In a direct - single channel communications set-up, each Direct outstation in the set communicates with the ClearSCADA server via a single uninterrupted connection. For example, an outstation could communicate with the ClearSCADA server via a network connection, a radio connection, or a cable connection. The connection is permanently established.
For this type of communications set-up, you would configure a Direct Outstation to belong to a Direct Outstation Set, that communicates via a single Direct Channel.
Leased line connections are represented by direct channels as they are permanently established.