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open62541/open62541

Free

Open source implementation of OPC UA (OPC Unified Architecture) aka IEC 62541 licensed under Mozilla Public License v2.0

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source

About open62541/open62541

open62541 is an open source implementation of OPC UA (OPC Unified Architecture / IEC 62541) written in the C language. The library is usable with all major compilers and provides the necessary tools to implement dedicated OPC UA clients and servers, or to integrate OPC UA-based communication into existing applications. It is platform independent, with all platform-specific functionality implemented via exchangeable plugins for easy porting to different (embedded) targets. open62541 is licensed under the Mozilla Public License v2.0 (MPLv2), allowing the library to be combined and distributed with any proprietary software; only changes to the library itself need to be licensed under MPLv2. Some plugins and examples are in the public domain (CC0 license). The library is available in standard source and binary form, and also as a single-file source distribution that merges the entire library into a single .c and .h file for easy integration. An example server built with open62541 v1.4 was certified for the 'Standard Server 2017 Profile'. Commercial support is available from o6 Automation GmbH.

Key Features

Open source OPC UA client and server implementation in C
Platform independent with exchangeable plugins for embedded targets
Single-file source distribution (one .c and one .h file) for easy integration
Licensed under MPLv2, allowing proprietary combined works
Certified for Standard Server 2017 Profile (v1.4)
Commercial support available from o6 Automation GmbH
Active community with public mailing list and issue tracker

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free and open source under MPLv2, allowing use in proprietary software
  • Platform independent with easy portability to various targets
  • Certified OPC UA server profile ensures interoperability
  • Single-file distribution simplifies addition to projects
  • Active community and commercial support available
Cons
  • Requires C programming knowledge for integration
  • Not an AI tool; focused on industrial communication protocol
  • Learning curve for understanding OPC UA specification
  • Documentation may be technical and require prior domain knowledge

Best For

Industrial automation and control systemsBuilding automation and smart infrastructureInternet of Things (IoT) and M2M communicationEmbedded systems requiring OPC UA connectivityIntegrating OPC UA-based communication into existing applications

FAQ

What is open62541?
open62541 is an open source implementation of OPC UA (OPC Unified Architecture / IEC 62541) written in C. It allows you to build dedicated OPC UA clients and servers or integrate OPC UA communication into existing applications.
What license is used?
open62541 is licensed under the Mozilla Public License v2.0 (MPLv2). This allows the library to be combined and distributed with any proprietary software; only changes to the library itself need to be licensed under MPLv2. Some plugins and examples are in the public domain (CC0 license).
Is open62541 certified?
An example server built with open62541 v1.4 was certified for the 'Standard Server 2017 Profile'.
Where can I get commercial support?
Commercial support is provided by o6 Automation GmbH, which employs the core contributors to open62541.