Rockwell Automation RSLinx User Manual
Getting Results
Original Instructions
RSLinx Classic Getting Results Guide
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Supersedes Publication LINX-GR001V-EN-E - September 2020
RSLinx Classic Getting Results Guide
personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.
Attentions help you identify a hazard, avoid a hazard, and recognize the consequence.
IMPORTANT
SHOCK HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that dangerous voltage may be present.
temperatures.
for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Important User Information
Read this document and the documents listed in the additional resources section about installation, configuration, and
operation of this equipment before you install, configure, operate, or maintain this product. Users are required to familiarize
themselves with installation and wiring instructions in addition to requirements of all applicable codes, laws, and standards.
Activities including installation, adjustments, putting into service, use, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance are required to
be carried out by suitably trained personnel in accordance with applicable code of practice.
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.
In no event will Rockwell Automation, Inc. be responsible or liable for indirect or consequential damages resulting from the use
or application of this equipment.
The examples and diagrams in this manual are included solely for illustrative purposes. Because of the many variables and
requirements associated with any particular installation, Rockwell Automation, Inc. cannot assume responsibility or liability for
actual use based on the examples and diagrams.
No patent liability is assumed by Rockwell Automation, Inc. with respect to use of information, circuits, equipment, or software
described in this manual.
Reproduction of the contents of this manual, in whole or in part, without written permission of Rockwell Automation, Inc., is
prohibited.
Throughout this manual, when necessary, we use notes to make you aware of safety considerations.
WARNING: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can cause an explosion in a hazardous environment, which may lead to
ATTENTION: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can lead to personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.
Identifies information that is critical for successful application and understanding of the product.
Labels may also be on or inside the equipment to provide specific precautions.
BURN HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that surfaces may reach dangerous
ARC FLASH HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a motor control center, to alert people to potential Arc Flash. Arc Flash
will cause severe injury or death. Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Follow ALL Regulatory requirements for safe work practices and
2 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Preface
Welcome to RSLinx Classic
Install and start RSLinx Classic
RSWho
Table of Contents
Purpose of the document ........................................................................... 7
Intended audience ...................................................................................... 7
Document conventions ............................................................................... 7
Feedback....................................................................................................... 7
Legal Notices ................................................................................................ 7
Chapter 1
What is RSLinx Classic? ............................................................................. 9
Differences between RSLinx Classic types ............................................... 9
RSLinx Classic Lite ................................................................................ 9
RSLinx Classic Single Node .................................................................10
RSLinx Classic OEM ............................................................................10
RSLinx Classic Gateway ....................................................................... 11
Quick start ................................................................................................... 11
Step 1 Configure a driver ..................................................................... 11
Step 2 Configure a topic ...................................................................... 12
Step 3 Copy a link to the clipboard ...................................................... 13
Step 4 Paste a link from the clipboard ................................................ 13
Explore RSLinx Classic .............................................................................. 14
Title bar ................................................................................................. 14
Menu bar ............................................................................................... 14
Toolbar .................................................................................................. 15
Application workspace ......................................................................... 15
RSWho .................................................................................................. 15
Status bar .............................................................................................. 15
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 3
Chapter 2
Before you begin ........................................................................................ 17
System requirements ................................................................................ 17
Hardware requirements ...................................................................... 17
Software requirements ........................................................................ 17
Install RSLinx Classic software ................................................................. 18
Update an existing installation ................................................................. 19
Updating the FactoryTalk Services Platform software ........................... 20
Start RSLinx Classic software .................................................................. 20
RSLinx Classic running as a service vs. running as an application ....... 20
Troubleshooting installation ..................................................................... 21
Chapter 3
Use RSWho .................................................................................................23
Table of Contents
OPC and DDE Connectivity
Register EDS files of devices
Compact harmony files
Find the information you need
Activation
Secure RSLinx Classic with
Control bar ................................................................................................. 24
Tree control ................................................................................................ 24
List control ................................................................................................. 25
Chapter 4
OPC ............................................................................................................ 27
DDE ............................................................................................................ 27
DDE/OPC client connectivity ................................................................... 28
Chapter 5
Manually upload and register EDS files in the RSWho ......................... 29
Automatically upload and register EDS files in the RSWho ................. 30
Manually register EDS files in the EDS Hardware Installation Tool ..... 31
View existing EDS files of devices on the computer ............................... 31
Unregister EDS files in EDS Hardware Installation Tool .......................32
Uninstall EDS Hardware Installation Tool and all EDS files .................. 33
Chapter 6
Compact harmony files in RSLinx Classic ............................................... 35
Chapter 7
Use the help ................................................................................................ 37
Help contents ....................................................................................... 37
Access help for a control or field ........................................................ 38
Find step-by-step procedures ............................................................. 38
Find definitions .................................................................................... 39
Access guides ............................................................................................. 40
Training ...................................................................................................... 40
Technical support ...................................................................................... 40
When you call ....................................................................................... 41
Appendix A
Grace period ............................................................................................... 43
Activate RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Activation Manager ............. 43
How to activate RSLinx Classic ........................................................... 43
Find more information about FactoryTalk Activation ......................44
FactoryTalk Security
4 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Appendix B
How do I set up security in RSLinx Classic? ............................................ 45
If you have not used FactoryTalk Security or RSSecurity before ..... 45
If you have used RSSecurity but not FactoryTalk Security .............. 50
Install RSLinx Classic with
command line syntax
Using RSLinx Classic with
Glossary
Table of Contents
If you have used FactoryTalk Security before .................................... 55
What can I secure in RSLinx Classic? ....................................................... 57
Using FactoryTalk Security ........................................................................ 57
Network/Local Directory .................................................................... 58
Reset Network Tree ............................................................................. 58
Miscellaneous ...................................................................................... 58
Appendix C
Comparing different installation methods .............................................59
Use unattended installation ..................................................................... 60
Perform unattended installation ....................................................... 60
Parameters ........................................................................................... 60
Use silent installation for RSLinx Classic .msi file ................................. 62
Before you begin.................................................................................. 62
RSLinx Classic x64 driver package ...................................................... 63
Install certificates ................................................................................ 64
Perform silent installation ................................................................. 64
ControlFlash
Index
Appendix D
Select an RSLinx Edition in ControlFlash ................................................ 67
RSWho ........................................................................................................ 67
Configure drivers in RSLinx Classic ........................................................ 67
Uninstall RSLinx Classic ........................................................................... 68
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 5
Purpose of the document
Intended audience
Document conventions
Feedback
Legal Notices
Preface
The Getting Results Guide provides you with information on how to install and
navigate the RSLinx Classic software. It explains how to effectively use the
RSLinx Classic software and how to find and access additional information.
This guide can be considered the entry point into Rockwell Software
documentation set for this product. The documentation set contains
pertinent, easily accessible product information and ships with the software
product. This set is designed to free you from tedious paper shuffling and
reduce information overload.
Other components of the documentation set include electronic release notes
and help.
We assume that you are familiar with:
• IBM-compliant personal computers
• Microsoft® Windows® operating systems
• OPC (OLE for Process Control®) communication
• DDE (Microsoft dynamic data exchange) messaging
• Allen-Bradley PLC™ (programmable logic controllers)
• Rockwell Software PLC programming tools
The conventions used throughout this document for the user interface
comply with those recommended by Microsoft. If you are not familiar with
the Microsoft Windows user interface, read the documentation supplied with
the operating system you are using before attempting to use this software.
Use the feedback form packaged with your software to report errors, or let us
know what information you want to see added in future editions of this
document. You can also send an email message to
info@software.rockwell.com with any comments about Rockwell products
and services.
Rockwell Automation publishes legal notices, such as privacy policies, license
agreements, trademark disclosures, and other terms and conditions on the
Legal Notices
page of the Rockwell Automation website.
End User License Agreement (EULA)
You can view the Rockwell Automation End User License Agreement (EULA)
by opening the license.rtf file located in your product's install folder on your
hard drive.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 7
The default location of this file is:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Rockwell\license.rtf.
Preface
Open Source Software Licenses
The software included in this product contains copyrighted software that is
licensed under one or more open source licenses.
You can view a full list of all open source software used in this product and
their corresponding licenses by opening the index.html file located your
product's OPENSOURCE folder on your hard drive.
The default location of this file is:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Rockwell\Help\RSLinxrn.chm
You may obtain Corresponding Source code for open source packages
included in this product from their respective project web site(s).
Alternatively, you may obtain complete Corresponding Source code by
contacting Rockwell Automation via the Contact form on the Rockwell
Automation website:
us/contact/contact.page. Please include "Open Source" as part of the request
text.
http://www.rockwellautomation.com/global/about-
8 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
What is RSLinx Classic?
Differences between RSLinx
RSLinx Classic Lite
Chapter 1
Welcome to RSLinx Classic
This chapter includes the following information:
• What is RSLinx Classic?
• Differences between RSLinx Classic types
• Quick start
• Explore RSLinx Classic
RSLinx Classic for Rockwell Automation Networks and Devices is a
comprehensive factory communication solution, providing Allen-Bradley
programmable controller access to a wide variety of Rockwell Software and
Allen-Bradley applications. These range from device programming and
configuration applications such as RSLogix and RSNetWorx, to HMI
(Human-Machine Interface) applications such as RSView32, FactoryTalk View
SE (Site Edition), and FactoryTalk View ME (Machine Edition), to your own
data acquisition applications using Microsoft Office, web pages, or Visual
Basic®. RSLinx Classic also incorporates advanced data optimization
techniques and contains a set of diagnostics. The API (Application
Programming Interface) supports custom applications developed with the
RSLinx Classic SDK. RSLinx Classic is an OPC Data Access Compliant Server
and a DDE server.
Classic types
RSLinx Classic is available in four versions to meet the demand for a variety
of cost and functionality requirements. Depending on the version you are
running, some functionality may or may not be operational. Refer to the
following sections for specific version functionality.
The RSLinx Classic version you are running appears in the title bar at the top
of the main window. If a version of RSLinx Classic is started without the
proper activation files, it runs as RSLinx Classic Lite.
RSLinx Classic Lite provides the minimum functionality required to support
RSLogix and RSNetWorx. This version is not commercially available, but is
bundled with products that require only direct access to the RSLinx Classic
network drivers. This version does not support OPC, DDE, or the published
RSLinx Classic C API (Application Programming Interface).
RSLinx Classic Lite is used for the following:
• Ladder logic programming using RSLogix products.
• Network and device configuration and diagnostics using RSNetWorx.
• Configuring Ethernet modules and devices (for example, 1756-ENET,
1756-DHRIO, and so on).
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 9
Chapter 1 Welcome to RSLinx Classic
RSLinx Classic Single Node
RSLinx Classic OEM
• Upgrading firmware using ControlFlash.
• Browsing networks and getting device information such as firmware
revision.
RSLinx Classic Single Node includes the required functionality to supply
communication services for all Rockwell Software products. OPC and DDE
interfaces are supported, but to only one device. It does not support
applications developed for the RSLinx Classic C API, or direct drivers in HMI
applications. RSLinx Classic OEM or higher is required for these application
types.
RSLinx Classic Single Node is used for the following:
• Data acquisition using OPC or DDE to only one device. This includes
clients such as RSView32, FactoryTalk View SE, FactoryTalk View ME
Station, Microsoft Office, Visual Basic, and web pages. Note that this is
limited to 32bit client only.
• Ladder logic programming using RSLogix products.
• Network and device configuration and diagnostics using RSNetWorx.
• Configuring Ethernet modules and devices (for example, 1756-ENET,
1756-DHRIO, and so on).
• Upgrading firmware using ControlFlash.
• Browsing networks and getting device information such as firmware
revision.
• RSLinx Classic version 4.20.00 adds an RSLinx Classic Local OPC
service to permit 64-bit clients to access the OPC DA interface from the
same workstation.
RSLinx Classic OEM includes the required functionality to supply
communication services for all Rockwell Software products. OPC and DDE
clients are supported for any number of devices. It also supports applications
developed for the RSLinx Classic C API. But note that this is limited to 32bit
client only.
RSLinx OEM version 2.2 and previous versions only supported AdvanceDDE.
RSLinx Version 2.3 and subsequent versions support all DDE types except
FastDDE.
RSLinx Classic OEM is used for the following:
• Data acquisition using OPC or DDE to any number of devices. This
includes clients such as RSView32, FactoryTalk View SE, FactoryTalk
View ME Station, Microsoft Office, Visual Basic, and web pages.
• Ladder logic programming using RSLogix products.
• Network and device configuration and diagnostics using RSNetWorx.
• Configuring Ethernet modules and devices (for example, 1756-ENET,
1756-DHRIO, and so on).
• Upgrading firmware using ControlFlash.
• Browsing networks and getting device information such as firmware
revision.
10 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
RSLinx Classic Gateway
Quick start
Step 1 Configure a driver
Chapter 1 Welcome to RSLinx Classic
• V4.20 adds an RSLinx Classic Local OPC service to permit 64-bit clients
to access the OPC DA interface from the same workstation.
RSLinx Classic Gateway extends RSLinx Classic-based communication
throughout the enterprise by connecting clients over TCP/IP networks.
Programming and configuration products such as RSLogix and RSNetWorx
use a local RSLinx Classic Lite or better with a Remote Devices via Linx
Gateway driver configured to communicate to the RSLinx Classic Gateway.
Remote HMIs and VB/VBA applications including Microsoft Office can use
remote OPC to communicate to RSLinx Classic Gateway for data collection.
This allows you to have multiple distributed computers performing data
collection without having RSLinx Classic installed on each machine!
In addition to the capabilities provided in the RSLinx Classic Professional
version, RSLinx Classic Gateway offers remote connectivity to:
• Multiple RSView32, FactoryTalk View SE, and FactoryTalk View ME
Station clients accessing data through one RSLinx Classic Gateway
(remote OPC).
• Remote computer running RSLogix connecting to a plant network
over a modem for online program changes.
• Remote Microsoft Office applications showing plant floor data such as
Excel.
• A web page showing plant floor data when the web server and RSLinx
Classic are on separate computers.
This section outlines the main tasks you need to perform to use the RSLinx
Classic software. The quick start information included in this section is
intended to be a high-level, conceptual overview. When you are ready to use
RSLinx Classic software, follow the detailed procedures found in the Quick
Start, which is located in the RSLinx Classic help. To access the Quick Start,
click Help > Quick Start from within RSLinx Classic. For information about
specific controls on RSLinx Classic windows and dialog boxes, right-click any
control.
A driver is the software interface to the hardware device that will be used to
communicate between RSLinx Classic and your processor. To configure a
driver in RSLinx Classic, click Communications > Configure Drivers. The
Configure Drivers dialog box appears, which is used for adding, editing, or
deleting drivers. Click a driver to configure from the Available Driver Types
list, click Add New, and complete the information required in the driver
configuration dialog box that shows. The driver configuration dialog box
varies depending on which driver you select.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 11
Chapter 1 Welcome to RSLinx Classic
Step 2 Configure a topic
After you complete the driver configuration, the driver name will appear in
the Configured Drivers list.
In RSLinx Classic, a project is a storage container for one or more topics, and
a topic represents a specific path to a processor. By grouping topics together
in a project, you can make multiple topics available at the same time. To create
or edit a project in RSLinx Classic, select File > Open Project (opens the Open
Project window). To create or edit a topic, select DDE/OPC > Topic
Configuration (opens the DDE/OPC Topic Configuration window). If you
attempt to create a topic without creating a project, RSLinx Classic creates
default project for you.
If you selected Configure New DDE/OPC Topic by right-clicking a station in
RSWho, the Topic Name field is pre-filled for you. RSLinx Classic starts with
the name of the program running in the processor, and if this topic exists, it
adds a number to the end until it finds one that does not exist. If there are any
spaces, it converts them to underscores (_). You can change the topic name
RSLinx Classic selected for you.
12 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Step 3 Copy a link to the
clipboard
Step 4 Paste a link from the
Chapter 1 Welcome to RSLinx Classic
From the Data Source tab, click the device, with which you wish to set up
communication. To add a new topic to a project that already has at least one
topic configured, click New. To edit an existing topic, click the topic from the
list. Use the Data Collection tab to include more detailed information about
specific topics.
RSLinx Classic provides a mechanism for easily establishing a link from
RSLinx Classic to a compatible program. To use the Copy to Clipboard
function, choose an RSLinx Classic project that contains topics. Select Edit >
Copy DDE/OPC Link, select the topic, and then click OK.
The Copy function takes the information needed to create a link and places it
on the Windows clipboard. Some packages support the ability to paste links
from the clipboard. The Copy to Clipboard function can be used with these
applications only.
Select the topic you just added in the DDE/OPC Topic Configuration dialog
box, and browse for the address string for your request.
clipboard
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 13
The Copy to Clipboard function only establishes hot links from RSLinx
Classic, the DDE server, to a Windows DDE client application. The Data Table
Address, Block Size, Columns per Row, and selected topic are maintained
from the last time that you used this function. Changing these values has no
effect on the last established link.
Most Windows applications support a Paste Link operation, and this feature
is generally located in the Edit menu.
Go to your application program that supports the Paste Link function. For
example, in Microsoft Excel, click an open cell in a spreadsheet where you
would like to place the data, click Edit > Paste Special, click Paste Link, and
click OK. The hot link is pasted into the spreadsheet at the location you
selected and begins to update. If you click Paste, instead of Paste Link, the
item string will get copied.
Chapter 1 Welcome to RSLinx Classic
Item
Description
keyboard.
you clicked the Maximize button on the title bar.
the Close button on the title bar.
Menu
Description
Edit
Copy DDE and OPC links to the clipboard.
Explore RSLinx Classic
Title bar
Menu bar
When you start RSLinx Classic, the Rockwell Software RSLinx Classic
application window appears. The application window contains a title bar, a
menu bar, a tool bar, the application workspace where opened child windows
(RSWho, diagnostics, and so on), and a status bar.
The title bar shows the RSLinx Classic icon, the name of the software product
(for example, Rockwell Software RSLinx Classic Gateway), the RSWho
instance number (RSWho - 1 opens by default when you open RSLinx Classic),
and the Minimize, Maximize, and Close button.
To view the Control Menu, click the RSLinx Classic icon on the title bar. The
following items appear on the Control Menu.
Restore Restores the window to its former size after you enlarged it by using the Maximize
command or shrunk it by using the Minimize command.
Move Allows you to reposition the window on the desktop using the arrow keys on the
Size Allows you to resize the window by using the arrow keys on the keyboard.
Minimize Shrinks the window to an icon, which is located on the task bar. This performs the same
function as if you clicked the Minimize button on the title bar.
Maximize Enlarges the window to occupy the entire screen. This performs the same function as if
Close Exits the RSLinx Classic application. This performs the same function as if you clicked
The RSLinx Classic menu bar contains the following menus:
Each menu contains options for performing the following tasks:
File Create and open RSLinx Classic projects.
View Set and change RSLinx Classic interface shows, open the Event Viewer, and
click the RSWho view.
Communications Configure drivers, topics, and other RSLinx Classic options, and view driver, DDE,
other client application diagnostics.
Station Perform actions on diagnostic counters and view the Data Monitor.
14 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
DDE/OPC Configure DDE/OPC topics and view event and diagnostic information.
Security Set security user and access rights.
Window Arrange RSLinx Classic windows.
Help View help options for RSLinx Classic and other Rockwell Software products and
services.
Icon
Menu Selection
Description
hardware devices.
help mode.
Toolbar
Application workspace
RSWho
Status bar
Chapter 1 Welcome to RSLinx Classic
The toolbar contains shortcuts to several commonly used RSLinx Classic
functions. Each toolbar button is a graphical representation of a command
that is also available from the RSLinx Classic menu bar. The following items
appear on the RSLinx Classic toolbar.
File > Open Project Shows the currently defined projects and allows you to open a
Communications > RSWho Opens an additional instance of RSWho (one instance is opened
DDE/OPC project.
by default each time you open RSLinx Classic).
Communications >
Configure Drivers
Communications > Driver
Diagnostics
Edit > Copy DDE/OPC Link Provides the ability to create a DDE/OPC link between RSLinx
DDE/OPC > Topic
Configuration
Help > Whats This? Changes the cursor to an arrow and a question mark to
Shows the currently configured RSLinx Classic software drivers
and allows you to add additional drivers for use with your
Shows a list of currently configured drivers and provides the
option to view diagnostic information for each driver.
Classic and a client application such as Microsoft Excel.
Allows you to create and modify a DDE/OPC topic, which is a
specific path to a processor.
indicate you are in What's This? help mode. Click any screen
item to show help text for that item and to exit What's This?
The application workspace shows open child windows, such as the RSWho
and RSLinx Classic dialog boxes.
RSWho is RSLinx Classic's main window that shows networks and devices in
a style similar to Windows Explorer. It allows you to view all network
connections from a single screen. For more details about RSWho, refer to
RSWho on page 23
.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 15
The status bar at the bottom of the RSLinx Classic screen provides
information about the current status of your system.
The left area of the status bar is used to pass messages to the user. For
example, when you scroll through the items on the menus, a brief description
of the function of that menu item appears in this area of the status bar.
The right area of the status bar shows:
• CAP if the Caps Lock key on your keyboard is toggled for all caps.
• NUM if the Num Lock key on your keyboard is set to enable the
numeric keypad on your keyboard.
Chapter 1 Welcome to RSLinx Classic
• SCRL if the Scroll Lock key on your keyboard is set.
• The current date from your computer system clock and calendar.
• The current time from your computer system clock and calendar.
16 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Before you begin
System requirements
Hardware requirements
Software requirements
Chapter 2
Install and start RSLinx Classic
RSLinx Classic supports two installation methods: Setup wizard installation
and automated installation with command line syntax. This chapter uses the
Setup wizard installation method to illustrate the steps.
This chapter includes information on the following:
• System requirements
• Installation procedure
• Update an existing installation
• Start procedure
• Troubleshooting installation
The automated installation with command line syntax reduces user
interaction and provides command line parameters to install RSLinx Classic.
See Install RSLinx Classic with command line syntax on page 59
Rockwell Software uses a software key to implement copy protection for
Windows-based software products. Every software product has a unique key.
Although, you can install the software on any number of computers, you are
only licensed to run the software on one computer at a time. After you install
the RSLinx Classic software, the Setup program will prompt you to activate
your software. For more information about moving software keys, copy
protection, and software activation, refer to Appendix A in this guide.
To effectively use RSLinx Classic, your personal computer must meet the
following minimum hardware and software requirements:
RSLinx Classic requires the following hardware:
• Intel® Core i5 Standard Power processor
• 4 GB of memory (RAM)
To run RSLinx Classic v4.21.00 (CPR 9 SR 12), one of the following operating
systems is required:
.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 17
Supported operating systems
RSLinx Classic has been tested on the following operating systems:
• Windows® 10 (tested with v1903, v1909, v2004, and v20H2)
RSLinx Classic adopts .NET 4.8 which is only supported in Windows 10
v1803 and later.
Chapter 2 Install and start RSLinx Classic
Important:
• To install RSLinx Classic, you must log onto your computer as an Administrator.
Install RSLinx Classic
software
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC
• Windows Server® 2012
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2019
*For additional information about Windows 10 Support for the
FactoryTalk Suite of Rockwell Software products, refer to
Knowledgebase Document ID:
IN4493 - Windows 10 Support for the
FactoryTalk Suite of Rockwell Software products.
**Supported with the Allen-Bradley 61xx family of Industrial
Computers or CompactLogix™ 5480 family of controllers.
For the latest information regarding software platform support, refer to
http://www.rockwellautomation.com/compatibility/#/scenarios.
You can install one or more Rockwell Software products to a single personal
computer.
• This procedure could shut down your process applications. Depending on which
applications you are installing or upgrading, it is possible that your factory automation
system will become inoperable, shutting down your processes. Be certain you have
prepared for this downtime and all of your company's systems are prepared for these
applications to be terminated.
To install RSLinx Classic software:
1. Start your Windows operating system.
2. Insert the RSLinx Classic DVD into the DVD-ROM drive.
• Click Start, and then click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
• In the Open control, type x:\setup, where x is the letter of the drive
containing the RSLinx Classic DVD-ROM, and then click OK.
3. If Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or later is not installed on your
computer, the Microsoft .NET Framework Setup dialog box shows.
Click Install.
4. On the RSLinx Classic Setup dialog box, choose one of the following:
• Click Install Now to start the software installation process with the
default installation directory, that is, C:\Program Files\Rockwell
Software (for 32-bit operating systems) or C:\Program
Files(x86)\Rockwell Software (for 64-bit operating systems).
• Click Customize to start the software installation process with a
different drive where you want to install the RSLinx Classic
software, and then click Install.
5. (Optional) If you select Customize in Step 3, and RSSecurity Emulator
was previously installed on the computer, the RSLinx Classic Security
Configuration Selection dialog box shows. Select Enable Security if
you want to use security, and click Install.
18 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Update an existing
Chapter 2 Install and start RSLinx Classic
6. On the End-User License Agreements dialog box, read the agreements
and click Accept all to continue the installation, or click Decline to
return to the previous page.
7. The We'll take it from here dialog box shows with the installation
progress bar. Wait while the wizard installs the required components.
8. (Optional) When prompted to restart your computer, click Restart
now to restart your computer and continue the installation, or Restart
later to suspend and exit the installation.
9. On the Almost there dialog box, select one of the following, and click
Next.
• Select Activate your software to activate the software now. For more
information, refer to Appendix A Activation on page 43
.
• Select Skip activation to activate the software later. Some features
may not by available until you complete the software activation.
10. After the RSLinx Classic software finishes installing, the That's it!
dialog box shows.
• Click Installation Summary to see the installation details.
• Click Register for updates to learn how to receive email updates
about product patches.
• Click Download it free to install Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe
Acrobat Reader is required to open the RSLinx Classic Getting
Results Guide and other documents.
• Click Restart now to restart your computer and continue the
installation, or Restart later to exit the installation. You must restart
your computer before using RSLinx Classic.
installation
11. When you finish installing the software, remove the RSLinx Classic
DVD from the DVD-ROM drive, and store it in a safe place.
After installing the software, you are recommended to read the release notes
located in the help. The release notes may contain more up-to-date
information than was available when this document was published. To view
the release notes, start RSLinx Classic, and then choose Help > Release Notes
from the main menu.
Perform the following steps to update an existing RSLinx Classic installation
to RSLinx Classic version 4.21.00 (CPR 9 SR 12):
1. Close your current version of RSLinx Classic.
2. Insert the RSLinx Classic DVD into the DVD-ROM drive. Refer to
Install RSLinx Classic software on page 18
and perform the installation
steps. The old version of RSLinx Classic that exists on your computer is
automatically uninstalled when you install a newer version of RSLinx
Classic.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 19
Chapter 2 Install and start RSLinx Classic
Tip:
Note:
Note:
Updating the FactoryTalk
Start RSLinx Classic
RSLinx Classic running as a
Services Platform software
software
The Installation Setup Wizard automatically backs up the driver configuration that exists
in the old version of RSLinx Classic, and restore the configuration automatically into
RSLinx Classic v4.21.00 (CPR 9 SR 12). You can find the backup file
BackupFromSystemInstall.rsx in C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp.
3. When the upgrade completes, restart your computer.
For RSLinx Classic version 2.57.00 and later, a compatible version of
FactoryTalk Services Platform must be installed along with RSLinx Classic. In
the Installation Setup Wizard of RSLinx Classic version 3.70.00 and later, a
compatible version of FactoryTalk Services Platform is automatically installed
(or upgraded) along with the RSLinx Classic installation (or upgrade).
For more details about upgrading FactoryTalk Services Platform, refer to
Upgrading the FactoryTalk Services Platform software in FactoryTalk Services
Platform Online Help.
To start RSLinx Classic software, select Start > Programs > Rockwell Software
> RSLinx > RSLinx Classic.
We assume that you used the default names for the directory and program group. If you did not use
the default names, substitute the actual names that you specified for the default names shown.
service vs. running as an
application
RSLinx Classic can run as a service or as an application. When you start
RSLinx Classic, it automatically runs as a service by default.
Tip:
Starting with RSLinx Classic v3.74.00, when RSLinx Classic is running as a
service, if you select Start > Programs > Rockwell Software > RSLinx >
RSLinx Classic, the following warning message shows, and you can
choose to Stop Service or Cancel.
"RSLinx Classic is currently running as a service. To view or change the
RSLinx configuration, the service must be stopped and RSLinx started as
an application. Stopping the service will stop all communications and may
impact other client software."
To switch RSLinx Classic to run as an application, follow the steps below:
1. Click Start > Programs > Rockwell Software > RSLinx > RSLinx Classic
Launch Control Panel.
2. In the RSLinx Classic Launch Control Panel dialog box, click Stop.
3. Once RSLinx Classic service stops running, clear the Always Run As
Service check box.
4. Click Start to start RSLinx Classic as an application.
RSLinx Classic now runs as an application, and the RSLinx Classic main
window shows on the screen. When RSLinx Classic is running as an
application, the RSLinx Classic icon appears in the lower right corner of the
Windows task bar. You can also click this icon to show RSLinx Classic main
window.
20 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
To modify RSLinx Classic configuration, you must run it as an application.
Troubleshooting installation
Chapter 2 Install and start RSLinx Classic
If RSLinx Classic does not start or run properly, consider the following:
• Does your computer have enough memory? Running RSLinx Classic
requires a minimum of 512MB of RAM.
• Does your computer have enough disk space? Running RSLinx Classic
requires a minimum of 2.2GB of available hard disk space.
• Do you have the correct activation for RSLinx Classic installed? If your
RSLinx Classic installation shows as RSLinx Classic Lite, RSLinx
Classic Single Node, or RSLinx Classic OEM, the proper activation files
were not installed. See
Activate RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk
Activation Manager on page 43 for information about activation files.
• Have you reinstalled an earlier Service Pack or removed a component,
such as DCOM, that RSLinx Classic requires?
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 21
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