OPC Client/Server Architecture
The following diagram illustrates the client / server architecture defined by the OPC specification.
- Multiple OPC compliant client applications can communicate with an OPC server simultaneously.
- DCOM, client and server software programs can be configured to run on the same computer node or be distributed across a network of computers.
- OPC servers provide a common view of automation information managed by the system for which the server was written.
- OPC clients use this common view of automation information in a variety of ways.
This includes providing:
- Human machine interfaces.
- Historical data logging.
- Data mirroring services.
Users can write their own custom programs in languages such as Visual Basic or Visual C++.
Desktop programs can reference OPC server information. For example, users can write VBA scripts in Microsoft Excel.