Solution-Level Unified Namespace
FrameworX implements a native Unified Namespace at the solution level, providing the primary abstraction for organizing and accessing all system data. Unlike enterprise-wide UNS concepts that span organizations, our native UNS operates at the solution scope while supporting both consumption from and contribution to enterprise systems.
For the distinction between enterprise and solution-level UNS, check out the article: Local UNS vs Enterprise UNS: The Pragmatic Path to Unified Namespace.
UNS and the Broader Object Model
The FrameworX UNS is specifically the Data Foundation — Pillar 1 of the Four Pillars architecture: user-defined Tags, the Asset Tree, UserTypes, Enumerations, and TagProvider Services. The UNS does NOT subsume the built-in system namespaces. Instead, UNS and the built-in namespaces together form the runtime Object Model — a 12-root .NET-backed hierarchy accessible through a single unified interface:
- UNS (Pillar 1 / Data Foundation): user-defined Tags and the Asset Tree — the first root (
Tag.*). - Built-in namespaces (peers of UNS inside the Object Model, NOT sub-regions of UNS): Server, Client, Alarm, Device, Historian, Dataset, Script, Report, Display, Security, Info — the remaining 11 roots. These are the runtime namespaces that platform modules auto-create.
All 12 roots are accessible through the same unified IntelliSense-driven interface — bindings, Displays, Scripts, and MCP tools traverse them uniformly. That unified access pattern is the architectural story of the native UNS and the broader Object Model. But the UNS itself remains strictly Pillar 1; the other 11 roots are named built-in namespaces, distinct siblings of UNS.
See Built-in Namespaces for system namespace details and the Four Pillars Methodology for the pillar taxonomy.
Core Capabilities
Hierarchical Organization
Create context through folder structures that mirror your physical or logical organization:
- ISA-95 equipment hierarchies
- Geographic locations
- Functional areas
- Custom organizational models
Data Types
- Simple tags - Basic data points with full .NET type support
- User-defined types - Complex templates for equipment models
- Arrays and structures - Multi-dimensional data organization
Dynamic Extensions
Beyond traditional UNS capabilities, FrameworX extends dynamically to external sources without import or mapping:
Live External Connections
- Ephemeral assets - Connect to systems where asset definitions change dynamically
- Database tables - Direct mapping to SQL tables as UNS nodes
- External systems - OPC UA servers, MQTT brokers, other FrameworX systems
These appear as folders in the UNS tree but maintain live connections to their sources. Changes in the external system immediately reflect in the native UNS.
Third-Party Module Integration
External modules and add-ons register their configuration within the unified namespace, maintaining single-point access to all system components.
Details:
Native Protocol Exposure
The native UNS can be exposed through industry-standard protocols with simple configuration:
| Protocol | Function | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| MQTT Broker | Publish UNS as MQTT topics | Enable checkbox, set visibility |
| OPC UA Server | Expose UNS as OPC nodes | Enable checkbox, configure security |
No republishing or mapping required—the UNS structure automatically transforms to the target protocol format.
Visibility Control
Granular control over external exposure:
- Public - Visible to external systems
- Protected - Visible with authentication
- Private - Internal only
Apply at any level—folders inherit parent visibility unless overridden.
Solution Scope and Enterprise Integration
Operating Modes
Depending on , the native UNS can:
- Originate - Create and publish data to enterprise UNS
- Consume - Subscribe to enterprise UNS data
- Bridge - Both consume and originate (hybrid solutions)
Typical Architectures
- Edge solutions - Primarily originate, publishing to enterprise
- HMI solutions - Primarily consume from enterprise sources
- Gateway solutions - Bridge between systems
Architectural Foundation and Related Concepts
The native UNS orchestrates multiple underlying technologies:
- Real-Time Database - Runtime storage and event engine
- TagProvider Services - External system integration
- Communication Protocols - MQTT, OPC UA native support
- Security Module - Access control and authentication
As the central abstraction of the Data Foundation pillar, the UNS provides unified access to all these technologies through a single, consistent interface — and is itself part of the broader runtime Object Model that spans UNS and the 11 built-in namespace roots.
Related Concepts
- System namespace structure
- Underlying runtime engine
- External integration
- Configuration interface
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