ClearSCADA clients are programs that run on the computers that access the ClearSCADA database (the ClearSCADA database is stored on the ClearSCADA Server). The ClearSCADA clients communicate with the ClearSCADA server via a network connection.
You can operate ClearSCADA via a ViewX Client or a WebX Client. ClearSCADA also supports other methods of accessing its data, for example, via Microsoft® Excel or Crystal Reports.
Typically, you need to log on to a ClearSCADA client before you can work with your system. You log on by entering a unique user identification name and a password. These details are associated with a user account that allows you entry to the system, along with permissions that determine which features and database items you can access.
Depending on the permissions that have been allocated to your user account, you might be able to:
- Access displays such as Mimics, Trends, and Lists
- Alter values and states to manipulate the system and plant—for example, send a control to plant by controlling an output point
- Manage alarms
- View status information
- Manage outstation communications (switch communication lines, promote the outstations, and so on).
When you perform an action (or ‘method’), the relevant instruction is sent to the ClearSCADA server, where it is processed. The action is then either performed within the ClearSCADA server or is sent to the relevant outstation or other device (depending on the type of action).
If an outstation receives a control (from an action), it processes the data and then sends an instruction to the instruments that operate the plant—for example, a signal to start a pump.