email:
call: 1-780-784-4444
You are here: Home > Training > Course Abstracts > OPC & DCOM Diagnostics - Level 1
 

OPC & DCOM Diagnostics

Level 1

Overview


Certified OPC Professional Level 1Students learn how OPC works and how to troubleshoot and repair DCOM problems. The class covers all the OPC specifications, what they offer and how OPC applications are expected to behave. Then, students learn how to troubleshoot and repair OPC communication problems. Specifically, the workshop enables students to delve into DCOM configuration and diagnostics.

Objectives


Upon completion of this course, students will:
  • Learn the various OPC specification including:
    • OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)
    • OPC Data Access (OPC DA)
    • OPC Historical Data Access (OPC HDA)
    • OPC Alarms & Events (OPC A&E)
  • Improve system reliability using standards-based technology
  • Configure and test OPC applications
  • Configure OPC/DCOM to comply with network security policies
  • Archive process data, produce trends, create reports, and conduct analysis in Microsoft Excel
  • Diagnose OPC connectivity issues
  • OPC Best Practices to avoid common pitfalls

Prerequisites


  • Microsoft Windows
  • An understanding of automation requirements
  • Note: no previous OPC experience is expected

Target Audience


The people who can benefit the most from this course have a background in:

Plant

Software

Management
Automation Information Systems CTO
Control Information Technology Operations
Engineering Integration Plant Management
Instrumentation Software Development Product Management

Learning Environment


OPCTI provides hands-on training and as such, each student receives their own dedicated computer for the duration of the course so they can complete all the exercises on their own. (Students can also bring their own laptops.) OPCTI provides all the necessary software licenses. The software used is from various vendors to expose students to various solutions and ensure a vendor-neutral message. At the end of the course, participants receive a demo copy of all the software so they can review the exercises at a later date and/or try out the software at their workplace.

Abstract


Introduction to OPC: Students learn the fundamental concepts and vision of OPC. Students compare traditional connectivity methods to OPC and discuss the strength each method offers. All the OPC specifications are briefly discussed and the class delves into OPC Data Access (OPC DA) for real-time data access.

OPC Tunnelling Technology: A common communication requirement is to pass information through different Windows domains, over low bandwidth lines, WANS, firewalls, etc. Students learn how OPC can work with these restrictions. The class also discusses other uses for this technology to ensure a cross-industry exposure.

OPC Alarms & Events: The OPC Alarms & Events (OPC A&E) specification is discussed in detail. Students learn when to apply this technology and how they can use it for alarm management practices in general.

OPC Redundancy: Industrial applications frequently require high availability and reliability that can be easily achieved by implementing communication redundancy. The instructor differentiates between device, driver, and application redundancy, and the class learns the impact of various fail-over policies.

OPC Client Server Architecture: The client/server nature of OPC enables users to architect connectivity solutions that would previously be prohibitively expensive. Students learn how to connect different control systems to each other, and transfer data between systems in general. Microsoft Excel is also introduced here to illustrate how custom calculations can be implemented.

OPC Historical Data Access: Students learn how they can use the OPC Historical Data Access (OPC HDA) specification to archive and retrieve process data. They also get an opportunity to trend data and produce reports using the OPC HDA client applications.

Networking: Students learn the fundamental concepts of Ethernet networks as they apply to OPC communication. The instructor discusses OPC communication and the communication network in depth. Students will learn to recognize various network-related problems within OPC applications and discuss how these problems can impact overall operations. The instructor then sets up various problems and the students get a chance to diagnose the issues.

DCOM Essentials: DCOM configuration is what delays success in most installations, and is the problem users report the most often when working with OPC applications. Students learn how DCOM works, diagnose DCOM symptoms, and manage DCOM within current operations. Then they diagnose DCOM problems and work to fix them.

DCOM Troubleshooting Techniques: Students learn how to select different "Windows Users" to ensure people get access from their own Domain, other Domains, or even Workgroups. Students find out about the various OPC tools and applications they can use to debug networking and automation problems. The instructor works through a variety of hands-on exercises that are simulated versions of common problems typically encountered in process, batch and discrete manufacturing environments.

Workshops Dates


Click here to view the current workshop schedule.

 
Partners of the OPC Training Institute include:

OPCTI is supported by Kepware, Softing, SOftware Toolbox, Cyberlogic, Canary Labs, Iconics, NETxAutomation, Automation.com, Indusoft, OPC Techs, Open Automation Software, CAS, Prosys, Advosol, Takebishi, AutomationMedia.com, easymatics, Protocol, Alexander's Gas & Oil, Junot, SAE, OPC Labs, Exele, Techno Software, and Hy-Line
You are here: Home > Training > Course Abstracts > OPC & DCOM Diagnostics - Level 1  
OPC Training Institute ©2008
Legal | Privacy Policy | Site Map About | Training | Downloads | News & Events | Contact