Rockwell Automation 1755-OF8 GuardPLC Controller Systems - Manual (Page 175)

175 Publication 1753-UM001C-EN-P - March 2010 175
Chapter
17
Configure Peer-to-Peer Communication
Introduction
Using peer-to-peer communication, you can exchange signals
between controllers by dragging signals onto pages that create
controller-to-controller connections. For example, controller 1 could
send three signals (out1, out2, and out3) to controller 2. Controller 2
can then use these signals as inputs within its function block code.
Considerations for Using
Peer-to-peer Before you start a project that exchanges data between several
controllers, you should become familiar with the requirements of your
application. Questions about the network design, which should be
answered prior to developing the project, include the following:
•
Is timing a critical factor of the application? This is the most
important question!
•
How many controllers will be involved?
•
Is it necessary to establish an Ethernet network exclusively for
the application, or can an existing network be shared?
•
How far away from each other are the controllers?
•
Are transportation media, other than the Ethernet network,
needed (such as telephone lines, radios, fiber optics, and so
forth)?
•
Is it necessary for each controller to communicate with all other
controllers?
•
Can some functions of the application be grouped and executed
separately by an isolated group of controllers (token group)?
Topic Page
Considerations for Using Peer-to-peer 175
Set Peer-to-Peer Controller Properties 176
Create a Peer-to-peer Network 178
Design the Logic 180
Configure Peer-to-peer Communication 184
Compile and Download 189
Network Optimizing 190