How to Connect an Engineering PC to Program SLC5/04 PLCs on a DH+ Network via Ethernet

Question:

Hello everyone, I am looking for some guidance on connecting an engineering PC to program SLC5/04 PLCs on a DH+ network. I am returning to the AB world after a break and could use some assistance with this task. We have four SLC5/04 PLCs connected in a daisy chain on a DH+ network, terminated in a Control Logix Gateway. The SCADA system is connected to the gateway on the process control network (PCN). How can I establish a connection for programming the SLCs from an engineering PC on the PCN? Your response is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

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The DH+/Ethernet IP gateways play a crucial role in process control networks, allowing for seamless communication between devices. When navigating through RsLinx, you will come across two DH+ Highway connections labeled as A and B, which ultimately connect to your SLC modules. Personally, I have found greater success using this method compared to troubleshooting the local serial interface.

Are you familiar with setting up RSLinx for DH/RIO communication? Proper configuration of the DH/RIO and ENBT is necessary. Confirm if the ENBT and DHRIO are visible in the network. Identify the channel assigned to DH+ and troubleshoot it to locate the 5/04.

When setting up an Ethernet driver in RSLinx for a ControlLogix backplane, start by pinging the ENBT to establish connectivity. If permitted by IT policies, configure for EtherNet/IP; otherwise, use EtherNet Devices. Navigate within RSLinx to expand the ENBT to access the ControlLogix backplane, then progress to the DHRIO module and DH+ network to view the 5/04. In a previous role, I found that a pre-configured DHRIO module in a Logix chassis enabled seamless browsing with RSLinx, negating the need for a routing table. While I lack the necessary hardware for a live demo, I'm confident in the effectiveness of this setup approach.

To begin, you must set up your computer to communicate with the ENBT in the CLX chassis. In RSLinx Classic, you can establish an EtherNet/IP driver to enable your PC to connect with the ENBT. Ensure that the IP address displayed on the ENBT matches the subnet address of your computer. For instance, if the ENBT is using 192.168.1.10, your computer should have an IP address like 192.168.1.xx, where "xx" is a number between 1-254 not in use by any other device on the network. While there are numerous RSLinx Ethernet/IP driver setup tutorials on YouTube, the linked video demonstrates a similar configuration process. The video showcases connecting to a CLX system via an Ethernet network and then to a DeviceNet network. Although not DH+, the process is quite similar. Learn more about configuring the EtherNet/IP Driver with RSLinx software by watching the tutorial video on YouTube.

Thank you all for your responses, it's greatly appreciated. Everything has been going smoothly so far. The next step involves connecting to RS Logix and going online. I'm unsure if we have the most up-to-date program - is there a way to download a program from an SLC for this purpose?

Hello! Awesome to hear that you're returning to the AB world. The easiest approach would be to use an Ethernet to DH+ gateway. An example product you could consider is ProSoft's AN-X2-AB-DHRIO which essentially bridges between Ethernet and DH+ networks, allowing a PC on the Ethernet network side to connect to the SLC5/04 PLCs on the DH+ network. You'd just set the IP for the gateway, connect it into your PCN with an Ethernet cable, and finally connect the DH+ port to your existing daisy chain. Just ensure to adjust your RSLinx driver settings to connect to the PLCs via this gateway. Best of luck, and feel free to ask if you need any further clarification!

Hey there, welcome back to the world of AB! You should be able to strike a connection through a modern interface like an Ethernet module with DH+ gateway functionality, such as Prosoft's AN-X2-AB-DHRIO. You'll just need to make sure if the router on the PCN allows this type of communication. Also, remember to configure the module's DH+ and Ethernet IPs to suit your existing DH+ and PCN networks. To make the SLCs visible for programming, the module's software will likely need a routing table. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Hi there, welcome back to the AB world. Sound like you've got quite a task ahead of you. Essentially, you'll need a software like RSLinx Classic Gateway that would allow you to communicate with these devices over Ethernet. An Ethernet/IP to DH+ bridge like ProSoft's AN-X2-AB-DHRIO could also work. This lets you connect your PC on the Ethernet network to the DH+ devices. Given the nature of your project, contacting a network specialist might be helpful to ensure nothing gets mixed up. Also, make sure you're following the right safety procedures when working on these networks. These are just general suggestions and actual procedures might vary. Always best to double-check your specific setup. Good luck!

Welcome back to the AB world! You can establish a connection to your SLC5/04 PLCs via the ControlLogix gateway. You should use RSLinx software to configure a DH+ driver that communicates through your ControlLogix gateway. This will enable you to reach your PLCs on the DH+ network from your engineering PC on the PCN. Don't forget to correct set up and gate routing tables. Remember, RSLinx software should be used with the correct version supporting DH+ communication. Good luck!

Welcome back to the AB world! To connect your engineering PC to program the SLC5/04 PLCs over DH+, you’ll need to ensure your PC has the necessary hardware for the connection, such as a 1784-U2DHP or an equivalent DH+ interface card. Once you have that set up, you can use RSLogix 500 to communicate with the SLCs. Make sure you configure the correct DH+ node addressing for each PLC in your software, and check that your ControlLogix gateway is properly set up to route the DH+ traffic to your process control network. If everything's correctly configured, you should be able to program the PLCs without any issues. Good luck, and don't hesitate to reach out with more questions!

Hey there! It sounds like you have quite the setup with your SLC5/04 PLCs. To connect your engineering PC to program those PLCs over the DH+ network, you’ll need to ensure you have the right software installed, like RSLogix 500 for SLC programming. Make sure your engineering PC has the necessary DH+ interface—either a compatible PCI card or a USB-to-DH+ converter. Once that’s sorted, you’ll want to configure the DH+ settings in RSLogix to match your network configuration (like node numbers) and ensure your PC is set to the correct network address. Finally, verify that your PC can communicate with the Control Logix Gateway, as that will serve as the bridge. Good luck, and welcome back to the AB world!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. How can I connect an engineering PC to program SLC5/04 PLCs on a DH+ network?

Answer: - To connect an engineering PC to program SLC5/04 PLCs on a DH+ network, you can establish a connection through a Control Logix Gateway. The SLC5/04 PLCs are connected in a daisy chain on the DH+ network, terminated in the Control Logix Gateway. The SCADA system is connected to the gateway on the process control network (PCN).

FAQ: 2. What steps should I follow to establish a connection for programming the SLCs from an engineering PC on the PCN?

Answer: - To establish a connection for programming the SLCs from an engineering PC on the PCN, you can utilize the existing setup with the Control Logix Gateway. Ensure that the engineering PC is on the same network as the Control Logix Gateway and configure the necessary software for programming the SLC5/04 PLCs.

FAQ: 3. Are there any specific considerations or settings I need to be aware of when connecting the engineering PC to program SLC5/04 PLCs on a DH+ network?

Answer: - When connecting an engineering PC to program SLC5/04 PLCs on a DH+ network, make sure to check the network settings, IP addresses, and compatibility of the programming software with the PLCs. Additionally, ensure that the communication protocols are correctly configured to establish a successful connection for programming the SLCs.

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