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Configuring Device Nodes

To create a new node, follow these steps:

1. Access Devices → Nodes.
2. Click the plus icon to add a new node.
3. Select a channel to associate the node, and fill in its name and description.
4. Click Ok.

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After completing the above steps, the Node is created. 

You can configure and existing node by double-clicking the property you want to edit on the corresponding row.

DeviceNode Table Columns

The following table describes each available property you can configure when editing a Node:

Configuration Workflow

The typical configuration workflow for the Device Module has the following sequence:

Device Module Configuration Workflow

Action

Where 

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Create Channels

Devices → Channels

Identify the required field devices and protocols the project requires, create channels accordingly.

Create Nodes

Devices → Nodes

Identify the Network addresses and relevant information to all stations and devices that need connectivity. Learn more at Devices Nodes.

Map Tags to Point addresses

Devices → Points

Optionally, you can Copy Tags from Excel/CSV from Excel or execute Import Wizards. Learn more at Device Points.

Create or Customize AccessTypes

Devices → AccessTypes

Optionally, you can optimize the communication, grouping Points with similar requirements to the same AccessType. Learn more at AccessType.

Creating Nodes

Nodes are the devices or PLCs on the network with which you communicate and this is where you must enter the settings for each one that will be connected to your project.
You can also import settings from an OPC server or from another data source.

To configure nodes:

• Go to Devices → Nodes.

• Enter or select information, as needed.

• To add or remove a column (visualization only), right-click the column heading area and select or deselect columns.

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Importing Nodes from PLC Addresses

Additionally, you can simplify the creation of communication Nodes with various methods for automatic data configuration import.

→ Read more about Importing PLC Addresses

Importing PLC Addresses

When creating the communication nodes and point addresses, there is no need to retype those addresses if they are already defined in some other data source. Currently, Tatsoft supports the following methods to automatically import remote data configuration:

• You can copy and paste the contents of a table from Excel. The tables can have different columns or order, as long you include the TITLE of the column in the copy and paste operations. The system will put the data in the expected columns, even if the order is different in the source and target tables.

• You can import the data from CSV files.

• For Rockwell ControlLogix devices, you can import from L5k definition files.

• You can use various Import Wizards from many data sources

• For OSIsoft® PI database, there is a FactoryStudio version to share definitions.

• A programming API is available that can populate the tables from code, even from runtime execution when it is necessary.

If your PLC or Field Device has an open database of file with the available addresses, and you would like to have a tied integration with that configuration and addresses, contact us, as we have programming interfaces to allow that just like we did with the OPC datasources.

For more information, visit Import Tag Wizards.

Importing from an OPC Server

Importing data from an OPC server allows for efficient and streamlined integration with industrial automation systems. By creating an OPC communication node and selecting the "Import" option, FactoryStudio automatically creates tags and communication points based on the information available from the OPC server. This functionality simplifies the configuration and maintenance of the project, optimizing the data integration process. To learn more about importing data from an OPC server, please visit Import Tag Wizards - OPC Server.

Tutorial - Importing from an OPCXmIDA

The Importing from OPCXmIDA tutorial guides you through the process of configuring a Kepware server and a client, establishing an efficient OPC connection between the two systems. By following the steps outlined in the tutorial, you can create and configure devices, tags, and OPCxmIDA communication nodes in both Kepware and our software. Additionally, the tutorial covers how to change the visibility property of the tags to ensure proper communication between the OPC server and client. For detailed, step-by-step information on importing from OPCXmIDA, please visit Tutorial - Importing from an OPCXmIDA

Importing from Excel

The import and export of tags and PLC addresses is streamlined due to its integration with Excel, as the software extensively utilizes tables in various features. By creating a table in Excel with the required columns, such as TagName, Type, and Address, you can copy and paste the data directly into platform. The software ensures the accurate assignment of data to the corresponding columns, even if the column order is different. After the first import, the system stores your settings, making it easy to synchronize previously imported addresses and new addresses. For more detailed information on the import and export process of tags, visit Import Tag Wizards -Importing from Excel.

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