Sending Explicit Messages to EtherNet/IP Devices

Overview

Use the EtherNet/IP Explicit Message window in the Control Expert to send an to an EtherNet/IP module or distributed device on the network.

An explicit message can be sent as either a connected, or an unconnected message:

unconnected: With unconnected messaging, a CIP connection to the destination is not established before the point-to-point transfer of data.
connected: With connected messaging, node resources are reserved in advance of the data transfer and are dedicated and always available.

You can use explicit messaging to perform many different services. Not every EtherNet/IP device supports every service.

The EtherNet/IP explicit message configuration window presents an example of both the configuration of an EtherNet/IP explicit message and the response. The explicit message is addressed to a distributed module to obtain diagnostic information.

Sending Explicit Messages

Execute an EtherNet/IP explicit message:

Step	Action
1	In the DTM Browser, select the communication module that is upstream of the target device.
2	Right-click the module and select Device menu → Additional functions → EtherNet/IP Explicit Message.
3	Configure explicit messages in these fields:
	IP Address	The IP address of the target device identifies the target of the explicit message.
	Class	The class identifier of the target device is used to construct the message path. It is an integer value (1...65535).
	Instance	The class instance of the target device is used to construct the message path. It is an integer value (1...65535).
	Attribute	(Optional) The specific device attribute (or property) is the target of the explicit message that is used to construct the message path. It is an integer value (1...65535). NOTE: Select the check box to enable this field.
	NOTE: Refer to your EtherNet/IP device user manual for class, instance and attribute values.
	Number	The integer (1...127) associated with the service to be performed by the explicit message. NOTE: If you select Custom Service as the named service, type in a service number. This field is read-only for all other services.
	Name	Select the service the explicit message is intended to perform.
	Enter Path	(Optional) Select this check box to enable the message path field, where you can manually enter the entire path to the target device. NOTE: Displayed only when Advanced Mode is enabled.
	Data	The data to be sent to the target device, for services that send data.
	Messaging	Select the type of explicit message to send: Connected Unconnected
	Repeat 500 ms	Select this check box to re-send the explicit message every 500 ms.
4	After your explicit message is configured, click Send to Device. Data in the Response (hex) area was sent to the configuration tool by the target device in hexadecimal format. Messages in the Status area indicate whether or not the explicit message has succeeded.
5	Click Close to close the window.