Introduction to the SCADAPack x70 Driver

This driver is an extension driver. It provides additional application-specific functionality to the 'parent' driver with which it is associated. To interact successfully with devices using an extension driver, you need to:

  • Install and run both the extension driver and its 'parent' driver (and, if applicable, its 'grandparent' driver)
  • Ensure that the extension driver and its 'parent' driver (and, if applicable, its 'grandparent' driver) are licensed
    (some extension drivers are licensed separately to their 'parent' driver)
  • Configure the required database items and settings on the 'parent 'driver (and, if applicable, the 'grandparent' driver)
  • Configure the required database items and settings on this extension driver.
  • Ensure that the database items (and any database items on which they depend) have valid, saved, configuration and are 'In Service'.

Intended Audience

This guide is primarily intended for engineers who are responsible for configuring SCADAPack x70 driver items and features in the Geo SCADA Expert database.

The guide also contains information for operators and engineers who use the SCADAPack x70 driver to monitor or control plant.

Document Scope

This guide explains the configuration, features and database items that are specific to Geo SCADA Expert's SCADAPack x70 driver. The driver forms an extension to one or more of several advanced drivers (see Understand the SCADAPack x70 Driver).

This guide contains technical information that is intended for users that are sufficiently familiar with Geo SCADA Expert configuration and operation. Before reading this driver guide, ensure that you are familiar with:

  • Advanced driver configuration order, outstation types, and configuration properties and logging options that are common to many advanced drivers. For more information, see the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to Advanced Drivers.
  • The database items and configuration that are specific to this extension driver's 'parent' driver, along with any pick actions, status attributes, and logging options that are specific to that 'parent' driver. (Unless stated otherwise, this extension driver supports the features and options that are supported by its 'parent' driver, in addition to the features and options that are described in this extension driver guide.)

Some sections of this guide are intended for operator-level users. These sections are intended for users that are familiar with the navigational and operational aspects of Geo SCADA Expert. Before reading the operational sections in this guide, ensure that you are familiar with:

In order to communicate with SCADAPack x70 devices, Geo SCADA Expert needs to run both the SCADAPack x70 extension driver, and the relevant 'parent' driver (the one that corresponds to the communications protocol being used). For example, to communicate with SCADAPack x70 devices using the DNP3 protocol, you need to install, run, and configure both the DNP3 driver and the SCADAPack x70 extension driver.

Use this Geo SCADA Expert Guide to the SCADAPack x70 Driver alongside the guide for the relevant 'parent' driver. As much of the information in the latter guide is assumed knowledge, we recommend that you read the latter guide before reading this driver guide.

For SCADAPack x70 information not covered in this driver guide, please refer to the documentation provided with the SCADAPack x70 devices.

Policy of Continuous Development

To maintain Geo SCADA Expert's position as a leading SCADA solution, we operate a policy of continuous development. Each new version of our product supports additional features and functionality to previous releases. To use the new drivers, features, or functionality involving database items, your system has to be running the latest version of Geo SCADA Expert software. Additionally, if you have upgraded from an earlier version of the product, you have to deactivate any Database Emulation that was activated during the upgrade process. You should only deactivate the Database Emulation once you have successfully completed the upgrade process on all of the servers and clients in your system (see Deactivate Database Emulation after a Successful Upgrade).