The first step in Cloud Logging is setting up a data source. This is done by selecting a communication protocol and defining the variables. This article shows you how to do this for communication via OPC-UA.

• PLC setting
• Select a communication protocol
• Add variables (new, import)
• Test variables
• Manage variables (export, duplicate, remove)

PLC setting

The IXrouter supports the following methods of authentication with the OPC-UA server on your PLC. Make sure your OPC-UA server is configured to support at least one of these.

A bit later in this article, when you add the data source, you have the option to select which authentication method you want to use. Regardless of your choice, communication between the IXrouter and the IXON Cloud is always secure (more info).

Select a communication protocol

You first have to select a communication protocol. This is the protocol that the IXrouter will use to communicate with the target (i.e. PLC).

• Go to [Devices] in the main menu, select the concerning device, open its [Services] tab, and press [Add service].

• Name the target(i.e. PLC1), enter the target's IP address, and press [Next].

• Select your service type: [Data source].

• Select the communication protocol "OPC-UA". The port number will automatically be filled based on the selected protocol (port 4840 for OPC-UA). The authentication method depends on the configuration of the OPC-server on your PLC. Make sure your OPC-UA server is configured to supports at least one of these: Method “anonymous” with password security policy “none” or method “username+password” with a password security policy. Select the authentication type and enter your credentials if required. Press [Add].

Add variables

Once you've added a Data Source and selected a communication protocol, you can start adding variables. This is done in the configurator tool, specifically designed to quickly add, duplicate, import, export, and remove variables.

• Go to [Devices] in the main menu, select the concerning device, open its [Services] tab, and edit  the target's services.

• Select [Data source]and press [Open configurator].

• To add a variable press [Add variable].

You can choose to:

• Manually add new variables
• Import variables from a file (or device)

Manually add new variables

You'll need the variable's address, which consists of a namespace index and identifier. In the example below we'll be using UaExpert to find these attributes.

• Open UaExpert, press [Server] and then [Add].

• Select [Advanced], enter the IP address and port number (default 4840), separated by a colon, and press [OK].

• If you're not already automatically connected, you can manually connect to the added server by going to [Server] > [Connect].
• Once you're connected, find and select your variable in the "address space"-window in the bottom left.
• You should see the variable's NamespaceIndex, IdentifierType, and Identifier in the "attribute"-window in the top right.

Now you have all the necessary information to add the variable to your data source. Go back to the IXON Cloud and press [Add new variable].

• Enter your variable's name, type, full address, additional information, and press [Add]. The image below contains explanatory text for each text field.

Duplicate

You can easily duplicate  this variable if you're adding variables that are only slightly different. This way you'll only have to make small adjustments.

• Press [Push changes]in the config tab to complete the setup.

Import variables from a file (or device)

You can easily and effortlessly copy variables from one device to another by exporting the concerning variables (view the "Manage variables" part of this article) and then importing them in your new device. Alternatively, you can manually prepare your variables in the required CSV format to load them all at once into your configurator. The CSV file structure is explained in our "Import variables: CSV file structure"-article.

When you press [Import from CSV-file], you'll see a browse window.

• Select a CSV file to import and press [Open].
• When the file has been read, press [Add] to add all variables to your data source.

• Press [Push changes]in the config tab to complete the setup.

Test variables

The test utility is used to check if all the added variables are set correctly. It shows the status of every variable and displays the variables' latest values if everything is configured correctly. If not, it'll show an error message.

• In the configurator press [Run test].

A connection will now be set up to stream the data directly to your computer, using:

When the connection is set up and all variables are set correctly, it should look like this:

Manage variables

You can view all defined variables in a list view or table view . Multiple variables can be selected by pressing the  icon on the left, or you can select all by pressing [∙∙∙]. These can then be removed , duplicated , or exported to a CSV file .