# How do I link Tags to variables in B&R PLCs

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-i-link-tags-to-variables-in-b-r-plcs/41387>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Created:** [December 10, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-i-link-tags-to-variables-in-b-r-plcs/41387 "2020-12-10T14:38:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![martinmarefy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4da419/32.png) [@martinmarefy](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/martinmarefy)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-i-link-tags-to-variables-in-b-r-plcs/41387/1 "2020-12-10T14:38:55Z")

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Hello there,

I am currently trying to establish OPC-UA communication between B&R PLC and a Ignition. I have succesfully created a connection between PLC’s OPC-UA server and Ignition client. I can see my PLC device in Ignition Gateway 7.8 - Devices (I use TCP Driver) and in Ignition Designer - OPC Browser, with two folders - “4080” containing two Tags and [Diagnostics] with Tag “Is Connected”

Unfortunately, B&R does not support browsing, or so it seems. (Even though there is a browse option in B&R Default view configuration). I am therefore trying to create a tags which would allow me to control variables in my PLC.

In Tag Editor, I have chosen Ignition OPC-UA Server as Server. I am now having problem with what should I pick as a path. I have tried [PLC]::Server:Test\_Variable1 and variations of it, but nothing seems to help. Just FYI, that is how B&R organizes their paths to variables ‘::config:variable’ and that is also how I could reach those variables at B&R to B&R OPC communication.

I have tried to assign same Roles in both Ignition Gateway and my B&R PLC with no result whatsoever. I might need to go over this topic in Inductive University to gain a better understanding.

I appreciate any help. Thank you.

Best regards,  
Martin

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**Author:** ![Kevin.Herron](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/kevin.herron/32/7259_2.png) [@Kevin.Herron](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Kevin.Herron)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-i-link-tags-to-variables-in-b-r-plcs/41387/2 "2020-12-10T14:40:17Z")

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> [@martinmarefy](#):
>
> Gateway 7.8 - Devices (I use TCP Driver)

This is the wrong driver to use.

If the PLC has a built in OPC UA server then you aren't going to be adding a device in Ignition at all - you just add a new OPC UA connection.

It will be similar to these instructions for Kepware: [Connecting to Kepware OPC-UA - Ignition User Manual 7.8 - Ignition Documentation](https://docs.inductiveautomation.com/display/DOC/Connecting+to+Kepware+OPC-UA)

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**Author:** ![martinmarefy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4da419/32.png) [@martinmarefy](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/martinmarefy)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-i-link-tags-to-variables-in-b-r-plcs/41387/3 "2020-12-10T16:21:25Z")

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Thanks for the super quick response, highly appreaciated.

I followed the guide and I received a ‘Faulted’ connection status. According to guide it might be due to certificates. I tried downloading the Ignition client certification and adding it to my PLC configuration, but no luck. I will try and contact B&R support, from what I have heard earlier there were already succesful applications with B&R and Ignition, so hopefully they are going to have helpful resources.

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**Author:** ![ryanjmclaughlin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/ryanjmclaughlin/32/4318_2.png) [@ryanjmclaughlin](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/ryanjmclaughlin)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-i-link-tags-to-variables-in-b-r-plcs/41387/4 "2020-12-10T16:24:53Z")

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I looked into this a few years ago with our B&R (the project fizzled so never completed it) but B&R support for OPC-UA seemed all over the place depending on which controller you are using. For ours we needed to enable the OPC-UA server on the controller (which later we found our CPUs were not powerful enough to support the logic and OPC) then you still need to do configuration in the B&R software to map your variables and expose them to the OPC-UA server.

It is defiantly possible, but just might take a bit of back and forth on both sides to get the config right.
