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Data source - EtherNet/IP

  • Updated
Supported hardware
Machine Router
Allen-Bradley CompactLogix, ControlLogix, FlexLogix, Micro800, Micrologix IXrouter3, firmware 3.7 and up (upgrade)
IXrouter2, firmware 2.11 and up (upgrade)
Omron NX, NJ, NY, NA IXrouter3, firmware 3.14 and up (upgrade)

For Live data, Historical data, Datalogging to MQTT broker, and Alarming you'll need to set up a data source and add variables. This article shows you how to do this for communication via EtherNet/IP.

Manufacturers that support EtherNet/IP: Allen-Bradley, Omron.

Prepare the machine

Some machines need to be prepared to enable communication.

Allen-Bradley
Every variable in an Allen-Bradley machine has an "External access"-attribute which determines whether an external device, like the IXrouter, has access to that variable. The IXrouter will need access to the variables in the machine.
  1. Set the External access attribute of all relevant tags to Read/write or Read only.
    ethernet_ip_plc_setting.png

Add a data source

The machine will need to be added as a EtherNet/IP data source.

  1. Go to Fleet Manager > Devices and click on your device name.
  2. In the left menu, at Services, click on the add.svg icon and select Data source > EtherNet/IP.
  3. Enter the requested information (details below) and click on Add.
    Field Description
    Name Enter a name for the data source.
    Identifier The identifier is entered automatically and ensures that every data source remains unique, even if they share the same name.
    IP address Enter the IP address of your machine.
    Port The port number will be entered automatically (port 44818 for EtherNet/IP).
    CPU Select your machine type.
    Rack and Slot Rack and slot number of your machine. The default rack number is 1, the default slot number is 0.
    Polling sleep time

    The IXrouter will continuously request data from the machine. This then enables you to log aggregated values, like the average value or the maximum value that occurred, and to trigger alarms when certain conditions are met.

    The polling sleep time is the time that the IXrouter waits before asking data again, after it just received data from the machine.

    A polling sleep time of 100ms is recommended. In the rare case that you are experiencing a high CPU load on the machine, you can increase this setting to reduce the load.

Find the address of your EtherNet/IP variables

The address of an EtherNet/IP variable depends on the machine type.

AB CompactLogix / ControlLogix / FlexLogix / Micro800, Omron NX / NJ / NY / NA

Data type
The following table shows an overview of all equivalent data types in the IXON Cloud.

In machine In IXON Cloud
BOOL Bool
REAL Float32
SINT Int8
INT Int16
DINT Int32
STRING String

Address
Symbolic addressing is used for these CPU types. For controller / global tags the address is simply the variable's name. If the variable is part of a struct, the address is the full name (including the struct names). If the variable is a program or local tag, then the address consists of "PROGRAM:ProgramNameHere." followed by the variable's name.

Take a look at the table below for some examples.

In machine In IXON Cloud
Tag type Tag name Address
Controller / global PartId PartId
Struct LineWorkcell.PartId LineWorkcell.PartId
Program / local PartId (in program "Mixer") PROGRAM:Mixer.PartId
AB MicroLogix

Data type
The following table shows an overview of all equivalent data types in the IXON Cloud.

In machine In IXON Cloud
Memory type Bit number Data type
S (status)   Int16
S (status) 0-15 Bool
B (binary)   Int16
B (binary) 0-15 Bool
T (timer)   Int16
C (counter)   Int16
N (integer)   Int16
N (integer) 0-15 Bool
F (float)   Float32
L (long)   Int32
ST (string)   String

Address
A specific address syntax is used for this type of CPU. The syntax is: MF:W/B (practical example: S2:30/7). Take a look at the table below for a full overview.

Memory type (M) File number (F)   Word number (W)   Bit number (B)
S 2 : 0-255 / 0-15
B 3, 9-255 : 0-255 / 0-15
T 4, 9-255 : 0-255    
C 5, 9-255 : 0-255    
N 7, 9-255 : 0-255 / 0-15
F 8, 9-255 : 0-255    
L 9-255 : 0-255    
ST 9-255 : 0-255    

Add variables

Once you've added a data source and have your EtherNet/IP addresses, you can start adding variables.

  1. Go back to the IXON Cloud.
  2. Under your data_source_outline.svg Data source, go to Variables and click onadd.svgAdd variable.
  3. Enter the requested information (details below) and click on Add.
    Field Description
    Name Enter a name for the variable.
    Identifier The identifier is entered automatically and ensures that every variable remains unique, even if they share the same name.
    Type Select the variable's data type (bool, int, float, etc) using the translation tables shown earlier. Find the address of your EtherNet/IP variables.
    Length (for String data types only) The String length.
    Address Enter the variable's address using the CPU-specific notation explained earlier. Find the address of your EtherNet/IP variables.
    Factor Multiplies the value. Leave empty if the data type is boolean.
    Unit Displayed behind the value (e.g. kg).
  4. Repeat step 6 for every variable you want to add or click Import from CSV-file near the top right corner to add variables in bulk instead.
    • The structure of the CSV file is explained here: Import variables: CSV file structure.
    • Using Export to CSV-file and Import from CSV-file enables you to easily copy variables from one device to another device. Alternatively, you can also use device templates.

You have now made the changes in the IXON Cloud, but these are not yet active in your device. You will need to push your changes to your device for them to take effect.

Temporary disconnect

After this next step, the config push, the device may temporarily disconnect and LAN communication may be temporarily interrupted while it's applying the new settings. This only takes a moment.
  1. Click on Push config to device in the top right corner.

Test variables

The variables test is recommended to check if all added variables are configured correctly. It shows the value of all variables if everything is configured correctly and shows an error if something is not configured correctly.

  1. Click on Run test near the top right corner.
    • The test will attempt to update values every 0.5 seconds.
    • Is the test showing unexpected values? Check the addresses and data types of the variables.
    • Is the test showing a timeout error? Check that the data source is configured correctly and the machine is connected and powered on. If you are still getting a timeout error, contact your IT to make sure the test is not blocked. The test sets up an outgoing connection from your computer to the IXrouter using:
      Port Transport protocol Application protocol
      443 TCP WebSocket
    • Is the test showing a different error? Consult the table below for common error messages and possible ways to resolve the error.
      Error Message Details
      TCP connection denied The machine doesn't support EtherNet/IP. Either enable EtherNet/IP or choose a different communication protocol.
      Too much data received. Ensure data structure element is requested You requested a complete struct. The address should be an element of the struct, not the full struct.
      Error 0x01 EXT STS 0x0311: Bad rack Incorrect rack number, default is 1.
      Error 0x01 EXT STS 0x0312: Bad slot Incorrect slot number, default is 0.
      Error 0x04 EXT STS 0x0000: Bad address for variable Incorrect address or the address doesn't exist.
      Error 0x05 EXT STS 0x0000: Path destination error for variable Incorrect address or the address doesn't exist.
      Error 0x08 EXT STS 0x0000: Service not supported for variable The requested service was not implemented or was not defined for this object.
      Error 0x16 EXT STS 0x0000: Object does not exist for variable The object specified does not exist in the device.
      Error for tag '...': PLCTAG_ERR_WRITE
      or
      Error for tag '...': PLCTAG_ERR_READ

      The PLC is unable to process all data requests within its own time limit of 10 seconds, breaking the connection prematurely.

      Any of these solutions can be applied to resolve the issue:
      • Increase the timeout in the PLC, if at all possible.
      • Upgrade the PLC hardware or replace it by one with better hardware specifications.
      • In the IXON Cloud, create a second identical data source and split the variables across both data sources to reduce the amount of data requested in one connection.

Live data, Historical data, Alarming

Now that the data source and variables have been set up, you can continue below.

  1. Click below to continue in the feature specific articles.