CIP Connections and Messages
Original instructions
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Overview
EtherNet/IP uses CIP connections to transmit messages between objects running in connected devices. There are different types of CIP connections.
Connection Types
CIP connection types include:
CIP connection type...
Supports...
Rack optimized
The grouping of data from multiple, I/O modules in the same rack transmitted over a single connection.
Note: A rack optimized connection:
  • can transmit only device status and data
  • applies only to digital I/O modules
A CIP connection is consumed by each I/O module, in addition to the rack optimized connection.
Direct
A link between a controller and a single device.
Note: A connection to an analog I/O module must be via a direct connection.
Connection Limits
The TSX ETC 100 EtherNet/IP communication module can provide up to 198 concurrent CIP connections, as follows:
Connection type
Maximum number of connections
I/O adapter
1281
I/O scanner
Explicit message client
64
Explicit message server
6
Total TCP connections:
198
1128 CIP connections can be used for any combination of:
  • I/O adapter connections
  • I/O scanner connections
NOTE: Up to16 simultaneous explicit messaging connections can be active per scan.