MOXA has developed the Suite software pack for Modbus device integration into SCADA and other systems via the OPC UA standard.
The MX-AOPC UA Suite (MOXA Active OPC UA Suite) includes 3 programs:
- Server – for receiving data from Modbus devices
- Viewer – for tag and server status viewing (Viewer is integrated into Server)
- Logger – for maintaining data change log, as well as integration with databases and cloud solutions
Logger and Server can be installed on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012 R2.
In modern production facilities, data from I/O modules and controllers is used not only for OT process control, but also for other IT systems, such as: data analysis, predictive maintenance, and machine learning. For data exchange between these systems, the OPC UA standard is used, which allows to simplify the exchange process and secure it.
Scheme of interaction of MX-AOPC UA with various systems:
MX-AOPC UA Server
MX-AOPC UA Server allows to poll 2 types of devices:
- MOXA I/O modules
- Any other Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP devices
The following MOXA devices are supported:
MX-AOPC UA Server polls regular Modbus devices periodically, but MOXA modules have Active Tag function, which allows them not to wait for a polling command, but send a message about a channel status change to the server immediately. This means that with the Active Tag feature, time-sensitive applications will be able to receive change notifications faster than traditional periodic device polling allows.
MX-AOPC UA Server can be connected to any SCADA and ERP/MES clients using the OPC UA 1.02 standard, or OPC DA 1.0a, 2.0, 2.05a, 3.0.
MX-AOPC UA Logger
Logger software receives real-time data from the MX-AOPC UA Server and stores a change log. In the event of a disconnection with the Server, the Logger will recover the missing data from SD card of the end devices (for example, ioLogik 2500).
Logger can send data to Microsoft Azure Cloud and Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft Office 2003 Access or Excel databases via ODBC.
Data protection
The OPC UA standard provides data protection through encryption with the Basic128Rsa15 key and validation with the X509 certificate.
Logger and Server software license
For permanent use of Logger and Server software, you will need to register on the MOXA website. For details on registration, refer to the MX-AOPC UA Server user manual.
Server license
| License | Number of Modbus devices | Work period | Registration on Moxa site needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial | 30 max | 30 days | No |
| Free | 30 max | Unlimited | Yes |
| Paid | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes |
Logger license
| License | Server connections | Data Logger | Work period | Registration on Moxa site needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trial | 1 max | 1 max | 30 days | No |
| Free | 1 max | 1 max | Unlimited | Yes |
| Paid | 2 max | 10 max | Unlimited | Yes |
