Communication Settings in Controller Selection Mode

Overview

The Communication Settings tab in controller selection mode is displayed when the mode Controller selection mode has been selected for the parameter Communication page in the Tools > Options > Device editor dialog box. The tab provides access to the Network Device Identification service that allows you to scan the Ethernet network for available controllers and to display them in a list. You can configure the parameters for the communication between the devices (referred to as controllers in this chapter) and the programming system.

The list of controllers contains those controllers in the network that have sent a response to the request of EcoStruxure Machine Expert. It may happen that the controller of your choice is not included in this list. This can have several causes. For causes and suitable solutions, refer to the chapter Accessing Controllers - Troubleshooting and FAQ.

Communication Settings tab in controller selection mode

The Communication Settings tab provides the following elements:

  • Buttons in the toolbar

  • List providing information on the available controllers

  • Option, list, and box at the bottom of the tab

Description of the Buttons in the Toolbar

The following buttons are available in the toolbar:

Button

Description

Change Communication Policy...

Click this button to open the Change Communication Policy dialog box that allows you to select a new communication policy for the selected controller.

Change Runtime Password Policy...

Click this button to open the Change Runtime Password Policy dialog box that allows you to modify the controller settings regarding the password policy that is being used.

Optical

Click this button to cause the selected controller to indicate an optical signal: It flashes a control LED. This can help you to identify one controller if several controllers are used.

The function stops on a second click or automatically after about 30 seconds.

NOTE: The optical signal is issued only by controllers that support this function.

Optical and acoustical

Click this button to cause the selected controller to indicate an optical and an acoustical signal: It starts to beep and flashes a control LED. This can help you to identify one controller if several controllers are used.

The function stops on a second click or automatically after about 30 seconds.

NOTE: The optical and acoustical signals are issued only by controllers that support this function.

Update

Click this button to refresh the list of controllers. A request is sent to the controllers in the network. Controllers that respond to the request are listed with the updated values.

Pre-existing entries of controllers are updated with every new request.

Controllers that are already in the list but do not respond to a new request are not deleted. They are marked as inactive by a red cross being added to the controller icon.

The Update button corresponds to the Refresh list command that is provided in the contextual menu if you right-click a controller in the list.

To refresh the information of a selected controller, the contextual menu provides the command Refresh this controller. This command requests more detailed information from the selected controller.

NOTE: The Refresh this controller command can also refresh the information of other controllers.

Remove inactive controllers from list.

Controllers that do not respond to a network scan are marked as inactive in the list. This is indicated by a red cross being added to the controller icon. Click this button to remove the controllers that are marked as inactive controllers from the list.

NOTE: A controller can be marked as inactive even if this is not the case.

The contextual menu that opens if you right-click a controller in the list provides two other commands for removing controllers:

  • The Remove selected controller from list command allows you to remove only the selected controller from the list.

  • The Remove all controllers from list command allows you to remove all controllers simultaneously from the list.

New Favorite... and Favorite 0

You can use Favorites to adjust the selection of controllers to your personal requirements. This can help you keep track of many controllers in the network.

A Favorite describes a collection of controllers that are recognized by a unique identifier.

Click a favorite button (such as Favorite 0) to select or deselect it. If you have not selected a favorite, all detected controllers are visible.

You can also access Favorites via the contextual menu. It opens upon right-clicking a controller in the list.

Move the cursor over a favorite button in the toolbar to view the associated controllers as a tooltip.

List of Controllers

The list of controllers in the middle of the Communication Settings tab of the device editor lists those controllers that have sent a response to the network scan. It provides information on each controller in several columns. You can adapt the columns displayed in the list of controllers according to your individual requirements.

To achieve this, right-click the header of a column to open the Process columns dialog box.

You can create your own layout of this table. Click New, and enter a name for your layout. Shift columns from the list of Possible columns to the list of Current columns and vice versa by clicking the horizontal arrow buttons. To change the order of the columns in the Current columns list, click the arrow up and arrow down buttons.

Configuring Communication Settings

To set the parameters for communication between the programming system and a controller, proceed as follows:

Step

Action

1

Select the controller in the list of controllers.

2

Right-click the controller entry and execute the command Edit communication settings... from the contextual menu.

Result: The Edit communication settings dialog box opens with the settings of the controller.

NOTE: Most controllers provide a parameter (such as RemoteAccess) that helps prevent changing communication parameters of the controller.

3

Configure the communication parameters:

  • Boot Mode

    • FIXED: A fixed IP address is used according to the values entered below (IP address, Subnet mask, Gateway).

    • BOOTP: The IP address is received dynamically by BOOTP (bootstrap protocol). The values below will be ignored.

    • DHCP: The IP address is received dynamically by DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol). The values below will be ignored.

    NOTE: Not all devices support BOOTP and/or DHCP.

  • IP address

    When configuring IP addresses, refer to the hazard message below.

    This box contains the IP address of the controller. It is a unique address that consists of four numbers in the range of 0...255 separated by periods. The IP address has to be unique in this (sub)network.

  • Subnet mask

    The subnet mask specifies the network segment to which the controller belongs. It is an address that consists of four numbers in the range of 0...255 separated by periods. Generally, only the values 0 and 255 are used for standard subnet mask numbers. However, other numeric values are possible. The value of the subnet mask is generally the same for all controllers in the network.

  • Gateway

    The gateway address is the address of a local IP router that is located on the same network as the controller. The IP router passes the data to destinations outside of the local network. It is an address that consists of four numbers in the range of 0...255 separated by periods. The value of the gateway is generally the same for all controllers in the network.

  • To save the communication settings in the controller even if it is restarted, activate the option Save settings permanently.

4

Click OK to transfer the settings to the controller.

Carefully manage the IP addresses because each device on the network requires a unique address. Having multiple devices with the same IP address can cause unintended operation of your network and associated equipment.

 WARNING
UNINTENDED EQUIPMENT OPERATION
  • Verify that all devices have unique addresses.
  • Obtain your IP address from your system administrator.
  • Confirm that the device’s IP address is unique before placing the system into service.
  • Do not assign the same IP address to any other equipment on the network.
  • Update the IP address after cloning any application that includes Ethernet communications to a unique address.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage.

Managing Favorites

To manage favorites in the list of controllers, proceed as follows:

Step

Action

1

Select the controller in the list of controllers.

2

Right-click the controller and select one of the commands:

  • New Favorite to create a new group of favorites.

  • Favorite n in order to

    • Add the selected controller to this list of favorites

    • Remove the selected controller from this list of favorites

    • Remove all controllers from this list of favorites

    • Select a favorite

    • Rename a favorite

    • Remove a favorite

Encrypted communication Option

When the Encrypted communication option is selected under the Communication Settings tab, communication to the controller will be encrypted.

NOTE: The following prerequisites must be fulfilled to perform encrypted communication with a controller:

  • The controller must support TLS (Transport Layer Security).

  • A certificate must be available on the controller.

Consult the Programming Guide specific to your controller for information on the support of TLS.

The following scenarios are possible when you attempt to log into a controller using encrypted communication:

If...

Then ...

Comment

If the controller does not support TLS (prerequisite 1 is not fulfilled)

Then a message will be displayed when you attempt to log into the controller, indicating that the controller does not support TLS.

The login is denied.

If a certificate is not available on the controller (prerequisite 2 is not fulfilled)

Then a message will be displayed when you attempt to log into the controller, indicating that encrypted communication could not be initialized successfully.

The login is denied.

If both prerequisites are fulfilled

Then a message will be displayed when you attempt to log into the controller for the first time, requesting you to install the (untrusted) controller certificate to the local Controller Certificates store of the PC running EcoStruxure Machine Expert.

If you confirm with OK:

  • The login will be successful given that the user password, if required, is provided as well.

  • Communication to the controller will be encrypted.

  • The message will not be displayed again.

If you click Cancel:

  • The login will be denied.

  • The message will be displayed with every new attempt to log in.

For further information, refer to the document How To Manage Certificates on the Controller.

Confirmed online mode Option

The Confirmed online mode option causes EcoStruxure Machine Expert to display a message requiring confirmation when one of the following online commands is selected: Force values, Login, Multiple download, Release force list, Single cycle, Start, Stop, Write values. To disable the Confirmed online mode option and thereby delete the display of this message, clear this option.

Specifying Unique Device Names (NodeNames)

The term NodeName is used as a synonym for the term device name. Since nodenames are also used to identify a controller after a network scan, manage them as carefully as IP addresses and verify that each nodename is unique in your network. Having multiple devices assigned the same nodename can cause unpredictable operation of your network and associated equipment.

 WARNING
UNINTENDED EQUIPMENT OPERATION
  • Ensure that all devices have unique nodenames.
  • Confirm that the device’s nodename is unique before placing the system into service.
  • Do not assign the same nodename to any other equipment on the network.
  • Update the nodename after cloning any application that includes Ethernet communications to a unique nodename.
  • Create a unique nodename for each device that does not create it automatically, such as M241 and M251 controllers.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage.

Depending on the type of controller, the automatic creation of the NodeName (device name) may differ in procedure. To create a unique name, some controllers integrate their IP address, others use the MAC address of the Ethernet adapter. In this case, you do not have to change the name.

You can also assign a unique device name (NodeName) as follows:

Step

Action

1

Right-click the controller in the list and execute the command Change device name... from the contextual menu.

Result: The Change device name dialog box opens.

2

In the Change device name dialog box, enter a unique device name in the box New.

3

Click the OK button to confirm.

Result: The device name you entered is assigned to the controller and is displayed in the column NodeName of the list.

NOTE: Device name and NodeName are synonymous.

Specifying the Connection Mode

The Connection Mode list at the lower left of the Communication Settings tab allows you to select a format for the connection address you have to enter in the Address field.

The following formats are supported:

NOTE: After you have changed the Connection Mode, it may be required to perform the login procedure twice to gain access to the selected controller.

Connection Mode Automatic

If you select the option Automatic from the Connection Mode list, you can enter the nodename, the IP address, or the connection URL (uniform resource locator) to specify the Address.

NOTE: Do not use spaces at the beginning or end of the Address.

If you have selected another Connection Mode and you have specified an Address for this mode, the address you specified will still be available in the Address box if you switch to Connection Mode > Automatic.

Example:

Connection Mode > Nodename via NAT (Remote TCP) selected and address and nodename specified

If you switch to Connection Mode > Automatic, the information is converted to a URL, starting with the prefix enodename3://

If an IP address has been entered for the connection mode, the information is converted to a URL starting with a prefix. For the Connection Mode > IP Address , the prefix etcp3:// is used. For the Connection Mode > IP Address (Fast TCP) , the prefix etcp4:// is used. For example, etcp4://<IpAddress>.

NOTE: In the Controller Assistant and the Diagnostics tools, an IP address can additionally have the prefix etcp2://. This is only available for PacDrive M controllers.

If a nodename has been entered for the connection mode (for example, when Connection Mode > Nodename has been selected), the information is converted to a URL starting with the prefix enodename3://. For example, enodename3://<Nodename>.

Connection Mode > Nodename

If you select the option Nodename from the Connection Mode list, you can enter the nodename of a controller to specify the Address. The text box is filled automatically if you double-click a controller in the list of controllers.

Example: Nodename: MyM238 (10.128.158.106)

If the controller you selected does not provide a nodename, the Connection Mode automatically changes to IP Address, and the IP address from the list is entered in the Address box.

Connection Mode > IP Address

If you select the option IP Address from the Connection Mode list, you can enter the IP address of a controller to specify the Address. The box is filled automatically if you double-click a controller in the list of controllers.

Example: IP Address: 190.201.100.100

If the controller you selected does not provide an IP address, the Connection Mode automatically changes to Nodename, and the nodename from the list is entered in the Address box.

NOTE: Enter the IP address according to the format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>

Connection Mode > IP Address (Fast TCP)

If you select the option IP Address (Fast TCP) from the Connection Mode list, you can connect to a controller using the TCP protocol. Enter the Target IP address/Port of the controller in the respective field. You can adapt the default setting 11740 for the Port if you are using network address translation (NAT).

Example: IP Address: 190.201.100.100

NOTE: Enter the IP address according to the format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>

If the controller is not listed in the list of controllers, click the Test button. If the controller sends a response to the network scan, an entry for this controller is added to the list of controllers. This entry is marked by the icon TCP being displayed in the first column.

NOTE: This function is not available for all controllers. Consult the Programming Guide specific to your controller to find out whether it supports the IP Address (Fast TCP) connection mode.

Connection Mode > IP Address (PacDriveM only)

If you select the option IP Address (PacDriveM only) from the Connection Mode list, you can enter the IP address of a controller to specify the Address. The box is filled automatically if you double-click a PacDrive M controller in the list of controllers.

Example: IP Address: 190.201.100.100

NOTE: Enter the IP address according to the format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>

Connection Mode > Nodename via NAT (Remote TCP)

If you select the option Nodename via NAT (Remote TCP) from the Connection Mode list, you can specify the address of a controller that resides behind a NAT router in the network. Enter the nodename of the controller, and the IP address or host name and port of the NAT router.

1 PC

2 NAT router

3 Target device

Example: NAT Address/Port: 10.128.158.106/1105 Target Nodename: MyM238 (10.128.158.106)

NOTE: Enter a valid IP address (format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>) or a valid host name for the NAT Address.

Enter the port of the NAT router to be used. Otherwise, the default port 1105 is used.

The information you enter is interpreted as a URL that creates a remote TCP bridge - using TCP block driver - and then connects by scanning for a controller with the given nodename on the local gateway.

NOTE: The NAT router can be located on the target controller itself. You can use it to create a TCP bridge to a controller.

You can also scan a remote network via a remote controller (bridge controller). To achieve this, enter the NAT Address/Port, and click the refresh button right to the NAT Address/Port text field. The controllers that send a response to the remote network scan are listed in the list of controllers. Each of these entries is marked by the icon REM being displayed in the first column. To fill the list with more detailed information, right-click a controller entry and execute the command Refresh this controller. If the controller supports this function, further information on the controller is added to the list. Consult the Programming Guide specific to your controller.

1 Refresh button

2 REM icon

In the following example, the bridge controller, controller 2, and controller 3 are scanned.

1 Local subnet

2 Remote subnet

3 Bridge controller

4 Controller 3

5 Controller 2

6 NAT router

7 PC

Connection Mode > IP Address via NAT (Remote TCP)

If you select the option IP Address via NAT (Remote TCP) (NAT = network address translation) from the Connection Mode list, you can specify the address of a controller that resides behind a NAT router in the network. Enter the IP address of the controller, and the IP address or host name and port of the NAT router.

1 PC

2 NAT router

3 Target device

Example: NAT Address/Port: 10.128.154.206/1105 Target IP Address: 192.168.1.55

NOTE: Enter a valid IP address (format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>) or a valid host name for the NAT Address.

Enter the port of the NAT router to be used. Otherwise, the default port 1105 is used.

Enter a valid IP address (format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>) for the Target IP Address.

The information you enter is interpreted as a URL that creates a remote TCP bridge - using TCP block driver - and then connects by scanning for a controller with the given nodename on the local gateway. The IP address is searched in the nodename (such as MyController (10.128.154.207)).

NOTE: The NAT router can be located on the target controller itself. You can use it to create a TCP bridge to a controller.

You can also scan a remote network via a remote controller (bridge controller). To achieve this, enter the NAT Address/Port, and click the refresh button right to the NAT Address/Port text field. The controllers that send a response to the remote network scan are listed in the list of controllers. Each of these entries is marked by the icon REM being displayed in the first column. To fill the list with more detailed information, right-click a controller entry and execute the command Refresh this controller. If the controller supports this function, further information on the controller is added to the list. Consult the Programming Guide specific to your controller.

1 Refresh button

2 REM icon

In the following example, the bridge controller, controller 2, and controller 3 are scanned.

1 Local subnet

2 Remote subnet

3 Bridge controller

4 Controller 3

5 Controller 2

6 NAT router

7 PC

Connection Mode > Nodename via Gateway

If you select the option Nodename via Gateway from the Connection Mode list, you can specify the address of a controller that resides behind or close to an EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway router in the network. Enter the nodename of the controller, and the IP address or host name and port of the EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway router.

1 PC / HMI

2 PC / HMI / devices with installed EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway

3 Target device

Example: Gateway Address/Port: 10.128.156.28/1217Target Nodename: MyPLC

NOTE: Enter a valid IP address (format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>) or a valid host name for the Gateway Address/Port:.

Enter the port of the gateway router to be used. Otherwise, the default EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway port 1217 is used.

Do not use spaces at the beginning or end and do not use commas in the Target Nodename box.

The information you enter is interpreted as a URL. The gateway is scanned for a device with the given nodename that is directly connected to this gateway. Directly connected means in the EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway topology it is the root node itself or a child node of the root node.

NOTE: The EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway can be located on an HMI, destination PC, or the local PC, making it possible to connect to a device that has no unique nodename but resides in a subnet behind an EcoStruxure Machine Expert network.

The graphic shows an example that allows a connection from the PC to the target controller 3 (item 4 in the graphic) by using the address of hop PC2 (item 5 in the graphic) that must have an EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway installed.

1 Hop PC 1

2 Target controller 1: MyNotUniqueNodename

3 Target controller 2: MyNotUniqueNodename

4 Target controller 3: MyNotUniqueNodename

5 Hop PC 2

6 PC / HMI

7 Router

8 Ethernet

To verify whether the connection to a specific controller can be established, enter the Gateway Address/Port, and click the Test button. If the controller sends a response to the network scan, an entry for this controller is added to the list of controllers. This entry is marked by the icon GAT being displayed in the first column.

To scan a specific gateway for available controllers, enter the Gateway Address/Port, and click the refresh button right to the Gateway Address/Port text field. The controllers that send a response to the gateway scan are listed in the list of controllers. Each of these entries is marked by the icon GAT being displayed in the first column. To fill the list with more detailed information, right-click a controller entry and execute the command Refresh this controller. If the controller supports this function, further information on the controller is added to the list. Consult the Programming Guide specific to your controller.

1 Refresh button

2 GAT icon

The gateway that is scanned can be located on a PC or on an HMI that can reside in the local or in a remote subnet. In the following example, the bridge target controller 1 and target controller 2 are scanned.

1 Local subnet

2 Remote subnet

3 Target controller 1

4 Target controller 2

5 Gateway

6 PC

7 Ethernet

You can connect to the listed devices using the gateway.

Connection Mode > IP Address via Gateway

If you select the option IP Address via Gateway from the Connection Mode list, you can specify the address of a controller that resides behind or close to an EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway router in the network. Enter the IP address of the controller, and the IP address or host name and port of the EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway router.

1 PC / HMI

2 PC / HMI / devices with installed EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway

3 Target device

Example: Gateway Address/Port: 10.128.156.28/1217Target IP Address: 10.128.156.222

NOTE: Enter a valid IP address (format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>) or a valid host name for the Gateway Address/Port:.

Enter the port of the gateway router to be used. Otherwise, the default EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway port 1217 is used.

Enter a valid IP address (format <Number>.<Number>.<Number>.<Number>) for the Target IP Address.

The information you enter is interpreted as a URL. The gateway is scanned for a device with the given IP address. The IP address is searched in the nodename (such as MyController (10.128.154.207)).

NOTE: The EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway can be located on an HMI, destination PC, or the local PC. It is therefore possible to connect to a device that has no unique nodename but resides in a subnet behind an EcoStruxure Machine Expert network.

The graphic shows an example that allows a connection from hop PC2 (item 5 in the graphic) that must have an EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway installed to the target controller 3 (item 4 in the graphic).

1 Hop PC 1

2 Target controller 1: 10.128.156.20

3 Target controller 2: 10.128.156.20

4 Target controller 3: 10.128.156.20

5 Hop PC 2

6 PC

7 Router

8 Ethernet

To verify whether the connection to a specific controller can be established, enter the Gateway Address/Port, and click the Test button. If the controller sends a response to the network scan, an entry for this controller is added to the list of controllers. This entry is marked by the icon GAT being displayed in the first column.

To scan a specific gateway for available controllers, enter the Gateway Address/Port, and click the refresh button right to the Gateway Address/Port text field. The controllers that send a response to the gateway scan are listed in the list of controllers. Each of these entries is marked by the icon GAT being displayed in the first column. To fill the list with more detailed information, right-click a controller entry and execute the command Refresh this controller. If the controller supports this function, further information on the controller is added to the list. Consult the Programming Guide specific to your controller.

1 Refresh button

2 GAT icon

The gateway that is scanned can be located on a PC or on an HMI that can reside in the local or in a remote subnet. In the following example, the bridge target controller 1 and target controller 2 are scanned.

1 Local subnet

2 Remote subnet

3 Target controller 1

4 Target controller 2

5 Gateway

6 PC

7 Ethernet

You can connect to the listed devices using the gateway.

Connection Mode > Nodename via MODEM

If you select the option Nodename via MODEM from the Connection Mode list, you can specify a controller that resides behind a modem line.

1 PC

2 PC / MODEM

3 Target modem

4 Target device

5 Phone line

To establish a connection to the modem, click the MODEM > Connect button. In the Modem Configuration dialog box, enter the Phone number of the target modem and configure the communication settings. Click OK to confirm and to establish a connection to the modem.

If the EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway is stopped and restarted, any connection of the local gateway is terminated. EcoStruxure Machine Expert displays a message that has to be confirmed before the restart process is started.

After the connection to the modem has been established successfully, the MODEM button changes from Connect to Disconnect. The list of controllers is cleared and refreshed scanning the modem connection for connected controllers. You can double-click an item from the list of controllers or enter a nodename in the Target Nodename: box to connect to a specific controller.

Click the MODEM > Disconnect button to terminate the modem connection and to stop and restart the EcoStruxure Machine Expert gateway. The list of controllers is cleared and refreshed scanning the Ethernet network.