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Getting Started

Welcome to OPC UA for Node-RED! This guide will help you get up and running with industrial automation using the OPC UA protocol in Node-RED.

What is OPC UA for Node-RED?​

OPC UA for Node-RED is a comprehensive collection of nodes that enables seamless integration with OPC UA servers. It provides:

  • Easy connectivity to industrial OPC UA servers
  • Read and write operations for process variables
  • Real-time monitoring through subscriptions
  • Historical data access for trend analysis and reporting
  • Method calling for device control and operations
  • Browse and explore capabilities for server discovery
  • File operations for reading and writing files on servers
  • Event monitoring for alarm and event handling

Why Use OPC UA for Node-RED?​

Industry Standard Protocol​

OPC UA (Unified Architecture) is the leading standard for industrial communication, supported by thousands of devices and systems worldwide.

Low-Code Integration​

Build powerful industrial automation flows visually without extensive programming knowledge.

Enterprise Ready​

Supports secure connections, authentication, and encryption for production environments.

Comprehensive Features​

From simple data reading to complex historical analysis and file operations - all in one package.

Quick Start Path​

  1. Install the package in Node-RED
  2. Configure a connection to your OPC UA server
  3. Explore available nodes and variables
  4. Build your first flow (read a value, create a chart, or monitor changes)
  5. Deploy and start collecting data

Installation​

Next Steps​

After installation, check out these sections:

  • Connection - Connect to your OPC UA server
  • Read - Read current values from variables
  • Monitor - Subscribe to real-time data changes
  • Explore - Recursively explore the address space
  • Call - Invoke methods on the server

Available Editions​

OPC UA for Node-RED comes in different editions to suit your needs:

  • Professional: Full-featured for production use
  • Trial: Try all professional features before purchasing

Compare editions to find the right fit for your project.

Getting Help​

  • Check the documentation sections for detailed guides
  • Review example flows and tutorials
  • Visit the Definitions section for OPC UA concepts

Ready to begin? Let's install the package!