Creating a Virtual Device for OPC UA¶
A Virtual Device (vDevice) in Enture represents a single OPC UA server endpoint. All OPC UA parameters (data nodes) you want to read from that server are added as children of this device.
Before you begin¶
- A Workspace must already exist for the device to be assigned to.
- If your OPC UA server requires certificate-based security, upload the required certificates first — see Managing Certificates.
- You need Engineer access to create devices.
Steps¶
1. Open the Devices section¶
In the left sidebar, go to Digital Twin → Devices.
2. Click Create Virtual Device¶
Click the + button or the Create Virtual Device option. The creation form opens.
3. Fill in the basic details¶
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | A descriptive name for this OPC UA server connection (e.g. Compressor OPC Server) |
| Workspace | The workspace this device belongs to |
| Device Type | Select V Devices |
| Description | Optional notes about this device |
4. Enable OPC Client¶
Toggle on OPC Client. This reveals the OPC UA connection settings.
5. Configure the connection¶
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| OPC URL | The address of the OPC UA server. Format: opc.tcp://<ip>:<port> (e.g. opc.tcp://192.168.1.100:4840) |
| User Auth Mode | How the client authenticates to the server: Anonymous or Username & Password |
| Username | (Shown only if Username & Password is selected) The OPC UA server username |
| Password | (Shown only if Username & Password is selected) The OPC UA server password |
6. Configure security (if required)¶
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Security Mode | None — no message security. Certificate — messages are signed and/or encrypted. |
| OPC Certificate ID | (Required when Security Mode is Certificate) Select the certificate uploaded via Settings → Assets → Certificates |
| OPC Private Key ID | (Required when Security Mode is Certificate) Select the private key uploaded via Settings → Assets → Certificates |
| Mode | Sign — messages are signed for integrity. Sign and Encrypt — messages are signed and encrypted. |
| Security Policy | The cryptographic algorithm to use. Common options: Basic256Sha256, AES128_Sha256_RsaOaep, AES256_Sha256_RsaOaep |
| Security Policy URI | The full OPC UA security policy URI (optional — only needed if the server requires a non-standard URI) |
Tip
If you are unsure which security policy your OPC UA server requires, check the server's endpoint configuration or consult the server's documentation. Many servers also accept Basic256Sha256 as a safe default.
7. Save¶
Click Create. The vDevice is created and appears in the Devices list.
What happens next¶
The Enture edge device at your facility receives the new vDevice configuration within approximately 30 seconds. It will attempt to connect to the OPC UA server using the settings you provided.
You can now add OPC UA parameters to this device — see Adding OPC UA Parameters.
Note
The certificate selected on the vDevice applies to all OPC UA parameters under it. Individual parameters do not have separate certificate settings.
Updating a Virtual Device¶
To change the OPC UA connection settings (URL, credentials, certificates) for an existing vDevice:
- Navigate to Digital Twin → Devices and find the device.
- Open the device and click Edit.
- Update the fields and click Update.
The edge device will reconnect using the new settings within approximately 30 seconds.