Overview

This topic describes the commands of the context menu of devices and their modules in general. Some commands may not appear depending on the device and from where you have opened the context menu.

The description of commands that are specific to a given view or pane can be found in the topic describing this view/pane.

The description of the context menu commands of other objects can be found in the topic describing the view or pane where they appear.

NOTE: In physical views, commands that appear in the contextual menu of modules but that apply to the PAC are grouped in the PAC submenu.

Description of Commands

The table describes the commands of the context menu of devices and their modules.

Command

Description

Analyze

Performs an analysis of the configuration of the PAC and its dependencies at the Topology Manager level and displays the result in the notification pane.

Build

Performs an analysis of the PAC and its dependencies. The build operation starts only if the prerequisites are fulfilled.

Build Target

Lets you select the target for which the control project of the PAC will be built and deployed.

When you select Simulator, the first available value is automatically selected for the simulator Port. This value becomes visible when you select Built Target again.

You can change the port value in the properties of the PAC.

NOTE: Changing the target sets the build state to Not Built.

Communication Mapping

Opens a submenu containing the following commands:

EtherNet/IP

Each command opens the corresponding Communication Mapping View to which the device has been added.

It lets you configure communication between I/O scanner services and devices of the system project for each protocol.

Modbus TCP

Configuration File

The menu is available only if you have stored a file in the repository.

Commands are disabled while the file is open in a user session.

Open

Opens the file that is specified under Configuration File in the PROPERTIES pane by using the program that is associated to the file type on the local computer.

The file extension must be allowed to open the file.

When you make changes to the file and save them in the program in which the file is open, the file that is stored in the repository of Control Expert is replaced and a confirmation message is shown. You may need to close the program.

The command does not appear if no program is associated to the file type.

NOTE: Saving changes automatically to the repository is not supported by all programs (for example, those that perform a save as) nor all file types (for example, full application exchange files (.zef) and archived application files (.sta). Once opened, these files are saved in the project file format (.stu)).

Attach...

Lets you replace the file that is currently stored in the repository by a new one.

Use this command, for example, to save to the repository of Control Expert changes that cannot be saved automatically.

The file extension must be allowed to replace the file.

Save As...

Lets you save to disk a copy of the file that is stored in the repository.

Use this command, for example, to open a file that you cannot open directly by using the Open command.

The file extension must be allowed to save the file.

Delete

Deletes the file from the repository after you confirm the command.

Connect

Switches the device type manager (DTM) to online mode, connecting it to the physical device.

Connecting a gateway or device DTM also connects its parent DTM.

Delete

Deletes the device (or the selection of devices) from the system project after you confirm the command.

Deleting a device also deletes the associated data such as communication mappings, device DDT variables in the control project. For certain devices, the device DDT variable is deleted only after you perform a build.

NOTE:
  • The command may not be available for child objects of a device.

  • When you use the command from the PAC submenu of a module in a physical view, the local racks, drops, and the control project of the PAC are deleted.

  • You cannot delete a PAC while the associated control project is open in Control Expert Editor.

Deploy

Opens a submenu with the following commands:

Set IP Address by USB

Lets you deploy to the physical CPU module that is connected by USB cable to the computer running Control Expert, the IP addresses that are configured for it in the Topology Manager.

This operation stops the CPU.

Configuration

For M580 PACs, lets you connect to the corresponding physical CPU or communication module and deploy the associated executable. This operation stops the CPU.

For certain devices that support configuration by using a device type manager (DTM), lets you connect to the corresponding physical device and deploy its DTM configuration.

The command is not available if the IP address of the device or CPU module is not configured, if Under Construction is enabled (standalone PACs and devices only), or if the DEPLOYMENT VIEW is open and the PAC is selected.
NOTE: The simulator starts automatically when Build Target is set to Simulator .

Diagnosis

Attempts to connect to the device and opens the diagnostic screen of the device type manager (DTM).

The command is available only for devices whose DTM supports the diagnostic functionality and while the DTM is open. An IP address needs to be configured for the device.

NOTE: For devices or modules that manage a fieldbus, the command is available within the Fieldbus Editor .

Disconnect

Switches the device type manager (DTM) to offline mode, disconnecting it from the physical device.

Disconnecting a DTM also disconnects its child DTMs.

Edit Control Project

Lets you view and modify the hardware configuration and other elements of the control project that is associated to the controller by using the corresponding editor.

For M580 PACs, first performs an analysis of the PAC and its dependencies and, if no incorrect configurations are detected, opens Control Expert Editor.

Edit Fieldbus

Opens the corresponding Fieldbus Editor, which lets you add slave devices to a master gateway and configure them.

The command is available only for devices or modules that manage a fieldbus.

Load Data From Device

For certain devices that support configuration by using a device type manager (DTM), lets you connect to the corresponding physical device, upload from the device its DTM configuration, and update its I/O profile with this data.

The command is not available if the IP address of the device is not configured or if its Under Construction attribute is enabled.

Local Slaves

Opens a submenu with the following commands for each local slave that exists in a PAC.

The command is available only on M580 CPU and BMENOC03•1 modules.

Open

For a description, refer to these commands in this table, which apply to the DTM reference that is selected for the module.

Connect

Disconnect

Move Local Slave To

The command appears only for EtherNet/IP devices that are created in the Local Slaves folder as a result of an import operation.

Opens a menu that lists the M580 CPU and BMENOC03•1 modules of existing M580 PACs that have a part number that matches the device name of the EtherNet/IP device DTM (for example, BMEP582040).

if a DTM reference has been selected for such a module, the module appears in the menu only if the device version also matches that of the EtherNet/IP device (for example, 3.10).

The existence of a local slave is irrelevant.

If a module that appears in the menu has the same IP address as the EtherNet/IP device, it is shown separately in first position.

Clicking a module in the list adds a local slave for the module, which has the same configuration as the EtherNet/IP device. The device is then automatically deleted from the system project.

Open

Opens the device type manager (DTM) for the selected device.

The command is available only for devices that support configuration by using a DTM and requires that the DTM that supports the part number and version is installed on the local computer.

NOTE: For devices or modules that manage a fieldbus, the command is available within the Fieldbus Editor.

Open Basic Diagnostic

Opens the basic diagnostic window for the selected device.

The command is available only for devices of the Altivar Variable Speed Drives product range.

Open Rack Viewer

Opens the Rack Viewer, which lets you view the configuration of a local rack or drop.

The command is available only for M580 modules and racks.

Open Web Browser

Lets you open an external or embedded web page in the default web browser of the computer depending on the configuration of the device or module.

The command is available only for devices and modules that support the functionality.

Open With

Opens a submenu containing a list of views that are available for the selected object (for example, a physical view or the Logical Network View ). Selecting a view from the list shows or opens it and selects the corresponding object.

The available views depend on the type of object.

To be able to open a physical view, you must have added the device to it first.

Save Control Project As...

Opens a Save Control Project As... dialog box, which lets you save to disk a copy of the control project that is associated to the controller (.stu).

The command is not available for M580 PACs. Instead, export the PAC or the system project.

NOTE: If an application password is set for the control project, it is saved with file encryption disabled.

Show in Active Views

Selects and shows the device in the other windows and panes that are open (for example, in the topological folder structure of the SYSTEM PROJECT pane or in the LOGICAL NETWORK VIEW (if open)).

Synchronize Changes

Lets you apply changes that you have made to properties of a PAC in the Topology Manager to the associated control project and vice versa.

Upload

Lets you upload, from the controller to the system project, the application of the controller by using Ethernet communication. This operation replaces the control project that is associated to the controller.

The command is disabled when the control project of the controller is being edited.

The command is available only for controllers of the following platforms:

  • M340

  • MC80

  • Momentum