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Getting Started

What is the OPC Router?​

The OPC Router transfers data between systems without requiring any programming on your part. Each flow consists of at least one data source, one data destination, and one trigger, and defines which data is transferred from where to where under what conditions. Plug-ins provide access to the involved systems—OPC servers, databases, ERP systems, mail servers, and others. Data transfers can be triggered by various triggers.

The OPC Router consists of two parts: In the Management module, you configure the system via a web browser, set up the plug-ins, and monitor the status. The router service acts as a runtime component that processes data transfers in the background. Changes to the configuration take effect only after you publish them. The program structure describes how these two parts interact.

Reading Path​

System requirements, installation, and licensing are covered in the chapter “Installation & Licensing.” This chapter explains the program’s structure, safety precautions, the manual’s conventions, and legal notices. In order:

  1. System Requirements – what your computer, operating system, and environment must provide.
  2. Installation – Setup on Windows or operation in a Docker container.
  3. Licensing – Demo mode, licensing models, and license keys.
  4. Program Structure – Management and router service, as well as the steps from configuration to status display.
  5. Safety Instructions – What to consider before installation, updates, and engineering.
  6. Glossary – terms used consistently throughout the documentation and user interface; see “Notation in the Manual” for details on how the manual denotes paths, placeholders, and interface elements.
  7. What’s New in 5.7 – the new features in this version and what has changed for existing projects.

The Quick Start: The First Flow demonstrates how this translates into an actual data transfer using a complete example—from engineering through publishing to verification in the status tree.

Please also refer to the documentation for the connected third-party systems, for example, to grant the router the necessary access rights. If you need help setting up a plug-in or using a transfer object or trigger, you can access the relevant documentation at any time from the respective window by clicking the Help button with the question mark.

Dear Reader, last but not least, we at inray Industriesoftware are happy to assist you—whether with training opportunities if you’d like to delve deeper, or as a service provider for commissioning and engineering should you ever find yourself short on time. And of course, we welcome your questions and suggestions.

Your inray Team