C++ Based OPC UA Client/Server/PubSub SDK  1.7.0.449
Introduction to OPC UA

To reach the defined goals, the OPC Unified Architecture builds on different layers shown in the following figure:

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The foundation of OPC UA

The fundamental components of OPC Unified Architecture are transport mechanisms and data modeling.

The transport defines different mechanisms optimized for different use cases. The first version of OPC UA is defining an optimized binary TCP protocol for high performance intranet communication as well as a mapping to accepted internet standards like Web Services, XML, and HTTP for firewall-friendly internet communication. Both transports are using the same message-based security model known from Web Services. The abstract communication model does not depend on a specific protocol mapping and allows adding new protocols in the future.

The data modeling defines the rules and base building blocks necessary to expose an information model with OPC UA. It defines also the entry points into the address space and base types used to build a type hierarchy. This base can be extended by information models building on top of the abstract modeling concepts. In addition, it defines some enhanced concepts like describing state machines used in different information models.

The UA Services are the interface between servers as supplier of an information model and clients as consumers of that information model. The Services are defined in an abstract manner. They are using the transport mechanisms to exchange the data between client and server.

This basic concept of OPC UA enables an OPC UA client to access the smallest pieces of data without the need to understand the whole model exposed by complex systems. OPC UA clients also understanding specific models can use more enhanced features defined for special domains and use cases. The following figure shows the different layers of information models defined by OPC, by other organizations, or by vendors.

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OPC UA layered architecture

To cover all successful features known from Classic OPC, information models for the domain of process information are defined by OPC UA on top of the base specifications. DA defines automation-data-specific extensions such as the modeling of analog or discrete data and how to expose quality of service. All other DA features are already covered by the base. Alarm & Conditions (AC) specifies an advanced model for process alarm management and condition monitoring. Historical Access (HA) defines the mechanisms to access historical data and historical events. Programs (Prog) specifies a mechanism to start, manipulate, and monitor the execution of programs.

Other organizations can built their models on top of the UA base or on top of the OPC information model, exposing their specific information via OPC UA. Examples for standards already working on mappings to OPC UA are Field Device Integration (FDI) combining Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL), and Field Device Tool (FDT) both used to describe, to configure, and to monitor devices and PLCopen, a standard for PLC programming languages.

Additional vendor-specific information models will be defined using directly the UA base, the OPC models, or other OPC-UA-based information models.

To continue the OPC introduction you can read OPC UA Specifications.