User`s manual
ioLogik E2260 User’s Manual Active OPC Server Lite
5-2
Overview
OPC (originally OLE for process control) is an industry standard created with the collaboration of
a number of leading worldwide automation hardware and software suppliers, working in
cooperation with Microsoft. The standard defines methods for exchanging real-time automation
data between PC-based clients using Microsoft operating systems. The organization that manages
this standard is the OPC Foundation.
The OPC Specification is a non-proprietary technical specification that defines a set of standard
interfaces based upon Microsoft’s OLE/COM/DCOM platform and .NET technology. The
application of the OPC standard interface makes possible interoperability between
automation/control applications, field systems/devices and business/office applications.
Traditionally, each software or application developer was required to write a custom interface, or
server/driver, to exchange data with hardware field devices. OPC eliminates this requirement by
defining a common, high performance interface that permits this work to be done once, and then
easily reused by HMI, SCADA, Control and custom applications.
[Drivers must be installed several times to connect to different devices]
[OPC Client/Server creates a common interface connecting to different devices]
Introduction to Active OPC Server Lite
Moxa Active OPC Server Lite is a software package operated as an OPC driver of an HMI or
SCADA system. It offers seamless connection from Moxa ioLogik series products to the SCADA
systems, including the most popular Wonderware, Citect, and iFix. Active OPC Server Lite meets
the latest standard of OPC DA3.0 that allows connections to various kinds of devices and host
OPC machines.