Eaton easyE4 series, Manual

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11. Connection to other devices
11.3 Setting up a NET
11.3 Setting up a NET
NET - a group
A NET is a group that is made up of up to eight stations and that uses a special protocol
for the device series in order to allow for communications via Ethernet connections.
The name "NET" refers to Ethernet/UDP-based communications between the easyE4
devices. It was designed specifically with the needs of straightforward transfers
between easyE4 devices in mind. Within a NET, every device has read access to the
NET operands of any other device in its group. In addition to this, data can be trans-
ferred both cyclically and acyclically.
Please note that nodes from different groups cannot communicate directly with each
other.
Between groups
If, however, you want devices to be able to communicate across groups, you will need
to use a coordinator device that controls the corresponding communication with Mod-
bus TCP.
A total of ten NET groups (groups 1 through 10) can be run on a single Ethernet network
at one time.
Ethernet network
↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
Module Module Module Stations… Module Module Module
NET-ID 1 NET-ID… NET-ID 8 NET-ID… NET-ID 1 NET-ID… NET-ID 8
NET group 1 NET group… NET group 10
NET uses UDP protocols that send unconfirmed broadcast frames; accordingly, the
devices in the NET group must be located on the same subnet. Connections through a
router are not allowed, as broadcast frames will normally be unable to pass through a
router.
Figure 253: NET diagram
All easyE4 base devices feature an Ethernet port that can be simultaneously used for all
communications, e.g., web server, Modbus TCP, e-mail, and programming the easyE4.
easyE4 11/18 MN050009 EN www.eaton.com
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