Using the DNP3 Driver and DNP3 Slave Driver in Geo SCADA Expert
Overview
This article provides a practical example of how to use both the DNP3 Driver and the DNP3 Slave Driver in a Geo SCADA Expert (GSE) environment. It is designed to help users quickly get started with DNP3 communication simulation using a pre-configured setup.
The example includes an .SDE file that can be imported into a GSE application. It demonstrates local DNP3 TCP communication, requiring that port 20000 is available on the host system.
Note: Configuration details for both drivers are available in the official Geo SCADA Expert documentation. This article focuses on demonstrating a working example for testing and learning purposes.
Getting Started
1. Importing the Example
• Import the provided .SDE file into the top level of your GSE application ($Root).
• This will create a structured set of objects, including a mimic for testing and monitoring.
2. Accessing the Mimic
• Navigate to the mimic: DNP3 Master Slave Test.~Overview
• Switch the mimic to Runtime mode.
• You can now interact with the interface to simulate and observe DNP3 communication.
What the Mimic Shows
The mimic provides:
• Real-time communication status for both the generic DNP3 and DNP3 Slave drivers.
• Input fields to manually enter values for testing.
• Live feedback on how values are transmitted and received between the master and slave.
This setup allows users to:
• Validate driver configurations.
• Simulate real-world DNP3 TCP communication.
• Modify object properties to test different scenarios.
Next Steps
Once the example is running:
• You can modify object properties (e.g., polling rates, register mappings, data types) to suit your testing needs. Note that an Integrity Poll interval of 10s is used in this example only for testing purposes, real systems will have a much higher interval.
• Use this setup as a template for building more complex DNP3 integrations.
• Explore how changes in the master affect the slave and vice versa.
Conclusion
This example provides a simple yet powerful way to explore the capabilities of the DNP3 and DNP3 Slave drivers in Geo SCADA Expert. By using the included mimic and configuration, users can quickly simulate communication, test configurations, and gain confidence in deploying DNP3-based solutions.
