FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 3 of 28
1. Introduction
1.1. About this product
The SlotServer Instruction Manual provides the information necessary to configure the
SlotServer, allowing an Allen Bradley ControlLogix platform to pass data between a
ControlLogix CPU and other third party communications protocols supported by the
SlotServer. The SlotServer uses implicit communications between the CPU and the SlotServer and is consequently treated as an I/O Server in RSLogix.
The SlotServer Instruction Manual covers information for installing the SlotServer, and
configuring the module to transfer data with the CPU on the ControlLogix Rack. Depending
on the SlotServer Module ordered, supplementary driver manuals are provided for
information on how to configure the third party protocols residing in the SlotServer.
1.2. About LonWorks and Profiling
Inherent to the design of LonWorks is the intention that all nodes residing on a LonWorks
network possess a profile which accurately describes the network variables available to the
LonWorks network. This profile is declared to the LonWorks network by means of an
External Interface File (XIF). This XIF remains unchanged for any particular profile. In other
words, a change in the XIF is by definition a new profile.
The Open Interface profile for SlotServer provides a generic list of SNVT’s that can be used
to bind the most common LonWorks data types to the SlotServer for data transfer. This
document describes the fixed Open Interface profile for the SlotServer. However, as a
LonMark compatible product, the SlotServer platform is also capable of supporting other
profiles. For further information, please contact FieldServer Technologies and enquire
about available Specific Profiles and other SlotServer Profiling Services.
1.3. Connection Capability
SLOTSERVER MODE
CLIENT (SCANNER) 15
SERVER (ADAPTER) N/A
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
As an implicitly bound object in LonWorks, the
LonWorks protocol only supports the binding of this
device to no more than 15 other nodes.
The ControlLogix CPU is always configured as a
scanner to communicate with the SlotServer adapter.
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 4 of 28
2. Pre-Startup checklist
2.1. Accessories supplied with the SlotServer
Please verify that the following components were supplied with the SlotServer module:
FieldServer Technologies
PART #
Description
2-way combi-comb connector for LonWorks port
Software CD
CAT-5 Direct Ethernet Cable
Documentation Binder
2.2. Third party components (not supplied by FieldServer Technologies)
The following components will need to be procured as a minimum for achieving a
LonWorks/ControlLogix integration. Ensure that these are available before commencing
with commissioning
In order to achieve data transfer between CPU tags and LonWorks network variables, the
SlotServer will need to be commissioned into a LonWorks network using a LonWorks
Network Manager. Once commissioned and bound, data from the LonWorks network is
accessed by I/O image transfer in the ControlLogix CPU.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 6 of 28
status
4. SlotServer Installation
The SlotServer plugs directly into the AB1756 ControlLogix rack. Take note of the slot number
used for the SlotServer as this will be needed when configuring the I/O in the RSLogix software.
4.1. SlotServer Ports and Displays
Note that there are several hardware ports available on the SlotServer card, but that this
SlotServer model only makes use of a select few. The ports and displays of interest are as
shown in the diagram below:
Scrolling display shows card messages
Card Status Indicators show general card
Service Pin For LonWorks Commissioning
Communications Status LED’s show status of
communications and card software.
TP/FT10 LonWorks Connection
Trade Port. Used for advanced troubleshooting
only. See Appendix A.
Not Used. Do not connect anything here.
Scrolling Display
This will Display an OK status when the SlotServer has powered up successfully.
Card Status Indicators:
The Comm and OK lights will indicate green when the SlotServer has powered up
successfully. The Sys indicator will indicate green if the Lon Nodes are all communicating,
and red otherwise.
Service Pin
To be used for commissioning the SlotServer into a LonWorks network
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 7 of 28
Communications Status LED’s
LED Description
When the SlotServer is powered up, this light will start flashing after approximately 2
Run
LonSvc
NodeOff
Conf
Err
Sys Err
Com Err
minutes. If this light does not flash, it is an indication that the firmware is not running,
and that the SlotServer will not be operating.
This light will flash when the card’s Neuron chip is unconfigured, and will extinguish
when the SlotServer has been commissioned into a Network.
This light indicates that a device bound to the SlotServer on the LonWorks network is
not communicating. Use the LonWorks Network Manager to troubleshoot the problem.
This light indicates an error in the card configuration. Since this model is shipped preconfigured, this light should not come on unless the card configuration is tampered with
This light indicates that an unexpected operation state occurred. The light can be reset
by cycling power to the card. If the error re-occurs persistently, then contact FieldServer
Technical support for assistance with troubleshooting after setting up the trade port as
shown in Appendix A.
This light indicates that a communication error occurred. Use the LonWorks NetWork
Manager to troubleshoot the problem, or refer to Appendix A.
TP/FT10 LonWorks connection
This two wire connection is polarity insensitive and can be multi-dropped into a LonWorks
Network.
Trade Port
The Trade port is an Ethernet port that can be used for advanced troubleshooting (See
Appendix A). Use standard Ethernet cables for this connection.
4.2. Inside Cover Door Label
A label has been provided on the inside of the cover door for the User to document
important or useful configuration parameters used. In particular, special provision has been
made to document the Trade port IP parameters, as well as the LonWorks DSN
(Domain/Subnet/Node) allocated by the Network Manager. These fields are there to be
utilized at the User’s discretion.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 9 of 28
5. SlotServer Communications Quick Start Example Project
The discussion that follows describes the basic steps to set up and test the system for
transferring data between CPU tags and the SlotServer using the I/O image method. 104
Network Variables of the full 2,600 points are available using this easy to get going method.
Refer to the Advanced Project if you wish to access more than 104 Network Variables.
5.1. Step 1: Create or use an existing RSLogix project3
• Use File/New to create a new project or File/Open to open an existing project.
• Make sure to choose the correct Slot number in the rack where your Controller resides.
3
Your Controller may be of a different type to the one shown in the example.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
You can create the
Destination Tag by right
clicking on Destination and
choosing New Tag.
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 12 of 28
for the Destination
Create a Controller Tag of
Type REAL, dimension of 80
• Add an EQU (Compare if equal) ladder element to check when the first LonWorks data
block has been received. The block number is at offset 2 of the input image.
• Finally, add another CPS ladder element to copy the Lonworks Data from the InData_Copy
Tag to a new Controller Tag, called Lon_In_01. Also create the Tag by right clicking on
Destination and choosing New Tag. The New Tag must be of type REAL and a dimension of
76.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 13 of 28
Below is the final ladder program to access data from Lonworks Function Block In[0]
Very Important Note!
It is very important to first make a synchronous copy of the input image data before using it. If
this is not done, the input data cannot be guaranteed to be from a specific LonWorks
Function Block.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 14 of 28
5.4. Step 4: Write Ladder Program to Send LonWorks Output Data
This step is only necessary if you need to write data to the LonWorks Network on Function
Block Out[0]
• Create a Controller Tag called Lon_Out_01 of type REAL[80].
• Add a new rung to the Ladder program and add a MOV element to move a block number
value of 1 into Lon_Out_01[2].
• Finally add a CPS ( Synchronous Copy File ) element to copy the full Lon_Out_01 tag
into the Output Image Tag.
The LonWorks Data are present from Lon_Out_01[4] to Lon_Out_01[79]
You can create a User Defined Data Type to replace the type of Lon_Out_01 mapping the
points to LonWorks point names.
Very Important Note!
It is very important to only update all the data of the Output Image Tag once using a
Synchronous File Copy element. It is not permissible to update the block number into the
Output Image Tag and then the data as this will cause an asynchronous transfer of data.
5.5. Step 5: Download the RSLogix Program and Run
Use the Who Active or Communications Path directly to Download and Run the Program on
the Controller / CPU.
5.6. Step 6: Bind LonWorks Variables
The SlotServer’s LonWorks Network Variables must be bound to other devices using a
Network Management Tool such as LonMaker. See Appendix C for more details on how to
use a Network Management Tool to make the bindings.
5.7. Step 7: Interpret the Network Variable Data
LonWorks Input Variable Values can be found in the Lon_In_01 Tag.
Lon_In_01 Tag Layout:
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 18 of 28
6. Accessing All LonWorks Function Block Data
The Quickstart example is for accessing only LonWorks Data in Functional blocks:
In[0] and Out[0]
6.1. Input Data from Function Blocks In[1] to In[24]
To access Input Data Blocks In[1] up to In[24] simply add to the existing ladder program as
shown in the Quickstart example. Add a branch after the CPS element that copies the input
image Tag and copy and paste EQU and CPS elements from the first rung. Create a new
Input Tag for Lon_In_02 of type REAL and dimension 76. Finally, remember to set the
EQU Source B value to 2 to compare for incoming data from the 2nd LonWorks functional
block which is In[1].
See the ladder program below how to add In[1].
Very Important Note!
It is very important to first make a synchronous copy of the input image data before using it.
If this is not done, the input data cannot be guaranteed to be from a specific LonWorks
Function Block.
6.2. Output Data from Function Blocks Out[1] to Out[24]
To access more output blocks is slightly more complicated since we need to create a
Multiplexer in Ladder.
The basic steps are:
• Create a Counter which counts up every 100ms.
• Place the counter value into the Lon_Out_xx Tag at offset 2.
• Copy the whole Tag into the output Data Image Tag for transferring to the LonWorks
network.
The example program below shows an output counter that can count up to 25 which allows
the transfer of data into all 25 Output Function Blocks. Only 2 rungs are shown to transfer
data for blocks 1 and 2. Add more rungs with more Lon_Out_xx tags to transfer data to
other output Function Blocks.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 19 of 28
Very Important Note!
It is very important to only update all the data of the Output Image Tag once using a
Synchronous File Copy element. It is not permissible to update the block number into the
Output Image Tag and then the data as this will cause an asynchronous transfer of data.
6.3. Optimizing performance for smaller applications
If less than the full number of Function Blocks is needed, it is advisable to trim the Preset
value in the CTU element in the full SlotServer RSLogix project to the maximum block value.
The blocks should be used starting from 0 upwards. This will ensure that update rate is kept
as short as possible.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 20 of 28
For example, if only block 25 is used and all the other points are left unbound and the
project is untrimmed, when the data updates, the LonWorks driver will scan all the Map
Descriptors for all blocks which will be unnecessarily time consuming.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 21 of 28
Appendix A. Advanced Topics
Appendix A.1. Using the FieldServer RUI for Troubleshooting.
As a FieldServer enabled product, the SlotServer supports the use of the FieldServer
Utilities for diagnostic purposes. It should not be necessary to connect these utilities to the
SlotServer. However, if the need arises, then the following steps are advised:
• Download the utilities software (or just RuiNet) from www.fieldserver.com
• Download the FieldServer Utilities manual
• Get familiar with the utilities by reading the Utilities manual
• Connect to the Ethernet port on the SlotServer as prescribed by the FieldServer Utilities
manual.
• Follow directions on each of the features of the Utilities to achieve the needed result
Note: It is possible to change the profile of the SlotServer by loading a new configuration
with these utilities. However, doing so for this particular product will void the Warranty on
the product and doing so without consulting FieldServer Technologies is strongly
discouraged.
Appendix A.2. Installing SlotServer on a Remote Rack using CNB cards
Appendix A.2.1. Hardware and Software requirements
In order to perform this application, the following hardware and software is required as a
minimum:
• At least two 1756 racks, where one rack contains the CPU and the other rack
contains the SlotServer
• Two Controlnet CNB cards (with cable for connection) to connect the racks to each
other
• RSlinx
• RSLogix
• RSNetworx
• SlotServer EDS file (Available on SlotServer CD, or call Technical Support)
Note that it is possible to connect to SlotServer on a remote rack using other 1756
bridging cards. This chapter only deals with CNB, but the principles for using other
bridging cards are similar.
Appendix A.2.2. Setup
• Install the CPU and the first CNB card in the local rack.
• Install the second CNB card and the SlotServer in the remote rack.
• Connect the ControlNet Network
• Power up the racks
• Install the SlotServer EDS File using the RSLinx Hardware EDS Installation Tool.
• Make sure the SlotServer has a valid configuration loaded. The default configuration
shipped with the SlotServer should suffice.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 22 of 28
Appendix A.2.3. RSLogix configuration
In order to see the SlotServer from the CPU, the Hardware must be configured in
RSLogix as follows:
• Configure the cards in the local rack in the I/O Configuration section, including the
CPU and the local CNB card.
• Right click on the local CNB card and add the remote CNB card using the “New
Module” function.
• Right Click on the remote CNB card, and add the 1756 Backplane
• Right Click on the 1756 Backplane and add the cards that are present in the remote
rack, including the SlotServer (As a generic I/O module-see earlier section on how to
do this)
• Save the RSLogix configuration, and download it to the PLC.
The finished I/O configuration should look similar to this:
Appendix A.2.4. RSNetWorx configuration
• Open up RSNetWorx and add the two CNB Cards to the Network by dragging them
onto the Network in the Graph tab (Must be done with Edits Enabled). Follow the
prompts on the screen to configure the Chassis being used, and the cards in each
Chassis (Rack).
• Go Online with RSNetWorx, and then press “save”. This will transfer the RSNetWorx
Configuration to the Keeper.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 23 of 28
The final RSNetworx Configuration should look similar to this:
Appendix A.2.5. Testing
The SlotServer should now be visible to the CPU. Go Online with RSLogix and check
the Input buffer of the SlotServer for data. A good check is to examine offset 2 of the
input tag for a non-Zero value. If the SlotServer is multiplexing (DA_Count >1), then this
value will be cycling through the Buffer numbers, otherwise if DA_Count=1, then offset 2
will be fixed at 1. If offset 2 is zero, then the SlotServer is not being seen by the CPU,
and Diagnostics will need to be performed using RSNetWorx and RSLogix to determine
the cause of the problem.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com
FS-RA-CLX-LON-000_SlotServer_LonWorks_Open_Interface_(T17010) Page 25 of 28
Appendix C. Using LonMaker to Commission a SlotServer
Ensure that the SlotServer and the LonMaker PC are on the same LonWorks network.
• Open the existing Network in LonMaker, or create a new Network
• Click on “Create New Network” and follow the network wizard, making the following
selections:
Network Interface Network Attached
Management Mode Onnet (unless you are working offline)
Register Plug-ins required None
• Once Visio is open with the Network showing, drag a new device onto the drawing from the
toolbox.
• Follow the Device Network, making the following selections
Enter Device Name Commission device
Specify Device Template Upload from device
Specify Device Channel Auto Detect
Specify Device Properties Leave as is (Ping is optional)
Identify Device Service pin
Device Application Image Leave unchecked
Initial State Online
• Press the service pin on the SlotServer when asked to do so, and the SlotServer will be
commissioned.
• Drag a new function block onto the drawing from the toolbox. Give the function block a
name and ensure that it is allocated to the SlotServer device.
• Once the function block is on the drawing, you can drag input and output variables onto the
function block. When you do this, LonMaker will show you the variables available for
binding. Click on the variables you require (or use the select all option), and they will be
commissioned onto the function block.
• You are now ready to connect these variables to other devices by dragging connections
from the toolbox and connecting the variables.
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web:www.fieldServer.com