Overview
IEC 62541-22:2025 - OPC Unified Architecture, Part 22: Base Network Model (BNM) - specifies an OPC UA Information Model for a basic, reusable set of network-related components used by other OPC UA Information Models. The initial 2025 edition defines parameter sets and object models for TSN Talkers and Listeners, Ethernet network interfaces and ports, VLAN and MAC addressing, priority mapping, and stream configuration/status. The standard provides types, data structures, instance entry points and modeling examples to enable consistent network modeling in OPC UA servers.
Key Topics and Requirements
- OPC UA Interface and Naming Conventions: standardized Type and Naming Conventions and recommended use of OPC UA InterfaceTypes to ensure consistent modelling across implementations.
- InterfaceTypes & ObjectTypes: includes interfaces such as IIetfBaseNetworkInterfaceType, IIeeeBaseEthernetPortType, TSN stream and traffic specification interfaces (e.g., IIeeeBaseTsnStreamType, IIeeeBaseTsnTrafficSpecificationType), VLAN/MAC types, and priority mapping types.
- DataTypes: enumeration and structure DataTypes for TSN states, failure codes, duplex/admin/operational status and priority mapping entries.
- Instance Entry Points: defined folders and entry points (Resources, Communication, MappingTables, NetworkInterfaces, Streams, TalkerStreams, ListenerStreams) to organize address space.
- ReferenceTypes & Methods: reusable references such as UsesPriorityMappingTable and HasLowerLayerInterface; methods to add/delete priority mapping entries to manage QoS mappings.
- Modeling Guidance: Annex A provides informative examples - virtual network interfaces, link aggregation, and integration examples for PubSub over TSN and companion specifications (e.g., PROFINET).
Applications
- Model network interfaces and ports in OPC UA servers for industrial devices and gateways.
- Represent and configure Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) streams (talker/listener), traffic specifications and status for real-time industrial communication.
- Expose VLAN, MAC addressing and priority mapping (CoS/PCP) to enable consistent QoS configuration and monitoring.
- Support integration of OPC UA PubSub over TSN and companion specifications to improve interoperability among devices, switches and systems.
- Useful for monitoring, diagnostics, configuration tools, and network-aware applications in manufacturing, process automation and critical infrastructure.
Who Should Use This Standard
- OPC UA stack and application developers
- Device manufacturers (Ethernet/TSN-capable devices)
- System integrators and industrial network engineers
- Authors of OPC UA companion specifications and PubSub implementers
- Test labs and certification bodies validating OPC UA network models
Related Standards
- IEC 62541 family (OPC UA core and companion parts)
- IEEE TSN and Ethernet-related standards (for TSN stream and traffic concepts)
- Companion specifications that integrate BNM for consistent network modeling
Keyword summary: IEC 62541-22, OPC UA Base Network Model, TSN Talkers, TSN Listeners, network interfaces, Ethernet, priority mapping, OPC Unified Architecture, industrial automation.
