P1: Unified Namespace (How-to Guide)

UNS →  Tutorial | Concept | How-to Guide | ISA-95 | Reference

Configuration Workflow

1. Define UserTypes (UDTs) - Create reusable data structures
2. Build Asset Tree - Organize hierarchical structure
3. Create Tags - Add variables using templates or basic types
4. Configure Enumerations - Define discrete state values
5. Add UNS Services (Optional) - Connect external data sources

Step 1: Create UserTypes (UDTs)

Creating a New UserType

1. Navigate to Unified Namespace → UserTypes
2. Click New
3. In the "Create New UserType" dialog:
   • Enter Name (e.g., Motor_VFD)
   • Add Description
   • Click OK
4. Add members to the template:
   • Type in the first row of the table
   • Press Enter after each member
   • Configure properties (same as tag properties)

Example Motor UserType

Step 2: Build Asset Tree

Creating Asset Structure

1. Go to Unified Namespace → Asset Tree
2. Create folders using one of these methods:
   • Click "Add Asset Folder" icon in toolbar
   • Right-click on root or existing folder → New Asset Folder
   • Right-click in tree area

Note: The "RootTags" folder is pre-defined and contains all tags not assigned to other folders.

Example Structure

Plant
??? WaterTreatment
?   ??? Intake
?   ??? Processing
?   ??? Distribution
??? PowerHouse
    ??? Boilers
    ??? Generators

Step 3: Create Tags

Method A: Using Create New Tag Dialog

1. Click New Tag icon in top toolbar
2. In the dialog, configure:
   • Name: Tag identifier
   • Type: Select data type or UserType
   • Properties: Optional device, alarm, historian settings
3. Click OK

Method B: In Asset Tree

1. Navigate to Unified Namespace → Asset Tree
2. Select target folder
3. Right-click → New Tag or use toolbar icon
4. Configure tag properties in dialog

Method C: In Tags Grid

1. Navigate to Unified Namespace → Tags
2. Create tags by:
   • Click in empty row and type name
   • Press Insert key
   • Click "New Item" in grid controls
   • Paste from Excel (must have "Name" column)

Method D: Copy and Paste

1. Select existing tags
2. Right-click → Copy Selected Rows (or Ctrl+C)
3. Right-click empty row → Insert Rows (or Ctrl+V)

Step 4: Configure Tag Properties

Essential Properties

Tag Types Available

• Digital - Binary (0 or 1)
• Integer - Whole numbers (-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647)
• Long - Large integers (64-bit)
• Double - Floating point
• Decimal - High precision
• Text - String values
• DateTime - Date and time
• Timer - Built-in timer functions
• DataTable - In-memory table
• Reference - Dynamic tag pointer

Step 5: Configure Enumerations

1. Navigate to Unified Namespace → Enumerations
2. Click New in grid toolbar
3. Enter enumeration name
4. Add values:

   0 = Stopped
   1 = Running
   2 = Fault

5. Apply to tags by selecting enumeration in tag properties

Step 6: Import Tags

From Excel

1. Copy Excel data including column headers
2. Ensure "Name" column exists
3. Paste directly into Tags grid

From CSV

1. Use Import button when grid is in focus
2. Select CSV file
3. Map columns to properties

Using Solution Import Tools

Navigate to Solution → Import for:

• OPC Server browsing
• ControlLogix import
• PI System import
• SQL database import

Step 7: Add UNS Services (Optional)

Creating Connection

1. Navigate to Unified Namespace → UNS Services
2. Click New UNS Service or use File → New → UNS Service Connection
3. Configure connection parameters
4. Test connection

Linking to Asset Tree

1. Select asset folder
2. Right-click → "Link Data from UNS Service"
3. Browse and select remote data
4. Data appears dynamically in tree

Testing Your Configuration

Test Mode

1. Press F5 or click Run Test
2. Monitor values in Asset Tree (Value column appears)
3. Use Property Watch for detailed monitoring

Accessing Tags

Direct Tag Access:

Tag.PUMP01.Running
Tag.Area1/Line1/Temperature

Asset Method (for dynamic paths):

Asset("/Area1/Line1/Temperature")
Asset(client.Context.AssetPath + "State1")

Common Issues

Cannot see data in Asset Tree

• Click Refresh button to reload tree

Tag not updating

• Check device mapping if using Device Module
• Verify UNS Service connection if using external data

Changes to UserType not reflected

• UserType changes don't auto-update existing instances
• Must recreate or manually update instances

Best Practices Checklist

• Create UserTypes before tags for consistency
• Organize Asset Tree to match physical/logical structure
• Use consistent naming conventions
• Set appropriate retentive settings for critical values
• Configure security at tag level when needed
• Use enumerations for state-based tags

Next Steps

• [P2: Process Modules →] Configure devices and alarms
• [Devices Module →] Connect to field equipment
• [DataExplorer →] Browse and import external data

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