Get Started with OpenOpcUa

Get Started with OpenOpcUa

Start your OPC UA journey with a ready‑to‑use, industrial‑grade server designed for fast evaluation and real project deployment. OpenOpcUa lets you install, launch, and test a fully functional OPC UA environment within minutes—ideal for POCs, training, integration work, or early architecture validation.

Get Started with OpenOpcUa: Start Your OPC UA Project in Minutes

This page is designed to help you Get Started with OpenOpcUa by walking you through installation, configuration, and your first Proof‑of‑Concept. Whether you are evaluating OPC UA, preparing a pilot project, or integrating industrial systems, this Get Started with OpenOpcUa guide ensures a fast and reliable onboarding experience with a fully ready-to-use OPC UA server.

Audience: Anyone interested in OPC UA — engineers, integrators, developers, and technical decision‑makers.

1. Quick Installation

OpenOpcUa is delivered with a fully prepared demo package that includes:

  • Pre‑built binaries
  • A set of ready‑to‑use configuration files
  • Example information models

The configuration files are identical on Windows and Linux.
Only the binaries differ.

Windows

  1. Download the Windows package
  2. Unzip the package in a folder
  3. Move to this folder
  4. Start the server:
    StartServer.bat
  5. Connect using any OPC UA client
  • No compiler.
  • No environment setup.
  • Ready in seconds.

Linux (Debian recommended)

The Linux package contains the same ready‑to‑use configuration files as Windows, plus Linux binaries compiled for Debian‑compatible systems.

OpenSSL requirement

OpenOpcUa requires OpenSSL 3.5.3 on Linux.

1. Check your OpenSSL version

openssl version

Expected:
OpenSSL 3.5.3

2. Install OpenSSL on Debian (if needed)

  • sudo apt update
  • sudo apt install openssl

3. Start the server

./StartOpenOpcUaCoreServer.sh

2. First Configuration

The server starts with a ready‑made configuration so you can begin testing immediately.

Typical next steps:

  • Review the default namespace
  • Load or adjust the provided demo model
  • Add a variable node or simple data point
  • Restart the server to apply changes

The same configuration applies identically to Windows and Linux.

3. Run Your First POC

Once your server is running, you can quickly evaluate OPC UA features such as:

• Telemetry POC

Expose values like counters, metrics, machine states, or sensor data.

• Client/Server Interaction

Use your preferred OPC UA client to read, write, or subscribe to nodes.

• Integration Testing

Connect OpenOpcUa to SCADA/MES systems to validate interoperability.

This allows you to verify technical feasibility before larger integration work.

4. Grafana Integration (Optional)

OpenOpcUa includes an official Grafana plugin for live visualization of OPC UA data.

This plugin allows you to:

  • Browse OPC UA nodes directly inside Grafana
  • Build dashboards for your POC
  • Display live values and historical telemetry

On the Get Started page, this section will include screenshots only (model not finalized).
A neutral CTA will be included:

→ Contact us for early access or evaluation options.

5. Training & Expert Support (4CE INDUSTRY)

To accelerate your OPC UA project, 4CE INDUSTRY provides:

  • OPC UA Fundamentals Training
  • OPC UA Advanced Training
  • POC Support & Technical Guidance
  • Architecture Review
  • Long‑term Support Options

These programs help teams evaluate OPC UA, build prototypes, and structure production deployments.

6. Next Steps

  • Download binaries
  • Explore example models
  • Install a client (UaExpert)
  • Contact us for support or training

Start experimenting today — OpenOpcUa allows you to validate OPC UA concepts quickly and efficiently.

Why Use OpenOpcUa for Your OPC UA Projects?

Beyond quick installation, OpenOpcUa provides a complete and industrial‑grade foundation for building robust OPC UA solutions. By following this Get Started with OpenOpcUa guide, users benefit from a unified workflow that works identically on Windows and Linux, ensuring a smooth transition from testing to production environments. The framework supports standard Information Models, custom namespaces, and rapid extension capabilities through clear configuration files included in the demo package.

This makes OpenOpcUa an ideal choice for engineers, integrators, and developers who need to validate OPC UA concepts without spending days compiling toolchains or troubleshooting incompatible libraries. The ready‑to‑use server helps teams focus on architecture, data modeling, and integration testing rather than low-level technical setup. In addition, the official Grafana integration allows you to visualize real‑time OPC UA data directly in modern dashboards, enabling precise and immediate evaluation of your Proof‑of‑Concept.

Whether you are planning a prototype, training session, industrial deployment, or early interoperability test with SCADA, MES, or IIoT systems, OpenOpcUa provides a clear and reliable path to production. The combined simplicity and industrial-grade design allow organizations to accelerate their adoption of OPC UA while maintaining full control of their technical environment.

FAQ

Who is this guide for?

This Get Started with OpenOpcUa guide is intended for engineers, developers, integrators, and anyone evaluating or implementing OPC UA.

Do I need to compile the server?

No. The demo package includes ready‑to‑run binaries for Windows and Linux.

Can I use OpenOpcUa for production?

Yes, OpenOpcUa is designed for industrial‑grade deployments and supports advanced configuration, modeling, and integration.

Does Grafana support OPC UA using the plugin developed by 4CE INDUSTRY?

Yes. 4CE INDUSTRY, the main sponsor of the OpenOpcUa project, has developed an official Grafana OPC UA TCP/BIN Client plugin.
This plugin works with any OPC UA server, including OpenOpcUa, and allows Grafana to browse nodes, read data, and display OPC UA values in dashboards.

Learn more

OpenOpcUa