DNP3 Communications Configuration in the DTM
Original instructions
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Introduction
Configure DNP3 communications for your module in the Control Expert DTM.
Configure Channels
Configure MASTER (client) or OUTSTATION (server) channels:
Step
Action
1
Access the DTM configuration for your module.
2
In the open CONFIGURATION window, expand (+) Communication and select Channel Configuration.
NOTE: The Channels menu item cannot be expanded because there are no configured channels.
3
Select the appropriate tab:
  • Select the MASTER tab to add client channels.
  • Select the OUTSTATION tab to add server channels.
4
Select the Add New button to view the ADD NEW CHANNEL configuration parameters.
5
Configure the parameters according to the new channel parameter descriptions below.
6
Select the Add button to see the newly configured channel in the table.
NOTE: The Channels menu can now be expanded because there is at least one configured channel. All configured channels appear in this menu.
7
After you create a server channel on the OUTSTATION tab, repeat these steps to create the corresponding client channel on the MASTER tab.
– or –
After you create a client channel on MASTER tab, repeat these steps to create the corresponding server channel on the OUTSTATION tab.
NOTE:
  • Only one master and one outstation are supported.
  • If the DNP3 Secure Authentication is configured in the web cyber security setting, confirm that the configured name of the RTU channel matches the channel name in the DTM. Otherwise, the secure setting does not map to corresponding channel in the DTM.
8
  • Select the Apply button to implement the changes
  • Select the OK button to implement the changes and close the dialog box.
NOTE: When you create the first channel, the expandable Channels sub-menu appears on the CONFIGURATION screen.
9
Repeat these steps to create additional channels while observing these limitations:
  • client: 64 connections
  • server: 4 connections
NOTE: You can edit or delete a channel any time.
New Channel Parameter Descriptions
NOTE: When the Control Expert window is active, you can hover the cursor over any field to see a description of the functionality and the available range of values.
These parameters in the ADD NEW CHANNEL fields are available for the DNP3 client and server channel configurations:
Field
Master
Outstation
Description
Channel Name
✔
✔
Assign a name to the server.
NOTE: The web pages use the Channel Name parameter to identify the configuration that is applied to this channel. Therefore, assign an identical Channel Name when you configure cyber security settings.
Protocol
✔
✔
DNP3 NET Client: Configure the new channel as a DNP3 client (outstation).
DNP3 NET Server: Configure the new channel as a DNP3 server (master).
Dest Port
✔
Define the destination port to use.
Local Port
✔
Define the local port for network communications.
IP Address
✔
The IP address in this field is the IP address of the source of the communications packets.
IP Filter
✔
Enter the IP address of the remote device.
NOTE: The default value is 255.255.255.255 (present disable IP filter)
Network Type
✔
✔
Select a network protocol:
  • TCP-IP
  • UDP-IP
  • TCP-UDP
Advanced Parameter Configuration
After you create a channel with the instructions above, the new channel appears in the table on the MASTER tab or OUTSTATION tab. At this point, you can configure the ADVANCED PARAMETERS for the channel. These advanced parameters are global settings that are implemented on all server channels or client channels:
Step
Action
1
Select Channel Configuration from the Communication menu.
2
Select the appropriate tab:
  • Select the MASTER tab to view the MASTER CHANNEL table.
  • Select the OUTSTATION tab to view the OUTSTATION CHANNELS table.
3
Select a row in the table.
4
Click the Advanced Settings button to view the ADVANCED PARAMETERS table.
NOTE: Depending on your Control Expert window size, you may have to scroll down in the Client or Server tab to see the ADVANCED PARAMETERS fields.
5
Configure the parameters according to the advanced parameter descriptions below.
6
  • Select the Apply button to implement the changes.
  • Select the OK button to implement the changes and close the dialog box.
Advanced Parameter Descriptions
NOTE: When the Control Expert window is active, you can hover the cursor over any field to see a complete description of the functionality and the available range of values.
These are the available advanced parameters for the DNP3 client and server channel configurations:
Field
Master
Outstation
Description
Event Backup Enable
✔
enabled (selected): Events are backed up upon a power failure.
disabled (empty): Events are not backed up upon a power failure.
Rx Frame Size
✔
✔
Configure the frame size in the receive link layer.
Rx Frame Timeout
✔
✔
Configure the timeout value for waiting for a complete frame after receiving the frame sync.
Confirm Timeout
✔
✔
Configure the maximum wait time for link level confirmation.
Offline Poll Period
✔
Configure an interval for reattempting to establish communications for an offline session.
Rx Buffer Size
✔
✔
Configure the receive buffer size for the physical port.
Tx Fragment Size
✔
✔
Configure the maximum transit application fragment sizes.
Channel Response Timeout
✔
Configure the wait time for the DNP3 master's response to a transmitted request.
Tx Frame Size
✔
✔
Configure the transmit link layer frame size.
Confirm Mode
✔
✔
NEVER: Never request link layer confirmations.
SOMETIMES: Request link layer confirmations for multi-frame fragments.
ALWAYS: Always request link layer confirmations.
Max Retries
✔
✔
Configure the number of reattempted link layer confirmation timeouts.
First Char Wait
✔
✔
Configure the minimum time (ms) after receiving a character before an attempt to transmit a character on this channel.
Rx fragment Size
✔
✔
Configure the maximum receive application fragment sizes.
Restore Mode
✔
Main Channel: Restore events for the main channel.
All Channels: Restore all events.
Max Queue Size
✔
Configure the maximum number of requests that are queued on a DNP3 master.
After you edit any of these parameters, click the Update button to update the configuration.
Edit Channels
Edit the parameters for an existing channel:
Step
Action
1
Click the pencil icon in the Edit column for the channel you want to edit.
2
Reconfigure the parameters in the EDIT CHANNEL and ADVANCED PARAMETERS fields (described above).
3
Click the Update button to update the configuration.
4
Click the OK or Apply button to save the changes.
Delete a Channel
Delete an existing channel:
Step
Action
1
Select the check box that corresponds to the client or server channel.
2
Select the Delete button.
3
Select the Update button.
4
  • Select the Apply button to save the changes.
    –or–
  • Select the OK button to save the changes and close the dialog box.