OPC-UA - Establish a Server Connection without Certificates - UaExpert

These are the overall steps without using certificates for an OPC UA Server connection:

1. PCMM2G Configuration (without Certificates)

The procedure in this section configures the PCMM2G for connection to UaExpert.

  1. Verify the OPC-UA - UaExpert Installation procedure is completed.
  2. Start the KAS-IDE.
  3. Create a new project or open an existing KAS project.
  4. Double-click an OPC UA Server node in the Fieldbus Editor project tree.
    The OPC UA - Server dialog box opens. (Figure 1)
  5. Figure 1: Server dialog box

  6. In the Authentication settings section:
    1. Keep the Anonymous check box selection.
    2. Optional: Click the User name/Password check box to activate the User name and Password text boxes.
    3. If applicable, enter a User name and Password for the configuration.
    4. Click OK to save the changes or selections and close the dialog box.
      The Fieldbus Editor returns showing the added OPC UA Server node.
  7. On the vertical toolbar, click the Insert Master/Port button ().
    The OPC UA - Endpoint dialog box opens. (Figure 2)
  8. Figure 2: Endpoint dialog box

  9. In the Security Policies section, accept the default selection of None.
  10. Click OK to save the changes or selections and close the dialog box.
    The Fieldbus Editor returns.
  11. Add applicable groups and variables using the OPC UA - Add Multiple Groups and Variables to the Driver Configuration procedure.
  12. Compile and download the project to the KAS controller (e.g., PCMM2G).
  13. Continue with 2. UaExpert Configuration (without Certificates).

2. UaExpert Configuration (without Certificates)

The procedure in this section configures UaExpert for connection to PCMM2G.

  1. Verify the procedure in the 1. PCMM2G Configuration (without Certificates) section is completed.
  2. Start UaExpert.
    The UaExpert main window opens.
  3. In the Project tree, right-click Servers and click Add. (Figure 3)
  4. Figure 3: Add option

    The Add Server dialog box opens. (Figure 4)

    Figure 4: UaExpert Add Server dialog box

  5. Under Custom Discovery, double-click the text.
    The Enter URL dialog box opens.
  6. Enter the URL as opc.tcp://(PCMM2G_IP_Address) to add the OPC UA Server. (Figure 5)
  7. Figure 5: Enter URL dialog box

  8. Click OK to save the changes or selections and close the dialog box.
    The Add Server dialog box returns.

    • A Replace Hostname message may appear. (Figure 6)

      Figure 6: Replace Hostname message

      This prompt appears because the PCMM2G supports OPC UA device discovery using its IP address, not by its hostname.

      Click Yes to continue.


    • A None security policy must be configured for the OPC UA Server in the KAS project.

  9. Under Custom Discovery, expand the newly added node.
  10. Under the opc.tcp://(PCMM2G_IP_Address), select None. (Figure 7)
  11. Figure 7: Add Server dialog box - None

    • A Username and Password can be used if this Authentication Setting option is enabled in the KAS project. (Figure 8)
    • The password is always encrypted if Use Certificates is enabled in the KAS project.
    • Figure 8: Server Settings dialog box - Username and Password

  12. Click OK to save the changes or selections and close the dialog box.
    The server is now available in the UaExpert project tree.
  13. Continue with 3. UaExpert Connection to the PCMM2G (without Certificates).

3. UaExpert Connection to the PCMM2G (without Certificates)

The procedure in this section connects UaExpert to the PCMM2G.

  1. Verify the procedure in the 2. UaExpert Configuration (without Certificates) section is completed.
  2. On the toolbar, click the Connect button () to connect to the server.
    Data is now available from the KAS/PCMM2G OPC UA Server. (Figure 9)
  3. Figure 9: UaExpert - KAS OPC UA Data Objects

  4. In the Address Space scroll box, select the applicable PLC object.
  5. Drag-and-drop the selected objects to the Data Access View table. (Figure 10)
  6. Figure 10: Data Access View table

  7. Verify the values of PLC objects in the Data Access View table matches with the KAS project running on the PCMM2G.
  8. In the Data Access View table, select a variable.
    The Attributes panel appears.
  9. Scroll through the variables to locate a variable with an AccessLevel set to CurrentWrite. (Figure 11)
  10. Figure 11: Attributes panel

  11. Double-click the applicable Value column cell and change its value.
  12. Switch to the KAS-IDE window.
  13. Navigate to the OPC UA Server Fieldbus Editor. (Figure 12)
  14. Figure 12: KAS Fieldbus Editor

  15. Change a variable value in the KAS-IDE.
  16. Verify the change in UaExpert.
    A re-browse of the variable value in UaExpert may be necessary to refresh the visible values.
  17. Select the PLC object and right-click to use Rebrowse. (Figure 13)
  18. Figure 13: Rebrowse option


      • A maximum of 100 OPC UA client connections are accepted simultaneously.
      • Established connections are disconnected if no data is exchanged within 30 seconds.

See Also