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Rockwell Automation Publication 1769-UM021G-EN-P - October 2015
Chapter 7
Use I/O Modules with CompactLogix 5370 L1 Controllers
Configure Distributed I/O
Modules on an EtherNet/IP
Network
Your CompactLogix 5370 L1 control system can use distributed I/O modules on
an EtherNet/IP network.
Complete these steps to configure distributed I/O modules on an
EtherNet/IP network.
Table 9 - I/O Module Connections
Connection
Description
Direct
A direct connection is a real-time, data-transfer link between the controller and an I/O module. The controller maintains and monitors
the connection. Any break in the connection, such as a module fault, causes the controller to set fault status bits in the data area that is
associated with the module.
Typically, analog I/O modules, diagnostic I/O modules, and specialty modules require direct connections.
Rack-optimized
Rack-optimized connections are not available with local expansion modules used in CompactLogix 5370 L1 control systems. For digital
I/O modules, you can select rack-optimized connections.
This option is used with distributed I/O modules and the Rack Optimization connection selection is made when configuring the remote
adapter. For example, if you want to use a rack-optimized connection with digital I/O modules in a remote 1734 POINT I/O system, you
configure the 1734-AENT(R) module to use a connection type of Rack Optimization.
A rack-optimized connection consolidates connection usage between the controller and all digital I/O modules in a remote chassis or on
one DIN rail. Rather than having individual, direct connections for each I/O module, there is one connection for the entire rack (or DIN
rail).
IMPORTANT
When adding distributed I/O modules, remember to count the remote Ethernet
adapter to remain within the maximum number of EtherNet/IP network nodes
limitation for your controller.
The distributed I/O modules that are connected to the controller via the remote
Ethernet adapter are not counted toward the maximum Ethernet node limit for
the controller.
For example, a 1769-L16ER-BB1B controller supports up to four Ethernet
nodes. You can add up to four remote Ethernet adapters to the I/O
Configuration section because each remote adapter counts against the node
count. However, you can add as many remote I/O modules to the chassis of the
adapter as necessary. Remote I/O modules do not count against the node
count.
For more information on node limitations, see
