LearningPLC: Configuring a ControlLogix in RSView Studio via Ethernet

How to configure an application to a ControlLogix Processor on Ethernet in RSView Studio.

This Tech Tip is intended to be used as a guide only. An existing ControlLogix ACD file is recommended. General Ethernet knowledge including knowledge of IP addresses and subnet masks is required for successful Ethernet network configuration. Generic IP addresses have been used. Actual Ethernet configuration will vary.

1. Create a New Application.

Open RSView Studio, click on the New tab.
Assign an Application Name and click Create.

2. Create an RSLinx Enterprise configuration.

In the Application Explorer window click on the [+] next to RSLinx Enterprise to expand the menu. Double click on Communications Setup. Choose Create a new configuration.

The following screen has two tabs:

The Target tab refers to the path of processor that the RUNTIME application will be talking to. This could be running on another Windows 2000/XP machine, a VersaView CE or a PanelView Plus. This setup must be exactly representative of the network this application will be run on, but needs to include only the processor and path to the processor the application will be communicating with.

The Local tab refers to the path of the processor as seen by the DEVELOPMENT computer. This is required when wanting to browse tags in an online Processor.

The Offline Tag File allows the user to browse tags located in an ACD file. This is helpful when a processor is not available online, or the desired application is not in the online processor. Using Offline Tag File requires that a LOCAL path be created even if the processor does not exist or does not contain the same ACD file. Omitting a LOCAL path will result in not being able to browse for tags.

If the development PC is connected to the processor via Ethernet:

Click on the LOCAL tab.
Right Click on Ethernet, Ethernet.
- If Ethernet, Ethernet is not an option, right click on RSLinx Enterprise, (Computer Name), click Add Driver, Click Ethernet, then OK.
Click Start Browsing.
This will find all compatible devices, including ENET, ENBT, PV+. VersaView CE, and RSLinx Enterprise devices.
Click the [+] next to Ethernet, Ethernet
Find the IP Address of the ENET/ENBT module and then expand the tree until the processor is visible.
Under the Device Shortcuts window, click Add.
Change the name of the Shortcut (if desired).
Click on the processor.
Click Apply.

The LOCAL path is now created. If the runtime device is on the same network, the LOCAL path may be copied to the TARGET path.

Click the COPY button. This copies ONLY the path, it does NOT apply the path to the TARGET shortcut.
Click YES to accept the changes and close the Communication Setup window.
Go back in to the Communication Setup, and in the TARGET tab, expand the tree to the processor.
Click on the Shortcut.
Click on the processor.
Click the Apply button.
Click OK to accept changes and close the window.

The TARGET and LOCAL paths are now created. The next section may be skipped. Proceed to the section entitled Browsing to Tags.

If the runtime device is not on the same network, the TARGET path must be configured manually.

Click on the TARGET tab.
Right Click on Ethernet, Ethernet
- If Ethernet, Ethernet is not an option, right click on RSLinx Enterprise, (Computer Name), click Add Driver, click Ethernet then OK.
Click Add Device.
Expand EtherNetIP Devices.
Expand 1756-ENET/A or 1756-ENBT/A depending on device located in the ControlLogix chassis.
Choose the device that matches the device located in the ControlLogix chassis.
Click OK

Type in the IP address assigned to the Ethernet device.

Click OK
If the ControlLogix processor resides in Slot 0 of the chassis complete the following:
- Expand the Ethernet device that was just created.
- Right click on 1756-A17/B, 1756-A17/B. This is the ControlLogix chassis.
- Click Properties
- Change the Address to a value other than 0.
Right click on 1756-A17/B, 1756-A17/B.
Click Add Device
Choose appropriate processor, in this example a 1756-L1, Rev. 11

Change the Address to reflect the slot number in which the processor resides, in this example slot 0.

Click OK
In the TARGET tab, click on the Shortcut, then click on the processor.
Click Apply.

Both the TARGET and LOCAL paths are now configured. This can be confirmed by closing then re-opening the Communication Setup window. In the TARGET tab, click on the Shortcut. It should highlight the processor. Do the same in the LOCAL tab. If either one fails to highlight the processor, click on the Shortcut, then click on the processor, and finally, click Apply. Click OK to accept all changes and close the window.

The configuration should be similar to the following:

To browse the tags of an offline file:

Set up both LOCAL and TARGET tabs as described above.
In either tab, click on the Shortcut
Click Select File
Browse to the ACD file and click on it
Click Open.
Click Apply.
Click OK to accept changes and close the window.

3. Browsing to Tags

Create a new display by expanding the Displays option in the Application Explorer
Right click on Displays
Click New
Create a new object by clicking Objects
Move the cursor over Push Button
Click Momentary

Click and hold the mouse button on the Display screen.
Drag a box to create a button.
Double click on the button
To change the assigned tag, click on the Connections tab
In the Value row, click on the ellipsis (...) under Tag
Right click on the top selection in the Tag Explorer which bears the name of the application, in this case Test.
Click Refresh All Folders - this step is necessary any time a change is made in the Communication Setup.

Expand the Shortcut by clicking on the [+]
If a Local processor path was created earlier, Online will be available.
If an offline file was included, Offline will be available.
Click on any of these folders to display existing tags.
Expand these folders to display tags with multiple elements, such as Timers
Double click on a tag or element of a tag to select it and use it for this Pushbutton