PI AF structure for EtherNet/IP data

PI Connector for EtherNet/IP models data from the data source in PI AF. View the AF elements and attributes for the connector using PI System Explorer.

The following example shows three data source elements, called assemblies, created under the EthernetIP_Connector element. Each assembly contains attribute-specific information like Input, Output, Configuration, and PI points.

Each assembly sends data from the PLC as an array of elements of certain types, such as 32-bit integer (DINT). Every element has an offset in the array, where Slot 0 is first element of the array, Slot 1 is the second element, Slot 2 is third element, and so on. Each Slot in the array has a corresponding PI point in PI Data Archive.

The PI AF server where EtherNet/IP assets are created can contain one or more PI Asset Databases. PI Asset Databases are independent of each other. Each PI Asset Database can contain one or more Root PI Asset Paths, which represent independent hierarchies within the PI Asset Database.

Note: Multiple instances of a connector that point to the same PI System machine and use the same data source name will create and overwrite the same set of PI assets and PI points. Ensure strict unique data source naming when configuring multiple instances of a connector that points to the same PI System machines. Configurations are not case-sensitive.