Ignition OPC-UA Configuration Guide
Key Takeaway
How to configure Ignition's OPC-UA server and client connections for PLC communication, cross-platform data sharing, and secure industrial connectivity.
Quick Answer
Ignition OPC-UA configuration involves setting up Ignition's built-in OPC-UA server for exposing data to external clients, configuring OPC-UA client connections to PLCs and third-party servers, managing security certificates, and optimizing subscription and scan rate settings for reliable industrial communication.
Ignition's OPC-UA Architecture
Ignition includes both an OPC-UA server and OPC-UA client capability. The server exposes Ignition tag data to external OPC-UA clients. The client connects to PLC-native OPC-UA servers (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.) and third-party OPC-UA servers to bring data into Ignition's tag system.
Client Connection Setup
Configuring an OPC-UA client connection in Ignition requires the server endpoint URL, security policy (None, Basic128Rsa15, Basic256, Basic256Sha256), authentication mode (Anonymous, Username, Certificate), and connection timeout settings. NFM recommends using Basic256Sha256 security policy with certificate-based authentication for production environments.
Certificate Management
OPC-UA uses X.509 certificates for mutual authentication between clients and servers. Ignition manages certificates through the gateway web interface (Config → OPC Connections → Security). Initial connections require manual certificate trust approval on both ends. In large deployments, a Certificate Authority (CA) simplifies certificate management.
Common PLC Connections
| PLC Platform | OPC-UA Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix/CompactLogix) | Via Ignition's native AB driver | OPC-UA available on newer firmware |
| Siemens S7-1500 | Built-in OPC-UA server | Enable in TIA Portal |
| Beckhoff TwinCAT | Via TF6100 OPC-UA module | Separately licensed TwinCAT 3 function |
| Schneider M580/M340 | Via OPC-UA add-on | M580: BMENUA0100 hardware; M340: EcoStruxure OPC UA Server Expert software |
Performance Optimization
OPC-UA subscription settings directly impact performance. Configure publishing intervals and sampling rates to match your monitoring requirements — not everything needs 100ms polling. Group tags by scan rate to reduce communication overhead. NFM's managed Ignition SCADA services include OPC-UA connection optimization as part of our ongoing managed SCADA support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ignition includes a built-in OPC-UA server that exposes tag data to external OPC-UA clients. This allows third-party systems, other Ignition gateways, and enterprise applications to subscribe to Ignition data via the OPC-UA standard.
NFM recommends Basic256Sha256 security policy with certificate-based authentication for production environments. Anonymous or no-security connections should only be used for initial testing and never left in production.
Yes. Ignition supports multiple simultaneous OPC-UA client connections to different servers. Each connection is independently configured with its own endpoint, security settings, and subscription parameters.