Rockwell Automation 1788-CN2FF ControlNet-to-FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 Linking Device User Manual - Manual (Page 7)

1788-6.5.1 - January 1999
Introduction 1-3
The Fieldbus devices have View objects that are a collection of dynamic
process data. Fieldbus devices broadcast alarms, collect trend data, and
broadcast trend data. An HMI typically accesses the view objects, collects
trends from different Fieldbus devices, processes alarms, and acknowledges
alarms. The linking device permits a Fieldbus HMI on a PC connected to
ControlNet to access and monitor Fieldbus devices as if the HMI were
directly connected to the Fieldbus network.
The NI-FBUS Fieldbus Configurator generates the information about the
layout or structure of the ControlNet assembly objects produced and
consumed by the linking devices. It provides the offset within the assembly
objects for every Fieldbus function block parameter being published or
subscribed by the linking device. You can use this information to program
your PLC processors. Therefore, you configure your Fieldbus network
before you obtain linking device assembly object information to program
your PLC processor.
System Requirements This section describes the required hardware and software components you
need before you can use the linking device. You should also review the
README.TXT file on the linking device setup disk for the latest
information.
Hardware
• ControlNet-to-Fieldbus linking device
• PC ControlNet interface: 1784-KTC15 or 1784-PCC
• ControlNet and Fieldbus cabling
Software
• Windows NT® 4.0 with service pack 3 or higher
• NI-FBUS Configurator version 2.3 or higher
These are necessary to configure the Fieldbus devices and the linking
device using ControlNet.
• RSLinx™ 2.0 or RSLinx OEM™ 2.0 or later; this is the driver for the
Allen-Bradley PC interfaces
RSLinx Lite™ is not sufficient.
• RSNetWorx™ for ControlNet version 1.8 or later; this is the ControlNet
configuration tool