“Connection” Tab
On this tab, you can display, create and manage EtherNet/IP-specific connections. The connections defined here are available for selection in the fieldbus configurator for the master.
There are two methods for integrating slaves into e!COCKPIT. The settings you make here depend on the method used:
- Integration via an EDS File
By default, devices are integrated into the product catalog via an EDS file and instantiated in the network view. The information from the EDS file is automatically displayed in the data point configurator. On the “Connection” tab, all connections specified in the EDS file are automatically created with their predefined parameters and can be configured and parameterized further.
A connection from the EDS file is not created in the following cases:
• The connection contains unsupported data points or configuration parameters
• The connection does not support “transport class 1”
• In the “connection parameters,” “safety” is set as the “real time transfer format”
• Proxy communication is specified for the connection
• A “SYMBOL_ANSI” symbol is specified as the path for the connection - Integration via a Generic Adapter
The generic adapter “Generic_EtherNet/IP_Adapter” is available in the product catalog and can be used as a substitute for a device for which no EDS file, and thus no specified configuration, is available. Therefore, for generic adapters, connections with data points and configuration data, as well as user parameters, can be created manually. The configuration must be performed according to the product manual of the device. All settings options of the data point configurator are available for this purpose. However, manual configuration should be the exception, because every manufacturer usually offers an EDS file for its devices.
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Connection Name | Name of the connection |
Application Type | Indicates the application type per the EtherNet/IP standard: |
Input Size (T → O)* | Byte size of the data that the slave sends to the master via the input assembly instance |
Output Size (O → T)* | Byte size of the data that the slave receives from the master via the output assembly instance |
Configuration Size (Target) | Byte size of the target configuration |
Path | The path specifies the addressed assembly instances. |
Comments | Input field for comments |
* Note: Note that the input/output data sizes are limited: |
The following functions are available in the context menu (right-click on a row) and via buttons for creating a new connection or editing a connection:
Button | Description |
---|---|
[Add Connection] | Opens a dialog for adding a connection; see Adding and Editing a Connection |
[Edit Connection] | Opens a dialog for editing the connection; see Adding and Editing a Connection |
[Delete Connection] | Deletes the selected connection; see Deleting a Connection |