Kepware LinkMaster: Easily Exchange Data Between OPC DA Servers

Capture the power of programming-optional tools to streamline industrial automation data exchange from OPC server to OPC server.

What is LinkMaster?

LinkMaster provides a means of linking data between OPC servers, thus serving as a universal bridge for OPC systems. LinkMaster acts as both an OPC server and DDE server, allowing it to bridge legacy DDE systems and new OPC-enabled applications.

How Does LinkMaster Transform the Way You Share Data Between OPCs?

 

Programming Knowledge Optional

Simply "Drag and Drop" to create links. Built-in scaling, access manager, and error tracking provide total control of your data flow and applications.

Data Transfer Visibility

Using multiple Link Groups, LinkMaster allows you to control how fast data is transferred from one OPC server to another.

Control Data Transfers

Tailor your data transfers to fit the needs of the application for greater control, reduced network traffic and increased reliability.


How Do OPC Server Solutions Fit Your Use Cases?

Learn more about how LinkMaster streamlines data sharing from OPC server to OPC server
and explore some of the most common use cases.

OPC server to OPC server bridging
OPC server collector or gateway
OPC server with server bridging

OPC server to OPC server bridging

Kepware’s LinkMaster provides a means of linking data between OPC DA servers, thus serving as a universal bridge for OPC systems.

OPC server collector or gateway

LinkMaster can function as a single OPC server that serves data from multiple OPC servers, with the capability to act as both a client and a server.

OPC server with server bridging

LInkMaster can help you route data between two PLCs (programmable logic controllers) connected to the same server, using LinkMaster to define the tag data routing.

LinkMaster Case Studies

LinkMaster is transforming the operational efficiency, network traffic, and cost of linking OPC servers.
Explore our industry-specific case studies to learn more.

CITY OF ORLANDO

The city of Orlando used an electronic communication system to optimize the performance of a regional reclaimed water distribution system.

Read the Full Story

CASCADES

Green paper producer Cascades gets even greener through data-driven initiatives powered by Kepware.

Read the Full Story

How Can Reliable OPC Pairs Be Built With RedundancyMaster?

Explore the features that will change how you think about OPC redundancy. The innovations in RedundancyMaster can work together seamlessly with your current OPC application to give you a more reliable, cost-effective solution.

  • Built-In Redundancy: A pair of LinkMaster machines can operate in redundant pairs that can shift data in case of a node failure to ensure reliable, ongoing access.

  • User Management: With the built-in User Manager, gain complete control over what types of functionalities each individual user can access with OPC applications.

  • Runs as a Windows Service: LinkMaster can run as a Windows service. Service operation is completely user configurable and can changed anytime from standalone to NT service mode.

  • Link Management: LinkMaster's link management system creates a link database structure that fits the nature of your application.

  • Data Scaling: Support direct scaling of link item data via LinkMaster, allowing raw data to be converted to engineering units for OPC client applications.

LinkMaster Frequently Asked Questions

  • In which languages is LinkMaster available?

    LinkMaster is available in English.

  • Can LinkMaster support both COM and DCOM?

    Based on Microsoft's COM technology, OPC servers can share data with remote client applications using DCOM (Distributed COM). DCOM allows you to use a single OPC server to provide data to client applications running both locally and on remote machines. DDE is not without its own means of allowing remote access. All the DDE formats supported by LinkMaster can also be accessed remotely using what is known as NETDDE.

    NETDDE allows a remote DDE client application to use the machine name of a remote DDE server when specifying a DDE link. LinkMaster has been designed to allow both methods of remote server access. In terms of OPC connections, LinkMaster will properly configure your DCOM settings to allow remote OPC clients to access and browse LinkMaster. For DDE clients, LinkMaster will automatically start NETDDE services and register all the required DDE shares, allowing remote DDE clients access to device data. Establishing DDE share names can be a time-consuming process for the application, therefore, by default, NETDDE services are not enabled in LinkMaster.

  • What application support is available for LinkMaster?

    Available LinkMaster application support is as follows:

    • DDE Format CF_Text and AdvancedDDE
    • OPC Data Access (OPC DA) Versions 1.0a and 2.0

  • Which operating systems are compatible with LinkMaster?

    • Windows 8
    • Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate
    • Windows Server 2012
    • Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2
    • Windows Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate
    • Windows Server 2003 SP2
    • Windows XP Professional SP3 or higher

  • What are the system requirements for operating LinkMaster?

    • 2.0 GHz Processor
    • 1 GB installed RAM
    • 180 MB available disk space
    • Ethernet Card
    • Super VGA (800x600) or Higher Resolution Video

  • What is the LinkMaster end-of-life support?

    As of November 15, 2016, LinkMaster V2 is no longer supported. You can continue running a V2 instance but will not receive technical support or software patches. Contact us with any specific questions.

Speak to a LinkMaster expert today

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