Revised: Wednesday, March 27, 2002

To provide an industry standard for exchanging data between OPC Data Access servers. The solution will avoid the overhead associated with inserting a proprietary client between the two servers.

To define a standard interface for OPC Data eXchange Server configuration, including remote configuration and management services.

To use and extend existing OPC standards as required quickly facilitate adoption of the technology in the promotion of interoperability.

To extend the functionality of OPC Data Access such that OPC Data eXchange provides for the transfer of data between OPC servers using OPC Data Access.

To extend the functionality of OPC Data Access such that OPC Data eXchange defines the data structures that defines and controls the transfer of data between the two servers. A Configuration Client in the receiving OPC Server using OPC Data Access extensions configures these data structures.

To define server-to-server and device-to-device communication across Ethernet Fieldbus networks.

To specifically support automation users who want an open standard for integrating and exchanging data from devices and controllers across multi-vendor Ethernet networks. To specifically support automation suppliers wanting to provide products based on an open, industry-standard for interoperability and data exchange.

To enable vendors to supply OPC Data eXchange Server configuration tools.