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MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct

User's Manual
MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct
User's Manual

This manual is a product of Matrikon Inc.


Matrikon Inc.
Suite 1800, 10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 3N4
Canada

Phone: +1.780.448.1010
Fax: +1.780.448.9191
www.matrikonopc.com

Document Revision History:

Document
Date Description Author
Version
2009-12-03 1.0 Initial document SN
2010-05-05 1.1 Updated the screenshots, device link names and ZA
tables.

2010-05-12 1.2 Added alarms information. SN


2010-05-13 2.0 Upgraded to latest OPC Framework version.
Converted user documentation to latest standard. LB

Replaced the occurrences of MarkVI with Mark VI


2010-05-17 2.1 and updated the Mark VI Network device link ZA
screenshots.
Updated the Mark VI Network device link
2010-05-19 2.2 screenshot and the install directory name from ZA
MarkVIDirect to Mark VI Direct.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 2


SOFTWARE VERSION

Version: 1.0.0

DOCUMENT VERSION

Version: 2.2

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

© Copyright 1997 - 2010, Matrikon Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without prior written permission of Matrikon Inc.

CONFIDENTIAL

The information contained herein is confidential and proprietary to Matrikon Inc. It may not be disclosed or transferred,
directly or indirectly, to any third party without the explicit written permission of Matrikon Inc.

LIMITATIONS

Matrikon has made its best effort to prepare this manual. Matrikon makes no representation or warranties of
any kind with regard to the completeness or accuracy of the contents herein and accepts no liability of any kind
including without limitation warranties of merchantable quality, satisfactory quality, merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose on those arising by law, statute, usage of trade, course of dealing or otherwise.
Matrikon shall not be liable for any losses or damages of any kind caused or alleged to be caused directly or
indirectly from this manual.

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This document and the software described in this document are supplied under a license agreement and may only be used
in accordance with the terms of that agreement. Matrikon reserves the right to make any improvements and/or changes to
product specifications at any time without notice.

TRADEMARK INFORMATION

The following are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective organizations:

Matrikon and MatrikonOPC are trademarks or registered trademarks of Matrikon Inc.

OTHER

MatrikonOPC™ is a division of Matrikon™ Inc.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 3


Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 6
Who Should Use This Manual ............................................................................................ 6
Overview of Manual ......................................................................................................... 6
References ..................................................................................................................... 7
Document Terminology .................................................................................................... 7
Getting Started................................................................................................................. 9
System Requirements...................................................................................................... 9
Software Requirements ................................................................................................. 9
Hardware Requirements ................................................................................................ 9
Installed Files ................................................................................................................. 9
Licensing ..................................................................................................................... 10
Contacting Support ....................................................................................................... 10
Configuration ................................................................................................................. 12
Server Configuration...................................................................................................... 12
Creating Objects ........................................................................................................ 12
Creating and Configuring a Mark VI Direct Network ......................................................... 13
EGD Overview............................................................................................................ 16
Configuring a Mark VI Direct Unit Object........................................................................ 17
Creating and Configuring a Redundancy Group Object ..................................................... 19
Creating and Configuring a Server Status List................................................................. 19
Changing Objects ....................................................................................................... 19
Removing Objects ...................................................................................................... 19
OPC Data Items.............................................................................................................. 21
Mark VI Direct Unit Items............................................................................................... 21
Mark VI Direct Control Items .......................................................................................... 21
Mark VI Direct Network Level Control Items ................................................................... 21
Mark VI Direct Unit Control Items ................................................................................. 22
Statistical Items............................................................................................................ 22
Mark VI Direct Network Communication Statistics ........................................................... 22
Mark VI Direct Unit Communication Statistics ................................................................. 22
Alarms and Events ......................................................................................................... 24
Alarms and Events Categories ......................................................................................... 24
OPC Event Attributes ..................................................................................................... 24
Acknowledging Alarms ................................................................................................... 25
Limitations ..................................................................................................................... 26
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................. 27
Problems and Solutions.................................................................................................. 27

Table of Figures
Figure 1 - Architecture using the MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct ........................ 6
Figure 2 - Insert New Object Window ............................................................................ 12
Figure 3 - Create New Mark VI Direct Network Window ................................................. 14
Figure 4 - GE Mark VI Configuration Files....................................................................... 15
Figure 5 - New Mark VI Direct Network Object............................................................... 16
Figure 6 - MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct and GE Mark VI Exchanges ............... 17
Figure 7 - Mark VI Direct Unit Settings Panel ................................................................. 18
Figure 8 - Client Reference Warning Message ................................................................ 20

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 4


Figure 9 - OPC Events Sample ........................................................................................ 25

Table of Tables
Table 1 - Terms and Definitions........................................................................................ 8
Table 2 - Files Installed in "Mark VI Direct" Folder (For Stand-Alone Server) ................ 10
Table 3 - MatrikonOPC Support Regional Contact Information ....................................... 11
Table 4 - After-Hours Support ........................................................................................ 11
Table 5 - Insert New Object Window Options................................................................. 12
Table 6 - Create New Mark VI Direct Network Window Components .............................. 15
Table 7 - Mark VI Direct Unit Settings Panel Components .............................................. 19
Table 8 - Mark VI Network Control Items....................................................................... 21
Table 9 - Mark VI Unit Control Items.............................................................................. 22
Table 10 - Mark VI Network Statistical Items................................................................. 22
Table 11 - Mark VI Unit Statistical Items ....................................................................... 23
Table 12 - OPC Events different categories .................................................................... 24
Table 13 - OPC Events Attributes ................................................................................... 24
Table 14 - Alarm Acknowledging Control Items ............................................................. 25

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 5


Introduction
The MatrikonOPC™ Server for Mark VI Direct provides real-time data (read/write) and alarms
(alarm dump, single alarm notification and acknowledgment) access to the GE Mark VI Turbine
Controllers. The OPC server can simultaneously communicate with multiple controllers and provide
access to the points as well as the alarms information in the GE Mark VI Controllers.
Figure 1 shows a typical architecture using the MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct.

Figure 1 - Architecture using the MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct

Who Should Use This Manual


This manual is intended for use by all users of the MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct.
This manual explains how to configure the software, and how to perform common tasks. In
addition (and where required), technical information about OPC data items, product limitations,
and a troubleshooting section are included.

Overview of Manual
This document uses icons to highlight valuable information. Remember these icons and what they
mean, as they will assist you throughout the manual.

This symbol denotes important information that must be


acknowledged. Failure to do so may result in the software not
functioning properly.

Font displayed in this color and style indicates a hyperlink to the


BOLD applicable/associated information within this document, or if
applicable, any external sources.

The User’s Manual has been designed as such so that you can click on references in the document
to jump to that referenced point without having to scroll through several pages (in some cases).
For example, if you were to see the sentence “Refer to Figure 1 for more information”, pressing the
CTRL key and clicking your mouse on the text “Figure 1” will automatically take you to the location
of Figure 1 within the document.
This manual consists of several sections and is structured as follows:

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 6


• Introduction – this introductory chapter.
• Getting Started – provides information on the minimum system requirements, and how to
contact MatrikonOPC’s Support team.
• Configuration – shows how to configure the server, and describes each component in
detail, including windows/screens, panels, tabs, and menu commands.
• OPC Data Items – describes the server’s items.
• Limitations – provides information on specific performance and operational limitations of
the software.
• Troubleshooting – provides solutions for common problems that may be encountered, and
answers to frequently asked questions.

References
This document references information found within the following documents/sites:
• www.opcfoundation.org
• www.matrikonopc.com
• www.opcsupport.com
• MatrikonOPC Server User’s Manual
• OPC Overview 1.0
• OPC Common Definitions and Interfaces 1.0
• OPC Security Custom Interface 1.0
• OPC Data Access Custom Interface Standard 2.05
• OPC Data Access Custom Interface Standard 3.00 (Pending)
• TCP/IP Ethernet Communications for the Series 90 PLC User's Manual GFK-1541A April 1999
• United States Patent No.: US 6,169,928 B1 January 2nd 2001
• TCP/IP Ethernet Communications for the Series 90™ PLC User's Manual GFK-1541B May
2002
• TCP/IP Ethernet Communications for PACSystems™ User's Manual GFK-2224A May 2004

Document Terminology
The terms screen and window are used interchangeably throughout this document.
Table 1 provides a list of definitions for terms used throughout this document.

Term/Abbreviation Description
A&E OPC Alarms and Events. Provides access to process alarm and event data.
Component Object Model. A method for organizing software, specifying
COM
how to build components that can be dynamically interchanged.
DA OPC Data Access. Provides access to real-time process data.
Distributed Component Object Model. An extension of COM that allows
DCOM
communication between COM components over a network.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 7


Term/Abbreviation Description
Dynamic Data Exchange. Allows the transfer of data between two running
DDE
applications.
EGD Ethernet Global Data.
HDA OPC Historical Data Access. Provides access to historical process data.
Human Machine Interface. Device that allows interaction between the user
HMI
and machine. Typically used in process control applications.
Matrikon Matrikon Inc.
MatrikonOPC Matrikon’s brand name for its OPC servers and clients.
A communication standard. Refer to www.opcfoundation.org for more
OPC
information.
PLC Programmable Logic Controller.
Table 1 - Terms and Definitions

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 8


Getting Started
The System Requirements section shows how to avoid future problems by ensuring that the
system meets the minimum software and hardware requirements. The Installed Files section
provides a list of files that are installed with the product. For installation information, refer to the
MatrikonOPC Server User’s Manual or the MatrikonOPC Universal Connectivity Server User’s
Manual.
Once the software is installed, refer to the Licensing section for information on how to obtain the
appropriate license. The Licensing section refers you to the Licensing Procedures document that
was installed along with the server and this User’s Manual. The Contacting Support section
provides you with contact information for the MatrikonOPC Support team, should you have any
problems during the installation or licensing of the software.

System Requirements
The software has Software and Hardware system requirements. These requirements must be
met for the software to function properly.

Note: If a firewall is installed on the computer hosting the


MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct, it must be configured to grant
the OPC server access to the EGD network, including multicast and
broadcast communication.

Software Requirements
At a minimum, the following software is required:
• Microsoft Windows XP SP2, or
• Microsoft Windows 2003 SP0, or
• Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (included with this install program)

Note: It is recommended that the most current service packs are


installed.

Hardware Requirements
At a minimum, the following hardware is recommended:
• Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor
• 512 MB RAM
• 40 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
The product requires the following additional hardware to make use of the following functionality:
• TCP/IP-compatible network adapter

Installed Files
The installation program copies all necessary files to the target computer and creates short-cut
icons in the Start menu.
The files specific to the server listed in Table 2 are installed by default in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Matrikon\OPC\Mark VI Direct

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 9


File Name Description
MatrikonOPC Server for Mark
VI Direct Release Notes.pdf Release Notes for this server.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark


VI Direct User Manual.pdf User’s Manual for this server.

OPCMarkVIDirect.exe Server executable.


PSTCFGMarkVIDirectLib.ocx Server ActiveX configuration panels.
EGD.REF The EGD references file.
Table 2 - Files Installed in "Mark VI Direct" Folder (For Stand-Alone Server)

Licensing
Most MatrikonOPC products require that some form of licensing criteria be met for it to function
correctly.
The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct supports software licensing only.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
The following licensing information is described in detail within the
Licensing Procedures document which accompanies the MatrikonOPC
Server for Mark VI Direct software and User’s Manual:
• Software key licensing information.
• Information about the MatrikonOPC Licensing Utility that is
used to license server software, and the variety of ways in
which licenses can be obtained (e.g., Internet Connection, Web
Page, Email).
• Licensing Q&A and Troubleshooting.

Contacting Support
The MatrikonOPC Customer Services department (www.opcsupport.com) is available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.
Contact MatrikonOPC Support using the information below, or send an email
(support@MatrikonOPC.com).
For Monday to Friday daytime support requests, contact MatrikonOPC Support using the regional
phone numbers provided in Table 3.

Region Office Hours Contact Information


North America
8:00 am-5:00 pm +1-877-OPC-4-ALL
UTC/GMT -7 hours (MST)
Europe /Africa * +49-221-969-77-0
9:00 am-5:00 pm
UTC/GMT +1 hours (CET) (Request OPC Support)
Middle East *
9:00 am-5:00 pm +973-174-65363
UTC/GMT +3 hours

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 10


Region Office Hours Contact Information
Australia/Asia * +61-2-4908-2198
9:00 am-5:00 pm
UTC/GMT +10 hours (AEST) (Request OPC Support)
* Toll-free regional numbers coming soon!
Table 3 - MatrikonOPC Support Regional Contact Information

For after-hours support in all regions, please use either of the following numbers. There is no
extra charge from MatrikonOPC for calling their after-hours support numbers.

Region Contact Information


+1-780-231-9480
All
+1-780-264-6714
Table 4 - After-Hours Support

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 11


Configuration
The server’s graphical user interface (GUI) allows you to view and alter configuration parameters at
run time. When you view a configuration parameter, the information is retrieved and displayed.
The updated parameters are sent as a group to the server when submitted.
Minimal configuration of the MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct is required for it to function
properly, but you can customize the server’s behaviour, as required. The Server Configuration
section shows you how to configure the server, and describes each component in detail, including
the windows, panels, and menu commands.

Server Configuration
This section shows you how to create and edit objects, using the Configuration window.

Creating Objects
The Insert New Object and Create New windows are used to create Mark VI Direct objects.

Insert New Object Window


The Insert New Object window (Figure 2) displays a different set of options depending on the
type of object selected and the types of objects already configured under it.

Figure 2 - Insert New Object Window

Table 5 describes the types of objects that are available for insertion as a child in the Insert New
Object window, depending on which object is currently selected.

Selected Object Insert New Object Window Options


Mark VI Direct Network
Root Device Link (Server Configuration) Redundancy Group
Server Status List

Mark VI Direct Network Mark VI Direct Unit

Mark VI Direct Unit <None>

Redundancy Group <None>

Server Status List <None>


Table 5 - Insert New Object Window Options

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 12


To insert a new object:
1. On the Configuration window, either select the Define New menu option from the Edit
menu, or click on the icon.
2. The Insert New Object window (Figure 2) appears.
3. From the displayed list, select the type of object to be created.
Note: Different objects may be available depending on which object is currently selected in
the tree view.
4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears.
To create a newly inserted object:
1. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object. This name is part of the item
ID that globally identifies data items from under the object. You may also choose to enter a
description of the object.
2. Edit the configuration components as desired.
3. Click on the OK button. The object is created.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.

Create New Window


The Create New window (Figure 3) displays the settings available for a new object.
A device-specific window is displayed for each new object:
• Mark VI Direct Network
• Redundancy Group
• Server Status List
The following sub-sections contain information on the types of objects available and how to
configure them.

Creating and Configuring a Mark VI Direct Network


Figure 3 displays the Create New Mark VI Direct Network window.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 13


Figure 3 - Create New Mark VI Direct Network Window

Table 6 describes the components of the Create New Mark VI Direct Network window.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to select, from the drop-down list, the Network Interface Card used
Network Adapter
to connect to the Unit Data Highway (UDH) network.
Allows you to enter a value that defines the port number used to receive the
EGD Port EGD exchanges over the Unit Data Highway (UDH) network.
Default = 18246.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 14


Component Description
Allows you to enter a value that defines the amount of time (in milliseconds)
between two consecutive connection attempts. The maximum value allowed is
Connect Delay 10000 milliseconds.
Default = 1000.
Allows you to enter or select (using the browse button to the right of this field)
the path to the Mark VI site’s configuration file (CONFIG.DAT). The
MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct can consume the EGD exchanges
Mark VI Config File
produced by the GE Mark VI controllers (units). The MatrikonOPC Server for
Mark VI Direct creates a unit object for each unit defined in the site
configuration.
OK Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
Cancel Select this button to close the window without saving any changes made.
Table 6 - Create New Mark VI Direct Network Window Components

Figure 4 shows the GE Mark VI configuration files (along with the CONFIG.DAT) that are required to
fully configure the OPC server. The exact same hierarchy must be respected:

CONFIG.DAT
ENETALM.DAT
|
|______ UNIT1
| |
| |
| |
| |______ UNIT_EGD.DAT
| |______ ALARM.DAT
| |______ ALARMSIG.DAT
| |______ EVENT.DAT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|______ UNIT2
.
.
.
Figure 4 - GE Mark VI Configuration Files

To create and configure a Mark VI Direct Network object:


1. On the Configuration window, select the Server Configuration item and either:
• Right-click your mouse and select Define New from the menu that appears, or
• Select the Define New menu option from the Edit menu, or

• Click on the icon.


2. The Insert New Object window (Figure 2) appears.
3. From the displayed list, select Mark VI Direct Network.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 15


4. Click on the OK button.
5. The Create New window appears (Figure 3).
Note: The item selected in the Insert New Object window determines which Create New
window is displayed. For example, when Mark VI Direct Network is selected, then the
Create New Mark VI Direct Network window is displayed.
6. From the Create New window, enter a name for the object.
Note: An error message is displayed when a valid name is not entered. If the entered name
is a duplicate of an existing device link, the new device link will not be created. The
Description field is optional.
7. Edit the configuration components as desired.
Note: For the object to be used for communication, it must be enabled (i.e., the Enabled
checkbox is selected). This can be done at any time.
8. Click on the OK button. The object is created and appears as a child of the Server
Configuration item as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 - New Mark VI Direct Network Object

EGD Overview
Ethernet Global Data (EGD) allows one device (the producer) to share a portion of its internal
memory (the exchange) with one or more other devices (the consumers) at a regularly scheduled
periodic rate. This exchange is uniquely distinguished by a set of identifiers: the Producer ID
(typically the producer’s IP address) and Exchange ID. The Producer ID is assigned to uniquely
identify the Ethernet Global Data device that produces the exchange on the network. The Exchange
ID is a value identifying a specific exchange within that producing device.
The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct must be configured to consume the GE Mark VI
Controllers data as illustrated in Figure 6 by providing a path to the most up-to-date site’s
configuration file (CONFIG.DAT).

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 16


Figure 6 - MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct and GE Mark VI Exchanges

Note:
Once a path to the site’s configuration file (CONFIG.DAT) is provided,
the MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct creates a unit object for
each unit defined in the site configuration.
Please press F5 or click on the refresh button in order to visualize the
newly created unit objects.

Configuring a Mark VI Direct Unit Object


Figure 3 displays the Mark VI Direct Unit Settings panel.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 17


Figure 7 - Mark VI Direct Unit Settings Panel

Table 6 describes the components of the Mark VI Direct Unit Settings window.

Component Description
Name of the object, which becomes an element of the item ID for data items
Name under the object.
Automatically converted to title case for display purposes.
Use this checkbox to enable (i.e., checkbox is selected) or disable (i.e.,
Enabled checkbox is cleared) communication for the object.
By default, the checkbox is selected.
This field is optional, takes any user-defined text (64-character maximum) for
Description documentation purposes.
By default, this field is blank.
Allows you to enter a value that defines the amount of time (in milliseconds)
before reporting an EGD Exchange timeout. The maximum value allowed is
Timeout 60000 milliseconds.
Default = 1000.
Allows you to enter a value that defines the amount of time (in milliseconds)
Connect Delay between two consecutive connection attempts. The maximum value allowed is
10000 milliseconds.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 18


Component Description
Default = 1000.
Allows you to enter a value that defines the number of retries before a
Retries communication failure is reported. The maximum value allowed is 99.
Default = 3.
Use this checkbox to enable (or disable) sending the alarm dump request to
the Mark VI unit upon initial connection. Upon reception of the alarm dump,
the alarm queue (internal to the OPC server) for the specified unit is initialized.
Notes:
• It is recommended that you leave this option unchecked and perform
Perform an alarm
the alarm dump only when the OPC AE client is done connecting and
dump on startup
subscribing for alarms.
• Please refer to the Mark VI Direct Unit Control Items section to
know how an alarm dump can be triggered on demand through a
control item.
By default, the checkbox is not selected.
OK Select this button to save any changes and close the window.
Cancel Select this button to close the window without saving any changes made.
Table 7 - Mark VI Direct Unit Settings Panel Components

Creating and Configuring a Redundancy Group Object


For configuration information of a Redundancy Group object, refer to the MatrikonOPC Server
User’s Manual or the MatrikonOPC Universal Connectivity Server User’s Manual.

Creating and Configuring a Server Status List


For configuration information of a Server Status List refer to the MatrikonOPC Server User’s Manual
or the MatrikonOPC Universal Connectivity Server User’s Manual.

Changing Objects
To change an object’s configuration:
1. Once an object is created, select it in the tree view panel.
2. In the configuration panel, make the applicable changes.
3. Click on the Apply button to accept the changes, or click on the Cancel button to discard
them.

Removing Objects
Note: Users can easily remove any object that they have created, but a warning message (Figure
8) will appear when users remove an object that has data items to which one or more OPC clients
hold reference.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 19


Figure 8 - Client Reference Warning Message

To remove an object:
1. In the Configuration window, under Server Configuration, select the object to be
removed.

2. From the Edit menu, select the Delete menu option (or click on the button).
3. If one or more OPC clients hold references to data items somewhere under the selected
object, a warning message (Figure 8) appears.
4. To mark the object for later deletion, click on the Yes button. To leave the object
unmodified, click on the No button.
Note: Items marked for deletion are disabled and a red X appears over the icon on the right
side of the window when the object is selected.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 20


OPC Data Items
This section describes the OPC data items used in the MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct.

Mark VI Direct Unit Items


The OPC item ID syntax for Mark VI Direct Unit is as follows:
“Mark VI Direct Network”.”Mark VI Direct Unit”.”Point name”

Important Note:
• Upon connection a list of points is automatically built, based on
the exchange definition file UNIT_EGD.DAT located in the unit’s
folder.

Where:
• “Mark VI Direct Network” is the name assigned to the Mark VI Direct Network.
• “Mark VI Direct Unit” is the name assigned to the Mark VI unit in the site configuration
file.
• “Point name” as defined in the UNIT_EGD.DAT in the unit specific configuration folder.

Examples
Accesses a point called “LTB1D1” located in unit
UDH.S1. LTB1D1
“S1” that is connected to a network called “UDH”.
Accesses a point called “AFPBD” located in unit “F1”
UDH.F1. AFPBD
that is connected to a network called “UDH”.

Mark VI Direct Control Items


The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct supplies control items to allow a connected OPC client
to obtain status information by reading values and manipulating its operation by simply writing
values.

Mark VI Direct Network Level Control Items


The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct supplies control items listed in Table 8.

Item ID Description Default


Indicates whether the Mark VI Network is able to connect underlying FALSE
devices to the Ethernet network. Write a Boolean true to force a
$Connected
connection, or false to force a disconnection (automatic re-connection
will be attempted as long as it is enabled).
$Enabled Enable/disable Mark VI Network. FALSE
Writing any value to this item will trigger the OPC Communication FALSE
$ResetStats statistics for the Mark VI Network, as well as all of the underlying Mark
VI units, to be reinitialized.
Table 8 - Mark VI Network Control Items

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 21


Mark VI Direct Unit Control Items
The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct supplies control items listed in Table 9.

Item ID Description Default


Writing an alarm drop number to this item will trigger an acknowledgment FALSE
request to the Mark VI unit for the alarm identified by the drop number.
$AckAlarm Refer to the ALARM.DAT in the unit configuration folder to retrieve the
drop number for a specific alarm. Writing -1 will acknowledge all the
process alarms.
Writing a TRUE to this item will trigger an alarm dump request to the FALSE
Mark VI unit. If not already done, the OPC server’s internal alarm queue
$AlarmDump
will be initialized upon reception of the alarm dump information and OPC
events will be sent to all subscribing AE clients.
$Designated Shows the currently designated processor’s IP address.
Writing any value to this item will trigger the OPC Communication FALSE
$ResetStats
statistics for the Mark VI unit to be reinitialized.
Table 9 - Mark VI Unit Control Items

Statistical Items
The server supplies statistical information pertaining to communication in the form of real-time
data items for the Mark VI Network and each Mark VI unit.

Mark VI Direct Network Communication Statistics


The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct supplies statistical items listed in Table 10.

Item ID Description Default


Cumulative total of the number of messages sent by the server to all 0
#Sent
underlying connections.
Cumulative total of the number of expected responses received by the 0
#Received
server from all underlying connections.
Cumulative total of the number of retry messages sent by the server to 0
#Retried
all underlying connections.
Cumulative total of the communication failures occurrences for all 0
#Failure
underlying connections.
Cumulative total of the overrun occurrences for all underlying 0
#Overrun
connections.
Cumulative total of the timeout occurrences for all underlying 0
#Timeout
connections.
Table 10 - Mark VI Network Statistical Items

Mark VI Direct Unit Communication Statistics


The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct supplies statistical items listed in Table 11.

Item ID Description Default


#Enabled Shows the enable/disable state of the Mark VI unit. FALSE

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 22


Item ID Description Default
#Sent Total number of messages sent. 0
#Received Total number of expected responses received. 0
#Retried Total number of messages sent again as a retry. 0
Total number of times communication has failed (i.e., run out of 0
#Failure
retries).
Total number of times that a scheduled poll has come due a second 0
#Overrun
time before it has yet been sent and cleared from the “due” list.
#Timeout Total number of communication timeouts that have occurred. 0
#Latency Total time (in milliseconds) between consecutive data receptions. 0
@Connected Shows the connection state of the Mark VI unit. FALSE
Table 11 - Mark VI Unit Statistical Items

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 23


Alarms and Events
The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct provides Alarms and Events information by reading the
controller alarm queue. A simple OPC event is triggered on alarm state transition. Alarm state
transition includes transition in alarm state, alarm acknowledge state and removal of an alarm from
the controller’s alarm queue (reset). There are two categories for the alarms, and all are described
in the following sub-sections.

Alarms and Events Categories


The simple OPC events can be filtered by the OPC AE client based on different categories as
described in Table 12.

Alarms and Events


Description
Category
Alarm Active when an alarm signal is in an alarm state.
Active when an event signal (defined in the
Event
EVENT.DAT) toggles state during operations.
Table 12 - OPC Events different categories

When triggered, the simple OPC event has its severity set to MEDIUM (500) and source set to the
controller (unit) full path. The simple OPC event has also other information which is added to the
event’s message and attributes.

OPC Event Attributes


Table 13 shows the attributes available for each OPC event category.

OPC Event Attribute Description Alarm Event


ID associated to each alarm in
ALARM.DAT or the event index
Alarm Drop Number
specified in EVENT.DAT for
8 8
each event signal.
State of the alarm. Set to 1
Alarm State for an active alarm and set to 8 8
0 for a normal state.
Alarm Acknowledge Set to 1 when an alarm is
State acknowledged, else set to 0.
8 Not used

Set to 1 when an alarm is


Alarm Needs Reset cleared from the controller 8 Not used
queue, else set to 0.
Name of the signal associated
Signal Name
with the alarm or the event.
8 8
Table 13 - OPC Events Attributes

Figure 9 shows a sample of OPC events triggered by the OPC server after reading the controller
alarm information. Note that the attributes are added to the OPC event in the same order as the
Table 13.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 24


Figure 9 - OPC Events Sample

Note: When the Perform an alarm dump on start-up checkbox is


selected, the OPC server can perform an alarm dump upon start-up,
reading all the existing alarms. The OPC clients need to be connected
at that time to the OPC server in order to receive the OPC events
triggered during the alarm dump. Please refer to the Mark VI Direct
Unit Control Items section to know how an alarm dump can be
triggered on demand through a control item.

Acknowledging Alarms
The MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct provides control items which can be used for
acknowledging alarms, as described in Table 14.

Control Item Description


To acknowledge an alarm, write the alarm drop number to this control item.
$AckAlarm
Writing -1 will acknowledge all the process alarms.
Table 14 - Alarm Acknowledging Control Items

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 25


Limitations
MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct has no known or expected limitations.

Refer to the MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct Release Notes for known issues.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 26


Troubleshooting
The following section addresses some of the most common problems encountered, and questions
asked, while using this OPC product. Please check the following Problems and Solutions section
before contacting the MatrikonOPC Support team.
To troubleshoot generic MatrikonOPC issues, refer to the Troubleshooting section in the
MatrikonOPC Server User’s Manual.

Problems and Solutions


Some data items are showing “bad configuration” quality

Problem: After configuring the OPC server using a site’s configuration file (CONFIG.DAT). Data
items have been added to a compliant OPC client. Some of the items are showing “bad
configuration” quality.

Solution: Ensure that the site’s configuration files provided are the most up-to-date ones.

Search the MatrikonOPC Support Knowledge Base at www.opcsupport.com to find the answers
to other commonly-asked MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct questions.

MatrikonOPC Server for Mark VI Direct v1.0.0 User’s Manual 27

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