GE GEFanuc Automation Programmable Control Products TCP/IP Ethernet Communications for the Series 90t-70 PLC GFK-1004B - Manual (Page 16)

1
1-2 TCP/IP Ethernet Communications User’s Manual – January 1996 GFK-1004B
The Ethernet Interface allows you to directly attach the Series 90-70 PLC to an Ethernet
LAN via a user-supplied transceiver and AUI cable, and to communicate with other
PLCs, hosts, and other control devices on the network.
The Ethernet Interface for the Series 90-70 PLC has “client/server” capability. As a “cli-
ent” it can initiate communications with other Series 90 PLCs containing Ethernet Inter-
faces. This is done from the PLC ladder program using the COMMREQ function. As a
“server” it responds to requests from other devices such as Logicmaster 90-70 TCP/IP
Ethernet, a Host computer running a Host Communications Toolkit application, or
another Series 90 PLC acting as a “client”. No PLC programming is required for server
operation.
The Ethernet Interface
An operational Ethernet Interface consists of the Ethernet controller board with resident
firmware and the Ethernet Interface software downloaded from the GEnet System Manager.
(It is the TCP/IP-Ethernet software that distinguishes this product from the similar MMS-
Ethernet product.) The Ethernet controller board provides a physical connection from
the PLC to the Ethernet LAN. It also is shipped with on–board diagnostics, a download
program to complement the downloader on the GEnet System Manager, and a utility pro-
gram that permits testing the cable plant. The controller board becomes a fully function-
al communications interface only after downloading additional software from the GEnet
System Manager.
Capabilities of the Ethernet Interface
The Ethernet Interface brings to your PLC a great deal of capability. It will allow you to:
H Directly attach your PLC to an Ethernet network. The Ethernet Interface allows
you to directly attach the Series 90-70 PLC to an Ethernet LAN via a user-supplied
transceiver and AUI cable, and to communicate with host computers and other
Series 90 PLCs on the local network.
H Transfer data between PLCs. The Ethernet Interface provides client capability, the
capability to initiate communications to other Series 90 Ethernet Interfaces, using
COMMREQ functions in the ladder program.
H Access data using a Host Computer. Computer applications which use the GE
Fanuc Host Communications Toolkit can access data within the Series 90-70 PLC
through the server capability of the Ethernet Interface. Supported computer
operating systems include Windows
t for Workgroups, Windows NTt, HP-UX
9000, DEC VAX/VMS t, and DEC Alpha AXP/VMSt.
H Communicate simultaneously to multiple devices. The multiplexing capabilities of
the Ethernet Interface, along with Ethernet network’s high capacity, allow the PLC
to communicate with several other devices at the same time.
tWindows, and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
tDEC, VAX, Alpha AXP, and VMS are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.