How do I Configure Geo SCADA Expert to Optimize the Use of the WITS-DNP3 Protocol?

From version 3.0 of the WITS-DNP3 standard, there is an optimized way to use the protocol. These optimizations can significantly reduce the number of messages that are exchanged between a Master Station and Field Device, particularly when a communications session is first established. These can be particularly beneficial with on-demand battery powered devices, as they help to prolong the life of the battery.

ClearSCADA 2017 R3 (Geo SCADA Expert) onwards supports optimized use of the WITS-DNP3 protocol and communications with WITS Field Devices that themselves support optimized use of the protocol. (Geo SCADA Expert also continues to provide support for communicating with WITS Field Devices that do not support optimized use of the WITS-DNP3 protocol, or are using an earlier version of the protocol.) With WITS 3.0 and above, a device's WITS Device Profile indicates whether that device supports optimized use of the WITS protocol (see WITS Device Profiles). To take advantage of all of the optimizations:

Some of the optimizations do not require support from the Field Device and so can be used with any Field Device, including those using older versions of the WITS-DNP3 standard.

To configure Geo SCADA Expert to optimize the use of the WITS-DNP3 protocol, you should specify the following settings (none of the settings get downloaded to the Field Device; they purely control some of Geo SCADA Expert's communications startup activities). The properties to which the settings apply are on the DNP3 tab of the DNP3 WITS Outstation Form, and as such the properties are documented in the Geo SCADA Expert Guide to the DNP3 Driver.

NOTICE

UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR OF APPLICATION

Before configuring the above settings on the Outstation Form of a Field Device that does not support optimized use of the WITS-DNP3 protocol, check the Field Device's compatibility of each optimization.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in unexpected application behavior.

 

In addition to the above, you should also consider further optimization opportunities:


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Geo SCADA Expert 2020