The TOP Server® from Software Toolbox and KEPServerEX® from the Kepware division of PTC® are well known connectivity solutions for extracting industrial automation data from PLCs and other devices, and integrating that data with virtually any HMI, SCADA, MES, Historian, or database on the market. These products have a global installed base serving sophisticated users across every industry imaginable.
At Software Toolbox, we strive to deliver solutions that empower our clients. We hold true to that goal with the OPC Server Remote Configuration Client. This tool that allows you to manage all your TOP Server and KEPServerEX instances remotely, making configuration changes with ease via a secure and easy-to-use implementation. With the audit trail feature, enabled optionally by administrators, the OPC Server Remote Config will track and log all edits, providing a comprehensive record of user actions and modification history.
Join us as we explore the benefits of the OPC Server Remote Config and how to use it.
Why OPC Server Remote Config Matters to You
All Your Instances in One Place
Managing multiple instances of TOP Server or KEPServerEX across your facility can be a frustrating task. Instead of the time-consuming process of remotely accessing each machine individually or physically traveling to them, OPC Server Remote Config consolidates this into a single, secure interface. Now, you can manage all your instances from one location, streamlining your operations and enhancing efficiency.
User Specific Security
In the TOP Server or KEPServerEX administrator settings, you can create User Groups in the User Manager that provide higher level permissions.
Specific permissions can them be assigned at a more detailed level with the Security Policies Plug-In (included with all driver suites).
As an administrator, you can configure these permissions to restrict certain users’ access of making changes to Channels, Devices, or even Tag groups. When using the OPC Server Remote Config Client, the security settings configured directly in the TOP Server or KEPServerEX are honored.
Audit Trail
One of the standout features of the OPC Server Remote Config Client is the detailed audit log that administrators can optionally enable, and only administrators can disable, to ensure integrity of the logging. Users are shown in the UI that the auditing is active to provide transparency. This will inform you of what user made what change, and at what time, from what computer, under what Windows user, along with a plethora of additional information.
As an example, let’s say you begin to encounter a loss of data for a specific tag in your client application that is connected to your TOP Server beginning at 9:36 AM on 8/29/2024. With the audit log enabled, you can go check and see that User: bgiler changed the Tag Address of the AB ControlLogix.ControlLogix.Testing.Address from K1 to K2 at 9:36 AM on 8/29/2024 which must be a bad address (as shown in the image below). This information will help you address the issue promptly by consulting with the user to understand whether the change was intentional and if further adjustments are needed. There are countless different use cases, but this should help highlight the usefulness of the Audit Trail.
While only a few columns were selected for this example, there is more information available such as Connection Type, IP Address, and Port for the OPC Server being connected to.
The video below provides a tour of the application connecting to an OPC server, making changes including updating and adding channels, devices, and tags and seeing the changes reflected in the OPC server on screen next to it, as well as in the optional SQL audit log.
Key Takeaways
- Remote Access: Manage all your TOP Server and KEPServerEX instances from a single machine, eliminating the need for remote desktop connections or physical access.
- Flexible Security: Administrators can set specific permissions for users to manage access to different connections and projects.
- Comprehensive Auditing: The audit log tracks every user action, providing detailed insights for secure configuration changes, quick troubleshooting, and accountability.
Whether you are a System Integrator overseeing multiple TOP Server installations, or an end user managing multiple servers at a single location or across sites and a private wide-area network, the OPC Server Remote Configuration Client is an ideal solution for your TOP Server and/or KEPServerEX configuration needs.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our technical team, and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more content like this!
Ready to try the OPC Server Remote Configuration Client? Download a free trial today!
Want to find out more? Join us for our OPC Server Remote Configuration Webinar at 11 AM Eastern on October 23rd for a much deeper dive and live demonstration with a Q&A! In this session, we will show you:
- A live demonstration showcasing how effortless it is to connect to multiple TOP Server instances from a single location.
- An in-depth look at how the user permissions configured in the OPC Server influence the user experience within the OPC Server Remote Config Client.
- The full power of the Audit Trail and how it can improve efficiency and accountability when project changes are made.
