Device List Parameters
Original instructions
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Introduction
Configure parameters for devices in the Device List on these tabs:
View the Configuration Tabs
Navigate to the Device List configuration tabs
Step
Action
1
In the DTM Browser (Tools → DTM Browser), double-click the DTM that corresponds to the Ethernet communication module.
2
In the navigation pane, expand (+) the Device List to see the associated Modbus TCP and EtherNet/IP devices.
3
Select a device from the Device List to view the Properties, Address Setting, and Request Setting tabs.
NOTE: These tabs are described in detail below.
Properties Tab
Configure the Properties tab to perform these tasks:
Configure the Properties tab:
Field
Parameter
Description
Properties
Number
The relative position of the device in the list.
Active Configuration
Enabled: Add this device to the Control Expert project configuration.
Disabled: Remove this device from the Control Expert project configuration.
IO Structure Name
Structure Name
Control Expert automatically assigns a structure name based on the variable name.
Variable Name
Variable Name: An auto-generated variable name is based on the alias name.
Default Name
Press this button to restore the default variable and structure names.
Items Management
Import Mode
Manual: I/O items are manually added in the Device Editor. The I/O items list is not affected by changes to the device DTM.
Automatic: I/O items are taken from the device DTM and updated if the items list in the device DTM changes. Items cannot be edited in the Device Editor.
Reimport Items
Press this button to import the I/O items list from the device DTM, overwriting any manual I/O item edits. Enabled only when Import mode is set to Manual.
Click Apply to save your edits and leave the window open for further edits.
Address Setting Tab
Configure the Address Setting page to perform these tasks:
NOTE: When the DHCP client software is enabled in a Modbus device, it obtains its IP address from the DHCP server in the Ethernet communication module.
In the Address Setting page, edit these parameters to conform to your application’s design and functionality:
Field
Parameter
Description
Change Address
IP Address
By default:
  • The first three octet values equal the first three octet values of the Ethernet communication module.
  • The fourth octet value equals this device Number setting. In this case, the default value is 004.
In our continuing example, type in the address 192.168.1.17.
Address Server
DHCP for this Device
Enabled: Activate the DHCP client in this device. The device obtains its IP address from the DHCP service provided by the Ethernet communication module and appears on the auto-generated DHCP client list.
Disabled (default): Deactivates the DHCP client in this device.
NOTE: For this example, select Enabled.
Identified by
If DHCP for this Device is Enabled, it indicates the device identifier type:
  • MAC Address
  • Device Name
NOTE: For this example, select Device Name.
Identifier
If DHCP for this Device is Enabled, the specific device MAC Address or Name value.
NOTE: For this example, accept the default setting of NIP2212_01 (based on the Alias name).
Subnet Mask
The device subnet mask.
NOTE: For this example, accept the default value (255.255.255.0).
Gateway
The gateway address used to reach this device. The default of 0.0.0.0 indicates this device is located on the same subnet as the Ethernet communication module.
Click Apply to save your edits, and leave the window open for further edits.
Request Setting Tab
Configure the Request Setting tab to add, configure, and remove Modbus requests for the Modbus device. Each request represents a separate link between the communication module and the Modbus device.
NOTE: The Request Setting tab is available only when a Modbus TCP device is selected in the Device List.
Create a request:
Step
Action
1
Press the Add Request button to see a new request in the table.
Press the Add Request button:
  • The new request appears in the table.
  • The corresponding request items appear in the Device List.
NOTE: The Add Request function is enabled only when Import Mode on the Properties tab is set to Manual.
2
Configure the request settings according to the table below.
3
Repeat these steps to create additional requests.
4
Press the Apply to save the request.
When you create a request, these Request Settings parameters are available:
Setting
Description
Connection Bit
This bit indicates the read-only offset for the health bit for this connection. Offset values (starting at 0) are auto-generated by the Control Expert DTM based on the connection type.
Unit ID
The Unit ID is the number used to identify the target of the connection.
NOTE: Consult the manufacturer’s user manual for the specific target device to find its Unit ID.
Health Time Out (ms)
This value represents the maximum allowed interval between device responses before a time out is detected:
  • valid range: 5 ... 65535 ms
  • interval: 5 ms
  • default: 1500 ms
Repetitive Rate (ms)
This value represents the data scan rate in intervals of 5 ms. (The valid range is 0...60000 ms. The default is 60 ms.)
RD Address
Data that is read from the remote device at this address is stored in the input data image of the Ethernet communication module.
RD Length
This value represents the number of words (0...125) in the Modbus device that the communication module reads.
Last Value
This value represents the behavior of input data in the application if communications are lost:
  • Hold Value (default)
  • Set To Zero
WR Address
The output data image in the Ethernet communication module's data structure is written to this address in the remote Modbus device.
WR Length
This value represents the number of words (0...120) in the Modbus device to which the communication module writes.
Gateway/Bridge Device
This feature lets slower TCP/IP network devices (i.e., gateways and bridges) communicate with the I/O Scanner:
  • Select the check box to enable this feature. The communication module doubles the timeout setting by increasing the number of re-transmissions to 6 (instead of the typical setting of 3).
  • De-select the check box to disable this feature (default).
Remove a request:
Step
Action
1
Click a row in the table.
2
Press the Remove button to remove the request.
NOTE: The corresponding request items disappear from the Device List.
3
Press the Apply to save the configuration.
The next step is to connect the Control Expert project to the Modbus device.