Microsoft Basics - Siemens SIMATIC PCS 7 Function Manual

Basics

2.2 Microsoft basics

Layout
The OpenPCS 7 station can be operated in various configurations:
● OpenPCS 7 station without OS client, based on a SIMATIC PCS 7 Industrial Workstation
● OpenPCS 7 station on an OS client.
● OpenPCS 7 station on a central archive server (CAS)
● OpenPCS 7 station on an OS single station.
● OpenPCS 7 station on the OS server.
2.2 Microsoft basics
Microsoft basics
The basis of OPC is provided by several Microsoft technologies. These technologies are
explained in the following section.
OPC
OPC stands for "OLE for Process Control".
OPC is a standardized, vendor-independent software interface that allows data to be
exchanged between hardware and software. One system can provide another system with
process data via OPC .
OLE
OLE means "Object Linking and Embedding", the technology for embedding objects in
documents.
COM
COM means "Component Object Model" and is necessary for the use of OPC.
COM is a central component of Windows operating systems and controls the interaction
between multiple software components. By using COM , the OPCserver effectively becomes
part of the Windows operating system and is therefore not dependent on file names, storage
locations and versions.
COM defines a standard that allows objects to be defined as self-contained units in Windows
and to access these units beyond the limits of a process.
10
in the client version. This is the recommended preferred configuration.
Note
The hardware and software requirements of the PC station on which OpenPCS 7 is to be
installed must be met.
Function Manual, 05/2012, A5E02780178-02
OpenPCS 7