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 4.10 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.