Developing an UDS ?

[Former Member]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me how can i go about writing an UDS or give me directions as to where can i know more about the UDC Framework ?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Abesh,

Currently there is no documented SDK for the xMII UDSs (either version 2.5.x or 4.0.x) and there is no plans to move forward on this. If you want to connect to a data source other then the ones provided, you can do one of the following two options for best results.

1.) Create an OPC server that follows the OPC DA 2.05a specifications (for the 4.0.x version you can also develope against the OPC DA 3.00 spec). Or create your own OPC HDA server using the 1.20 specification and use the OPC HDA UDS.

2.) Create your own OLEDB provider and use the OLEDB UDS.

If you feel that you need a new 'native' UDS, contact the xMII Solution management team to see if there are any plans to make the xMII UDS SDK formal.

Martin.

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Abesh,

I wrote a UDS connector before SAP acquired the Illuminator product for version 9

It currently still works for 11.5 We have used this in Production for the last 3 years in South Africa.

I did it in Borland C++ and used the Framework version 2.5.

If you are interested in an Example I can send you the code.

But I reckon best practice would rather be to write a web service and connect to it.

and as Martin Pointed out it might also be better to do an OPC server or a OLEDB Provider

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hallo Morne,

since we actually check the possibility of writing a new UDS and have some Borland Delphi and C++ know how, we are interested to get a look into your sources.

[Former Member]

Hello, Abesh.

Help me understand what system(s) you are trying to develop a connector to, and I can provide some insights as to the best mechanism.

Best regards,

Rick Bullotta

VP ASM Manufacturing

SAP Labs, LLC

[abesh]

Nothing specific but i was using the UDS Admin utility and was wondering whether there was a way of using the UDC connector to get to talk with a UDS that i might develop.

[Former Member]

Individual UDC's are basically COM objects that implement a specific set of interface(s) for accessing metadata and data. The UDS framework deals with the actual request handling, formatting, caching, aliasing, and other functions.

There are really three options for custom "connectors", depending on the type of data and any technical limitations.

Option #1: Write an OPC or OPC HDA "server" for the target system and use our OPC or OPC HDA UDS to access it. This is best for a typical "tag-based" data source (historian, PLC/DCS, etc.).

Option #2: Write a custom UDS.

Option #3: Write a custom action block for the xMII business logic service engine (BLS is extensible).

Best regards,

Rick

Option #3:

[abesh]

Thanks Rick,

That really helped. Could you please explain the options in detail or maybe point to resources on the net which might help me in exploring these options.