Download Using Dial-up Networking With Ethernet Capable PLCs

Using Dial-up Networking With Ethernet Capable PLCs
Overview
This document describes how to use dial-up networking to connect to a local network of
GE Fanuc Ethernet devices and use VersaPro to Store or Load files to or from the
devices. A 3COM 56K LAN Modem, (model 3C886A), was used at the remote side of
the network to receive the incoming call and direct the request to the proper device on
the network. The LAN Modem can act as a hub to allow up to 25 devices to talk to one
another on the remote LAN. In this example, a GE Fanuc Series 90 PLC with 364 CPU
was used as well as a VersaMax Ethernet NIU, Control Station display and a laptop
computer. See figure 1 below.
Figure 1 - Overview of WAN showing all attached devices
Configuration
The configuration starts with the dial-up PC. If Dial-up Networking is not already
installed on the PC you will need to install it now before proceeding. Once installed,
create a new entry in the phone book using your PC’s modem as the dial-out device.
Specify a user name and password for authentication. Dial-up server type is PPP,
network protocol is TCP/IP.
Next, configure the LAN Modem. As the LAN Modem is currently shipped, it is not set
up to answer an incoming call. You must go into the configuration for the modem and
set it to answer after so many rings. In this case, the modem was set to answer after the
first ring. Setting this to a higher number of rings will give you time to answer an
incoming voice call, if so desired, before the modem picks up. Create a new Dial-In
User. Give the same name and password as specified in your dial-up configuration.
Type is ‘Single user dial-in’. Under ‘WAN Parameters’, set ‘LAN Modem WAN IP’ to
192.168.1.1, (this and all following IP addresses are just examples that were used in
this particular case). Under ‘LAN (Ethernet) Parameters’ set IP Address to 192.168.1.1
and Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.224. Enable DHCP Server and ‘Block’ NetBios
filtering. This completes the setup of the LAN Modem. Note: While some devices on the
network do not support DHCP, (such as the CPU364), DHCP was enabled so that a
technician with a laptop can just connect to the network without having to first assign
him or herself an IP address.
Next, connect the ControlStation to the LAN Modem and give it an IP Address of
192.168.1.4, a Subnet Address of 255.255.255.224 and a Default Gateway Address of
192.168.1.1. Do the same for the Series 90 CPU 364 and VersaMax ENIU except that
the IP Addresses will need to be different of course. In this case, an IP Address of
192.168.1.3 was used for the CPU364 and 192.168.1.5 was used for the ENIU. You can
also connect a laptop to the LAN Modem at this point as well. You should now be able
to establish communications with all devices. The 3COM 3C886A LAN Modem will
support up to 25 devices. It has only 4 ports but you can connect one or two hubs to
give you the 25 ports you need.
Device
IP Address
Subnet Mask
Gateway Address
LAN Modem
192.168.1.1
255.255.255.224
CPU364
192.168.1.3
255.255.255.224
192.168.1.1
Control Station
VersaMax ENIU
192.168.1.4
192.168.1.5
255.255.255.224
255.255.255.224
192.168.1.1
192.168.1.1
Laptop
DHCP Assigned
Operational Check-out
You should now be able to dial into the LAN Modem using your dial-up PC. Once the
call is answered, your password is authenticated and a connection is established. At
this point you should be able to ping all of the devices on the LAN side of the LAN
Modem. You should also be able to ping between devices on the LAN, that is, you
should be able to ping from the laptop to the CPU364, etc.
You can now start VersaPro on the dial-up PC and store or load programs to/from the
PLC. You can also start the Cimplicity Machine Edition software and store a project to
the ControlStation as well as create and store a Hardware configuration to the
VersaMax ENIU.
Conclusion
This completes the dial-up example with Ethernet PLC devices. There are many other
possibilities besides what was discussed here. For example, the LAN Modem enables a
technician to dial into a network and remotely administer the devices on the network. He
or she can connect to each PLC, check what is happening by viewing ladder logic or
reference tables, make changes to programs, etc
Another possibility is a technician can get on the network at the job site, his or her
manager can dial into the network, and with the use of NetMeeting, can see exactly
what the technician is doing on the laptop.
Thomas Lachendro
Technical Support Engineer
GE Fanuc Automation