How to connect the LabVIEW8.2 DSC Module to RSLinx

[xionghy]

hi, 

    I am testing LabView Communication with PLC according to the NI document" Using RSLinx OPC Server" . I successfully did the "Confguring an Allen Bradley PLC in RSLinx" and "Conecting Server Explorer to RSLinx" .But when I go to next topic "Connecting the LabVIEW DSC Module to RSLinx", I can't find the Tag Configuration editor, and I can't creat I/O items by the DSC Module. How can I do next? Any help in this regard is well appreciated.

thank you,

Xionghy.

[andysibley]

Xionghy,

You first have to make sure WHICH version of RSLinx you are using.  It should NOT be RSLinx Lite as this does not allow 3rd party OPC connections - it was went to support RSLogix 5000 etc. as a programming tool.  I am evaluating RSLinx Gateway which allows 3rd party connections on the same and also remote computers.

Follow these steps which I'm sure are documented elsewhere on the the NI site:

1. Start LabVIEW 8.2 and open a new project.
2. Make a new library called IOServer.lvlib (doesn't really matter what the name is)
3. Right Mouse Button (RMB) on the library and create a New:I/O Server
4. Select OPC and press Continue...
5. If the OPC server is one the SAME computer select Browse [Machine] and Machine [localhost].
6. Select RSLinx OPC Server
7. If you are on a computer and want to browse to a remote OPC server select Browse [Network], browse to the computer and select RSLinx Remote OPC Server.  Note in general the network browse expansion will only show the OPC Servers that are accessible.
8. At this point the library (IOServer.lvlib) should show a node OPC1 or OPC2 etc. with a hand underneath the icon.
9. Click once on the OPC node and RMB selecting View I/O Items.
10. You now should be able to browse through the OPC Topics ALREADY configured by RSLinx.  If you haven't configured an RSLinx topic then you need to do that.

Let me know at which point the above sequence fails although I'm sure others in the discussion groups can help (I'm away for several days).

Regards...Andy

[Graham_D]

Although not using the DSC module, I do have a query concerning the RSLinx OPC topic driver and settings. I have comms but looking at RSLinx, I see it has been set for the 'Remote Devices via Linx Gateway' driver and the Advanced Communications tab on OPC Topic setup is set to Remote.

I have a direct ethernet connection so can I use the Ethernet IP driver and have the Addressing set to Local?

[andysibley]

Hi,

The setting I use for RSLinx Gateway <> ControlLogix PLC is always "Ethernet devices".  This assumes there is a direct connection (via switch/hub) between the host computer and the 1756-ENBT module.  The "Ethernet/IP" driver should not be used as this is an Industrial Protocol (IP) connection.  (Note: DON'T share Ethernet/IP with LV RT clients unless you enable IGMP snooping in the switch!  I know this from very bitter experience!)

Once you have selected "Ethernet devices" you can enter the ethernet addresses (IP address not "IP" hi!) and you should then be able to browse and drill down to the 5555 controller to set up the OPC topic.

Hope this kind of helps and doesn't turn the LV discussion group into Rockwell-Software (whatever happened to their discussion forum?!)

...Andy

[Graham_D]

Thanks for the replies - I think I'm sorted now. When configuring the OPC Topic, selecting a data source seems to automatically set the required communication valiues. I had been using the TCP-1 driver ok but now I'm using the ETHERNET-IP driver (same as I use for RSLogix) and this seems to be slightly better. Having seen that I just need to select the data source to set up the comms, my fear of losing the 'magic' settings to establish comms has gone.