Skip to main content

Scan Modes

OIBus uses Cron-defined scan modes to schedule when South connectors retrieve or when North connectors send data. Scan modes allow you to automate data operations at specific dates and intervals.

Default Scan Modes​

OIBus provides six built-in scan modes for common scheduling needs:

Scan ModeCron ExpressionDescription
Every second* * * * * *Runs every second.
Every 10 seconds*/10 * * * * *Runs every 10 seconds.
Every minute0 * * * * *Runs every minute at the 0-second mark.
Every 10 minutes0 */10 * * * *Runs every 10 minutes at the 0-second mark.
Every hour0 0 * * * *Runs every hour at the 0-minute, 0-second mark.
Every 24 hours0 0 0 * * *Runs daily at midnight (00:00:00).

A seventh, non-editable Subscription scan mode also exists (with no cron expression) for South connectors that push data as it arrives rather than on a schedule (e.g. MQTT, OPC UA DA). It is not displayed in the scan mode list since it cannot be triggered or edited like the others.

Custom Scan Modes​

You can create custom scan modes to fit your specific scheduling requirements.

Tips for Cron Expressions​

  • Format: Cron expressions consist of six fields: [seconds] [minutes] [hours] [day of month] [month] [day of week]. A 7th field (year, as used by Quartz cron) is not supported and will be rejected.
  • Wildcards: Use * to match any value (e.g., * * * * * * for every second).
  • Intervals: Use */ to specify intervals (e.g., */10 for every 10 seconds).
  • Precision: For predictable behavior, specify exact seconds or minutes (e.g., 0 for the top of the minute/hour).
  • Non-standard characters: L, W, #, ?, and H are not supported and will be rejected.

Example Cron Expressions​

  • 30 * * * * *: Runs at the 30-second mark of every minute.
  • 0 15 10 * * *: Runs daily at 10:15:00 AM.
  • 0 0 22 * * 1: Runs every Monday at 10:00:00 PM.

Test Your Cron Expression​

0
Seconds
0 – 59
/10
Minutes
0 – 59
*
Hours
0 – 23
*
Day
1 – 31
*
Month
1 – 12
*
Weekday
0 – 6
Schedule: Every 10 minutes, starting at minutes past the hour
Next 5 executions
  1. Mon, Sep 07, 2026, 10:10:00 AM
  2. Mon, Sep 07, 2026, 10:20:00 AM
  3. Mon, Sep 07, 2026, 10:30:00 AM
  4. Mon, Sep 07, 2026, 10:40:00 AM
  5. Mon, Sep 07, 2026, 10:50:00 AM