This ReferenceType can be used to expose the relation between an Object representing some functionality and an Object representing some environment (e.g. hard- or software) which is necessary to execute and run the functionality. This implies that a malfunction in a referred environment or a missing related environment results in a non-functional functionality. A functionality Object might relate to several environment Objects, in that case all environment Objects are necessary to execute and run the functionality. An environment Object might be referenced by several functionality Objects.

For example, the functionality to move an axis is hosted by the drive moving the axis. Another example is some analog input functionality, which is related to the IO-module and the related firmware.

The IsHostedBy is a concrete ReferenceType and can be used directly. It is a subtype of Utilizes.

The semantic of this ReferenceType is to relate functionality represented by an OPC UA Node to the hard- and software needed to provide the functionality.

The SourceNode of References of this ReferenceType shall be an Object or ObjectType representing some functionality.

The TargetNode of References of this ReferenceType shall be an Object or ObjectType representing some hard- or software.

IsHostedBy is formally defined in Table 10.

Table 10 – IsHostedBy Definition

Attributes	Value
BrowseName	IsHostedBy
InverseName	Hosts
Symmetric	FALSE
IsAbstract	FALSE
References	NodeClass	BrowseName	Comment
Subtype of Utilizes defined in 4.5
Conformance Units
Base Info IsHostedBy