When configuring and communicating with End Station Components in an industrial network, many end users wish to use HostNames rather than IP addresses. Since the underlying transport protocols (e.g., TCP and UDP) use IP addresses, a HostName needs to first be resolved to an IP address before initiating communications. In both IT and OT networks, the Domain Name System (DNS) is commonly used when HostName resolution is required.

By virtue of using OPC UA transport mechanisms, UAFX makes provisions for using HostNames, as described in the following sections. Requirements to support HostName resolution vary by UAFX Profile, as defined in OPC 10000-84.