using the menu command "Station > Save and
Compile"
8. Expand the newly created PC station and the SPOSA application in the SIMATIC Manager.
9. Open the object properties of the "OpenPCS7_Station(1)" object and enter the download
path to the OpenPCS 7 station in the "PLC" tab.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 31
PCS 7 Engineering
5.1 Configuring an OpenPCS 7 station

10.Right-click on the "OpenPCS7_Station(1)" object to open the shortcut menu and

select "Assign OS Server...".
11.Assign the PCS 7 OS server packages to the SPOSA application.
12.Open the hardware configuration of the OpenPCS 7 station and select the menu
command "Station > Save and Compile".
13.Right-click on the "OpenPCS7_Station(1)" object to open the shortcut menu and select "PLC
> Download".

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
32 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 PCS 7 Engineering
5.2 OpenPCS 7 and OS application on a shared PC station

5.2 OpenPCS 7 and OS application on a shared PC station

Configuration
In the hardware configuration of the PC station, you configure a "SPOSA application" and a
"WinCC application client". Configuration of an "WinCC application" is possible as well.
• You specify the path to the target system of the OpenPCS 7-computer in the object properties
of the "SPOSA application".
• You configure the path to the target OS computer in the object properties of the "OS client
application".

Note
In a PCS 7-version lower than V7.1, a SPOSA application and an OS client cannot be configured
on the same SIMATIC PC station. In a PCS 7-version lower than V7.1, two PC stations with the
same computer name but with different PC station names must be configured.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 33
PCS 7 Engineering
5.3 Configuring an OPC client

5.3 Configuring an OPC client

OPC client engineering within PCS 7

OPC client engineering is not part of the PCS 7 engineering. No PC station is inserted and
configured in the SIMATIC Manager. In the SIMATIC Manager, only the OpenPCS 7 station is
configured.

Note
If you want to use the SIEMENS OPC Automation Interfaces, either the OPC client must be
executed on the OpenPCS 7 station or you will have to take manual steps to ensure that the
required files exist and are registered on the OPC client.

OPC client configuration outside PCS 7

An OPC client communicates with the OpenPCS 7 station via a network connection. We
recommend that you install a firewall between the OPC client and the OpenPCS 7 station if the
OPC client is on a non-secure network. So that communication between the OPC client and
OpenPCS 7 station works correctly, you need to configure the firewall and configure the DCOM
settings on the PC on which the OPC client is being executed. You can find the relevant settings
in the documentation of the OPC client and the firewall.

Note
If you want to use an OPC client for OPC "Classic" on a PC without an OpenPCS 7-installation, you
need to install the OPC proxy/stub components of the OPC Foundation. You can install these with
the "OPC Core Components 3.00 Redistributable" setup of the OPC Foundation. In this case, you
should also check the installation instructions of the OPC client vendor.

Additional information
• You can find more information about PCS 7 security concepts in the manual Security
Concept PCS 7.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
34 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 PCS 7 Engineering
5.4 Loading the OpenPCS 7 station

5.4 Loading the OpenPCS 7 station

Requirements
• The following components are installed on the PC station:
– Operating system
– OpenPCS 7 station software
• The terminal bus is configured on the OpenPCS 7 station.
• The OpenPCS 7 station is connected to the engineering station via the terminal bus.
• The protocol for the communication on the terminal bus is set to TCP/IP.
• The OpenPCS 7 station is configured in the PCS 7 project.
• The user logged in on the ES can access the shared Windows folder.
Default setting: "\\<OpenPCS 7 Station>\Automation"
• The PCS 7multiproject is open on the ES.

Procedure
1. Expand the PC station of the OpenPCS 7 station.
2. Expand the SPOSA application.
3. Right-click on the object below the SPOSA application.
4. Select " CPU > Download".
5. If no project has yet been loaded on the OpenPCS 7 station, the configuration is applied.
Configuration changes only take effect after a restart of the OpenPCS 7 station.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 35
PCS 7 Engineering
5.5 Configuration support with the PCS 7 project wizard

5.5 Configuration support with the PCS 7 project wizard

The PCS 7 project wizard

The PCS 7 project wizard supports you when creating a PCS 7 project including an OpenPCS 7
station. In the following example, we will create the minimum configuration for a PCS 7 project
with an OpenPCS 7 station. We will only deal with the configuration steps on the ES that relate
to the OpenPCS 7 station. AS / OS engineering and downloading of the project are not dealt with
at this point.

Requirement
You have an engineering station with at least a PCS 7 V8.0 installation.

Example
1. Open SIMATIC Manager.
2. Start the PCS 7 project wizard in the SIMATIC manager using the " File > ' New Project' Wizard"
menu.
3. Click the "Next" button in the "Introduction" dialog.
4. Select the required CPU in the "Which CPU are you using in your project?" dialog and then click
the "Next" button.
5. Click the " Preview >>>" button.
6. Select the "OpenPCS 7" option in the "Which objects are you still using?" dialog.
7. Click "Next".
8. Enter a directory name in the "Directory name" box in the "Where do you want to store the
multiproject?" dialog.
9. Click the "Browse" button and set the path for the storage location.
10.Click the "Finish" button.
11.Click "OK" in the "Message Number Assignment" dialog.
12.Insert a new PC station in your project.
13.Enter the computer name in the object properties of the PC station.
14.Open the hardware configuration and insert an OS application.
15.Compile the OS.
16.In the shortcut menu of the OpenPCS 7 station, select the menu command Assign OS
Server... .
17.In the dialog window "Assignment OS server for...", select the check box for OS server from
which the OpenPCS 7 requires station data.
18.Click "OK".
19.Following this, you will need to complete the project with the AS and OS engineering and
download the project.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
36 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
Plant configurations 6
6.1 General configuration

General OpenPCS 7 configuration

In process mode, the OpenPCS 7 station communicates with the automation systems via the
operator station (OS server).
With the OpenPCS 7 station, you can access the data of redundant PCS 7 OS server pairs. If the
PCS 7 OS master server fails, the redundant OS server is automatically connected for the next
read job.
If the connection aborts during a read job, the OpenPCS 7 station also attempts to read the data
from the redundant OS server.
The OpenPCS 7 station cannot directly access the data of the BATCH server and Route Control
server. SIMATIC BATCH and SIMATIC Route Control use blocks in the automation system. These
blocks have OS tags for operator control and monitoring at the OS level. These OS tags are
available via OPC DA or OPC UA. SIMATIC BATCH and SIMATIC Route Control also use an OS server
as a message server. These messages are available via OPC A&E or OPC UA (A&C).

Note
The OPC UA server provides READ and WRITE access to all variables from all PCS7 OS that are
connected to the OpenPCS 7 Station.

The following data of the archive server can be provided to the OpenPCS 7 station:
• Process value archives via OPC UA or OPC HDA
• Message archives via OPC "H" A&E

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 37
Plant configurations
6.1 General configuration

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OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
38 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Plant configurations
6.2 OpenPCS 7 without OS

6.2 OpenPCS 7 without OS

OpenPCS 7 station without installed OS client

In this configuration, the OpenPCS 7 station is installed without an OS client. The OPC clients run
on a separate PC. All OPC clients access the OpenPCS 7 station. The OpenPCS 7 station contains
the following OPC server:
• OPC UA server
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• OPC A&E server
This configuration is intended for large plants.

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Construct redundant connections for OpenPCS 7 stations in PCS 7

No redundant OpenPCS 7 station is implemented in PCS 7.
You can create redundancy of sorts by running several identical OpenPCS 7 stations. This
requires that your OPC client has the following functionality:
• Determination of the OpenPCS 7 station through which the necessary information is
available.
• Detection of failure of an OpenPCS 7 station and failover to an available OpenPCS 7 station

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 39
Plant configurations
6.3 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS

6.3 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS

6.3.1 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS client

OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS client

In this configuration, the OpenPCS 7 station is also installed on an OS client. The OPC client also
runs on the OpenPCS 7 station. The OpenPCS 7 station contains the OPC server (OPC UA, OPC
DA, OPC HDA and OPC A&E). This configuration is intended for small plants.

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The OPC client can also run on a separate computer. This configuration is intended for small to
medium-sized plants.

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OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
40 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Plant configurations
6.3 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS

6.3.2 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS server

OpenPCS 7 on a server
In this configuration, the OpenPCS 7 station is also installed on an OS server. The OpenPCS 7
station provides data of one or more OS servers to OPC clients.

Note
Note that the OpenPCS 7 station affects the performance of the OS server. For large PCS 7 plants,
we recommend the use of a separate OpenPCS 7 station.

Example configuration for the "PCS 7 OS server":

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6.3.3 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS single station system

OpenPCS 7 on an OS single station system

In this configuration, the OpenPCS 7 station is also installed on an OS single station system. The
OpenPCS 7 station provides data of one or more OS servers to OPC clients.
Configuration:

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 41
Plant configurations
6.3 OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS

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An OS single-station system cannot be assigned to an OpenPCS 7 station. When OpenPCS 7 is
used, it is not possible to provide data of the OS single station system to an OPC client.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
42 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Plant configurations
6.4 OpenPCS 7 station for multiple PCS 7 projects

6.4 OpenPCS 7 station for multiple PCS 7 projects

Example configuration
In this example configuration, an OpenPCS 7 station is used to make OS server data from two
PCS 7 projects available. Multiple OS servers can also be used per PCS 7 project.

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OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 43
Plant configurations
6.4 OpenPCS 7 station for multiple PCS 7 projects

This example configuration has been released for identical PCS 7 versions in the PCS 7projects
A and B.

Note
Hybrid configurations with regard to PCS 7 versions are disabled.

Configuration
A SIMATIC PCS 7 station with a SPOSA application is configured in every PCS 7 project. The SPOSA
application is assigned to the OS server of the relevant PCS 7 project. The identical path to the
target system is configured and downloaded in both SPOSA applications.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
44 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Plant configurations
6.5 Linking two PCS 7 projects using OpenPCS 7

6.5 Linking two PCS 7 projects using OpenPCS 7

Plant configuration of the OPC DA link

The PCS 7 OS servers can also be used as OPC clients. The "OPC" channel is the OPC client
application of the PCS 7 OS. Information on the configuration of the OPC channel is available in
the WinCC Information System in the section "WinCC Information System/Communication/OPC
Channel". In this configuration, the OpenPCS 7 station can make data from several OS servers
available for Project A via OPC.

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Application 1:
There are two PCS 7 projects, Project A and Project B, in a plant network. For technical reasons,
Project A needs to visualize data of Project B. The OPC channel of the PCS‑7 OS can be used for
this purpose.

Application 2:
If PCS 7 Project A and PCS 7 Project B use different PCS 7 versions, but support the same OPC
version. The OPC channel of the PCS 7 OS can be used for this purpose.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 45
Plant configurations
6.5 Linking two PCS 7 projects using OpenPCS 7

Application 3:
This configuration can also be used if Project B is a third-party product that provides an OPC
server and not a PCS 7 project. This requires that both projects support the same OPC standard.

Note
The OPC channel can only be used for OPC DA.

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
46 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Plant configurations
6.6 Plant configuration with firewall

6.6 Plant configuration with firewall

Plant configuration with OpenPCS 7 station and firewall

The following figure shows the schematic structure of a PCS 7 plant with an OpenPCS 7 station
and firewall. The PCS 7 security cell is separated from the demilitarized zone (DMZ) by a
Microsoft ISA server firewall. The OpenPCS 7 station is placed in the DMZ. The DMZ is also
separated from the office network by a firewall. The OPC client that accesses the OpenPCS 7
station is located in the office network.

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Additional information
• Security concept of OPC UA: Section "OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) (Page 53)"
• You can learn about the PCS 7 security concept in the PCS 7 Security concept manual
• Documentation Process Control System PCS 7; PCS 7 - PC Configuration

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA 47
Plant configurations
6.7 Setting the Windows firewall for OpenPCS 7

6.7 Setting the Windows firewall for OpenPCS 7

Windows Firewall settings

When the OpenPCS 7 station is outside the network (subnet) of the PCS 7 system, settings need
to be made in the Windows Firewall on all OS servers which are to access to the OpenPCS 7
station.

Setting location
The settings must be configured in the Inbound rules in the "Windows Firewall with Advanced
Security" dialog.

Settings for the rules

• The following rules must be adjusted depending on the type of connection:
– The "CCEServer" rule for an OPC connection
– The "SQL Server xxxx" and "SQL Browser" rules for an OLE DB connection
Note for SQL Server:
The exact name depends on the version of SQL Server that is approved for your PCS 7
components (see Process Control System PCS 7; PCS 7 Readme documentation).
Expand the scope for corresponding rule(s) mentioned above from which access is to be
allowed to the subnet or IP address of the OpenPCS 7 station on the OS server.
• Make sure that bi-directional access is ensured between the OpenPCS 7 station and OS server.
Check the availability of both ends with the "ping" command. Adjust the firewall settings if
necessary.

Creating a firewall for the OPC client

The Windows firewall blocks inbound RPC connections for OPC callback calls on the OPC client.
Create a rule that allows OPC callback calls on the OPC client:
1. In the Control Panel, open Windows Firewall > Advanced settings.
The "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" dialog opens.
2. Select the "Inbound Rules" path in the tree structure.
3. Select the menu command Action > New Rule....
The "New Inbound Rule Wizard" dialog opens.
4. In the "Rule Type" tab, select the "Custom" option.
5. In the "Program" tab, select the "This program path" option.
Enter the folder and program name of the OPC client application in the input box.
6. In the "Protocols and Ports" step, select the following settings:
– Protocol type: TCP
– Local port: RPC Dynamic Ports

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
48 Function Manual, 02/2021, A5E50316936-AA
 Plant configurations
6.7 Setting the Windows firewall for OpenPCS 7

7. Recommendation:
– In the "Scope" step, select the option "These IP addresses" as the setting for the list "Which
local IP addresses does this rule apply to?".
– In the list, insert the IP addresses of the OpenPCS 7 station.
8. In the following steps, select any necessary plant-specific settings.
9. Enter a name for the profile in the input box in the "Name" step.
10.Click "Finish".

OpenPCS 7 (V9.1)
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Plant configurations
6.8 Users and passwords in a workgroup

6.8 Users and passwords in a workgroup

Users and passwords

Users and passwords of logged-on users must be identical on the OpenPCS 7 station and on the
OPC client. Otherwise, correct access by the OPC client to the OpenPCS 7 station cannot be
guaranteed.
The logged-on user should have at least power user privileges in the operating system.

Example
If the user with the user name "User1" and the password "xyz" is logged on to the OpenPCS 7
station, an identical user must be created on the OPC client. If the user with the user name
"User2" and the password "abc" is logged on to the OPC client, an identical user must be created
on the OpenPCS 7 station.

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7.1 Access options

Access options
The following table lists the access options via OPC to the following PC stations in PCS 7:
• PCS 7 OS server
• Maintenance Station
• Process Historian

Access to data Access via interface Data type Type of access

from type
OS server or OPC UA Process tags Read/write
Maintenance Sta‐ OPC UA Alarms and messages Read
tion OPC UA Archive tags in the measured value archive (TagLogging) Read
OPC DA Tags in process mode Read/write
OPC HDA Archive tags in the measured value archive (TagLogging) Read
OPC A&E Alarms and messages Read/acknowledge
OPC "H" A&E Alarms and messages from the message archive (Alarm‐ Read
Logging)
Process Historian OPC UA Archive tags in the measured value archive (TagLogging) Read
OPC HDA Archive tags in the measured value archive (TagLogging) Read
OPC "H" A&E Alarms and messages from the message archive (Alarm‐ Read
Logging)

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7.2 Data transmission

7.2 Data transmission

Type of data transfer of OPC DA, OPC HDA and OPC A&E
This section explains the various types of data transfer with OPC "Classic".

Event-driven data transfer

With event-driven data transfer, the OPC registers the required data for updating on the OPC
server. The OPC server sends the tags to the OPC client when they change.

Asynchronous data transfer

When using asynchronous data transfer, the called method is not completely processed on the
OPC server before the OPC client receives data from the OPC server. The OPC server returns the
results of the asynchronous operations using events. In this way, it is possible for the OPC server
to supply data to the OPC client automatically if the data has changed.

Synchronous data transmission

When calling synchronous methods, the job is processed completely on the OPC server before
the information is transferred to the OPC client. The OPC server provides synchronous write and
read methods.

Note
You can find the available asynchronous and synchronous read and write methods in the
following sections:
• OPC Data Access (OPC DA) - (SIEMENS OPC DA Automation Interface 2.0)
• OPC Historical Data Access (OPC HDA) - (SIEMENS OPC HDA Automation Interface 1.0)
• OPC Alarms and Events (OPC A&E) - (SIEMENS OPC A&E Automation Interface 1.0)

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

OPC and OPC UA are standardized and vendor-independent interfaces and information models
of the OPC Foundation for reliable communication in automation technology as well as in other
fields of application.

Overview
You can find information about the following topics in the sections below:
• How the OPC UA server works (Page 54)
• Configuring the OPC UA server (Page 55)
• Security concept (Page 56)
• Supported OPC UA services and profiles (Page 58)
• Namespace of the OPC UA server (Page 59)
• OPC UA Data Access (Page 62)
• OPC UA Log Access (Page 63)
• OPC UA alarm & conditions (Page 64)
• Mapping the WinCC message system to OPC UA (Page 65)

Introduction to the OPC Unified Architecture interface

OPC UA (Unified Architecture) is the successor technology to OPC "Classic" and has the following
main features:
• Platform-independent
• Vendor-independent
• Use of standardized protocols as the communication medium (e.g. tcp, http)
• Integrated security concept (authentication and authorization, encryption and data integrity
by signing)
• High-performance information model and provision of all data (DA/HDA/A&C) in a single
address space
Detailed information on the OPC UA specifications can be found on the OPC Foundation website
on the Internet (http://www.opcfoundation.org).

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

7.3.1 How the OPC UA server works

Operating principle
The OPC UA server for OpenPCS 7 provides the following data:
• Process values
• Values from measured value archives
• OS messages

Supported specifications
The OPC UA server supports the OPC UA specification 1.02.
You can find more information on UA functionality in the section "Supported OPC UA services
and profiles (Page 58)".

Installation
The OPC UA server is installed with OpenPCS 7 as a Windows service. The service is automatically
started when the computer is booted. The OPC UA server can only be used when the OpenPCS
7 station has been configured and loaded.
Configuration/accessibility
The OPC UA server is pre-configured during installation.
OPC UA server only supports the OPC UA binary protocol ("UA-TCP UA-SC UA binary"
communication profile) for the communication. The port number used can be configured.
You can find more information on this subject in the following sections:
• Section "Configuring the OPC UA server (Page 55)"
• Section "Supported OPC UA services and profiles (Page 58)"
Discovery Server
The "Discovery Server" is provided by the OPC Foundation. With the installation of OpenPCS 7,
the "Discovery Server" is installed by default as Windows service. The "Discovery Server" provides
OPC UA clients with information about OPC UA servers that are registered on the "Discovery
Server".
The OPC UA server for OpenPCS 7 registers itself at startup depending on its configuration with
no, one or multiple configured and available "Discovery Servers". Registration is repeated
cyclically.
Default setting: Registration on local Discovery Server

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7.3.2 Configuring the OPC UA server

NOTICE
Changing the server configuration
Changing the server configuration incorrectly could cause malfunctions or security gaps! The
server configuration should therefore be performed only by qualified personnel.

"OPCUAServerOpenPCS7.xml" configuration file

You can find the configuration file in the installation folder of OpenPCS 7. The most important
settings in the configuration file of the OPC UA server are:
• Port number of the OPC UA server
• Security settings

Note
Applying a change to the server configuration
Changes to the server configuration do not become active until the OPC UA server is restarted.

Changing the port number of the OPC UA server

The OPC UA server is accessible via the following URL: "opc.tcp://[HostName]:[Port]"

Parameter Description
HostName Placeholder for the computer name. Used automatically.
Port TCP/IP - Port number
Do not use a port number that is already used by another application. Default
setting: 4863

Example for the setting in the configuration file of the OPC UA server:
<BaseAddresses>
<ua:String>opc.tcp://[HostName]:4863</ua:String>
<BaseAddresses>

Making the security settings

You can find information about the security settings in the section "Configuration of security
mechanisms (Page 57)".

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

7.3.3 Security concept

The security concept of OPC UA is essentially based on the following:

• Authentication and authorization of the participating applications and users
• Assurance of integrity and confidentiality of messages exchanged between applications
For technical details on the configuration, refer to the following documentation:
"OPC UA Specification, Part 2"
OPC UA applications use certificates for mutual authentication.
The stores of the certificates used are set in the configuration file of the OPC UA server.
Access to the stores must be restricted to access by:
• The server itself (default setting)
• The system administrator (default setting, only for server certificate folder)

Server certificate
The server certificate (ApplicationCertificate) and its private key are stored in the certificate store
during the installation.
Default:
• Stores of the certificates used: [ApplicationPath]\PKI\CA\certs
• Stores of the private keys: [ApplicationPath]\PKI\CA\private
The private key folder of OPC UA Server is protected with restrictive access rights, and it can only
be accessed by OPC UA Server, which is the default setting. The administrators group can provide
READ/WRITE access to the administrator if changes are required in the private key folder, as the
administrators group is the owner of this folder.

Trusted client certificates

A client is trusted if one of the following certificates is available in the certificate store for the
trusted certificates of the OPC UA server.
• A valid self-signed certificate of the client.
• A valid certificate issued by a trusted certificate authority. Only the certificate of the
certification authority needs to be present. The instance certificate of the client does not
need to be in the certificate store of trusted certificates.
Default:
Store of the trusted certificates: [ApplicationPath]\PKI\CA\certs

Certificate from a certification authority

The certificates from certificate authorities that are required for the verification of a client
certificate chain are stored in the certificate store of the certification authorities.

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Rejected client certificates

If the certificate used by a UA client to access the OPC UA server is not trusted, the OPC UA server
rejects the secure communication. The OPC UA server copies the certificate of the UA client to
the folder for rejected certificates.
Default:
Store of the rejected certificates: [ApplicationPath]\PKI\CA\rejected

7.3.3.1 Configuration of security mechanisms

OPC UA provides the following security mechanisms even on the communication level:
• Authentication of UA applications
• Confidentiality of exchanged messages
• Integrity of exchanged messages
The applied security mechanisms are defined by standardized security policies. You can find
information on the requirements (e.g. algorithms for encryption, signing) in the following
documents:
• OPC UA Specification; Part 2
• OPC UA Specification; Part 4
• OPC UA Specification; Part 7
You set the security policies supported by the OPC UA server in the configuration file of the OPC
UA server:
• SecuredApplication
• ServerConfiguration

User identity
The OPC UA server supports the authentication of the user of client applications.
In the OPC UA server configuration file, you can make the settings for authenticating users below
the "ServerConfiguration":
UserTokenPolicy "UserName".

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

7.3.4 Supported OPC UA services and profiles

OPC UA services
The following table summarizes the functionality supported by the OPC UA server:

OPC UA service sets Services Comment

Discovery Service Set FindServers -
GetEndpoints
Secure Channel Service All -
Session Service Set
View Service Set Browse • Detection of mapped OS data: Process values and archived
BrowseNext data
RegisterNodes
UnregisterNodes
Attribute Service Set Read • OS tags only
Write • OS tags only
HistoryRead • Only archived tags
Subscription Service Set CreateSubscription -
SetPublishingMode
Publish
RePublish
DeleteSubscription
MonitoredItem Service Set CreateMonitoredItems • "Value" attribute of OS tags only
SetMonitoringMode • EventNotifier upon access to OS messages
DeleteMonitoredItems
Method Service Set Call • Acknowledge
• ConditionRefresh

OPC UA profile and Conformance Units

The OPC UA server supports the following OPC UA profiles 1.02 without restrictions:
• 6.5.5 Base Server Behavior Facet
• 6.5.16 Standard Event Subscription Server Facet
• 6.5.18 A & C Base Condition Server Facet
• 6.5.30 Method Server Facet
• 6.5.36 Historical Raw Data Server Facet
• 6.5.131 UA TCP UA SC UA Binary
• 6.5.147 SecurityPolicy - None
• 6.5.148 SecurityPolicy - Basic128Rsa15
• 6.5.149 SecurityPolicy - Basic256
• 6.5.150 SecurityPolicy - Basic256Sha256

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The OPC UA server supports the OPC UA profiles shown in the following table with restrictions:

Profile "Group" Not supported "Conformance Unit"

6.5.8 Standard DataChange Sub‐ Monitored Item Services • ModifyMonitoredItems
scription Server Facet • DeadBand Filter
• Monitor MinQueueSize_02
6.5.9 Enhanced DataChange Monitored Item Services • Monitor MinQueueSize_05
Subscription Server Facet
6.5.25 Core Server Facet Attribute Services • Attribute Write Index
6.5.26 Data Access Server Facet Data Access • Data Access Analog
• Data Access Multistate
• Data Access PercentDeadBand
• Data Access Semantic Changes
• Data Access Two State
6.5.35 Standard UA Server Attribute Services • Attribute Write StatusCode & Time‐
Stamp
6.5.47 Standard UA Server Profile Attribute Services • Attribute Write StatusCode & Time‐
stamp

7.3.5 Namespace of the OPC UA server

The OPC UA server for OpenPCS 7 provides OPC UA clients with a hierarchical namespace and
offers access to the following data of the operator stations of PCS 7 in process mode:
• Process values (OS tags and OS tag groups)
• Tag archive including archived tags
• OS messages
The namespace of the OPC UA server is attached under the "Objects" default folder.
The following figure shows the namespace of the OPC UA server of an OpenPCS 7 station with
several configured PCS 7 OS servers:

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)




1 Start node of the specific namespace of the OpenPCS 7 station.

2 Shows the configured PCS 7 OS server.
3 Shows the tag archives.
4 Shows the tags with a structure corresponding to the structure of the tags in the OS.

Mapping of the PCS 7 OS server

Each configured PCS 7 OS is mapped by a UA object of the "FolderType". The name of this folder
corresponds to the server prefix of the OS.

Mapping of the OS tags

Tag groups, communication drivers and connections are mapped by OPC UA objects of the
"FolderType". Each of these folders has references of the "Organizes" type to the subordinate
objects and tags.
Internal and external tags are mapped with OPC UA tags of the type "DataItemType". If a tag is
archived in addition, the mapped OPC UA tag also has a reference of the
"HasHistoricalConfiguration" type to an archive configuration. The "Historizing" and
"AccessLevel" attributes are respectively set.

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The following table shows the most important attributes of the OPC UA tags that represent an
OS tag. You can find the complete list of attributes in the "OPC UA Part 3 - Address Space Model
1.02 Specification" document under "§5.6":

Attribute Description Comment

NodeId Unique identifier of the OS tag -
BrowseName Name of the OS tag -
DisplayName Name of the OS tag -
Value Tag value and status -
DataType OPC UA data type that corresponds to the OS tag type, -
for example:
• Int32; signed 32 bit value
• UInt32; unsigned 32 bit value
AccessLevel "CurrentRead" / "CurrentWrite" depending on configura‐
"HistoryRead" tion of the OS tag
ValueRank Always "Scalar" -

Display of the logging tags

Process values and compressed logs are displayed by OPC UA objects of the "FolderType" type.
Each of these folders has references of the "Organizes" type to the related logging tags.
Logging tags from process value or compressed logs are displayed by OPC UA tags of the
"BaseDateVariableType" type. A logging tag always has a reference of the
"HasHistoricalConfiguration" type for a log configuration.
The following table shows the most important attributes of the OPC UA tags that represent a
WinCC logging tag. You can find the complete list of attributes in the "OPC UA Part 3 - Address
Space Model 1.02 Specification" document under "§5.6":

Attribute Description Comment

NodeId Unique designation of a logging tag -
BrowseName Name of the archive tag -
DisplayName Name of the archive tag -
Description Node description -
Value Not available For a logging tag, this attribute
cannot be read nor changed.
DataType OPC UA data type that corresponds to the -
tag type in the OS, for example:
• Double; 64-bit floating point number
• UInt32; unsigned 32 bit value
AccessLevel "HistoryRead" -
ValueRank Always "Scalar" -

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

Procedure to set permissions to OS tags

There are two types of tag that needs to be configured differently:
• OS Tags created based on SIMATIC Manager Engineering
Enable the corresponding checkbox for the tag you want to configure in the "OS variables" tab
of "Process Object View" window in "SIMATIC Manager"
– Write-protected: Enabling this will prevent writing of the tag when accessed via OPC UA
– Invisible: Enabling this will prevent the display of the tag when accessed via OPC UA
These settings are only visible in WinCC Tag management and not changeable. They are
displayed in the properties, see below, in the WinCC Tag Management.
• OS Tags created in WinCC Tag Management
Select the tag you want to configure in WinCC Tag Management and enable the
corresponding properties:
– OPC write protection: Enabling this will prevent writing of the tag when accessed via
OPC UA
– OPC read protection: Enabling this will prevent the display of the tag when accessed via
OPC UA

Access to OS messages
OPC UA clients can receive OS messages if you register the following node with the
"EventNotifier" attribute in a subscription:
• The start node of the OpenPCS 7 namespace ("OpenPCS7") allows you to receive the
messages from all the configured operator stations of PCS 7.
• Each node of a PCS 7 operator station allows you to receive the messages of this PCS 7
operator station.

7.3.6 OPC UA Data Access

The OS tags are mapped to OPC UA tags of the "DataItemType" type. Other DataAccess tag types
are not supported.
The OPC UA server supports the types of access:
• Read access
Access to OPC UA tag attributes (e.g., "DataType" or "AccessLevel")
• Write access
Access to the "Value" attribute of a tag (if permitted)
• Client logon
Access to ongoing changes of the "Value" attribute of a tag (subscription/monitored item)

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

7.3.7 OPC UA Log Access

"OPC Historical Access" enables access to archives and includes the "Historical Data" and
"Historical Events" services. With OpenPCS 7, the OPC UA server exclusively supports the
"Historical Data" service for accessing archives.
The OPC UA server offers the OPC clients access to the raw data of tag archives via the following
service:
• HistoryRead (READRAW)

Note
Modification of archived data is not desired in a process control system. Therefore, only read
access to archived data is enabled for OPC UA in PCS 7.

You can read the values of archive tags in tag archives with an OPC UA client. Depending on the
configuration of the tag archive, the archive tag can contain either raw data or process values
already processed by the OS.

Characteristics of archive tags

A process tag in a PCS 7 OS can be located in multiple tag archives. In this case the process tag
is linked to one of the corresponding archive tags.

Properties of archive configurations

The following table shows the properties of an OPC UA tag configuration of the
"HistoricalConfigurationType". The "Description" property maps the archive tag comment
configured in WinCC. You can find the complete list of properties in the "OPC UA Part 11 -
Historical Access 1.02 Specification" document under "5.2.2":

Property Description / Value Comment

Definition WinCC process tag name For a process value archive
Stepped True -

The following optional properties are not supported:

• MaxTimeInterval
• MinTimeInterval
• ExceptionDeviation
• ExceptionDeviationFormat

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

7.3.8 OPC UA alarm & conditions

The OPC UA server for OpenPCS 7 provides access to OS messages.

The OPC UA clients can be notified about OS messages using subscriptions and monitored event
items. The notifier node event to be used for this is either the start node of the OpenPCS 7
namespace ("OpenPCS 7") or one of the OS nodes.
The client can filter the messages and define the list of message attributes returned.
The OPC UA server support the specification "OPC UA Alarms & Conditions 1.02".
In the "Mapping the WinCC message system to OPC UA (Page 65)" section, you can find an
overview of the specific information on the topics:
• Mapping of the WinCC message system to OPC UA for OpenPCS 7
• Attributes supported by the OPC UA server
For more information, refer to the OPC UA 1.02 Specification, particularly "Part 9: Alarms and
Conditions".

7.3.8.1 Supported event methods

Acknowledgment
The "Acknowledge" method of the default OPC UA type "AcknowledgeableConditionType" is
used to acknowledge a message.
Only messages of the "WinCCAlarmConditionType" can be acknowledged.

ConditionRefresh
The "ConditionRefresh" method of the default OPC UA type "ConditionType" is used to detect
pending messages.

Additional information
For more information, refer to the OPC UA Specification, "Part 9: Alarms & Conditions".

7.3.8.2 Filters
The OPC UA client can define a filter for monitored event items.
The following operators are not supported by the OPC UA server:
• FilterOperator_Cast
• FilterOperator_BitwiseAnd
• FilterOperator_BitwiseOr
• FilterOperator_RelatedTo
• FilterOperator_InView

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

7.3.9 Mapping the WinCC message system to OPC UA

7.3.9.1 OPC UA event types

WinCC messages are mapped to the following OPC UA event types:

OPC UA event types Description

WinCCEventType This type is based on BaseEventType and maps "simple" messages, i.e.
WinCC messages, with the following acknowledgment policy:
• "Message without status went out" is activated.
• "Acknowledgment came in" is not activated.
Examples of this type of message are starting and stopping motors.
WinCCAlarmCondition‐ This type is based on AlarmConditionType and maps all messages which
Type cannot be mapped to WinCCEventType, for example, acknowledgeable
messages and messages with the "incoming" and "outgoing" status.
The event is linked to a condition, e.g. limit violation of a tag, for a WinC‐
CAlarmConditionType message. With WinCC, a message is generated as
soon as such a limit violation occurs. This message corresponds to an alarm
condition in OPC UA.

The event types add WinCC-specific message attributes to the basic type. These message
attributes are mapped 1:1 as UA properties and are described in more detail below.
The OPC UA server can pass WinCC event notifications to OPC UA clients (about subscriptions and
monitored event items), but does not have condition instances in its namespace.

7.3.9.2 WinCC attributes

Overview
The following table contains the attributes of the OS message system that are relevant and
configurable for OPC. These attributes are mapped 1:1 as UA Event Properties .

WinCC message attribute Meaning Data type

CLASSNAME Name of message class String
TYPENAME Name of message type String
FORECOLOR Foreground color for incoming, outgoing and acknowledged Int32
messages
BACKCOLOR Background color for incoming, outgoing and acknowledged Int32
messages
FLASHCOLOR Flash color Int32
FLAGS Indicates mandatory message acknowledgment Int32
TEXT01…TEXT10 Content of user text block #1....#10 String
PROCESSVALUE01…PROCESSVALUE10 Content of process value block #1....#10
STATETEXT Status message String
INFOTEXT Information text for the message String
LOOPINALARM Indicates whether LoopInAlarm was configured Int32

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WinCC message attribute Meaning Data type

CLASSID Message class ID Int32
TYPEID Message type ID Int32
MODIFYSTATE Value of message status tag Int32
AGNR Outputs the number of the automation system that generated Int16
the message
CPUNR Outputs the number of the CPU that generated the message Int16
DURATION Outputs the time period between the incoming state, outgo‐ Int32
ing state and acknowledgment of a message
COUNTER Number of messages after the start of runtime Int32
QUITSTATETEXT Indicates whether the message has been acknowledged String
QUITCOUNT Number of open, unacknowledged messages Int32
PARAMETER Configuration parameter of the message Int32
BLOCKINFO Current content of the message block String
ALARMCOUNT Number of pending messages Int32
LOCKCOUNT Number of locked messages Int32
PRIORITY Priority of the message Int32
APPLICATION Outputs the application which triggered the message String
COMPUTER Outputs the name of the computer which processed the mes‐ String
sage
USER Outputs the name of the user who processed the message String
COMMENT Message comment String
HIDDEN-COUNT Number of hidden messages Int32
OS-HIDDEN Indicates that the message is hidden Boolean
OS_EVENTID Message number Int32
BIG_COUNTER Message counter Int64

7.3.9.3 Message class and message type

The WinCC message system informs the user of disturbances and operating conditions in the
process. A WinCC message always belongs to a specific message class and message type, which
are specified in the CLASSID, TYPEID, CLASSNAME, TYPENAME properties of the corresponding
UA events.

7.3.9.4 Priority
When configuring alarms in the message system, you can configure a priority from "0" to "16".
The OPC UA specification defines a value range of "1" to "1000" for the severity. "1" stands for the
lowest and "1000" for the highest severity.
For this reason, the values of the priority are mapped according to the OPC severity. In the
standard mapping, priority "0" is assigned to OPC severity "1" and priority "16" to OPC severity
"1000". All other priority values are obtained by linear interpolation between "0" and "1000".

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7.3.9.5 OPC UA mapping rules

During the configuration of the WinCC message system, settings are made to determine which
process events generate a message. This message is generally shown as an event in OPC UA.

Attributes/properties of events
The following table shows the most important attributes/properties of an event and how the
WinCC message system provides the information:

OPC UA attribute or property Content/mapping in the WinCC message system

For all event types:
EventId Unique message identifier
EventType Event type: Node ID of the WinCCAlarmConditionType or WinC‐
CEventType node
SourceNode Irrelevant
SourceName Indicates the source of the message. You can find additional in‐
formation about this in the section "Settings for mapping the
WinCC message system (Page 69)".
Message Message text for the corresponding message number
Time Time of the event. The time stamp is given in UTC
(Coordinated Universal Time).
Severity Mapping of the priority of the WinCC message
Only with WinCCAlarmConditionType:
ConditionName Set text that is output as well as the message. Contains the mes‐
sage type, for example "Process control message"
Quality Displays the quality of the message.
ConditionClassId Node ID of the "ProcessConditionClassType" node
ConditionClassName "ProcessConditionClassType"
Retain True, with pending messages
NodeId Condition ID:
• Uniquely identifies a UA condition (e.g. an alarm).
• Required for acknowledgment, even if no condition instances
are supported.
EnabledState True if the message is enabled.
ActiveState/Id True if the message is has been received.
AckedState/Id True if the message has been acknowledged.
ClientUserId Indicates the user that is logged on.

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7.3 OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)

Note
The following OPC UA condition or alarm properties are not supported by the OPC UA
server:
• BranchId
• LastSeverity
• InputNode
• ConfirmedState
• SuppressedState
• ShelvingState
• SuppressedOrShelved
• MaxTimeShelved

7.3.9.6 Message statuses / acknowledgment statuses

The following table shows WinCC message status mapping to the respective
WinCCAlarmConditionType properties:

Message status EnabledState/Id ActiveState/Id AckedState/Id

Locked message false - -
Unlocked message true
Message came in true true false
Sent message with acknowledgment true false true
Sent message without acknowledgment true false false
Acknowledged messages (message pending) true true true
Acknowledged messages (message no longer pending) true false true
Received, acknowledged message true true true
Received, sent message with acknowledgment true false true
Received, sent message without acknowledgment true false false
Message acknowledged by system true true true
(message still pending)
Message acknowledged by the system (message no longer true false true
pending)
Emergency-acknowledged message (message pending) true true true
Emergency-acknowledged message (message no longer true false true
pending)

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7.3.9.7 Settings for mapping the WinCC message system

The configuration of the OPC A&E server also applies to the OPC UA server as regards the
mapping of the "SourceName" and "Message" properties of a message.
• If the OPC A&E server operates with hierarchical access, the following mapping also applies
to OPC UA:

SourceName Indicates the source of a message with the following formatting:

"<Server prefix>::Area\origin"
The server prefix of a local computer is "@LOCALMACHINE".
Message Displays the message text of the corresponding message number.

• If the OPC A&E server operates without hierarchical access, the following mapping also
applies to OPC UA:

SourceName Indicates the source of a message. The Source has the format "<Server pre‐
fix>::localhost::". The server prefix of a local computer is "@LOCALMACHINE".
Message Displays the message text of the corresponding message number.

Additional information
You can find information on this in the section "OPC A&E with hierarchical access (Page 88)".

7.3.9.8 Alarm groups

In this version, the WinCC alarm groups are not displayed in the namespace.

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7.4 OPC Data Access (OPC DA)

7.4 OPC Data Access (OPC DA)

Overview
You can find information about the following topics in the section below:
• Introduction to the OPC Data Access interface (Page 70)
• How the OPC DA server works (Page 71)

7.4.1 Introduction to the OPC Data Access interface

Introduction
The data access interface is a vendor-independent worldwide standard for reading, writing and
monitoring process data. Communication is based on the Microsoft COM protocol. This standard
has gained acceptance both with users and manufacturers. The user programs, for example,
range from office applications to sophisticated HMI (Human Machine Interface) or SCADA
(Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.

OPC Data Access (OPC DA)

The OPC Data Access specification defines the interface between client and server programs for
process data communication.
Here, the OPC DA servers allow one or more OPC DA clients transparent access to an extremely
wide variety of data sources (for example temperature sensors) and data sinks (for example
controllers). The following options are typical for connecting data sources and sinks to
automation systems in a PCS 7 plant:
• Connection via PROFIBUS
• Connection using input modules or output modules

OPC DA client
Data access clients can, for example, be Excel tables in conjunction with Visual Basic for
Applications (VBA). They may also be extensive applications created with Visual Basic or Visual
C++.

OPC DA server
Basically an OPC DA server makes process data available to an OPC DA client for read and write
access.
OPC DA servers can be programs that, for example, allow access to an automation system via a
serial interface. More complex programs are possible that provide access to large numbers of
tags on numerous devices using extensive communications mechanisms. This is the case with
OpenPCS 7.

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Access options using OPC DA

OPC Data Access is a specification for access to process data using process variables. An OPC DA
server manages the process variables and the various options for access to these variables. The
following types of access are possible:
• Reading the value of one or more process variables (tags)
• Modifying the value of one or more process variables (tags) by writing a new value
• Monitoring the value of one more process variables (tags)
• Reporting value changes

7.4.2 How the OPC DA server works

Requirement
To be able to set up successful OPC communication, the following requirements must be met:
• The PCS 7 OS project and the OPC DA server must be loaded and started.
• The computer of the OPC DA server can be reached by the OPC DA client via its IP address.
Note
In your PCS 7 OS project, variables can be grouped together in variable groups to provide
structuring. The variables must not have the same name as a variable group.

Operating principle
The OPC DA server supports OPC data access with the following specifications:
• 1.0a
• 2.0.
• 3.0.
The OPC DA server is a DCOM application. Using this software interface, the OPC DA server
provides the OPC DA client with the necessary information about PCS 7 OS tags. The OPC DA
server becomes active when it is accessed by the OPC DA client over a connection to the OPC DA
server.

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7.5 OPC Historical Data Access (OPC HDA)

7.5 OPC Historical Data Access (OPC HDA)

Overview
You can find information about the following topics in the sections below:
• How the OPC HDA server works (Page 72)
• Data structure of the OPC HDA server (Page 73)
• Overview of supported attributes (Page 74)
• Overview of supported aggregates (Page 74)
• Overview of supported functions (Page 75)
• Time format of the OPC HDA server (Page 76)
• Quality codes of the OPC HDA server (Page 78)
• Write access supported by the OPC HDA server (Page 78)
The following sections show the data structure and the attributes, aggregates and functions
supported by the OPC HDA server. This is not a detailed description but rather an overview.
Detailed information is available in the "OPC Historical Data Access Specification" of the OPC
Foundation.

7.5.1 How the OPC HDA server works

Operating principle
Using OPC HDA, it is possible to access archived data from the PCS 7servers. The OPC HDA server
is a DCOM application that provides the OPC HDA client with the required data from the PCS 7
OS archive system. Data is accessed via item handles. Only read access to archived data is
approved for PCS 7. The data can also be analyzed.
The OPC HDA server supports the OPC Historical Data Access 1.20 specification. This was
confirmed by the compliance test. All OPC HDA clients complying with the OPC Historical Data
Access 1.20 specification can access the OPC HDA server. The use of individually programmed
OPC HDA clients is the best way to meet the requirements.

Using the OPC HDA client

There are numerous potential applications for an OPC HDA client. The following uses are
possible:
• Analysis and evaluation of archived data.
• Static process control via archives from various OPC HDA servers.

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Rules
If you request historical values with the OPC HDA client, remember the following during
configuration:
• Select the cycle for a query so that the client has received the requested data before the next
query starts. If the cycles are too short, the result can be a large time offset when receiving
the data.
• The CPU load of the PCS 7 OS server depends on the number of variables per query.

7.5.2 Data structure of the OPC HDA server

Data structure
The data of the OPC HDA server is structured. The following table describes the data structure.

Element Description
Raw Data The raw data is the data transferred from the PCS 7 OS archive system for a
specified period. This data has a time stamp and a quality.
Attribute Return additional quality characteristics of the raw data. Attributes include
data type, information on archiving. Additional information is available in the
section "Overview of the supported attributes".
Aggregate Return a single value based on the raw data of a particular period. Aggregate
functions include average value, minimum and maximum. Additional infor‐
mation is available in the section "Overview of the supported aggregate func‐
tions".
StartTime/EndTime Specify the start and end time for the period.
Bounding Values Bounding values are the values recorded at the start and end time. If these do
not exist, the values closest to the time are used as the bounding values.
Item Handle The item handle is a unique assignment to a PCS 7 OS archive tag.
ItemID The ItemID is the unique identification of the PCS 7 OS archive tag. An item
handle can be fetched using the ItemID.

Additional information
• Additional information on the data structure of the OPC HDA is available in the
specification OPC Historical Data Access Specification V1.2 of the OPC Foundation.

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7.5.3 Overview of supported attributes

Supported attributes
The following table lists the attributes supported by the OPC HDA server. You can find additional
information in the "OPC Historical Data Access Specification 1.20" of the OPC Foundation.

Attribute Attribute ID Description

ItemID OPCHDA_ITEMID Specifies which PCS 7 OS archive tag is accessed.
Item data type OPCHDA_DATA_TYPE Specifies the data type of the PCS 7 OS archive tag.
Description OPCHDA_DESCRIPTION Outputs the description of the PCS 7 OS archive tag.
The description is specified in PCS 7 OS TagLogging.
Engineering OPCHDA_ENG_UNITS Specifies the labeling of the unit shown in the dis‐
Units play. The labeling is specified in PCS 7 OS TagLog‐
ging.

7.5.4 Overview of supported aggregates

Supported aggregate functions

The following table lists the aggregate functions supported by the OPC HDA server. You can find
additional information in the "OPC Historical Data Access Specification 1.20" of the OPC
Foundation.

Aggregate function Description

OPCHDA_COUNT Obtains the number of raw data for the specified period.
OPCHDA_START Obtains the start value of the raw data at the start time.
OPCHDA_END Obtains the end value of the raw data at the end time.
OPCHDA_AVERAGE Obtains the average value of the raw data for the specified
period.
OPCHDA_TIMEAVERAGE Obtains the time-weighted average value of the raw data for
the specified period.
OPCHDA_TOTAL Obtains the total value for the specified period.
OPCHDA_STDEV Obtains the standard deviation of the raw data for the speci‐
fied period.
OPCHDA_MINIMUMACTUALTIME Obtains the highest value and the time stamp of the raw data
for the specified period.
OPCHDA_MINIMUM Obtains the lowest value of the raw data for the specified
period.
OPCHDA_MAXIMUMACTUALTIME Obtains the highest value and the time stamp of the raw data
for the specified period.
OPCHDA_MAXIMUM Obtains the highest value of the raw data for the specified
period.
OPCHDA_DELTA Obtains the difference between the first and last value of the
raw data of the specified period.

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Aggregate function Description

OPCHDA_REGSLOPE Obtains the slope of the linear regression of the raw data for
the specified period.
OPCHDA_REGCONST Obtains the value of the linear regression of the raw data at
the start time.
OPCHDA_REGDEV Obtains the standard deviation of the linear regression of the
raw data for the specified period.
OPCHDA_VARIANCE Obtains the variance of the raw data for the specified period.
OPCHDA_RANGE Obtains the difference between OPCHDA_MAXIMUM and
OPCHDA_MINIMUM of the raw data for the specified period.
OPCHDA_DURATIONGOOD Obtains the period in which the quality of the raw data was
good. The period is entered in seconds.
OPCHDA_DURATIONBAD Obtains the period in which the quality of the raw data was
bad. The period is entered in seconds.
OPCHDA_PERCENTGOOD Obtains the portion during which the quality of the raw data
was good as a percentage.
OPCHDA_PERCENTBAD Obtains the portion during which the quality of the raw data
was bad as a percentage.
OPCHDA_WORSTQUALITY Obtains the worst quality of the raw data for the specified
period.

7.5.5 Overview of supported functions

Introduction
The following tables list the functions supported by the OPC HDA server. These functions can be
used by the OPC HDA client for data exchange. You can find additional information in the "OPC
Historical Data Access Specification 1.20" of the OPC Foundation.

Function Description
ReadRaw Specifies the raw data, its quality and its time stamp for the specified period.
ReadProcessed Returns the calculated value, the quality of the value and the time stamp for
the specified period. The calculated value depends on the selected aggre‐
gate.
ReadAtTime Specifies the raw data, its quality and its time stamp for a specific point in
time. If no value exists, it is interpolated for this point in time.
ReadAttribute Returns the attributes of the item and the time stamp for the specified period.

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7.5.6 Time format of the OPC HDA server

Period of the historical data

The period is specified by the start and end time on the OPC HDA server. The specified period
defines the period examined for the historical data. When specifying the times, you will have to
maintain certain formats. A point in time can be specified in the following ways:
• Absolute in UTC.
• Relative to the local time of the OPC HDA server.

Specified in absolute form according to UTC

As default, the OPC HDA server works with the coordinated world time UTC as the timebase. The
time corresponds to the Greenwich time zone (= central European standard time minus one
hour).

Time format
YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm:ss.msmsms

Parameter
YYYY = year
MM = month
DD = day
hh = hour
mm = minute
ss = second
ms = millisecond

Example of an entry
2011/08/10 09:27:30.000

Specifying the point in time relative to the local time

Here, the point in time is specified relative to the local time of the OPC HDA server. You set the
local time zone in the Control Panel of your computer in "Date/Time".

Time format
Keyword +/-offset1 +/-offset(n)
The offset is the deviation from local time of the OPC HDA server.

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Keyword
NOW = current local time of the server
SECOND = current second
MINUTE = current minute
HOUR = current hour
DAY = current day
WEEK = current week
MONTH = current month (0-11)
YEAR = current year

Offset
+/-S = deviation in seconds
+/-M = deviation in minutes
+/-H = deviation in hours
+/-D = deviation in days
+/-W = deviation in weeks
+/-MO = deviation in months
+/-Y = deviation in years

Example
DAY - 1D = previous day
DAY-1D + 7H30 = previous day at 7:30 a.m.
MO-1D+5H = last day of the previous month at 5.00 a.m.
NOW-1H15M = 1 hour and 15 minutes ago
YEAR+3MO= April of this year

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7.5.7 Quality codes of the OPC HDA server

Quality codes
The quality code is required to check the status and quality of the raw data. The following table
shows the quality codes of OPC HDA.

Code OPC Description Quality

0x00040000 OPCHDA_RAW Provides information on the quality of GOOD
the value transfer of raw data. BAD
UNCERTAIN
0x00080000 OPCHDA_CALCULATED Provides information on the quality of GOOD
the value transfer of calculated data. BAD
UNCERTAIN
0x00100000 OPCHDA_NOBOUND No bounding values were found at the BAD
start or end time.
0x00200000 OPCHDA_NODATA No raw data was found for the speci‐ BAD
fied period.
0x00400000 OPCHDA_DATALOST Raw data was not completely archived BAD
during the selected period.

You can find additional information in the "OPC Historical Data Access Specification 1.20" of the
OPC Foundation.

7.5.8 Write access supported by the OPC HDA server

Introduction
The OPC HDA specification of the OPC Foundation also defines write access to archived data.

Note
PCS 7 is a process control system. In a process control system, archived data must not be
modified. For this reason, write access to archived data using OPC HDA has not been enabled.

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7.6 OPC Alarms and Events (OPC A&E)

7.6 OPC Alarms and Events (OPC A&E)

Overview
You can find information on the following topics in the sections below:
• Introduction to OPC A&E (Page 79)
• Mapping the PCS 7 OS message system on OPC A&E (Page 81)
• Mapping the message classes and message types of PCS 7 OS on OPC A&E (Page 83)
• Mapping priorities of PCS 7 OS messages on OPC A&E (Page 83)
• Attributes of the PCS 7 OS message system (Page 83)
• Acknowledgment scheme (Page 85)
• Quality codes for OPC A&E (Page 87)
• OPC A&E with hierarchical access (Page 88)
• Upgrading OPC A&E (Page 94)
Note
You can find general information on these topics in the sections. Detailed information is
available in the "OPC Alarms and Events Custom Interface Standard V1.0" and "OPC Alarm and
Events Automation Interface Standard V1.01" specifications of the OPC Foundation.

7.6.1 Introduction to OPC A&E

Functionality of the OPC A&E server

The OPC A&E server is a DCOM application. The OPC A&E client will receive information on status
changes of PCS 7 OS messages using subscriptions. Using the subscription, the OPC A&E client
can set a filter. This filter specifies which messages and attributes will be displayed. The OPC A&E
server supports the specification OPC Alarm&Event 1.10. The following section explains the
mapping of the PCS 7 OS message system on OPC A&E and the attributes supported by the OPC
A&E server. This is not a detailed description but rather an overview of the specific information.
Detailed information on this topic is available in the specification of "OPC Alarms & Events 1.10".

Supported events
The OPC A&E server supports the following events:
• Condition-related event
• Simple event
• Tracking event

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Condition-related events
With a condition-related event server, the event is associated with a condition. A condition may
be the limit violation of a tag. On the PCS 7 OS, a message will be generated as soon as a limit
violation occurs. This message is shown as an alarm in OPC A&E.

Simple event
Simple events are messages that inform the OPC A&E client about events. Simple events include,
for example, the launching and closing of programs.

Note
Note the following when using redundant PCS 7 OS servers:
Simple events that are linked to internal tags are sent twice when comparing tags. The first
message is triggered by the OS master server, the second by the OS standby server.

Tracking event
If a change is made in the process control system, the OPC A&E client will receive a message. A
change can, for example, be a change to a control parameter in the faceplate of the controller
or the suppression of messages in the message system.

Note
When filtering for all alarms of a plant section, make sure that you replace the source with a
wildcard in the filter text, because the source is only generated in runtime for a tracking event.
For example, the filter text for all events from the "Plant1\Unit1\Tank1" area is "Server
prefix::*Plant1\Unit1\Tank1*" and not "Server prefix::Plant1\Plant1\Unit1\Tank1*".

OPC A&E client

All OPC A&E clients complying with the OPC Alarms & Events 1.10 specification can access the
OPC A&E server. On the OPC A&E client, this can involve, for example, simple or complex
Microsoft Visual Basic or Microsoft Visual C++ applications. The use of individually developed
OPC A&E clients is the best way to meet the requirements. An OPC A&E client can, for example,
be used to analyze alarms or for the common archiving of alarms from different OPC A&E servers.
When acknowledging messages, a distinction must be made between "pending" messages and
"historical" messages.
• Pending messages
Messages received over the path specified by OPC A&E (for example, "Refresh") can be
acknowledged.
• Historical messages
Messages received over the "historical messages" path (extension of the Siemens OPC A&E
server) cannot be acknowledged.

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Additional information
• For additional information about "OPC - OLE for Open Connectivity" refer to the WinCC
Information System.
• Additional information about the OPC A&E can be found in the specification OPC Alarms &
Events 1.10.

7.6.2 Mapping the PCS 7 OS message system on OPC A&E

Introduction
In PCS 7, program functionality in the automation system is configured using messaging capable
CFCblocks from the PCS 7library. After compiling the PCS 7 OS, the configuration messages exist
in the PCS 7 OS message system. These messages are mapped to the OPC A&E standard by the
OpenPCS 7 station implementation. The OS configuration defines which event in the process
triggers a message.

Mapping the OS message system on OPC A&E with hierarchical access

In PCS 7, the following standard settings in the OS message system are used for mapping
messages on OPC A&E:
• The source of a message is mapped on the OPC source.
• The message text of a message is mapped on the OPC message.

Overview
The OPC attribute class OPCEvent is used in OPC A&E to display events. The following table
shows selected OPC attributes and their meaning in the OS message system.
The events that use the configured attributes are shown in the third column of the table:
• "S" means a simple event
• "C" means a condition-related event
• "T" means a tracking event

OPC OS message system Event type

Area In PCS 7, an "area" is an area, a diagnostics area or an alarm hiding group. If there is no S, C, T
area, no diagnostic area or no alarm hiding group configured for the message, only the
OPC area corresponding to the server prefix will be available.
Source Indicates the source of a message. The source has the format "<Server prefix>::Area S, C, T
\Source". The server prefix of a local computer is "@LOCALMACHINE". The server pre‐
fixes always show the top areas in the hierarchy of the server.
Time Issues a time stamp for received, sent and acknowledged messages. Issues a time stamp S, C, T
in UTC (Universal Time Coordinated).
Type Indicates whether the event is a simple, tracking or condition-related event. S, C, T
Severity Displays the priority of the message. S, C, T

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OPC OS message system Event type

EventCategory Displays the message class. "Event Category" is made up of the "CategoryID" and the S, C, T
"Category Description". "CategoryID" corresponds to the internal ID of the message
class. "Category Description" corresponds to the name of the message class.
Message Displays the message text of the corresponding message number. S, C, T
Condition Displays the message type. The message types "Alarm", "Warning" and "Tolerance" are C
combined and called "Level" in PCS 7.
Sub Condition Corresponds to the "Condition" parameter. In PCS 7, this is identical to Condition in C
single state conditions. The following subconditions are mapped for the "Level" multi‐
state condition in PCS 7:
• Alarm low
• Alarm high
• Warning low
• Warning high
• Tolerance low
• Tolerance high
ChangeMask Specifies the change of the condition. C
NewState Displays the current status of the condition. C
ConditionQuality Displays the quality of the message. C
For additional information about quality codes refer to the system manual MDM -
WinCC/Connectivity Pack.
AckRequired Indicates whether the message requires acknowledgment. C
EventAttribute Lists the attributes required for this message. C
Quality Indicates the quality code of the message. C
Cookie Does not include any usable information for the client C
ActorID Indicates which user acknowledged the message. T

Note
The message classes and message types must be configured identically on the connected OS
servers if you operate the OPC A&E server as follows:
• On an OS client
• on a WinCCconnectivity station
• within the scope of OpenPCS 7
If the OS server is not configured identically, the OPC client that is used must access the
respective OS server directly.

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7.6.3 Mapping the message classes and message types of PCS 7 OS on OPC A&E

Mapping of the message classes

The PCS 7 OS message system provides information on fault and operational states in the
process. A PCS 7 OS message always belongs to a particular message class and message type that
is in turn related to an event category.

Event category
Each combination of message class and message type is mapped to an event category on the
OPC A&E server. An event category is identified by a CategoryID and a category description.
The CategoryID is made up of the internal PCS 7 OS ID of the message class and message type.
The category description is made up of the name of the message class and message type.
The names of the message classes and message types can be obtained explicitly using the alarm
attributes CLASSNAME and TYPENAME.

7.6.4 Mapping priorities of PCS 7 OS messages on OPC A&E

Mapping priorities
The priority of messages is mapped by the OPC A&E server to the "Severity" attribute. When
configuring alarms in the message system, you can configure a priority from "0" to "16". The OPC
A&E specification defines a range of values from "1" to "1000" for the severity. "1" stands for the
lowest and "1000" for the highest severity. For this reason, the values of the priority are mapped
according to the OPC severity. In the standard mapping, priority "0" is assigned to OPC severity
"1" and priority "16" to OPC severity "1000". All other priority values are obtained by linear
interpolation between "0" and "1000".

7.6.5 Attributes of the PCS 7 OS message system

Attributes of the PCS 7 OS message system

The following table lists the OPC attributes and their meaning in the PCS 7 OS message system.
A PCS 7 OS message belongs to a message class and has system attributes, user texts and process
values. Some of the attributes of a PCS 7 OS message are only for internal use in the PCS 7 OS
and are therefore not relevant for an OPC A&E client. These attributes are not listed in the table.

OPC attribute Meaning in the PCS 7 OS message system

ClassName Displays the message class name.
Type name Displays the message type name.
ForeColor Displays the text color for the display of received, sent and acknowledged messages.

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OPC attribute Meaning in the PCS 7 OS message system

BackColor Displays the background color for the display of received, sent and acknowledged
messages.
FlashColor Displays the flashing color.
Flags Indicates whether the message requires acknowledgment.
Text01 Displays the content in the source.
Text02 Displays the content of the area.
Text03 Displays the content in the event.
Text04 Displays the batch name.
Text05 Displays the content of the operation message.
Text06 Displays the content of the text block "free 1".
Text07 Displays the content of the text block "free 2".
Text08 Displays the content of the text block "free 3".
Text09 Displays the content of the text block "free 4".
Text10 Displays the content of the text block "free 5".
ProcessValue01 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock01.
ProcessValue02 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock02.
ProcessValue03 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock03.
ProcessValue04 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock04.
ProcessValue05 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock05.
ProcessValue06 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock06.
ProcessValue07 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock07.
ProcessValue08 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock08.
ProcessValue09 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock09.
ProcessValue10 Displays the content of ProcessValueBlock10.
StateText Displays the status message.
InfoText Displays the information text for the message.
LoopInAlarm States if LoopInAlarm has been configured.
ClassID Displays the message class ID.
Type ID Displays the message type ID.
AG_Number Displays the number of the automation device that generated the message.
CPU_Number Displays the number of the CPU that generated the message.
Duration Displays the period of time between message received, sent and acknowledged.
QuitStateText Indicates whether the message has been acknowledged.
Priority Indicates the configured priority of the message.
OS EVENT ID Displays the message number.
IEVENT UNIQUE EVENT ID Displays the unique event ID across all messages.
OS-HIDDEN Indicates whether a message configured with the "alarm hiding" function is shown
(yes/no).
HIDDEN-COUNT Indicates the number of messages currently hidden with the "alarm hiding" function
(HIDDEN).

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7.6.6 Acknowledgment scheme

Mapping the acknowledgment concept

In the PCS 7 OS, the acknowledgment concept is how a message is displayed and processed from
"came in" to "went out". On the OPC A&E server, this message status is displayed in the
"ChangeMask" and "NewState" parameters.

Condition-related event, simple event and tracking event

Messages with acknowledgment are sent from the system to the client as condition-related
events. Before a message is treated as a simple event, the message class of the message must
meet the following conditions:
• "Acknowledgment came in" is not activated.
• Message without status "went out" is activated.
The following messages are sent as tracking events in PCS 7:
• Messages of the "Operation message" message class.
• Messages of "System, does not require acknowledgment" message class with the "Operation
message" message type.
Note
Messages with "System, does not require acknowledgment" message class and "Process
control system" message type are transferred as simple events with the "System message"
event category.

ChangeMask
The "ChangeMask" parameter keeps track of where the message status was changed.

Parameter values of ChangeMask:

● OPC_CHANGE_ACTIVE_STATE
● OPC_CHANGE_ENABLE_STATE
● OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE

NewState
The "NewState" parameter indicates the message status after a change.

Parameter values of NewState:

● OPC_CONDITION_ACTIVE
● OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED

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● OPC_CONDITION_ACKED

PCS 7 OS NewState ChangeState

Message came in OPC_CONDITION_ACTIVE OPC_CHANGE_ACTIVE_STATE
OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
Message went out with OPC_CONDITION_ACKED OPC_CHANGE_ACTIVE_STATE
Acknowledgment OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
Message went out with‐ OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED OPC_CHANGE_ACTIVE_STATE
out
Acknowledgment
Acknowledged messages OPC_CONDITION_ACTIVE OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE
(message still pending) OPC_CONDITION_ACKED
OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
Acknowledged messages OPC_CONDITION_ACKED OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE
(message no longer OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
pending)
Locked message - OPC_CHANGE_ENABLED_STATE
Unlocked message OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED OPC_CHANGE_ENABLED_STATE
Came in, acknowledged OPC_CONDITION_ACTIVE OPC_CHANGE_ACTIVE_STATE
message OPC_CONDITION_ACKED
OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
Came in, went out OPC_CONDITION_ACKED OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE
message with acknowl‐ OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
edgment
Came in, went out OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE
message without ac‐
knowledgment
Message acknowledged OPC_CONDITION_ACTIVE OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE
by system OPC_CONDITION_ACKED
(message OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
still pending)
Message acknowledged OPC_CONDITION_ACKED OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE
by system OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
(message
no longer pending)
Emergency acknowl‐ OPC_CONDITION_ACTIVE OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE
edged message OPC_CONDITION_ACKED
(message still pending) OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
Emergency acknowl‐ OPC_CONDITION_ACKED OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE
edged message OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED
(message no longer
pending)

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Note
Historical alarms and events are not acknowledged. The OPC A&E historical events interface has
read access only.

The following table shows the mapping of the "ChangeMask" and "New State" parameters to the
properties of the OPCEvent class of the "OPCSiemensAlarmEventAutomation" type library.

ChangeMask / NewState Properties of the OPCEvent class

OPC_CHANGE_ACTIVE_STATE ChangeActivState
OPC_CHANGE_ENABLE_STATE ChangeEnableState
OPC_CHANGE_ACK_STATE ChangeAckState
OPC_CONDITION_ACTIVE ConditionActive
OPC_CONDITION_ENABLED ConditionEnabled
OPC_CONDITION_ACKED ConditionAcknowledged

7.6.7 Quality codes for OPC A&E

Quality codes
The quality code is required to check the status and quality of a message. The following table
shows the quality codes of OPC A&E.

Code Quality Status

0xC0 OPC_GOOD OK
0x40 OPC_UNCERTAIN Output if there are discrepancies, for example
with a late acknowledgment.
0x00 OPC_BAD Output if the connection to the
source is interrupted.

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7.6.8 OPC A&E with hierarchical access

7.6.8.1 Differences between OPC A&E and OPC A&E with hierarchical access

Representation of messages with OPC A&E

The OPC A&E server supports "conditional events" and "simple events" during access to the
message system. With "conditional events", the message numbers are shown for each source.
Since an PCS 7 OS server can hold many more message numbers, it is hard to keep an overview
of the messages. The following figure shows an example of the display in an OPC browser:

Representation of the messages with OPC A&E and hierarchical access

As of PCS 7 V7.0 SP1, you can use an OPC A&E server with hierarchical access in PCS 7. The OPC
A&E server with hierarchical access supports the following event types:
• Condition-related event
• Simple event
• Tracking event
With a "condition-related event," the source of the messages is determined by the area and the
source. The area can be a system area, a diagnostics area or an alarm hiding group. If the "Source"
text block in WinCC is dynamic or not configured, the character string ""EventID xx" is used for the
source in OPC instead of this text. "xx" here stands for the unique WinCC message number. This

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syntax is used for the source in the Area Browser and for the message itself. A tracking event
occurs when an operation message is triggered in the system. The following figure shows an
example of the representation of a condition-related event in an OPC browser. The "Condition"
is shown in addition to "Area" and "Source":

Recommendation
Use an OPC A&E server with hierarchical access when creating new projects. If you upgrade an
existing project, the OPC A&E server can be used as before or the OPC A&E server can be
converted to hierarchical access. The conversion can be undone again without any loss of data.

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7.6.8.2 Example 1: Messages are not assigned to any area

Introduction
Process control messages, messages for Batch servers and Route Control servers are not
assigned to an area or group. For these messages, no designated area is assigned in the structure
of the OPC A&E access.

Requirement
• Process control messages are created on the OS servers.
• Messages for Batch servers and Route Control servers are created on the dedicated message
servers.
• No diagnostics area is present.

Structure for access to messages via the OPC A&E interface

The general mapping to the OPC A&E interface appears as follows:

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Example of a hierarchy without assignment

The following picture shows the hierarchy of messages in a browser that can be sent to the client
as a "conditional event".

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7.6.8.3 Example 2: Messages are assigned to an area

Introduction
A PCS 7 project is generally divided into several system areas and diagnostic areas. This means
that messages are assigned to the areas.
The areas are shown as a hierarchy level in OPC A&E for hierarchical mapping.

Requirement
• The PCS 7 project contains areas or diagnostic areas.

Structure for access to messages via the OPC A&E interface

The general mapping to the OPC A&E interface appears as follows:

Example of a hierarchy with an area

The following pictures show the hierarchy of messages in a browser that can be sent to the client
as a "conditional event".
Example with areas:

Example with diagnostic areas:

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7.6.8.4 Example 3: Messages of an area are assigned to an alarm hiding group

Introduction
In the PCS 7 project, alarm hiding groups are used to automatically hide messages. An alarm
hiding group can contain messages from several areas.
This section describes how OPC A&E accesses these messages.

Requirement
• Alarm hiding groups are configured in the OS project.

Access to the messages via the OPC A&E interface

The messages of an area are only shown in the alarm hiding group. The messages are no longer
visible in the area.
The general mapping to the OPC A&E interface appears as follows:

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Example of a hierarchy with an alarm hiding group

The following picture shows the hierarchy of messages in a browser that can be sent to the client
as a "conditional event".

7.6.9 Upgrading OPC A&E

7.6.9.1 Updating PCS 7 projects with OPC A&E

As of PCS 7 V7.0 SP1, OPC A&E has been expanded to include hierarchical access to the message
system.
You can continue to use the non-hierarchical OPC A&E server.

Updating OPC A&E

If you use OPC A&E with hierarchical access and want to use all functions, an expansion of the
currently used OPC A&E client is necessary.
Starting from the PCS 7 version of your project, various scenarios for updating projects with OPC
A&E are described below.

7.6.9.2 How to update an OPC project with PCS 7 V9.1

Options
The following options are available for updating a PCS 7 project with configured access via OPC
A&E:
• Conversion to OPC A&E with hierarchical access
• Retain OPC A&E without hierarchical access

Requirement
The PCS 7version of the project to be updated is PCS 7 V6.1 SP2 or higher.

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Preparation
Before performing the update, delete any "CCAeProvider.ini" file on the OS server or on the ES
directly in the OS project folder.
You can find the OS project folder in "wincproj" subfolder on the engineering station.

Conversion to OPC A&E with hierarchical access

No adjustments need be made for the conversion to OPC A&E with hierarchical access. OPC A&E
with hierarchical access is the default setting.

Retain OPC A&E without hierarchical access

If you want to work with the OPC A&E server without hierarchical access, follow these steps:
1. Insert the following lines into the "CCAeProvider.ini" file in the "OPC/AlarmEvent"
subdirectory of the OS project folder on the ES:
[OpcMapping]
OpcSource =
OpcMessage =
2. Perform a full download.

OS projects in PCS 7 V6.1 SP2 or higher

Note
Modified server prefix of the local computer
For OS projects in PCS 7 V6.1 SP2 or higher, note the following change in OPC A&E:
The server prefix of the local computer is now "@LOCALMACHINE" instead of "localhost".

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7.7 OPC Historical Alarms and Events (OPC "H" A&E)

Overview
You can find information about the following topics in the section below:
• Introduction to OPC "H" A&E (Page 96)
• Reading archived messages (Page 97)
• Syntax for access to archived messages (Page 97)
• Read modes for archived messages (Page 99)
• Identifying archived messages (Page 100)

7.7.1 Introduction to OPC "H" A&E

OPC Historical Alarms and Events

Alarms and operating messages are stored in the database of the PCS 7 OS. With an OPC A&E
client, you can access archived messages via the OPC A&E server. When accessing archived
messages, the following methods are supported:
• Output of archived messages from a period in the past (history)
• Output of archived messages from a period in the past without an end time.
After outputting the archived messages, all additional newly generated messages are
automatically sent to the OPC A&E client.

Note
Reading archived messages using OPC "H" A&E is a Siemens expansion of the OPC A&E standard.

Rule
After reading archived messages, you must not use the returned "ActiveTime" of a message
either for acknowledging the message or for tracking the transitions of the message. The
"ActiveTime" is not correct for archived messages. To make sure this is recognized, the OPC A&E
client must check the "EventType" of a message for the additional flag
"OPC_HAE_HISTORICAL_EVENTFLAG".

Note
You will find information on the additional flag in "Identifying archived messages".

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7.7.2 Reading archived messages

Reading archived messages using OPC A&E

Archived messages of the PCS 7 system are read by the OPC A&E client via the OPC A&E server
using filters. In this situation, the term OPC "H" A&E is also used in this documentation. Apart
from the standard filters, the following filters are also available with OPC "H" A&E:
• OPC_HAE_FILTER_BY_TIMEFRAME; corresponds to the function "ReadRaw" in OPC
Historical Data Access
• OPC_HAE_FILTER_BY_STARTTIME; corresponds to the function "AdviseRaw" in OPC
Historical Data Access

Source filter and request for archived messages

To be able to request the archived messages, the OPC A&E client must support the "SetFilter"
functionality for a subscription. If you add the additional keyword "OPCHAEServer" in the array
of the "Source Filter" of a subscription, the OPC A&E server sends archived messages. Along with
this keyword, you can use the following parameters to specify how messages are read:
• Method
• Time period
• With or without limits
The list of sources specified in the filter can include other source names in addition to the
"OPCHAEServer" source. In this case, the subscription returns the historical events of the
specified sources. The order of the source names has no effect. After configuring the source
filter, you can call up the selected period from the OPC A&E client with a "Refresh" call.

7.7.3 Syntax for access to archived messages

Syntax for access to archived messages

OPCHAEServer hMode=(read|advise) htStartTime=szTime
[htEndTime=szTime] [bBounds=(TRUE|FALSE)]

Parameter hMode = [read|advise]

This parameter specifies how the archived messages and events are read.

htStartTime parameter
This parameter specifies the time at which the messages and events are read from the archive.

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htEndTime parameter
This parameter specifies the time up to which messages and events are read from the archive.

bBounds = [TRUE|FALSE] parameter

This parameter specifies how messages close to the start and end time are handled.

Example
The following table lists the parameters and their meaning and shows suitable examples.

Parameter Meaning Example Require‐

ment
hMode = Outputs archived messages and Setting a filter to read archived mes‐ Yes
read events of a defined period in the past sages over the last 30 minutes:
(comparable with ReadRaw in OPC OPCHAEServer hMode=read
Historical Data Access). htStartTime=NOW-30M
bBounds=TRUE
hMode = ad‐ Outputs archived messages and Reading archived messages as of Yes
vise events starting from a defined time. the last 30 minutes:
After receiving all archived messages, OPCHAEServer hMode=advise
new messages are sent as with an ac‐ htStartTime=NOW-30M
tive subscription. This is comparable
The subscription must be active for
with AdviseRaw in OPC Historical Da‐
this purpose.
ta Access.

htStartTime Specifies the time at which the mes‐ htStartTime=NOW-30M Yes

sages and events are read from the
archive.
htEndTime Specifies the time up to which mes‐ htEndTime = optional
sages and events are read from the 2011-09-10T10:00:00.000Z
archive. if "hMode = read" ist is set,
"NOW" is used as the default setting.
bBounds = • The time stamp of the first trans‐ bBounds=FALSE optional
FALSE ferred message
>= htStartTime
• The time stamp of the last trans‐
ferred message
<= htEndTime
bBounds= • The time stamp of the first trans‐ bBounds=TRUE optional
TRUE ferred message
<= htStartTime
• The time stamp of the last trans‐
ferred message
>= htEndTime
FALSE is the default setting.

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Note
The following notation is supported for the "htStartTime" and "htEndTime" parameters:
• Relative notations, for example NOW
• Symbolic values, for example NOW, YEAR, MONTH
• Absolute UTC date/time specified according to XML notation:
"2011-09-10T10:00:00.000Z".
The use of symbolic notation corresponds to the syntax of OPC Historical Data Access.

7.7.4 Read modes for archived messages

Read modes for archived messages

When reading archived messages, you can use the following read modes:
• Read
• Advise

"read" mode
With the "read" mode, archived messages are read from a defined period in the past. The read
order of the messages is always chronological for each OS server from which alarms are read. By
setting the start and end time, you can specify whether the oldest message is output first or last.
If the start time is lower than the end time, the oldest message is output last.
If you want to use the "read" mode, execute the following functions on the subscription:
1. SetFilter
2. Refresh
A "SetFilter" during the "Refresh" is discarded.
If you activate the subscription during "Refresh", it will not affect the running of the refresh. The
historical events are still transferred with the refresh ID. The newly generated events are
transferred according to the standard behavior of an active subscription:
• Taking into account the set filter values with the exception of the "historical" source
"OPCHAEServer"
• Without refresh ID

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The following distinction is made based on the refresh ID:

• Event packages with the refresh ID contain only historical events. These events can also still
be pending.
• Event packages without the refresh ID contain only newly generated events.
Note
An event package never contains historical and new events at the same time.

"advise" read mode

With the "advise" mode, archived messages are read starting at a defined time in the past. After
reading all archived messages, new messages are sent as with an active subscription. The
archived messages are transferred in chronological order related to each OS server. First the
archived messages starting at the start time are transferred. The new archived messages are
then transferred. An active subscription is used for the "advise" read mode. If you execute the
"SetFilter" function on an active subscription, the historical alarms are transferred immediately.
If you execute the "SetFilter" function on an inactive subscription, the archived messages are
transferred only after the subscription is activated.
If you want to use the "advise" read mode with an inactive subscription, follow the steps below:
1. SetFilter
2. Set the subscription to active with SetState
If you deactivate the subscription, the transfer is interrupted. If you set the subscription to
"inactive", the transfer is stopped. A "SetFilter" is discarded while the subscription is active. A
"Refresh" on an active "historical" subscription in "advise" mode works in exactly the same way
as a with a standard subscription:
All pending condition-related events are transferred in packets with the refresh ID. The last
packet also has the "Last Refresh" ID. In "advise" mode, a "refresh" call has no influence on the
reading of historical alarms.

Note
Note that you must not specify an end time with "advise".

7.7.5 Identifying archived messages

Principle
Archived messages are identified by an additional flag in the EventType.
This flag is connected with the real EventType via an OR link:

Designation EventType EventType (archived message)

OPC_SIMPLE_EVENT 0x01 0x81
OPC_CONDITION_EVENT 0x04 0x84

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Designation EventType EventType (archived message)

OPC_TRACKING_EVENT 0x02 0x82
OPC_HAE_HISTORICAL_EVENTFLAG 0x80

Example 1
The archived messages and events of the last 30 minutes are output in "read" mode using the
following source filter. The oldest message per OS server is output first. The low limit value is also
returned:
OPCHAEServer hmode=read htStartTime=NOW-30M bBounds=TRUE

Example 2
The archived events of 1 September 2006 from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. are output in "read"
mode using the following source filter. The newest message per OS server is output first. The
limit values of this time range are also returned:
OPCHAEServer hMode=read htStartTime=2006-09-01T12:00:00.000Z
htEndTime=2006-09-01T10:00:00.000Z bBounds=TRUE

Example 3
The archived messages and events of the last 30 minutes are output in "advise" mode using the
following source filter. After archived messages are read, the newly generated messages are
transferred as with an active subscription:
OPCHAEServer hmode=advise htStartTime=NOW-30M

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7.8 OLE DB

7.8 OLE DB

Overview
You can find information about the following topics in the section below:
• Basics of OLE DB (Page 102)
• Establishing the connection to the database (Page 103)
• Access to the OLE DB provider (Page 104)
• Representation of the process value archive (Page 105)
• Querying process value archives (Page 106)
• Representation of the message archives (Page 109)
• Querying the message archives (Page 111)

7.8.1 Basics of OLE DB

Introduction
You can access process value and message archives using the OLE DB interface made available
by the PCS 7 OS and the corresponding database provider.

OLE DB
OLE DB is an open standard for fast access to different databases. It is irrelevant whether or not
the database is relational. The connection between the OLE DB level and the database is
established by an OLE DB Provider. OLE DB interfaces and providers are available from various
vendors. OLE DB provides remote access to the database.
The WinCC OLE DB Provider has been tested and approved for PCS 7.

WinCC OLE DB Provider

The WinCC OLE DB Provider allows access to the process value and message archives.
The WinCC OLE DB Provider, which is integrated in the OpenPCS 7 station, enables transparent
access to archived process data of the PCS 7 OS server.
With the WinCC OLE DB provider, you have direct access to PCS 7 OS archive data stored in the
MS SQL server database. Depending on the configuration, process data of the PCS 7 OS is stored
in compressed form.

Table 7-1 Options for accessing PCS 7 data with the WinCC OLE DB Provider:

Access options WinCC OLE DB Provider

Transparent access to the process data of the PCS 7 OS possible
Read data via multiple database segments possible

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Note
When the OS server closes a full archive and opens a new archive, there is a brief time when no
data is read from the message and process value archives via the WinCC OLE DB Provider.

7.8.2 Establishing the connection to the database

ConnectionString
The connection between the application, which reads data via the OLE DB, and the archive
database, is established via the Connection object with ActiveX Data Objects (ADO). One of the
important parameters here is the ConnectionString. The ConnectionString contains all
information necessary for access to the database using the OLE DB Provider.

Structure of the ConnectionString

"Provider = name of the OLE DB Provider; Catalog = <Catalog>;
Data Source = <Data Source> + "\WinCC";"

Parameter Description
Provider Name of the OLE DB Provider: e.g. WinCCOLEDBProvider
Catalog For transparent access, enter the following for "Catalog":
Catalog = <PCS 7 OS Name>
Data Source For transparent access to a redundant operator station, enter the following for "Data Source":
Data Source = <Symbolic computer name>::\WinCC

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Example of a VBA application

In the following example, a Connection object is generated and then the connection to the
WinCC database (process value or message archive) is opened.

7.8.3 Access to the OLE DB provider

Access options
In PCS 7, the WinCC OLE DB Provider provides access to message and process value archives of
the PCS 7 OS.

WinCC OLE DB Provider

The WinCC OLE DB Provider provides transparent access to all PCS 7 OS archive data. The
message and process values of the PCS 7 OS are stored in compressed form, depending on the
configuration.

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Configuration options
To access the databases with the WinCC OLE DB Provider, you can write your own applications.
For communication with the WinCC OLE DB Provider, ADO DB is used in applications. ADO DB
can, for example, be used with Visual Basic or VBA.

Note
Special characters in tag names
In terms of the tag names, remember that programming languages such as Visual Basic,
VBScript or VBA only permit the following characters in tag names:
"A...Z", "a...z", "0...9" and "_". If you use special characters such as "," or ";" in tag names in WinCC ,
the script will abort with an error message. In this case, use the "Tag ID" to address a tag in the
script if it has special characters in the name. We also recommend that you use the "Tag ID" to
improve performance.

Basic procedure
1. The OLE DB application must always run on the OpenPCS 7 station. Remote access is not
possible.
2. With swapped archives, establish the connection between the SQL database and the
swapped archives with the WinCC Archive Connector.
Note
The WinCC RT archives in the folder "<Project folder> \ ArchiveManager" and the
subdirectories belonging to it must not be connected or disconnected using the Archive
Connector because the connection to the SQL Server is managed by the WinCC basic system.

3. Establish the connection to the database, for example, by using MS Excel or your own
application. Specify the required selection criteria and read the archive data.
4. For example, you can display the results of the query in MS Excel or export it as a CSV file.

7.8.4 Querying archive data

7.8.4.1 Representation of the process value archive

Recordset for process value archives

The result of the query is returned as a Recordset. This section describes the structure of the
Recordset for process value archives.

Field name Data type Comment

ValueID Integer 4 bytes Unique identification of the value
TimeStamp Datetime Time stamp
RealValue Real 8 bytes Tag value

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Field name Data type Comment

Quality Integer 4 bytes Quality code of the value (e.g. "good" or "bad")
Flags Integer 4 bytes Internal control parameter

7.8.4.2 Querying process value archives

Principle
You can access a process value archive with the following query. The data can be selected using
filter criteria. The queries are transferred to the database with the command object.

Syntax
TAG:R, <ValueID oder ValueName>,<TimeBegin>,<TimeEnd>[,<SQL_clause>]
[,<TimeStep>]

Table 7-2 Parameter

Parameter Description
ValueID ValueID from the database table. Can be named more than once, for example:
"TAG:R,(ValueID_1;ValueID_2;ValueID_x),<TimeBegin>,<TimeEnd>"
ValueName ValueName in the format 'ArchiveName\Value_Name'. The <ValueName> parameter
must be enclosed in single quotes. Multiple naming is possible, for example:
"TAG:R,('ValueName_1';'ValueName_2';'ValueName_x'), <TimeBegin>,<TimeEnd>"
Note
With tag names, remember that programming languages such as Visual Basic, VBScript
or VBA only permit the following characters in tag names:
"A...Z", "a...z", "0...9" and "_".
If you use special characters such as "," or ";" in tag names in WinCC , the script will abort
with an error message. In this case, use the "Tag ID" to address a tag in the script if it has
special characters in the name.
TimeBegin Start time in the format:
'YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss.msc'
If you use <TimeStep> , then <TimeBegin> must be specified as real time. Relative times
or "0000-00-00 00:00:00.000" are not possible.
TimeEnd End time in the format:
'YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss.msc'

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Parameter Description
SQL_Clause Filter criterion in SQL syntax:
[WHERE search_condition] [ORDER BY {order_expression [ASC|DESC] } ]
The criterion "ORDER BY" can only be used with a specified sort order "{order_expression
[ASC|DESC] }" .
TimeStep Values in the specified time interval are grouped together beginning at the start time
<TimeBegin>.
Format: 'TIMESTEP=x,y'
x = period in seconds
y = aggregate function type
The interval result is returned for an interval depending on the type of aggregate func‐
tion. The following values are possible for the type of aggregate function:
• Without interpolation:
If there are no values in the period, no period result will be returned.
1 (FIRST): First value
2 (LAST): Last value
3 (MIN): Minimum value
4 (MAX): Maximum value
5 (AVG): Average
6 (SUM): Sum
7 (COUNT): Number of values
• With interpolation:
An interval result is returned for every interval. This is done with linear interpolation.
There is no extrapolation.
257 (FIRST_INTERPOLATED): First value
258 (LAST_INTERPOLATED): Last value
259 (MIN_INTERPOLATED): Minimum value
260 (MAX_INTERPOLATED): Maximum value
261 (AVG_INTERPOLATED): Average
262 (SUM_INTERPOLATED): Sum
263 (COUNT_INTERPOLATED): Number of values
Example: With TIMESTEP=60,257 , an interpolated value is returned for each 60 second
period:
"TAG:R,1,'2004-07-09 09:03:00.000','0000-00-00 00:10:00.000','TIMESTEP=60,257'"

Rule
Note the following:
• <TimeBegin> and <TimeEnd> may not both be "ZERO" = "0000-00-00 00:00:00.000".
• In order to read data, <TimeBegin> must come before <TimeEnd>. For reverse sorting, use
the parameter "Order by-Clause" .
• To improve performance, use the "ValueID" in the query instead of "ValueName". You can get
the "ValueID" from the "Archive" table.
• With process values, some applications cannot handle the time with a resolution of 1 ms and
this can lead to inaccuracies.

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Selecting an absolute time period

Read from start time <TimeBegin> to end time <TimeEnd>.

Example 1:
Reads the values of ValueID 1 from start time 9:03 a.m. to end time 9:10 a.m.
"TAG:R,1,'2004-07-09 09:03:00.000','2004-07-09 09:10:00.000'"

Selecting a relative time period

Reading from the start of the recording:
<TimeBegin> = '0000-00-00 00:00:00.000'
Reading to the end of the recording:
<TimeEnd> = '0000-00-00 00:00:00.000'
However, <TimeBegin> and <TimeEnd> may not both be "ZERO" = '0000-00-0000:00:00.000' .

Note
If you want to query a relative period from a connected archive database, enter this in the
following format:
0000-00-DD hh:mm:ss.msc
If you specify a period in months, the content may be incorrect since a month can have between
28 and 31 days.

Example 2:
Reads starting from the absolute time of "TimeBegin" to the end of the recording, in other words,
to the last archived value.
<TimeBegin> = '2003-02-02 12:00:00.000',
<TimeEnd> = '0000-00-0000:00:00.000'

Example 3:
Reads 10 seconds further starting from the absolute time of "TimeBegin" .
<TimeBegin> = '2003-02-02 12:00:00.000',
<TimeEnd> = '0000-00-00 00:00:10.000'

Example 4:
Reads 10 seconds back starting from the absolute time of "TimeEnd".
<TimeBegin> = '0000-00-00 00:00:10.000',
<TimeEnd> = '2003-02-02 12:00:00.000'

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Example 5:
Reads the values of the last hour for several ValueIDs (1;3;5;6) , starting at the time of the last
archived value.
"TAG:R,(1;3;5;6),'0000-00-00 01:00:00.000',
'0000-00-0000:00:00.000'"

Multiple return values for one query by filtering the tag value

Example 6:
The following query also uses the <SQL_Clause> parameter and returns all values of tags with
the ValueID "3" and "6" that are below 50 or over 100.
"TAG:R,(3;6),<TimeBegin>,<TimeEnd>,'WHERE RealValue > 100 OR
RealValue < 50'"

Query with the <TimeStep>parameter

Example 7:
The following query uses the <TimeStep> parameter and returns all values of the ValueID "1" ,
starting at "TimeBegin" for the next 5 minutes at intervals of "60" seconds with aggregate
function type "5" = "average value without interpolation".
"TAG:R,1,'2004-10-13 17:00:00.000','0000-00-00 00:05:00.000',
'TIMESTEP=60,5'"

Example 8:
The following query uses the <TimeStep> parameter and returns all values of theValueIDs "1"
and "2" , starting at "TimeBegin" until 2 minutes later at intervals of "15" seconds with aggregate
function type "261" = "average value without interpolation".
"TAG:R,(1;2),'2004-10-13 17:00:00.000','0000-00-00 00:02:00.000',
'TIMESTEP=15,261'"

7.8.4.3 Representation of the message archives

Structure of the recordset

The result of the query is returned as a Recordset. The following table describes the structure of
the recordset for message archives. Information on the status of messages is available in the
WinCC Information System in "Working with WinCC > ANSI-C Function Descriptions > Appendix
> Structure Definitions > MSG_RTDATA_STRUCT Structure Definition".

Position Field name Type Comment

1 MsgNo Integer 4 bytes Message number
2 State Small integer 2 Message status
Byte

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Position Field name Type Comment

3 DateTime DateTime 8 bytes Time stamp of the message (date/time without
milliseconds)
4 Ms Small integer 2 Time stamp of the message (milliseconds)
Byte
5 Instance VarChar(255) Instance name of the message
6 Flags1 Integer 4 bytes (for internal use only)
7 PValueUsed Integer 4 bytes Process values used
8 to 17 PValue1 to Real 8 bytes Numerical process value 1 to 10
PValue10
18 to 27 PText1 to VarChar(255) Process value text 1 to 10
PText10
28 Computer name VarChar(255) Computer name
29 Application VarChar(255) Application name
30 Comment VarChar(255) Comment
31 Username VarChar(255) User name
32 Counter Integer 4 bytes Continuous message counter
33 TimeDiff Integer 4 bytes Time difference to the "came in" status
34 Classname VarChar(255) Name of the message class
35 Type name VarChar(255) Name of the message type
36 Class Small integer 2 Message class ID
Byte
37 Type Small integer 2 Message type ID
Byte
38 to 47 Text1 to Text10 VarChar(255) Message text 1 to 10
48 AG_NR Small integer 2 Number of the PLC
Byte
49 CPU_NR Small integer 2 Number of the CPU
Byte
50 CrComeFore Integer 4 bytes Foreground color for the "came in" status
51 CrComeBack Integer 4 bytes Background color for the "came in" status
52 CrGoFore Integer 4 bytes Foreground color for the "went out" status
53 CrGoBack Integer 4 bytes Background color for the "went out" status
54 CrAckFore Integer 4 bytes Foreground color for the "acknowledged" status
55 CrAckBack Integer 4 bytes Background color for the "acknowledged" status
56 LocaleID Integer 4 bytes Location of the alarm
57 Priority Integer 4 bytes Priority
58 AP_type Integer 4 bytes Loop in Alarm
59 AP_name VarChar(255) Loop in Alarm function name
60 AP_PAR VarChar(255) Loop in Alarm screen
61 InfoText VarChar(255) Info text
62 TxtCame VarChar(255) Text came in
63 TxtWent VarChar(255) Text went out
64 TxtCameNWent VarChar(255) Text came in and went out

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Position Field name Type Comment

65 TxtAck VarChar(255) Text acknowledged
66 AlarmTag Integer 4 bytes Message tag
67 AckType Small integer 2 Acknowledgment type
Byte
68 Params Integer 4 bytes Parameter

7.8.4.4 Querying the message archives

Principle
Use the following query to access a message archive. The data can be selected using filter
criteria. The query is transferred to the database with the command object.
Information on the status of messages is available in the WinCC Information System in "Working
with WinCC > ANSI-C Function Descriptions > Appendix > Structure Definitions >
MSG_RTDATA_STRUCT Structure Definition".

Syntax
ALARMVIEW:SELECT * FROM <ViewName>[WHERE <Condition>...., optional]

Parameter Description
ViewName Name of the database table.
The table must be specified in the required language. The "ViewName" for the five Eu‐
ropean languages is, for example:
ALGVIEWDEU: German message archive data
ALGVIEWENU: English message archive data
ALGVIEWESP: Spanish message archive data
ALGVIEWFRA: French message archive data
ALGVIEWITA: Italian message archive data
Note
The languages that are installed on the PCS 7 OS or configured in the PCS 7 OS Text
Library are supported. Information on the possible query languages and the correspond‐
ing "ViewName" in the SQL server is available in the connected message archives in
"Views". Here, all languages and their identifications, such as "ALGVIEWENU", are dis‐
played that are supported in the particular archive.
Condition Filter criterion e.g.:
DateTime>'2003-06-01' AND DateTime<'2003-07-01'
DateTime>'2003-06-01 17:30:00'
MsgNo = 5
MsgNo in (4, 5)
State = 2
With DateTime, the time can only be specified in absolute format.

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Example 1:
Reads all entries of message number 5 that were recorded after 5 July 2003.
"ALARMVIEW:SELECT * FROM ALGVIEWENU WHERE MsgNo = 5 AND
DateTime>'2003-07-05'"

Example 2:
Reads all messages with the time stamp between 3 July 2003 and 5 July 2003.
"ALARMVIEW:SELECT * FROM ALGVIEWENU WHERE DateTime>'2003-07-03' AND
DateTime<'2003-07-05'"

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A.1 Commissioning

Commissioning of a connection from OPC client to the OpenPCS 7 station

The following list contains the key tests for commissioning a connection from the OPC client to
the OpenPCS 7 Station:
1. Check that all necessary OpenPCS 7 licenses are available and valid.
2. Check that the OpenPCS 7 station can be reached from the OPC client computer using a ping.
3. Check whether network access to the path "\\<OpenPCS 7 Station>\Automation Projects" is
possible and whether the following files exist:
– SPOSA.dcf
– <Project_name_PC_station_name>.dcf
4. Check that the OS servers and automation systems are working properly.
5. Check the installation and version of the OpenPCS 7 station.
6. Check the installation of the OPC client. Information on the correct installation of the OPC
client must be supplied by the vendor of the OPC client.
7. Check the Windows firewall settings. The standard settings are made during installation.
The following OpenPCS 7 components must be entered in the "Exceptions" tab:
– OPC UA Discovery
– SIMATIC PCS7 OPC UA Server
– OPC Server Enumerator
– SIMATIC PCS7 OPC AE Server
– SIMATIC PCS7 OPC DA Server
– SIMATIC PCS7 OPC HDA Server
8. Based on the following tables, check that the required processes are executed on the
OpenPCS 7 station during OPC client runtime.

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Process on the OpenPCS 7 station with OPC UA

Process Information on the process

opcualds.exe Window service that is started automatically by the operating system.
This process is not absolutely necessary. It is used to determine the OPC servers available
on this station. An OPC server on this station can be addressed directly.
OpcUaServerOpenPCS7.exe Window service that is started automatically by the operating system.
If the service is in "Paused" state, this can have the following causes:
• The required license key cannot be identified.
• No project dcf is available

Processes on the OpenPCS 7 station with OPC Classic

Process Information on the process

OpcEnum.exe Windows service that is started by an OPC client during the determination of the OPC
server list.
This process is not absolutely necessary. It is used to determine the OPC servers available
on this station. An OPC server on this station can be addressed directly.
SOPCAESVRPCS7.exe This process is started by the coupling with an OPC client.
SOPCDASVRPCS7.exe This process is started by the coupling with an OPC client.
SOPCHDASVRPCS7.exe This process is started by the coupling with an OPC client.

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B.1 List of sources

Sources
[1] OPC Foundation, OPC Unified Architecture Release 1.02, Parts 1..11
[2] OPC Foundation, Data Access Custom Interface Specification 3.0
[3] OPC Foundation, Data Access Automation Interface Standard 2.02
[4] OPC Foundation, Alarms and Events Custom Interface Standard 1.10
[5] OPC Foundation, Alarm & Events Automation Interface Standard 1.01
[6] OPC Foundation, Historical Data Access Specification 1.20
[7] OPC Foundation, Historical Data Access Automation Interface Standard 1.0

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Lists and folders
B.2 List of abbreviations/acronyms

B.2 List of abbreviations/acronyms

List of abbreviations/acronyms

Abbreviation/ Description
acronym
APC Advanced Process Control
AS Automation System
CAL Client Access License
COM Component Object Model
CPU Central Processor Unit
DA Data Access
DCOM Distributed Component Object Model
DLL Dynamic Link Library
ES Engineering system
HDA Historical Data Access
HMI Human Machine Interface
HW Hardware
LRPC Lightweight Remote Procedure Call
OLE Object Linking and Embedding
OLE DB Object Linking and Embedding for Data Base
OPC previously: OLE for Process Control, now: Openness, Productivity and Collaboration
OPC UA OPC Unified Architecture
OS Operator Station (PCS 7 OS) or Operating System
PC Personal Computer
PCS 7 Process Control System 7
PH Process Historian
RPC Remote Procedure Call
SFC Sequential Function Chart
SP Service pack
SPOSA Single Point of System Access
SQL Structured Query Language
WinCC Windows Control Center

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OLE-DB, 20
OPC, 15
A OPC "H" A&E (Historical Alarms & Events server), 20
OPC A&E (Alarms & Events server), 20
Application 1, 45
OPC client configuration outside PCS 7, 34
Application 2, 45
OPC client engineering within PCS 7, 34
Application 3, 46
OPC DA (Data Access server), 20
OPC DA client, 70
OPC DA server, 70
C OPC Data Access (OPC DA), 70
Collection, 16 OPC Foundation, 17
COM, 15 OPC HDA (Historical Data Access server), 20
COM / DCOM components used by OpenPCS 7, 23 OPC UA
Construct redundant connections for OpenPCS 7 Conformance units, 58
stations in PCS 7, 39 Display of the logging tags, 61
Creating a firewall for the OPC client, 48 Mapping of the WinCC tags, 60
Profile, 58
OPC UA (Unified Architecture server), 19
D OPC UA Data Access, 62
OpenPCS 7 combined with an OS client, 40
DCOM, 15
OpenPCS 7 on a server, 41
DLL, 16
OpenPCS 7 on an OS single station system, 41
Documentation
OpenPCS 7 station without installed OS client, 39
Access options, 10
Overview, 13, 18
for planning and configuration, 10

E P
Plant configuration of the OPC DA link, 45
Events, 15

G S
Setting location, 48
General OpenPCS 7 configuration, 37

T
L
The PCS 7 project wizard, 36
Layout, 14

W
M
Windows Firewall settings, 48
Main entry, 15
Microsoft basics, 15

O
OLE, 15
OLE DB, 22

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