Tag Database and Browsing Options

All OPC Browsing Methods Supported
All MatrikonOPC Servers support the following OPC Browse interfaces:

  • OPC DA 1.0a – IOPCBrowseServerAddressSpace
  • OPC DA 2.0 - IOPCBrowseServerAddressSpace
  • OPC DA 2.05 – IOPCBrowseServerAddressSpace
  • OPC DA 3.0 - IOPCBrowse
  • OPC HDA 1.2 - IOPCHDA_Browser
  • OPC A&E 1.02 – IOPCEventAreaBrowser
  • OPC A&E 1.10 – IOPCEventAreaBrowser


    • Browse Type
    All MatrikonOPC Servers support both the OPC Hierarchical and Flat browsing formats. Servers can also be configured to force a flat browse structure if required by the client application.

    Automatic Tag List Generation
    Although every MatrikonOPC Server supports the OPC Browsing interfaces, the underlying device or protocol dictates what tag information can be auto discovered, and when this action can occur. All MatrikonOPC Servers will auto generate the tag list or item database for any device or protocol that provides this feature. All tags or OPC items that are available for access in the underlying system are automatically exposed to the OPC client application via the Browse interfaces, with no configuration required by the user. Depending of the specific device, MatrikonOPC Servers also offer configuration options as to when the tag generation occurs, including:

  • Automatically on Start-up
  • Periodically regenerate
  • Dynamically build ‘on-the-fly’ during run time


    • CSV File Import/Export
    All MatrikonOPC Servers support the ability to generate the tag list or item database by importing a standard comma separated variable or CSV file. This file can be created using whatever application the user chooses, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, NotePad, TextPad, etc. All MatrikonOPC Servers support the ability to export the tag list to a CSV file.

    XML File Import/Export
    All MatrikonOPC Servers store their configuration files, including the tag database information as a standard XML document (eXtensible Markup Language). All MatrikonOPC Servers support the ability to save configuration information using the XML format. The XML based configuration files can be set to automatically load on start-up, or on demand.

    Import Third-Party Configuration Files
    Some devices or systems require the user to pre-configure the tag list or address space using vendor supplied applications. In many cases, the MatrikonOPC server can directly import these files. In cases where the MatrikonOPC Server does not support the native interface, any third party ASCII or Text based configuration file can be automatically imported after it has been converted to the previously mentioned CSV or XML file formats.