6000 Series EtherNet/IP Server Option
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is EtherNet/IP?

2. What is the difference between Ethernet and EtherNet/IP?

3. How do I enable EtherNet/IP on my 6000 Series Paperless Graphic Recorder?

4. What equipment do I need to connect a 6000 Series Paperless Graphic Recorder to a PLC using EthernNet/IP?

5. Can I have both Modbus and EtherNet/IP on the same recorder?

6. What is an EtherNet/IP Client (Scanner)?

7. What is an EtherNet/IP Server (Adaptor)?

8. What is Explicit Messaging?

9. What is Implicit Messaging?

10. How many EtherNet/IP Communication channels are supported?

11. What is an Electronic Data Sheet (EDS) file?

12. What is IEC61158?

Q. What is EtherNet/IP?

A. Developed by Rockwell in 2001, EtherNet/IP is the name given to the Control and Information Protocol (CIP), as implemented over standard Ethernet (IEEE802.3 and the TCP/IP Protocol suite). EtherNet/IP and CIP are managed by the ODVA.

Q. What is the difference between Ethernet and EtherNet/IP?

A. Ethernet is 'a family of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks' (Wikipedia). It is essentially a standard (IEEE 802.3), which primarily defines the physical layer of the OSI Networking Model.

EtherNet/IP is simply a specific communications protocol which works over Ethernet (see definition above).

Note that many Ethernet functions of the 6000, such as Bridge, FTP, Web Server, etc. are STANDARD features, and do not require the purchase of the EtherNet/IP option.

Q. How do I enable EtherNet/IP on my 6000 Series Paperless Graphic Recorder?

A. EtherNet/IP is available for recorders running firmware version 4.4.1 or newer. If your recorder is running an older firmware version, you'll need to upgrade. Once upgraded, the EtherNet/IP Server option can be enabled by a key code upgrade, or enabled by putting the recorder in Trial Mode.

Of course, new recorders can be purchased with the EtherNet/IP Server option already enabled.

Q. What equipment do I need to connect a 6000 Series Paperless Graphic Recorder to a PLC using EthernNet/IP?

A. One of the benefits of EtherNet/IP is that it uses standard Ethernet communication equipment - cables, switches, routers, etc. No special equipment is necessary. A simple, direct connection could be made with no more than a crossover cable. Most likely, a switch or other Ethernet routing device will be needed to connect to a PC or other device as well.

Q. Can I have both Modbus and EtherNet/IP on the same recorder?

A. Yes. All EtherNet/IP functionality is in addition to the Modbus and other communication protocols which are available on the recorder. This means that one recorder can simultaneously support both Modbus TCP and EtherNet/IP communications. Adding the EtherNet/IP Server option has no effect on the specifications of number of Modbus TCP, FTP, and / or Bridge ports.

Q. What is an EtherNet/IP Client (Scanner)

A. An EtherNet/IP Client (Scanner) initiates implicit connections with Server (Adaptor) devices. Typically a Client (Scanner) is the most complex type of EtherNet/IP device as it must allow for configuration of which connections to make and how to configure the Server device, a PLC is an example of an EtherNet/IP client.

Q. What is an EtherNet/IP Server (Adaptor)

A. An EtherNet/IP Server (Adaptor) receives implicit communications request from a Client (Scanner), then produces and consumes its I/O data, typically at the requested cycle rate. An I/O Server can range from a simple digital input device to something more flexible like the 6000 Series.

Q. What is Explicit Messaging?

A. In general explicit messaging operates in client/server (request/reply) mode and is used for non-real-time data, usually for information. Explicit messages include a description of their meaning (expressed explicitly). In CIP terms, with explicit messaging you request a service of a particular object e.g. a read or a write service. For EtherNet/IP, explicit messaging uses TCP and can be done with or without prior establishment of a CIP connection.

Q. What is Implicit Messaging?

A. Implicit messages is often referred to as I/O and is time-critical in nature. Typically this type of communication is used for real-time data exchange, where speed and low latency are important. Implicit messages include very little information about their meaning, so the transmission is more efficient, but less flexible the explicit. For EtherNet/IP, implicit messaging uses UDP and can be multicast or unicast.

Q. How many EtherNet/IP Communication channels are supported?

A. When enabled the option provides access to 200 EtherNet/IP Comms Input channels (100 Input plus 100 Maths), and 200 fixed function Output channels are also provided. Each input channels can be configured to provide one of 5 parameters, select from Process Variable, Point Status, Span High, Span Low or Decimal Places.

Q. What is an Electronic Data Sheet (EDS) file?

A. An Electronic Data Sheet is an ASCII text file that describes the features of an EtherNet/IP device and is used by software tools for device and network connection configuration.

Q. What is IEC61158?

A. IEC61158 specifies various Fieldbus protocols for applications ranging from discrete manufacturing to process control. It includes the specifications for CIP as well as EtherNet/IP.