Introduction to PI Connector for EtherNet/IP

PI Connector for EtherNet/IP records data from industrial devices, such as I/O devices, PLCs, and robots, to the PI System. The connector models an installation by creating the AF elements in PI Asset Framework (PI AF) and PI points in Data Archive, then populating the AF elements and PI points with data sent from the source devices.

EtherNet/IP (EtherNet Industrial Protocol) is an implementation of the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) over TCP/IP, and is compatible with ControlNet and DeviceNet control systems.

EtherNet/IP is an application-layer protocol that treats devices on a network as a series of objects, and is designed for use in process control and other industrial automation applications. EtherNet/IP was developed by Rockwell and is managed by the Open DeviceNet Vendors Association (ODVA).

PI Connector for EtherNet/IP uses Class 1 IO messaging, which uses UDP, for high-speed data collection, and supports device data rates from 1 millisecond to 750 milliseconds.

Simple network configuration

Operational overview

PI Connector for Ethernet/IP uses IO Class 1 messaging to receive high-speed data from industrial devices. Once PI Connector for EtherNet/IP is configured to collect data, it performs the following operations:

1. System communication

2. System inventory

3. Asset creation

4. Data collection

System communication

PI Connector for EtherNet/IP uses TCP/IP to connect to industrial devices and UDP to receive data packets, as described by ODVA. The IO module sends a FORWARD OPEN request to the connector via TCP/IP. The connector replies back with a status SUCCESS indicating that it is ready to accept data. The device streams data using a UDP connection to the connector at the rate configured on the IO module. PI Connector for EtherNet/IP receives unsolicited data packets.

System inventory

The connector subscribes to the IO module publisher, receives data, and uses the device's configuration data and time-series data to model the data and store it in the PI System.

Asset creation

Based on the configuration data, the connector creates AF elements and assets in PI AF. For each asset that contains time-series data, the connector creates an array, either 124-slot or 248-slot. Each slot in an array corresponds to PI points in Data Archive.

Mappings to the PI System depend on specific configurations, both for the PI AF and Data Archive servers, and for the connector.

Data collection

The Request Packet Interval (RPI) update rate is configured on the IO module. RPI rates can normally be set from 0.2 milliseconds to 750 milliseconds. PI Connector for EtherNet/IP currently supports a minimum RPI rate of 1 millisecond. The connector assigns time stamps to the data upon receipt. All time stamps applied to the data are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

PI Connector for EtherNet/IP has been tested for data collection on the following PLC modules:

• 1756-L61/A LOGIX5561

• 1756-L62/B LOGIX5562

• 1756-L63/A LOGIX5563

• 1756-L63/B LOGIX5563

• 1756-L72/B LOGIX5572

• 1756-L73/A LOGIX5573

• 1769-L32/E LOGIX5332

• 1769-L35/E LOGIX5335

Any Allen-Bradley PLC's which are configured using the RSLogix 5000 application are compatible with this version of the Connector. This currently includes all ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs. PLCs which use RSLogix 5 or RSLogix 500 are not supported. This would include PLC 5s, SLCs (SLC 5/04, 5/05, etc.), and MicroLogix 1000-series PLCs.