Abstract
OPC Level 1: OPC Integration
Introduction to OPC: The course begins with an introduction to OPC and explains the fundamental concepts including the vision of OPC. Through examples and case studies, participants will understand how OPC compares to traditional or proprietary connectivity methods. Emphasis will be placed on the most common specification - OPC Data Access (DA). Participants will also learn the history of OPC and how it has evolved into the largest connectivity standard used within the automation industry today.
OPC Tunnelling Technology: OPC Tunnelling technology deals with the exchange of process data across different domains, WANS, unreliable networks and low bandwidth infrastructures. The factors that impact these environments will be explained and participants will be shown how OPC Tunnelling is used to resolve these issues.
OPC Alarms & Events: The OPC Alarms and Events (A&E) module begins by explaining the differences between alarms and events. The presentation will cover OPC A&E types, conditions and sub-conditions, notifications, and states. Alarms & Events State Diagrams are used to depict specific scenarios at the end of the module.
Evolution of OPC: This module will explore the evolution of OPC including emerging OPC specifications OPC UA and OPC Xi. The module will begin with an analysis of Classic OPC how it has evolved. Students will then compare Classic OPC, OPC UA and OPC Xi, exploring the advantages of each and how they can be used to build robust OPC Architectures.
OPC Redundancy: This module explores how redundancy can be applied to different levels of the plant infrastructure in order to achieve the highest degree of communication reliability possible. Device, driver, and application level redundancy will be presented and discussed. This includes connection policies, watchdog tags, diagnostics and statistics. Discussions will also include the business and economic impact redundant systems have on a plant.
OPC Client Server Architecture: The client/server architecture is the basis of any OPC architecture. Using the client/ server architecture, students learn how to connect various control systems together, and transfer data between these systems.
OPC Historical Data Access: This module looks at the OPC Historical Data Access (HDA) specification and how it differs from OPC DA. Common OPC client applications such as trenders and spreadsheets will be demonstrated and OPC utilities will be used to transport and migrate historical data from one source to another.
OPC Level 2: OPC Diagnostics
Networking: Most data communication requires an Ethernet connection; thus an understanding of networking concepts is essential to configuring and implementing any OPC system. This module provides an in-depth understanding of OPC communication and the communication network. Students will learn to recognize various network-related problems within OPC applications and understand how these problems can impact overall operations.
DCOM Essentials: Customers find that the most frustrating issue when implementing OPC architectures is DCOM. This module will help participants understand the limitations of DCOM, recognize its symptoms, and manage it within current IT security policies. Students will gain an understanding of how to configure Windows COM and DCOM settings to establish OPC communication within both workgroup and domain environments.
Troubleshooting Techniques: This module explores the basic OPC troubleshooting model. Through step-by-step analysis, students will learn how to use the various OPC test tools to troubleshoot existing OPC Architectures. The instructor runs through a variety of hands-on exercises that simulate the various problems typically encountered in plants, refineries and manufacturing environments