6
IM 04L4B0-8E
What the DX Can Do
The DX provides the following functions:
• Participate in an EtherNet/IP network as an Adapter (Server).
• Communicate with new and old Allen-Bradley PLCs such as MicroLogix,
CompactLogix, ControlLogix, SLC 500, PLC-5, and PLC-2.
• Support both Explicit and I/O messages.
• PLCs can access internal data of the DX.
Data
Access
Measurement channel data
Read
Computation channel
*
data
Read
Communication input data
**2
Read/write
External input channel data
*
Read/write
*1 Optional (/M1 and /PM1).
*2 Communication input data, if coded in a calculation expression in the computation channel,
can be displayed on the DX.
*3 This function is available only on the DX2000. Optional (/MC1).
The following shows examples of usage.
• Data on devices on a network can be recorded by a PLC to the DX.
• Data measured by the DX can be acquired by a PLC.
Settings of the DX
The DX is ready to use after the following settings have been made.
• IP address and other settings required to connect to Ethernet
• Enabling of EtherNet/IP server function
Access to the DX
The DX is a passive device on an Ethernet network. The DX cannot launch a request. A
PLC launches a request to the DX.
A request is called a "message". There are two message types: Explicit message and
I/O messages (Implicit message). An Explicit message, included in control logic, is used
to access the DX, only when required, and transmit data. An I/O message is used to
transmit pre-specified DX data at intervals.
The DX supports communications with old-model Allen-Bradley PLCs not compatible with
EtherNet/IP. The DX can also communicate with PLCs compatible with Programmable
Controller Communication Command (PCCC) using conversion of PCCC to EtherNet/
IP at the gateway. PCCC refers to serial communications that are also called
DF
communications.
The DX supports EtherNet/IP in which PCCC requests are encapsulated. It can
communicate also with PLCs that support encapsulated PCCC.
Introduction of Features
