Ethernet Communications Modules, 3rd Edition, Rev. D
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Chapter 1: Introduction
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q How can I speed up my ECOM communications?
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A
Try shortening the scan time of the PLC (the PLC
allows only one ECOM transaction per scan).
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Q What causes “Task code error response” with extended E353 error?
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A
Error is from the PLC and means “timeout in the background communications”.
Error is due to a backplane communication problem (ECOM, DCM, etc.).
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Q Can an ECOM be configured to talk through a gateway?
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A
Yes. You configure the gateway to reroute traffic to
and from the ECOM via port 7070 (hex).
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Q When using a DL205 with an ECOM, is there a way to turn on the PLC
outputs from a computer using a non- Windows operating system?
.
A
Host Engineering has what is called an Ethernet SDK (software developers
kit) which can normally be downloaded (free) from their website. However,
this will be useless for your system, but to accommodate your operating
system, you can fill out a form located on the Host Engineering website
and request the source code for the Ethernet SDK. This is necessary
so that Host Engineering will know who is using their source code.
The source code can then be recompiled to work on your system.
With the SDK recompiled for your system, you can use CCM (i.e.
DirectNET) protocol to turn on PLC outputs by simply knowing
the memory types and ranges as required for syntax.
The request form and details about the SDK can be found on the Host
Engineering homepage (www.hosteng.com). Once there, click on “EBC/
ECOM/EDRV” under “S/W Developer Kits” in the left- hand column.
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Q What is the fastest way to get data from PLC to PLC?
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A
Install ECOM in both PLCs and use the RX/WX commands is the quickest
way to do this. It is much faster that using serial communication.
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Q Can the ECOM do a broadcast message to multiple slave devices?
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A
No.
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Q Can the MAC address be changed?
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A
The MAC address is burned into ROM on the module and is set just before it
leaves the factory. There is no logical way for any protocol to change this address.
Host Engineering’s range for Ethernet (MAC) addresses is 00.E0.62.xx.xx.xx.
