This driver is an advanced driver. It provides additional functionality to enable ClearSCADA to interface with specific supported devices using a particular protocol. To interact successfully with such devices, you need to:
- Install and run the driver
- Ensure that the driver is licensed
- Configure the required database items and settings on the driver
- Ensure that the database items (and any database items on which they depend) have valid, saved, configuration and are 'In Service'.
The Advanced Modbus driver provides functionality that enables ClearSCADA to communicate with Modbus® controllers, using the Modbus® protocol suite (see Which Driver?). The Modbus communication types that the driver supports include:
- Modbus RTU serial, Modbus ASCII serial
- Modbus RTU over TCP, Modbus ASCII over TCP
- Modbus RTU over UDP, Modbus ASCII over UDP
- Open Modbus/TCP.
ClearSCADA can communicate with Modbus controllers directly, using direct or PSTN communications. Function codes supported by the Advanced Modbus driver determine how it reads or writes to data on the controllers (see Modbus Function Codes Supported by the ClearSCADA Advanced Modbus Driver).
ClearSCADA can also provide a communications ‘gateway’ to allow applications such as ISaGRAF®, to communicate with Modbus controllers remotely, via the same communications link (for example, in situations where a controller has only one radio link). With the latter set-up, a Remote Connection database item provides a TCP/IP socket connection between ClearSCADA and the remote application.
The Advanced Modbus driver documentation:
- Summarizes the Terminology of which you need to be aware
- Explains how to:
- Configure Generic Modbus specific features and items within the ClearSCADA database (see Configuring Advanced Modbus Devices in ClearSCADA, and see Scanning Direct Controllers on the Advanced Modbus Driver).
The documentation also explains:
- Driver-specific aspects that are of interest to system administrators and engineers when investigating unexpected behavior relating to the Advanced Modbus driver. For information, see:
NOTE: Some controllers with which ClearSCADA can communicate using the Advanced Modbus driver, support additional features that do not apply to other Modbus controllers. Where ClearSCADA uses an Advanced Modbus Extension Driver to support such features, use the guide to that extension driver in conjunction with this guide.