# Add a data server to an application

To use data server tags, you need to add an OPC data server to provide the link between your application and the hardware device containing the tags being referenced.

FactoryTalk View Studio is an OPC client. The default OPC server installed with FactoryTalk View Studio is FactoryTalk Linx. However, you can use third-party OPC servers to communicate with your application's data sources. Most OPC servers are capable of communicating with a variety of devices over a variety of networks using a variety of protocols.

## To add a data server

1. In the Explorer window, position the mouse cursor at the root of the application, right-click the application icon and select New Data Server from the Context menu.

   or

   From the File menu, select New.

2. Select FactoryTalk Linx or OPC.
3. In the OPC properties dialog box that opens, specify the required information in the General and Advanced tabs.
4. Click OK in each tab to save the data server information.

## To modify the properties of an OPC data server after it has been added

1. Right-click the data server's icon and then select Properties from the Context menu.
2. In the Data Server Properties tabs, make the necessary changes, and then click OK.

## To delete a data server

- Right-click the data server and then select Delete.

## See also

Data server properties (General tab)

Data server properties (Advanced tab)

Keywords: data server