Integrated fieldbus data server architecture

An integrated control system providing a single interface for client application software to semantic and run-time data for fieldbus devices, comprising:

• a plurality of active fieldbus devices;
• a fieldbus network, wherein the fieldbus network connects the active fieldbus devices;
• and
• a server application, in communication with and operatively connected to the active fieldbus devices via the fieldbus network, including:
• a FF server module, wherein the FF server module communicates with the active fieldbus devices through the fieldbus network;
• a server browse function, wherein the server browse function is used to locate semantic information for the active fieldbus devices;
• and
• a server data access function, wherein the server data access function provides access to runtime and semantic information for the active fieldbus devices.

A method of client application software, in an integrated control system, accessing semantic and runtime data for fieldbus devices through a single interface, comprising the steps of:

• providing a server browse function, wherein the server browse function provides access to semantic data for the active fieldbus devices;
• providing a server data access function, wherein the server data access function provides access to runtime data for the active fieldbus devices;
• providing a client in communication with the server browse function and the server data access function;
• and
• the client application software accessing the semantic data and the run-time data through the client.