Bridge Functionality

OPC Bridge is a Microsoft Windows application that acts as an intermediate/proxy between an OPC server at a plant and the Hubgrade server. It functions by mapping data items that are located with the two servers and translating the data item ids (tag names) when data items are being exchanged. This is depicted in the figure below.

_images/functionality1.png

The OPC Bridge software consists of two parts:

  • A Windows service that listens on two or more communication ports. One port that is used for the communication with the Hubgrade server and ports that are used for communication with the plant’s own OPC servers.

  • A user interface that makes it possible to connect the Windows service with the plant’s own OPC servers and with the Hubgrade and for setting-up the data transfers.

Healthcheck

The OPC Bridge has a built-in healthcheck that automatically restart the service in case of commmunication issues. So after more than 5 Transfer Cycles (default transfer cycles are 2 minutes), where no data is transfered either way, the sevice is restarted. But already from 1st transfer cycle with no data - either way, debug logging is automaticly enabled. the setting of debug logging is maintained across restarts.

Prerequisites

  • We recommend minimum Windows Server 2016 with a minimum of 2 GB of free memory.

  • OPC server(s) at the plant that communicates using OPC-UA. The OPC Bridge cannot communicate using OPC DA or OPC XML.

  • Port (TCP-52520). This is used for communication with Hubgrade shall be open for TCP on outgoing traffic - either opc.cloud.kruger.dk and opc2.cloud.kruger.dk or the following 4 IP addresses: 79.125.67.56, 79.125.6.6, 34.243.105.104, 46.137.13.19.

  • Port HTTPS (TCP-443). This is used by OPC Bridge to update the Hubgrade in case of tag mappings or data errors, should be open for outgoing traffic (optional)

  • A recent and up-to-date internet browser (ie. Internet Explorer is not supported)

  • (China Only): If you are based in China, you need to open up for outgoing traffic to opc2.plant.watertechnologies.cn or the following IP addresses: 52.80.215.16 and 54.223.163.140.