Most drivers support a variety of Points. For each input or output value that is associated with plant, you need to create and configure a point of the appropriate type in the ClearSCADA database. For instance, if your ClearSCADA system communicates with outstations using the DNP3 protocol, you would add a DNP3 Point of the appropriate type to your system and associate that point with the input or output data on the relevant DNP3 outstation or other DNP3 device.
You can also add internal points to your system. Such points are not associated with plant, but instead only exist within the master station software. You can use internal points, for example, within Logic programs, or to simulate plant (see Internal Points in the ClearSCADA Guide to Core Point Configuration). Create and configure an internal point on your system if you require such values in the ClearSCADA database and you require any of the following:
- Alarm and/or event functionality that is typically associated with points, including the ability to:
- generate point alarms and events
- redirect alarms
- associate the point with an Alarm View
- use alternative Alarm Source name for the point.
- The ability to override the point’s value
- The ability to format the point’s value for use in ClearSCADA displays (for instance, force an analog’s value to include a set number of decimal places, whenever that value is displayed in Lists and reports).
For more information on points, see the ClearSCADA Guide to Core Point Configuration.
For driver-specific information on points, see the relevant driver guides.