Areas of application and network topologies

The TwinCAT Database Server can be used in any control application: reading recipe data in production machines, labelling products with production data, condition monitoring or machine control, logging of wind turbine operating states, or building services. The Database Server can be integrated in the existing network architecture.

The network topology is mostly influenced by the database type, the local conditions and the area of application. The following illustration shows various network topologies in which the TwinCAT Database Server can be used.

Areas of application and network topologies 1:

  1. TwinCAT and the TwinCAT Database Server reside on the same computer, together with the database. The Database Server can act as gateway for many controllers via ADS. The performance must be taken into account.
  2. TwinCAT and the TwinCAT Database Server reside on the same computer, while the database is on an external device. Here, too, the Database Server can act as gateway for many controllers via ADS. The performance must be taken into account.
  3. The TwinCAT Database Server resides locally on each control device that has a database installed. Not all databases are suitable for this kind of application.
  4. This is the most common use case. The TwinCAT Database Server is installed on each control device, and the database resides on an external server in the network.
  5. Combination of case 3 and case 4. A main database resides on a server in the network, and the controllers in the field each have a local database, which kicks in when a disconnection is encountered, for example, and stores the data locally in the first instance. The Database Server is installed on each control device.
Areas of application and network topologies 2:

Remote access by the TwinCAT Database Server to a database

For remote access by the TwinCAT Database Server to a database, various aspects have to be taken into account on the database side:

  • Is remote access generally permitted?
  • How many simultaneous connections are permitted? (In case the TwinCAT Database Server needs to open several connections)
  • Does the user who wishes to log onto the database with the Database Server have sufficient rights?
  • Is the firewall of the remote system configured appropriately?

More detailed information about the configuration of your database server can be found in the corresponding database documentation.