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Attributes are data elements that describe Nodes. Clients can access Attribute values using Read, Write, Query, and Subscription/MonitoredItem Services. These Services are defined in OPC 10000-4.

Attributes are elementary components of NodeClasses. Attribute definitions are included as part of the NodeClass definitions in Clause 5 and, therefore, are not included in the AddressSpace.

Each Attribute definition consists of an attribute id (for attribute ids of Attributes, see OPC 10000-6), a name, a description, a data type and a mandatory/optional indicator. The set of Attributes defined for each NodeClass shall not be extended by Clients or Servers.

When a Node is instantiated in the AddressSpace, the values of the NodeClass Attributes are provided. The mandatory/optional indicator for the Attribute indicates whether the Attribute has to be instantiated.