How to Log Sparkplug B Alarms to a Database

Sparkplug B Alarm Logging
Sparkplug B Alarm Logging


Open Automation Software can interface with Sparkplug B Edge of Network Nodes to receive Metric values with the OAS Host Application driver interface. This tutorial walks you through downloading and installing OAS, configuring a Sparkplug B Host Application driver, configuring tags, configuring alarm limits, and logging alarms to a database. Supported databases include SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, MySQL, SQL Azure, Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and CSV files.

Step 1. Download and Install the Open Automation Software and Start the OAS Service

If you have not already done so, you will need to download and install the OAS platform.  Fully functional trial versions of the software are available for Windows, Windows IoT Core, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Docker on our downloads page.

On Windows run the downloaded Setup.exe file to install one or more of the Open Automation Software features. Select the default Typical installation if you are not sure what features to use or the Custom installation if you want to save disk space on the target system.  When prompted agree to the End User License Agreement to continue the installation.

For more detailed instructions and video tutorials, visit the installation guide for your system:
Windows Installation | Linux Installation | Raspberry Pi Installation | Dockers Installation

When the installation is finished the OAS Service Control application will appear.  Use this application to start the 4 Services. If this is the first time installing the software it will automatically enter Runtime with an example Tag Configuration.


Step 2. Set Up Sparkplug B Host App to Access EoN Node Data.

Select Configure-Drivers.

Configure Drivers

Enter a meaningful Driver Interface Name that you will refer to this connection and define the properties.

Set the driver to Sparkplug B.

Enter the Host property to the IP Address of the of the host broker or just use localhost for a local broker. 

Set the Port property of the host broker to connect to.  The default port is 1883 or 8883 for SSL.

Note: The OAS MQTT Broker can be used to host data locally.  To use another broker on the default ports on the same computer change the OAS MQTT Broker Port under Configure-Options-MQTT Broker.

Enter the User Name and Password if required.

Set the MQTT Protocol Version to V311 or V500.

Set the Client ID to a unique value, each driver interface must have a specific value different than all other clients connecting to the host.

Set the Mode to Host App for OAS to control the online state of each Edge of Node defined to the shared Host Application ID. Or set to Client App to access EoN Node data without controlling their state.

Set the Host ID to the specific value that the Edge of Nodes will be using as the Host Application ID.

Set the Sparkplug B Version to 2.2 or 3.0.

To automatically add tags for each Metric from the matching Group, Edge of Nodes, and Devices enable the property Add Client Tags Automatically.

When enabled optionally set the Filter Groups, Edge Nodes, and Devices that tags should be added from for each of their Metrics.  Leave the Filter fields blank to include all Edge of Nodes publishing data to the broker.

Select the Add Driver button in the left part of the form to add the Driver Interface as an available selection when defining Tags in the next step.

Add Driver

You are now ready to add tags for specific Sparkplug B EoN Node Metric values.

Note: If the Driver Interface property Add Client Tags Automatically was enabled tags will be created for you, you can skip this step to add tags manually.

Select Configure-Tags.

Menu Configure Tags

Note: You can add organizational Groups as many levels deep as you prefer and add tags to groups.  To do this first add a Group to Tags Group at the root level, then right click on the Group in the right window to add additional Groups or Tags.

Select Add Tag.

Add Tag

Change the Data Source Tag property to Sparkplug B.

Select the correct Driver Interface from the Driver Interface pull down list.

Specify the Client Group IDClient Edge Node IDClient Device ID, and Client Metric Name for the Edge of Node Metric value to read and write.

Select the Data Type of the Tag to match the data type of the Metric.

Select Apply Changes and the current value for the Metric should appear with Good Quality.

Select the Save button from the toolbar to save your configuration.

Save Button

You can view the Getting Started with Sparkplug B Video to familiarize yourself with the above steps to setup OAS as a Sparkplug B Edge of Network Node and a Host Application

  • 00:00 – Introduction
  • 01:10 – Download OAS
  • 01:46 – Quick Start
  • 02:08 – Edge of Network Node
  • 05:52 – EoN Tags
  • 07:04 – Host Application
  • 09:20 – SpB Client Tags
  • 10:22 – Programatic Interface
  • 10:59 – CSV Export / Import
  • 12:27 – Multiple Metric Tags
  • 13:46 – Modbus
  • 16:10 – DCMD Metric Write
  • 17:00 – Data Route
  • 17:58 – Networking
  • 18:17 – Save Configuration
  • 18:56 – OAS Platform

Step 3. Configure Alarm Limits

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.


  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.


  3. Select the tag you wish to set alarm limits for from the tag browser on the left.

  4. Use the tabs at the top of the tag properties window to configure alarm limits for your tag based on type: High High, High, Low, Low Low, Digital and Rate of Change.


  5. Check the Enable Alarm checkbox to enabling your alarm limit; alternately, you can use he Enable with Tag…checkbox.


  6. Set your Alarm Limit Source with the dropdown box. If you choose Value, enter the value in the provided text field.

  7. When you have finished configuring your alarm limits, click Apply Changes in the bottom right of the properties window.

For More detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Limits, visit our Alarm Limits tutorial or watch the video below:


Step 4. Configure Alarm Logging

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Alarm Logging from the top menu.


  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to log alarms from with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.


  3. A Logging Group screen will appear.


  4. In the Common tab, check the Logging Active checkbox to enable your group. Alternately, you can activate logging with a tag by checking that box.

  5. Use the Filters tab to select which alarms you wish to log with your group. Filtering can be done by alarm state, alarm limit, priority, groups and alarm type.

  6. In the Database tab, you will select what type of database you will be logging to and enter the connection parameters. OAS can log to SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, and MySQL.

  7. If you wish to log to CSV, you would configure that in the CVS Logging tab.

  8. When you have finished configuring your logging group, click Add Group in the left panel to add your new group to the service.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Logging, visit our Getting Started – Alarm Logging tutorial or watch the video below:


Troubleshooting – Alarm Logging

MS Access Error microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 provider is not registered
MS Access Class not Registered System Error

For Office 2010, the following update will correct this issue.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=39664

For Office 365 (please note, by default Office365 installs the 32-bit version regardless of your system), use:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54920

Security Login Error occurs with Open or Create routines.
View the Database Security Login topic on how to setup security logins and access writes to create, open, and read and write to the database.
The database engine language is different than the Regional Language settings of the Data Logging and / Alarm Logging Service. Data Logging updates, Alarm Logging updates, trend history, and / alarm history is not working due to invalid date format.
Go to Configure-Options-History and Enable History Date Format. Examples: yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm:ss

How To Configure Alarm Logging

With the OAS Alarm Logging product you log alarms to SQL Server, Oracle, MS Access, MySQL, Azure SQL, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, Amazon Redshift, Google Firebase, and CSV files based on event.  Below you will find articles describing how to use certain features of the product.

How to Log MTConnect Alarms to a Database

How to Log MTConnect Alarms to a Database

Open Automation Software Tags can be defined to connect to MTConnect Servers with the built in MTConnect Driver Interface. This tutorial walks you though downloading and installing OAS, configuring an MTConnect driver, configuring tags, configuring alarm limits and logging alarms to a database. Supported databases include SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, MySQL, SQL Azure, Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and CSV files.

Step 1. Download and Install the Open Automation Software and Start the OAS Service

If you have not already done so, you will need to download and install the OAS platform.  Fully functional trial versions of the software are available for Windows, Windows IoT Core, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Docker on our downloads page.

On Windows run the downloaded Setup.exe file to install one or more of the Open Automation Software features. Select the default Typical installation if you are not sure what features to use or the Custom installation if you want to save disk space on the target system.  When prompted agree to the End User License Agreement to continue the installation.

For more detailed instructions and video tutorials, visit the installation guide for your system:
Windows Installation | Linux Installation | Raspberry Pi Installation | Dockers Installation

When the installation is finished the OAS Service Control application will appear.  Use this application to start the 4 Services. If this is the first time installing the software it will automatically enter Runtime with an example Tag Configuration.


Step 2. Configure Your MTConnect Data Source

  1. First, you will need to open the Configure OAS application from the program group Open Automation Software.
  2. Select Configure >> License from the top menu and verify that MTConnect is one of the available Drivers in the lower left of the form. The demo license will have this by default. If you do not see MTConnect available, contact support@openautomationsoftware.com to update your license.
  3. Select Configure >> Drivers from the top menu.

  4. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  5. The Configure Drivers Screen will appear. Select MTConnect from the Driver dropdown box.

  6. Enter a meaningful Driver Interface Name that you will refer to this physical connection when defining Tags with a MTConnect Data Source.
  7. Leave Enable and Add Tags Automatically enabled.
  8. Specify the Live Data Url for the MTConnect stream.
  9. Click the Add Driver button above the Driver list in the left pane to add the Driver Interface as an available selection when defining Tags in the next step.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your MTConnect data source, click here to see our Getting Started MTConnect tutorial or watch the video tutorial below:


Step 3. Configure Your Tags

OAS provides multiple ways to add and define tags:

To add a Tag manually:

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Click on the Add Tag button located at the top of the Tag browser on the left portion of the screen.

  4. A dialog box will appear. Enter a name for your new tag and click ok.
  5. A configuration screen will appear for your new tag. Select your data source type in in the Data Source dropdown box.

  6. Specify the correct data type in the Data Type dropdown box.
  7. Click Apply Changes at the bottom right of the window.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your tags, click here to see our Getting Started Tags tutorial.


Step 4. Configure Alarm Limits

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Select the tag you wish to set alarm limits for from the tag browser on the left.
  4. Use the tabs at the top of the tag properties window to configure alarm limits for your tag based on type: High High, High, Low, Low Low, Digital and Rate of Change.

  5. Check the Enable Alarm checkbox to enabling your alarm limit; alternately, you can use he Enable with Tag…checkbox.

  6. Set your Alarm Limit Source with the dropdown box. If you choose Value, enter the value in the provided text field.
  7. When you have finished configuring your alarm limits, click Apply Changes in the bottom right of the properties window.

For More detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Limits, visit our Alarm Limits tutorial or watch the video below:


Step 5. Configure Alarm Logging

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Alarm Logging from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to log alarms from with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. A Logging Group screen will appear.

  4. In the Common tab, check the Logging Active checkbox to enable your group. Alternately, you can activate logging with a tag by checking that box.
  5. Use the Filters tab to select which alarms you wish to log with your group. Filtering can be done by alarm state, alarm limit, priority, groups and alarm type.
  6. In the Database tab, you will select what type of database you will be logging to and enter the connection parameters. OAS can log to SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, and MySQL.
  7. If you wish to log to CSV, you would configure that in the CVS Logging tab.
  8. When you have finished configuring your logging group, click Add Group in the left panel to add your new group to the service.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Logging, visit our Getting Started – Alarm Logging tutorial or watch the video below:


How to Log MQTT Alarms to a Database

How to Log MQTT Alarms to a Database

Open Automation Software Tags can be defined to connect to MQTT devices and software brokers with the built in MQTT Driver Interface. This tutorial walks you though downloading and installing OAS, configuring an MQTT driver, configuring tags, configuring alarm limits and logging alarms to a database. Supported databases include SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, MySQL, SQL Azure, Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and CSV files.

Step 1. Download and Install the Open Automation Software and Start the OAS Service

If you have not already done so, you will need to download and install the OAS platform.  Fully functional trial versions of the software are available for Windows, Windows IoT Core, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Docker on our downloads page.

On Windows run the downloaded Setup.exe file to install one or more of the Open Automation Software features. Select the default Typical installation if you are not sure what features to use or the Custom installation if you want to save disk space on the target system.  When prompted agree to the End User License Agreement to continue the installation.

For more detailed instructions and video tutorials, visit the installation guide for your system:
Windows Installation | Linux Installation | Raspberry Pi Installation | Dockers Installation

When the installation is finished the OAS Service Control application will appear.  Use this application to start the 4 Services. If this is the first time installing the software it will automatically enter Runtime with an example Tag Configuration.


Step 2. Configure Your MQTT Data Source

  1. First, you will need to open the Configure OAS application from the program group Open Automation Software.
  2. Select Configure >> License from the top menu and verify that MQTT is one of the available Drivers in the lower left of the form. The demo license will have this by default. If you do not see MQTT available, contact support@openautomationsoftware.com to update your license.
  3. Select Configure >> Drivers from the top menu.

  4. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  5. The Configure Drivers Screen will appear. Select MQTT from the Driver dropdown box.

  6. Enter a meaningful Driver Interface Name that you will refer to this physical connection when defining Tags with a MQTT Data Source.
  7. Enter the IP Address of the broker. The default port is 1883.
  8. Enter the User Name and Password if required.
  9. Set the Keep Alive Time. The default is 60 Seconds.
  10. Set the Reconnect Time. The default 10 Seconds. If the connection to the broker is lost the Reconnect Time determines how long to wait before attempting to reconnect.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your MQTT data source, click here to see our Getting Started MQTT tutorial or watch the video tutorial below:


Step 3. Configure Your Tags

OAS provides multiple ways to add and define tags:

To add a Tag manually:

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Click on the Add Tag button located at the top of the Tag browser on the left portion of the screen.

  4. A dialog box will appear. Enter a name for your new tag and click ok.
  5. A configuration screen will appear for your new tag. Select your data source type in in the Data Source dropdown box.

  6. Specify the correct data type in the Data Type dropdown box.
  7. Click Apply Changes at the bottom right of the window.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your tags, click here to see our Getting Started Tags tutorial.


Step 4. Configure Alarm Limits

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Select the tag you wish to set alarm limits for from the tag browser on the left.
  4. Use the tabs at the top of the tag properties window to configure alarm limits for your tag based on type: High High, High, Low, Low Low, Digital and Rate of Change.

  5. Check the Enable Alarm checkbox to enabling your alarm limit; alternately, you can use he Enable with Tag…checkbox.

  6. Set your Alarm Limit Source with the dropdown box. If you choose Value, enter the value in the provided text field.
  7. When you have finished configuring your alarm limits, click Apply Changes in the bottom right of the properties window.

For More detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Limits, visit our Alarm Limits tutorial or watch the video below:


Step 5. Configure Alarm Logging

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Alarm Logging from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to log alarms from with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. A Logging Group screen will appear.

  4. In the Common tab, check the Logging Active checkbox to enable your group. Alternately, you can activate logging with a tag by checking that box.
  5. Use the Filters tab to select which alarms you wish to log with your group. Filtering can be done by alarm state, alarm limit, priority, groups and alarm type.
  6. In the Database tab, you will select what type of database you will be logging to and enter the connection parameters. OAS can log to SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, and MySQL.
  7. If you wish to log to CSV, you would configure that in the CVS Logging tab.
  8. When you have finished configuring your logging group, click Add Group in the left panel to add your new group to the service.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Logging, visit our Getting Started – Alarm Logging tutorial or watch the video below:


How to Log Allen Bradley Alarms to a Database

How to Log Allen Bradley Alarms to a Database

Open Automation Software Tags can be defined to connect directly to Allen Bradley controllers with the built in ABLogix and ABClassic Driver Interfaces which support communications over Ethernet to ControlLogix, CompactLogix, GuardLogix, and Micro800 with the ABLogix driver, and MicroLogix, SLC 500, and PLC-5 with the ABClassic driver. This tutorial walks you though downloading and installing OAS, configuring an Allen Bradley driver, configuring tags, configuring alarm limits and logging alarms to a database. Supported databases include SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, MySQL, SQL Azure, Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and CSV files.

Step 1. Download and Install the Open Automation Software and Start the OAS Service

If you have not already done so, you will need to download and install the OAS platform.  Fully functional trial versions of the software are available for Windows, Windows IoT Core, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Docker on our downloads page.

On Windows run the downloaded Setup.exe file to install one or more of the Open Automation Software features. Select the default Typical installation if you are not sure what features to use or the Custom installation if you want to save disk space on the target system.  When prompted agree to the End User License Agreement to continue the installation.

For more detailed instructions and video tutorials, visit the installation guide for your system:
Windows Installation | Linux Installation | Raspberry Pi Installation | Dockers Installation

When the installation is finished the OAS Service Control application will appear.  Use this application to start the 4 Services. If this is the first time installing the software it will automatically enter Runtime with an example Tag Configuration.


Step 2. Configure Your Allen Bradley Data Source

  1. First, you will need to open the Configure OAS application from the program group Open Automation Software.
  2. Select Configure >> License from the top menu and verify that Allen Bradley is one of the available Drivers in the lower left of the form. The demo license will have this by default. If you do not see Allen Bradley available, contact support@openautomationsoftware.com to update your license.
  3. Select Configure >> Drivers from the top menu.

  4. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  5. The Configure Drivers Screen will appear. Select either AB Classic for MicroLogix, SLC 500, and PLC-5 or AB Logic for ControlLogix, CompactLogix, GuardLogix, and Micro800 from the Driver dropdown box.

  6. Enter a meaningful Driver Interface Name that you will refer to this physical connection when defining Tags with an Allen Bradley Data Source.
  7. Define the properties for the desired physical connection.
  8. Click the Add Driver button above the Driver list in the left pane to add the Driver Interface as an available selection when defining Tags in the next step.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your Allen Bradley data source, click here to see our Getting Started Allen Bradley tutorial.


Step 3. Configure Your Tags

OAS provides multiple ways to add and define tags:

To add a Tag manually:

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Click on the Add Tag button located at the top of the Tag browser on the left portion of the screen.

  4. A dialog box will appear. Enter a name for your new tag and click ok.
  5. A configuration screen will appear for your new tag. Select your data source type in in the Data Source dropdown box.

  6. Specify the correct data type in the Data Type dropdown box.
  7. Click Apply Changes at the bottom right of the window.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your tags, click here to see our Getting Started Tags tutorial.


Step 4. Configure Alarm Limits

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Select the tag you wish to set alarm limits for from the tag browser on the left.
  4. Use the tabs at the top of the tag properties window to configure alarm limits for your tag based on type: High High, High, Low, Low Low, Digital and Rate of Change.

  5. Check the Enable Alarm checkbox to enabling your alarm limit; alternately, you can use he Enable with Tag…checkbox.

  6. Set your Alarm Limit Source with the dropdown box. If you choose Value, enter the value in the provided text field.
  7. When you have finished configuring your alarm limits, click Apply Changes in the bottom right of the properties window.

For More detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Limits, visit our Alarm Limits tutorial or watch the video below:


Step 5. Configure Alarm Logging

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Alarm Logging from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to log alarms from with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. A Logging Group screen will appear.

  4. In the Common tab, check the Logging Active checkbox to enable your group. Alternately, you can activate logging with a tag by checking that box.
  5. Use the Filters tab to select which alarms you wish to log with your group. Filtering can be done by alarm state, alarm limit, priority, groups and alarm type.
  6. In the Database tab, you will select what type of database you will be logging to and enter the connection parameters. OAS can log to SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, and MySQL.
  7. If you wish to log to CSV, you would configure that in the CVS Logging tab.
  8. When you have finished configuring your logging group, click Add Group in the left panel to add your new group to the service.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Logging, visit our Getting Started – Alarm Logging tutorial or watch the video below:


How to Log OPC UA Alarms to a Database

How to Log OPC UA Alarms to a Database

Open Automation Software Tags can be defined to connect to OPC UA Servers with the built in OPC UA Driver Interface. This tutorial walks you though downloading and installing OAS, configuring an OPC UA driver, configuring tags, configuring alarm limits and logging alarms to a database. Supported databases include SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, MySQL, SQL Azure, Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and CSV files.

Step 1. Download and Install the Open Automation Software and Start the OAS Service

If you have not already done so, you will need to download and install the OAS platform.  Fully functional trial versions of the software are available for Windows, Windows IoT Core, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Docker on our downloads page.

On Windows run the downloaded Setup.exe file to install one or more of the Open Automation Software features. Select the default Typical installation if you are not sure what features to use or the Custom installation if you want to save disk space on the target system.  When prompted agree to the End User License Agreement to continue the installation.

For more detailed instructions and video tutorials, visit the installation guide for your system:
Windows Installation | Linux Installation | Raspberry Pi Installation | Dockers Installation

When the installation is finished the OAS Service Control application will appear.  Use this application to start the 4 Services. If this is the first time installing the software it will automatically enter Runtime with an example Tag Configuration.


Step 2. Configure Your OPC UA Data Source

  1. First, you will need to open the Configure OAS application from the program group Open Automation Software.
  2. Select Configure >> License from the top menu and verify that OPC UA is one of the available Drivers in the lower left of the form. The demo license will have this by default. If you do not see OPC UA available, contact support@openautomationsoftware.com to update your license.
  3. Select Configure >> Drivers from the top menu.

  4. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  5. The Configure Drivers Screen will appear. Select Siemens from the Driver dropdown box.

  6. Enter a meaningful Driver Interface Name that you will refer to this physical connection when defining Tags with a OPC UA Data Source.
  7. Define the properties for the desired physical connection.
  8. Click the Add Driver button above the Driver list in the left pane to add the Driver Interface as an available selection when defining Tags in the next step.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your OPC DA data source, click here to see our Getting Started OPC UA tutorial.


Step 3. Configure Your Tags

OAS provides multiple ways to add and define tags:

To add a Tag manually:

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Click on the Add Tag button located at the top of the Tag browser on the left portion of the screen.

  4. A dialog box will appear. Enter a name for your new tag and click ok.
  5. A configuration screen will appear for your new tag. Select your data source type in in the Data Source dropdown box.

  6. Specify the correct data type in the Data Type dropdown box.
  7. Click Apply Changes at the bottom right of the window.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your tags, click here to see our Getting Started Tags tutorial.


Step 4. Configure Alarm Limits

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Select the tag you wish to set alarm limits for from the tag browser on the left.
  4. Use the tabs at the top of the tag properties window to configure alarm limits for your tag based on type: High High, High, Low, Low Low, Digital and Rate of Change.

  5. Check the Enable Alarm checkbox to enabling your alarm limit; alternately, you can use he Enable with Tag…checkbox.

  6. Set your Alarm Limit Source with the dropdown box. If you choose Value, enter the value in the provided text field.
  7. When you have finished configuring your alarm limits, click Apply Changes in the bottom right of the properties window.

For More detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Limits, visit our Alarm Limits tutorial or watch the video below:


Step 5. Configure Alarm Logging

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Alarm Logging from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to log alarms from with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. A Logging Group screen will appear.

  4. In the Common tab, check the Logging Active checkbox to enable your group. Alternately, you can activate logging with a tag by checking that box.
  5. Use the Filters tab to select which alarms you wish to log with your group. Filtering can be done by alarm state, alarm limit, priority, groups and alarm type.
  6. In the Database tab, you will select what type of database you will be logging to and enter the connection parameters. OAS can log to SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, and MySQL.
  7. If you wish to log to CSV, you would configure that in the CVS Logging tab.
  8. When you have finished configuring your logging group, click Add Group in the left panel to add your new group to the service.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Logging, visit our Getting Started – Alarm Logging tutorial or watch the video below:


How to Log OPC Server Alarms to a Database

How to Log OPC Server Alarms to a Database

Open Automation Software Tags can be defined to connect to Classic OPC Data Access 2.xx and 3.0 Servers with the built in OPC Interface. This tutorial walks you though downloading and installing OAS, configuring tags from your OPC Server, configuring alarm limits and logging alarms to a database. Supported databases include SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, MySQL, SQL Azure, Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and CSV files.

Step 1. Download and Install the Open Automation Software and Start the OAS Service

If you have not already done so, you will need to download and install the OAS platform.  Fully functional trial versions of the software are available for Windows, Windows IoT Core, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Docker on our downloads page.

On Windows run the downloaded Setup.exe file to install one or more of the Open Automation Software features. Select the default Typical installation if you are not sure what features to use or the Custom installation if you want to save disk space on the target system.  When prompted agree to the End User License Agreement to continue the installation.

For more detailed instructions and video tutorials, visit the installation guide for your system:
Windows Installation | Linux Installation | Raspberry Pi Installation | Dockers Installation

When the installation is finished the OAS Service Control application will appear.  Use this application to start the 4 Services. If this is the first time installing the software it will automatically enter Runtime with an example Tag Configuration.


Step 2. Configure OPC Server Tags

OAS provides multiple ways to add and define tags:

To add a Tag manually:

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Click on the Add Tag button located at the top of the Tag browser on the left portion of the screen.

  4. A dialog box will appear. Enter a name for your new tag and click ok.
  5. A configuration screen will appear for your new tag. Select OPC in the Data Source dropdown box.

  6. Use the Browse button to the right of the OPC Item to browse OPC Servers for the desired OPC Item.

  7. Select Local, the desired OPC Server, branch within the OPC Server, and OPC Item and click OK.

  8. Specify the desired OPC Update Rate for the Tag.
  9. Click Apply Changes at the bottom right of the window.

To add Tags with One Click OPC:

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. To begin the One Click OPC process select the Group you would like to import to in the Tag configuration. If you want to import to the Root Level, select the Tags Group at the top of the tree.
    Then select the One Click Import button on the top menu bar.

  4. Click on the Import OPC DA 2.XX or 3.0 Items Button in the pop up window.

  5. Use the One Click OPC Wizard to browse for a branch as a starting position within an OPC Server or just select the OPC Server name itself to add all items from the selected OPC Server. For the best networking design select OPC Servers from Local even if you are configuring a remote OAS Service.

  6. Select to enable the options to Get Data Type from OPC Server and optionally the Descriptions.
    Additionally if you want to specify to Trend all of the points select Trend Points.
  7. Click Add Tags and it will automatically add all of the OPC Items from the OPC Server Branch you have selected and all of the sub Branches beneath it.
  8. Select the Save button on the toolbar at the top.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring OPC Server Tags, visit our Getting Started OPC tutorial or the One Click OPC tutorial or watch the video tutorial below:


Step 3. Configure Alarm Limits

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Select the tag you wish to set alarm limits for from the tag browser on the left.
  4. Use the tabs at the top of the tag properties window to configure alarm limits for your tag based on type: High High, High, Low, Low Low, Digital and Rate of Change.

  5. Check the Enable Alarm checkbox to enabling your alarm limit; alternately, you can use he Enable with Tag…checkbox.

  6. Set your Alarm Limit Source with the dropdown box. If you choose Value, enter the value in the provided text field.
  7. When you have finished configuring your alarm limits, click Apply Changes in the bottom right of the properties window.

For More detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Limits, visit our Alarm Limits tutorial or watch the video below:


Step 4. Configure Alarm Logging

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Alarm Logging from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to log alarms from with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. A Logging Group screen will appear.

  4. In the Common tab, check the Logging Active checkbox to enable your group. Alternately, you can activate logging with a tag by checking that box.
  5. Use the Filters tab to select which alarms you wish to log with your group. Filtering can be done by alarm state, alarm limit, priority, groups and alarm type.
  6. In the Database tab, you will select what type of database you will be logging to and enter the connection parameters. OAS can log to SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, and MySQL.
  7. If you wish to log to CSV, you would configure that in the CVS Logging tab.
  8. When you have finished configuring your logging group, click Add Group in the left panel to add your new group to the service.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Logging, visit our Getting Started – Alarm Logging tutorial or watch the video below:


How to Log OPTO Alarms to a Database

How to Log OPTO Alarms to a Database

Open Automation Software Tags can be defined to connect directly to OPTO controllers with the built in OPTO Driver Interface which supports communications over Ethernet. This tutorial walks you though downloading and installing OAS, configuring an OPTO driver, configuring tags, configuring alarm limits and logging alarms to a database. Supported databases include SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, MySQL and CSV files.

Step 1. Download and Install the Open Automation Software and Start the OAS Service

If you have not already done so, you will need to download and install the OAS platform.  Fully functional trial versions of the software are available for Windows, Windows IoT Core, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Docker on our downloads page.

On Windows run the downloaded Setup.exe file to install one or more of the Open Automation Software features. Select the default Typical installation if you are not sure what features to use or the Custom installation if you want to save disk space on the target system.  When prompted agree to the End User License Agreement to continue the installation.

For more detailed instructions and video tutorials, visit the installation guide for your system:
Windows Installation | Linux Installation | Raspberry Pi Installation | Dockers Installation

When the installation is finished the OAS Service Control application will appear.  Use this application to start the 4 Services. If this is the first time installing the software it will automatically enter Runtime with an example Tag Configuration.


Step 2. Configure Your OPTO Data Source

  1. First, you will need to open the Configure OAS application from the program group Open Automation Software.
  2. Select Configure >> License from the top menu and verify that OPTO is one of the available Drivers in the lower left of the form. The demo license will have this by default. If you do not see OPTO available, contact support@openautomationsoftware.com to update your license.
  3. Select Configure >> Drivers from the top menu.

  4. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  5. The Configure Drivers Screen will appear. Select OPTO from the Driver dropdown box.

  6. Enter a meaningful Driver Interface Name that you will refer to this physical connection when defining Tags with a OPTO Data Source.
  7. Define the properties for the desired physical connection.
  8. Click Add Driver at the the top of the left portion of the window.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your OPTO data source, click here to see our Getting Started OPTO tutorial.


Step 3. Configure Your Tags

OAS provides multiple ways to add and define tags:

To add a Tag manually:

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Click on the Add Tag button located at the top of the Tag browser on the left portion of the screen.

  4. A dialog box will appear. Enter a name for your new tag and click ok.
  5. A configuration screen will appear for your new tag. Select your data source type in in the Data Source dropdown box.

  6. Specify the correct data type in the Data Type dropdown box.
  7. Click Apply Changes at the bottom right of the window.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your tags, click here to see our Getting Started Tags tutorial.


Step 4. Configure Alarm Limits

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Select the tag you wish to set alarm limits for from the tag browser on the left.
  4. Use the tabs at the top of the tag properties window to configure alarm limits for your tag based on type: High High, High, Low, Low Low, Digital and Rate of Change.

  5. Check the Enable Alarm checkbox to enabling your alarm limit; alternately, you can use he Enable with Tag…checkbox.

  6. Set your Alarm Limit Source with the dropdown box. If you choose Value, enter the value in the provided text field.
  7. When you have finished configuring your alarm limits, click Apply Changes in the bottom right of the properties window.

For More detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Limits, visit our Alarm Limits tutorial or watch the video below:


Step 5. Configure Alarm Logging

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Alarm Logging from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to log alarms from with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. A Logging Group screen will appear.

  4. In the Common tab, check the Logging Active checkbox to enable your group. Alternately, you can activate logging with a tag by checking that box.
  5. Use the Filters tab to select which alarms you wish to log with your group. Filtering can be done by alarm state, alarm limit, priority, groups and alarm type.
  6. In the Database tab, you will select what type of database you will be logging to and enter the connection parameters. OAS can log to SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, and MySQL.
  7. If you wish to log to CSV, you would configure that in the CVS Logging tab.
  8. When you have finished configuring your logging group, click Add Group in the left panel to add your new group to the service.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Logging, visit our Getting Started – Alarm Logging tutorial or watch the video below:


How to Log Siemens Alarms to a Database

How to Log Siemens Alarms to a Database

Open Automation Software Tags can be defined to connect directly to Siemens controllers with the built in Siemens Driver Interfaces which support communications over Ethernet to S7-200, S7-300, S7-400, S7-1200, and S7-1500. This tutorial walks you though downloading and installing OAS, configuring a Siemens driver, configuring tags, configuring alarm limits and logging alarms to a database. Supported databases include SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, MySQL, SQL Azure, Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and CSV files.

Step 1. Download and Install the Open Automation Software and Start the OAS Service

If you have not already done so, you will need to download and install the OAS platform.  Fully functional trial versions of the software are available for Windows, Windows IoT Core, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Docker on our downloads page.

On Windows run the downloaded Setup.exe file to install one or more of the Open Automation Software features. Select the default Typical installation if you are not sure what features to use or the Custom installation if you want to save disk space on the target system.  When prompted agree to the End User License Agreement to continue the installation.

For more detailed instructions and video tutorials, visit the installation guide for your system:
Windows Installation | Linux Installation | Raspberry Pi Installation | Dockers Installation

When the installation is finished the OAS Service Control application will appear.  Use this application to start the 4 Services. If this is the first time installing the software it will automatically enter Runtime with an example Tag Configuration.


Step 2. Configure Your Siemens Data Source

  1. First, you will need to open the Configure OAS application from the program group Open Automation Software.
  2. Select Configure >> License from the top menu and verify that Siemens is one of the available Drivers in the lower left of the form. The demo license will have this by default. If you do not see Siemens available, contact support@openautomationsoftware.com to update your license.
  3. Select Configure >> Drivers from the top menu.

  4. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  5. The Configure Drivers Screen will appear. Select Siemens from the Driver dropdown box.

  6. Enter a meaningful Driver Interface Name that you will refer to this physical connection when defining Tags with a Siemens Data Source.
  7. Define the properties for the desired physical connection.
  8. Click the Add Driver button above the Driver list in the left pane to add the Driver Interface as an available selection when defining Tags in the next step.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your Siemens data source, click here to see our Getting Started Siemens tutorial.


Step 3. Configure Your Tags

OAS provides multiple ways to add and define tags:

To add a Tag manually:

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Click on the Add Tag button located at the top of the Tag browser on the left portion of the screen.

  4. A dialog box will appear. Enter a name for your new tag and click ok.
  5. A configuration screen will appear for your new tag. Select your data source type in in the Data Source dropdown box.

  6. Specify the correct data type in the Data Type dropdown box.
  7. Click Apply Changes at the bottom right of the window.

For more detailed instructions on configuring your tags, click here to see our Getting Started Tags tutorial.


Step 4. Configure Alarm Limits

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Tags from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to modify with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. Select the tag you wish to set alarm limits for from the tag browser on the left.
  4. Use the tabs at the top of the tag properties window to configure alarm limits for your tag based on type: High High, High, Low, Low Low, Digital and Rate of Change.

  5. Check the Enable Alarm checkbox to enabling your alarm limit; alternately, you can use he Enable with Tag…checkbox.

  6. Set your Alarm Limit Source with the dropdown box. If you choose Value, enter the value in the provided text field.
  7. When you have finished configuring your alarm limits, click Apply Changes in the bottom right of the properties window.

For More detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Limits, visit our Alarm Limits tutorial or watch the video below:


Step 5. Configure Alarm Logging

  1. In the OAS Configure Application, select Configure >> Alarm Logging from the top menu.

  2. Select localhost or the remote service you wish to log alarms from with the Select button to the right of the Network Node list.

  3. A Logging Group screen will appear.

  4. In the Common tab, check the Logging Active checkbox to enable your group. Alternately, you can activate logging with a tag by checking that box.
  5. Use the Filters tab to select which alarms you wish to log with your group. Filtering can be done by alarm state, alarm limit, priority, groups and alarm type.
  6. In the Database tab, you will select what type of database you will be logging to and enter the connection parameters. OAS can log to SQL Server, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQLite, InfluxDB, and MySQL.
  7. If you wish to log to CSV, you would configure that in the CVS Logging tab.
  8. When you have finished configuring your logging group, click Add Group in the left panel to add your new group to the service.

For more detailed instructions on Configuring Alarm Logging, visit our Getting Started – Alarm Logging tutorial or watch the video below: