PLC5_TCPIP object

The PLC5_TCPIP object represents the logical endpoint to the hardware hierarchy. It is created from the New_PORT_TCPIP_000 branch of the Communication Driver hierarchy.

Add the PLC5_TCPIP object to your ABTCP hierarchy

1. Right-click on the New_PORT_TCPIP_000 object.

2. Select Add PLC5_TCPIP Connection from the shortcut menu. A New_PLC5_TCPIP _000 object is created.

3. Rename the newly created object as appropriate. The PLC5_TCPIP parameters view is displayed.

   Note: You can add up to 1024 of each type object to the hierarchy.

4. The PLC5_TCPIP parameters view is displayed.

This configuration view has six configurable elements:

• Host Name: Host name or IP address of the destination.

  • The number of characters cannot be more than 255.

  • The field cannot be blank.

  • The host name is defined in the system host file, usually found in: \WINNT\system32\drivers\etc\hosts).

    Note: The Host Name defaults to the LocalHost. If the LocalHost is selected and deleted, resulting in a blank Host Name field, and you apply the changes, this will result in an error message.

• Data block size: The number of date bytes that can be sent in a message for this hierarchy.

  • For reading blocks:
    The default value is 2000 bytes.
    The valid range is 2 to 2000.

  • For writing blocks:
    The maximum writing block is 220 bytes, and not configurable.

• Connection timeout: Time (in milliseconds) allowed to establish a socket connection to a target device.

  • The default value is 2000 ms.

  • The valid range is 1000 to 20000 ms.

• Reply timeout: The time (in seconds) the Communication Driver will wait for the acknowledgement after it sends out a message. The message will be resent when time-out occurred.

  • The default value is 15.

  • The valid range is 1 to 300 seconds.

• Supports PID and string files: Set this flag if using a 1785 PLC-5 that supports PID, ASCII String, Block Transfer, and SFC Status Files.

• Supports unsolicited ‘CLIENT’ messaging: Set this flag to true to enable the Communication Driver to receive unsolicited "CLIENT" data updates from the selected PLC.

  • The Communication Driver is enabled automatically to accept normal, "Peer-to-Peer" unsolicited data updates without this flag set to true.

  • The reason to turn on this flag is if the MSG instructions programmed inside the PLC/Host is configured with "CLIENT" as the target station, rather than a specific IP address on the network.