Connecting Citect to TOP Server 5

The example tutorial below uses the simdemo.opf project in TOP Server 5 to create a connection to Citect.

Creating a New I/O Server or Device

1. To start, open TOP Server 5. Then, click File ⇒ Open and then select the "simdemo.opf" file in C:\Program Files (x86)\Software Toolbox\TOP Server 5\Projects.
2. From the Citect folder, start the Citect Explorer. Then, click File ⇒ New Project. Specify a name, and then click OK.
3. In the Project Editor, open the Communication menu. Then, select Express Wizard and click Next.
4. If Create a new I/O server is selected, leave the name at its default setting "Ioserver". Then, click Next.
5. If Create a new I/O device is selected, leave the name at its default setting "Iodev". Then, click Next.
6. Specify the I/O device as External. Then, click Next.
7. In the driver list, click the + symbol next to OPC Foundation. Then, click the + symbol to the left of OPC Servers.
8. Locate and select OPC, and then click Next.
9. The Address or App_ID field equates to the Prog_ID. In this field, enter "SWToolbox.TOPServer.V5". This ID is case sensitive.
10. Click Next. Do not select the option to link to an external tag database.
11. Click Next. Then, select Finish.

Creating a Variable Tag

1. Return to the Citect Project Editor.
2. Next, open the Tags menu and select Variable Tags. Then, do the following:
   
   1. Specify a tag name. For this example, use "Boolean1".
   2. Specify a data type. For this example, select "Digital".
   3. In I/O Device Name, select the device that was created with the Express Wizard. In this example, select "IODev".
   4. In the Address field, enter "Data Type Examples.16 Bit Device.K Registers.Boolean1".
   5. Leave the rest of the parameters blank, and then click Add.
3. Next, click File ⇒ Compile.

Creating a New Page

1. Click Tools ⇒ Graphics Builder. Then, do the following:
   
   1. Click File ⇒ New. Then, select Page. In the template window, select Normal and then click OK.
   2. In the toolbox, click the Button icon. Then, draw a button.
   3. Next, edit the button. Open the Input tab, and then enter "toggle(Boolean1)". Then, click OK.
   4. In the toolbox, click the Symbol Set icon (which resembles a fan) and place it next to the button.
   5. Next, open the Appearance tab, and then enter the tag name "Boolean1". Alternatively, click the Insert icon and then insert a tag.
   6. Once finished, click OK.
2. Next, return to the Graphics Builder. Then, click File ⇒ Compile.
3. Click File ⇒ Save.

Viewing the Connection

1. Next, click File ⇒ Run.
2. Toggle the button: the indicator should change. 1 client and 1 tag should be visible on the TOP Server 5 Connection Status Bar in the server window.