What is Varec Link?

Varec Link is real-time software for industrial automation

Use Varec Link to make real-time, bidirectional connections to OPC UA, DA, MQTT, A&C, and A&E clients and servers. Connect any SQL database, Modbus slave, Excel spreadsheet, custom programs, embedded systems, Microsoft Azure IoT Hub, AWS IoT Core, AWS Kinesis, any standard MQTT client or broker, and popular real-time data historians.

Integrate all data into a single, unified set (unified namespace)

Bring all the data from all sources into a single, unified data set within the Varec Link program. Any selected subset of this data can be accessed by any client using any supported protocol: OPC UA, OPC Classic, Modbus, MQTT, DDE, TCP, ODBC, HTTP, XML, and more.

Use your data in any number of ways

  • Network OPC servers and clients
  • Do monitoring and supervisory control
  • Log your data to real-time data historians or any SQL database
  • Connect securely to the Industrial IoT
  • Generate alarms and notifications based on data change
  • Run real-time analysis in Excel

 

 

Data connectivity, integration, and visualization features  

  • OPC DA or OPC UA Support – connect to OPC DA or UA servers and clients
  • OPC A&E – Connect to OPC A&E servers and clients
  • MQTT – Connect to MQTT clients and brokers
  • Tunnel/mirror – Secure networking of OPC data without DCOM problems
  • Data bridging – Connect two or more data sources to share data in real time
  • Modbus – Connect to Modbus TCP or RTU slave devices
  • Secure Remote Configuration Tool – Configure a network of Varec Link instances from a single location
  • QuickTrend – View live, real-time trends for selected data
  • Security – Control access and set permissions for users and groups

Security & Reliability

  • Secure by Design: Keeps OT (Operational Technology) networks safe by closing all inbound firewall ports, minimizing exposure to cyber threats.
  • Data Diode Mode: Ensures one-way data flow for maximum security, compatible with hardware data diodes.
  • Advanced User Permissions: Supports multi-factor authentication (MFA), LDAP integration, and granular access control based on IP, protocol, and user roles.

Connectivity & Integration

  • Unified Data Access: Connects OPC UA, OPC DA, MQTT, Modbus, and other protocols into a single, unified data set.
  • Cloud Integration: Seamlessly connects to Azure IoT Hub, AWS IoT Core, Google IoT, and other cloud platforms.
  • Protocol Conversion: Real-time, inline conversion between industrial protocols without compromising performance or security.

Flexibility & Functionality

  • Real-Time Data Manipulation: Perform calculations, conversions, and data aggregation in real time.
  • WebView HMI: Enhanced dashboard and visualization tools with multi-tab editing, scripting, and control access features.
  • Database Logging: Logs data to any ODBC-compliant database including SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, and AVEVA PI.

Scalability & Performance

  • High Availability & Redundancy: Supports redundant Varec Link instances and data sources for mission-critical applications.
  • Historian Support: Integrates with AVEVA Historian, Apache Kafka, Azure Event Hubs, and more for advanced analytics.
  • IoT & Industry 4.0 Ready: Designed to support modern industrial automation and IoT deployments.

Ease of Use & Support

  • Quick Setup: Easy to configure and get running within minutes.
  • Simple Licensing: No registration server required; easy license upgrades and transfers.
  • Strong Support: Offers comprehensive technical support and free upgrades with active maintenance.