Product Overview
The OPC UA Client driver paired with the OPC UA Server interface of another KEPServerEX implementation provide an ideal secure tunneling solution. The OPC UA Client driver provides a communications protocol between two or more computers, allowing data to be transferred securely and reliably. This eliminates reliance on Microsoft COM and DCOM technology, and provides secure, authenticated communications and higher performance.
The OPC Tunneler uses client/server architecture to transfer data over an Intranet, Internet, or WAN. It also creates a secure OPC Tunnel through firewalls and complements existing OPC DA applications. The OPC Tunnel provides end-users, integrators, and automation suppliers with a favorable solution for remote connectivity to OPC applications. In comparison to remote OPC connectivity via DCOM, the OPC Tunneler boasts security, ease of use, and maintainability. Furthermore, there is no need to expose applications to unauthorized or anonymous users since OPC UA does not require a VPN connection for security.
Kepware's OPC Tunneling solution is an ideal way to share information in real-time with B2B applications for automation.
KEPServerEX: A Single Server and Tunneling Solution
Kepware's OPC Tunneling solution can be used with a range of products, including third-party OPC clients and OPC servers. In addition to the OPC UA Client driver and the OPC UA server interface, KEPServerEX also provides OPC DA, OPC AE, DDE, and several vendor-specific interfaces. Its breadth of connectivity options ensures a complete and robust system regardless of the different hardware and software vendors used.
OPC Tunneler: Redundancy
Coupling the OPC UA Client driver based tunnel with the Media Level Redundancy plug-in in KEPServerEX provides support for high availability environments through the ability to configure secondary tunnels and triggering conditions. The Media Level Redundancy plug-in allows the definition of redundant communications paths and devices, and supports a user configurable triggering mechanism to initiate a failover.
OPC UA Client Driver: An Aggregation and Gateway Solution
The OPC UA Client driver aggregates data from third-party OPC UA servers and KEPServerEX, which has the ability to act as a gateway by converting existing OPC DA servers to OPC UA servers (or by enabling OPC DA clients to connect to OPC UA data sources).
OPC UA: The Latest and Most Capable Specification
OPC UA is the most capable OPC specification for interoperability between automation software products. It unifies previous OPC Classic specifications, data encryption to RSA standards, and authentication based on the x509 Certificate standard. It is firewall-friendly and allows communications within the automation environment, across the enterprise, and through public network segments with high security and performance.
Features
- OPC Tunneling for OPC DA 1.0, 2.05a and 3.0
- Works within the Corporate Network, through Wide Area Networks, over VPNs, and through Firewalls
- Provides remote access for OPC, Native Interfaces, and DDE
- Supports media-level redundancy, including the ability to configure secondary tunnels and triggering conditions
- Data Encryption via RSA Standards
- Endpoint Authentication through x509 Certificates
- Automatic Discovery of OPC UA Servers
- Automatic Tag Database Generation
- Ability to set OPC UA Server Priorities
- Poll or Report by Exception (On data change)
- Endpoint management of a per connection bBasis
- Ability to integrate third-party server data with all KEPServerEX drivers
- Keep Alive and Watchdog features to ensure reliable connectivity
A driver is a software component that enables KEPServerEX to meet the communication requirements of a specific device, system, or other data source. The driver handles all proprietary communications between the data source and KEPServerEX; KEPServerEX handles all OPC or proprietary client communications between the driver and the client application(s).
Drivers may be licensed individually or in suites. Additional drivers can be licensed on demand as connectivity needs evolve. All OPC client interfaces can connect to KEPServerEX without additional charge.