Configure the TCP Communication Driver

The TCP Communication Driver can connect to PLCs. These connections are modeled in the hierarchy by means of DI, DO, AI, and AO objects, each of which models the end-point of the communications path.

The server-specific configuration portion of the TCP/IP Communication Driver hierarchy tree under the OI Server Manager starts at the Channel Selector object. This object lets you set server parameters for communication with agents (devices) in the hierarchy tree.

Add an ADAPTER_TCPIP connection to your TCP hierarchy

• In the console tree, right-click Configuration and then click Add ADAPTER_TCPIP Connection.

  The "New_ADAPTER_TCPIP_000" Parameters view is displayed.

  Edit the object name to appropriately describe components of your specific hardware environment. If you do not rename the object at this time, a numeric sequencing system is applied. You can rename the hierarchy entry later.

Configure the ADAPTER_TCPIP connection

1. In the Host Name field, enter the IP address or host name of the PLCPanel.

2. In the Connection Timeout field, enter a value, in milliseconds, beyond which a pending request to initiate a connection times out.

   Allowable range is 100 to 300,000 milliseconds.

   The default value is 10,000 milliseconds.

3. In the Reply Timeout field, enter a value, in milliseconds, beyond which messages time out.

   Allowable range is 100 to 300,000 milliseconds.

   The default value is 2000 milliseconds. If you decrease this value, the TCP Communication Driver reacts faster to a communications failure.

From the ADAPTER_TCPIP branch of the Communication Driver hierarchy, create the new DI, DO, AI, and AO objects.

There are four types of I/O devices. Each of the four types inherently supports one or more items. Up to 128 each of DI, DO, AI, and AO devices may be configured. Each configured device has a unique name. Each of the four device types supports a specific set of items. Every device of a specific type supports the same item set, always with the same name, type, and access rights.

• Discrete Input (DI), devices support only one item:

  • Input, VT_BOOL, Read-Only, Offset+0.

• Discrete Output (DO), devices support only one item:

  • Output, VT_BOOL, Read/Write, Offset+0.

• Analog Input (AI), devices support three items:

  • Input, VT_R8, Read-Only, Offset+0.

  • HighLimit, VT_BOOL, Read-Only, Offset+8.

  • LowLimit, VT_BOOL, Read-Only, Offset+9.

• Analog Output (AO), devices support three items:

  • Output, Float, Offset+9.

  • HighLimit, Discrete, Offset+8.

  • LowLimit, Discrete, Offset+9.