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
Item
Name
Control bar
Use RSWho
Chapter 3
RSWho
This chapter describes the features of the RSWho network browser interface.
RSWho allows you to view all the active network connections from a single
screen.
RSWho is RSLinx Classic main window that shows networks and devices in a
style similar to Windows Explorer. A variety of integrated configuration and
monitoring tools are accessible from the right mouse button in the RSWho.
Some of the available tools are the ControlLogix Gateway Configuration Tool
for Controlnet, DeviceNet, Ethernet, 1756-DHRIO, and 1756-DH485 modules,
and a Data Monitor for monitoring live data out of any ControlLogix, PLC-5,
SLC, or MicroLogix family controllers. With RSLinx Classic version 4.12 or
later, it is required to have a purchased version of FactoryTalk Linx and have
FactoryTalk Security authorization.
The following figure shows the main areas of the RSLinx Classic RSWho.
Tree control (left pane)
List control (right pane)
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 23
Chapter 3 RSWho
Item
Description
discovery process. To refresh the browser you must then click the Refresh button.
turned off, and the automatic upload and registration function is disabled.
and networks show as large icons.
all possible station addresses.
Control bar
Tree control
The control bar of the RSWho contains the following items:
The Autobrowse check box is selected by default.
• If you select the check box, RSWho continually queries the selected device or
network to discover items to display in the browser (regardless if the selected item
is expanded or collapsed). Additionally, the Refresh button is disabled.
•
If you clear the check box, the Refresh button is enabled, and RSWho stops the
The Refresh button is available if you clear the Autobrowse check box. Clicking the
Refresh button instructs RSWho to perform one discovery cycle of the selected
device or network. Since clicking the button only performs one discovery cycle, you
may need to click multiple times to discover everything on the network.
The EDS file auto-upload button indicates whether the EDS files automatic upload
and registration function is enabled. If you turn on the EDS file auto-upload button,
RSLinx Classic automatically uploads and registers EDS files of unrecognized online
devices when detected during a browse discovery operation. By default, the button is
Status The status of device and network browsing.
The Show large icons button indicates how devices and networks show in the list
control (right pane) in the RSWho. If you click the Show large icons button, devices
and networks show as large icons. By default, the button is turned on, and devices
If you click the Show details button, devices and networks in the list control (right
pane) show in a list. You can view device details such as Address, Device Type, Online
Name, and Status.
Tip: Be patient when browsing some networks, such as through a 1785-KA, as it may
appear that no devices exist, but the update is only being delayed as RSWho checks
The left pane of the RSWho is the tree control, which shows networks and
devices.
The RSWho icon indicates a network. If the icon is animated, the network
is being browsed. Click a network or device to start browsing. The RSWho
only browses one network at a time.
A network is browsed when you click the "+" sign to expand it, or select it or a
device under the network node. When the network or device is collapsed
(indicated by the "+" sign), click "+" or double-click the network or device icon
next to the "+" sign to expand the view and begin browsing. When the network
or device is expanded (indicated by the "-" sign), click "-" or double-click the
network or device icon next to the "-" sign to collapse the view.
Right-click a supported device to select Station Diagnostics, Configure DDE
Topic, or other supported services for that device.
24 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Note:
List control
A device that appears with a red X indicates that RSWho previously recognized this device, but
now it cannot. The red X indicates a communication status error, such as unplugging a
recognized device. These devices can be removed from the RSWho display by right-clicking the
device and selecting Remove.
Chapter 3 RSWho
The right pane of the RSWho is the list control, which shows all members of a
collection. A collection is a network, or a device that is a bridge. Right click in
the list control and choose a view option of large icons or details. You can also
right click a supported device to select Station Diagnostics, Configure DDE
Topic, or other supported services for that device.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 25
OPC
DDE
Chapter 4
OPC and DDE Connectivity
This chapter describes the features of:
• OPC (OLE for Process Control)
• DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange)
OPC (OLE for Process Control) is a communication standard based on OLE
technology provided by Microsoft, and developed and maintained by the OPC
Foundation, a coalition of industrial manufacturing companies, of which
Rockwell Automation is a member. The charter of this group is to provide an
industrial standard exchange mechanism between plant floor devices and
client applications. RSLinx Classic is an OPC-compliant server exposing the
required interfaces for an OPC client application to access data consistent
with other OPC-compliant servers. The added benefit provided from RSLinx
Classic is its ability to provide several DDE formats in addition to OPC.
OPC is designed to allow client applications access to plant floor data in a
consistent manner. OPC provides many benefits:
• Hardware manufacturers only have to make one set of software
components for customers to use in their applications.
• Software developers do not have to rewrite drivers because of feature
changes or additions in a new hardware release.
• Customers have more choices with which to develop world class
integrated manufacturing systems.
With OPC, system integration in a heterogeneous computing environment is
simple. Leveraging the OLE/COM environment is possible.
RSLinx Classic is an OPC-compliant server. For more information about OPC,
visit the OPC Foundation web site at http://www.opcfoundation.org. For more
information on using OPC with Rockwell Software products, visit our web site
at http://support.rockwellautomation.com.
DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) is a standard inter-application
communication protocol, which is built into Microsoft Windows operating
systems and supported by many applications that run under Windows. DDE
takes data from one application and gives it to another application. It allows
Windows programs that support DDE to exchange data between themselves.
• A DDE server is a program that has access to data and can provide that
data to other Windows programs.
• A DDE client is a program that can obtain data from a server.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 27
Chapter 4 OPC and DDE Connectivity
Note:
Classic.
DDE/OPC client connectivity
By specifying an application, topic, and item, a client application can
exchange data with a server application. DDE works like a conversation
between two people. The people represent the different applications running
under Windows, and the data they share is what they are talking about.
RSLinx Classic does not know the type of data it is receiving, it only knows
that a DDE link is providing the data.
For example, if you have a DDE link from RSLinx Classic to an Excel
spreadsheet, Excel does not know that you are sending a counter value into a
spreadsheet. All Excel sees is data.
For example, RSLinx Classic is the application name, PLC5TOPIC1 is an
example topic name, and C5:0.ACC is an example item, in this case a counter
accumulator in an Allen-Bradley PLC-5.
Not all applications that run under Microsoft Windows support DDE. Check with the
applications manufacturer before purchasing an application for use with RSLinx
For more information about DDE, refer to the DDE topic in the RSLinx
Classic help.
RSLinx Classic provides connectivity for client applications using OPC or
multiple DDE data formats. The OPC and AdvanceDDE interfaces provide
optimized read operations by packing multiple requests from multiple clients
in a single transaction. In configuring a DDE Topic, you can specify whether
or not you want DDE poke operations optimized. Optimized pokes only work
with PLC-5 and SLC processors.
The benefit of optimizing DDE poke operations is packing multiple updates in
a single write operation, thus reducing the overall number of packets
required. Operations such as downloading a recipe can take advantage of this
feature.
Other DDE formats supported include FastDDE (for Wonderware clients),
XL_Table and CF_Text to support Microsoft Office products, and other
generic DDE client applications.
28 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Tip:
support this function.
Manually upload and
Chapter 5
Register EDS files of devices
Electronic Data Sheet (EDS) files (*.eds) are text files that contains
configuration data for specific device types. The EDS file of a device is
provided by the device vendor and is required for compliance with Open
DeviceNet Vendor Association, Inc. (ODVA) standards.
This chapter introduces the possible ways to register EDS files of devices in
RSLinx Classic, the folder path of all the existing EDS files, and how to remove
EDS files from your computer.
• Manually upload and register EDS files in the RSWho
• Automatically upload and register EDS files in the RSWho
• Manually register EDS files in the EDS Hardware Installation Tool
• View existing EDS files of devices on the computer
• Unregister EDS files in EDS Hardware Installation Tool
• Uninstall EDS Hardware Installation Tool and all EDS files
register EDS files in the
RSWho
For an online device whose EDS file is not registered, RSLinx Classic detects
whether the device contains an EDS file within its firmware. If there is an
EDS file found, you can manually upload and register the device's EDS file in
the RSWho.
To manually upload and register EDS file from device in the RSWho, perform
the following steps:
1. Connect the device to the computer.
2. Open RSLinx Classic, and browse for the device in the RSWho.
3. Once you find the device, right-click it, and select Upload EDS file
from device from the context menu.
If you right click an unregistered online device, and the context menu does not
contain the Upload EDS file from device option, it means the device does not
You can manually upload and register one EDS file of a device at a time. If you
want to upload and register multiple EDS files at a time, refer to Automatically
upload and register EDS files in the RSWho and Manually register EDS files in the
EDS Hardware Installation Tool.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 29
Chapter 5 Register EDS files of devices
Tip:
function is disabled.
Tip:
Note:
• RSWho may respond slowly if there are many EDS files being registered.
Automatically upload and
register EDS files in the
RSWho
For an online device which supports manually upload and registration in the
RSWho, RSLinx Classic can automatically upload and register it, if you enable
the EDS files automatic upload and registration function. With this function
enabled, you can upload and register the EDS file(s) of one or more devices at
a time.
To upload and register EDS files automatically, perform the following steps:
1. Turn on the EDS file auto-upload button on the control bar of the
RSWho window.
This enables the automatic upload and registration function. By default, the
2. In the communication tree in the Explorer of the RSWho, double click
(or click the "+" sign beside) a node or a bus under a certain network to
expand and view devices under the selected node or bus.
To trigger the automatic upload and registration, you must double click (or click
the "+" sign beside) a sub-node under a certain network. Double clicking (or
clicking the "+" sign beside) a root node of a network (for example, Ethernet) does
not trigger the automatic upload and registration.
The software performs a browse discovery query for a selected node or bus. If
an unregistered online device is found with its EDS file upon browsing, the
EDS file is uploaded and registered automatically. A progress bar shows
beside the unregistered device in the communication tree.
• If you turn off the EDS file auto-upload button when an EDS file is in the process of
being uploaded, the EDS file upload process is aborted. While an EDS file is being registered,
the EDS file auto-upload button cannot be turned off.
• If an EDS file is invalid, or an error occurs during the upload and registration, the EDS file
cannot be registered, and a diagnostics message is logged into FactoryTalk Diagnostics
Viewer. To view the diagnostics messages:
• From the Windows Start menu: Start > All Programs > Rockwell Software >
FactoryTalk Tools > Diagnostics Viewer, or
• From the FactoryTalk Administration Console: From the Tools menu, click FactoryTalk
Diagnostics > Viewer.
• If there are multiple RSWho instances:
• To allow automatic upload and registration, you need to turn on the EDS file auto-upload
button in each RSWho instance respectively. If a RSWho instance does not enable
this function, double clicking (or clicking the "+" sign beside) a node or a bus in this
RSWho instance triggers the network browsing, but not the automatic upload and
registration process.
• If a device is automatically uploaded and registered in one RSWho instance, the device
information of this specific device is synchronized in the rest of RSWho instances
(including the RSWho instances which disable the automatic upload and registration
function). Note that no progress bar shows for the synchronization in the other RSWho
instances.
30 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Important:
Note:
hardware device and clicking the Change icon button.
Manually register EDS files
in the EDS Hardware
View existing EDS files of
Chapter 5 Register EDS files of devices
You can manually register EDS files of devices by launching the EDS
Hardware Installation Tool. The EDS Hardware Installation Tool is installed
on your computer when you install RSLinx Classic.
Installation Tool
• You must have a valid and complete EDS file of the device which you want to
register. To search and download the EDS file of a specific device, visit
Automation Network Resources
http://www.rockwellautomation.com/support/networks/overview.page.
• If an icon file (*.ico) exists for the device, save it with the same name as the EDS
file in the same directory. You can save one or more EDS files (and the related
icon files) in one directory.
at
Rockwell
To manually register EDS files of devices in the EDS Hardware Installation
Tool, perform the following steps:
1. Launch the EDS Hardware Installation Tool from Start > All Programs
> Rockwell Software > RSLinx > Tools > EDS Hardware Installation
Tool.
2. On the Rockwell Automation - Hardware Installation Tool dialog box,
click Add. The Rockwell Automation's EDS Wizard dialog box opens.
3. On the Registration screen, do one of the following, and then click
Next:
• Select Register a single file to register one EDS file at a time, and
click Browse to select the EDS file
• Select Register a directory of EDS files to register two or more EDS
files at a time, and click Browse to select the directory of the EDS
files
devices on the computer
4. On the EDS File Installation Test Results screen, review the hardware
device list, and click Next.
5. On the Change Graphic Image screen, review the icon(s) of the
hardware device(s), and click Next.
The Rockwell Automation's EDS Wizard assigns a default icon to each hardware
device. You can specify another icon for the hardware device(s) by selecting the
6. On the Final Task Summary screen, review the hardware device list
and click Next.
7. When the registration is complete, click Finish to return to the
Rockwell Automation - Hardware Installation Tool dialog box.
8. Click Exit.
All the existing EDS files (and related icons) are stored in a default folder on
your computer. These existing EDS files include:
• EDS files that are installed from the RSLinx Classic installation media
• EDS files that are uploaded and registered in the RSWho, either
manually or automatically
• EDS files that are manually registered via the EDS Hardware
Installation Tool
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 31
Chapter 5 Register EDS files of devices
Important:
files
.
• EDS files that are manually registered via the EDS Hardware Installation Tool
Tip:
select the Display by Catalog Name check box to view the devices by catalog name.
Unregister EDS files in EDS
To view existing EDS files on your computer, refer to the default folder path
below.
• For RSLinx Classic v3.80.00 or earlier
• C:\Program Files\Rockwell Software\RSCommon\EDS (for 32-bit
operating systems)
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Rockwell Software\RSCommon\EDS (for
64-bit operating systems)
• For RSLinx Classic v3.81.00 or later
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Rockwell\EDS *
*RSLinx Classic v3.81.00 relocates the default EDS file folder. For RSLinx
Classic v3.81.00 or later, you can register or remove EDS files in the EDS
Hardware Installation Tool without having to login as Windows
administrator on the computer.
If you want to remove one or more EDS files from your computer, do not delete EDS
files (or related icons) in this folder. Follow the steps in
Hardware Installation Tool
and
Uninstall EDS Hardware Installation Tool and all EDS
Unregister EDS files in EDS
Hardware Installation Tool
To unregister one or more EDS files from your computer, perform the
following steps:
1. Select Start > All Programs > Rockwell Software > RSLinx > Tools >
EDS Hardware Installation Tool to launch the tool.
2. On the Rockwell Automation - Hardware Installation Tool dialog box,
click Remove. Wait while the tool prepares and generates a full list of
the existing EDS files on your computer. A progress bar shows and
indicates the status. This may take a few seconds.
Tip:
The full list of the existing EDS files on your computer includes:
• EDS files that are installed from the RSLinx Classic installation media
• EDS files that are uploaded and registered in the RSWho, either manually or
automatically
3. On the Rockwell Automation's EDS Wizard dialog box, select the
check boxes before the EDS files which you want to unregister from
the computer. For devices with multiple firmware revisions, select the
check boxes before the specific revisions to be unregistered. Click
Next.
• Click Select All to select all the EDS files in the list, or click Clear All to clear your
selections.
• Click Find Device and enter a keyword of a device’s name to quickly locate the
device’s EDS file in the list.
• The full list of the existing EDS files shows in alphabetical order by default. You can
4. Review the Final Task Summary, and click Next.
32 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
5. Click Finish.
Important:
FactoryTalk Services Platform
Important:
• FactoryTalk Services Platform
Uninstall EDS Hardware
Installation Tool and all EDS
files
Chapter 5 Register EDS files of devices
6. On the Rockwell Automation - Hardware Installation Tool dialog box,
click Exit.
The following products share the EDS files on your computer. If any of the products
listed below are installed on your computer, you are not recommended to
unregister the EDS files:
• RSNetworx
• RSLinx Classic
• FactoryTalk Linx
• RSLogix 5000 or Studio 5000 Logix Designer
• Logix Designer (RSLogix 5000) Module Profiles
•
To uninstall EDS Hardware Installation Tool and all EDS files, perform the
following steps:
1. Select Start > All Programs > Rockwell Software > RSLinx > Tools >
Uninstall EDS Hardware Installation Tool and all EDS files to launch the uninstall EDS subsystem process.
2. Read the Uninstall EDS Subsystem warning message, and click Yes.
Wait while the system uninstalls the tool and unregisters devices from
your computer. This may take a few minutes. A confirmation message
shows when this is complete.
3. Click OK on the confirmation message.
The following products share the EDS subsystem on your computer. If any of the
products listed below are installed on your computer, you are not recommended
to uninstall the EDS subsystem:
• RSNetworx
• RSLinx Classic
• FactoryTalk Linx
• RSLogix 5000 or Studio 5000 Logix Designer
• Logix Designer (RSLogix 5000) Module Profiles
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 33
Important:
RSLinx Classic's Topic Configuration.
Compact harmony files in
Chapter 6
Compact harmony files
RSLinx Classic v3.90.00 (CPR 9 SR 9) and later allows you to compact existing
harmony topologies through the RSLinx Classic user interface, instead of
manually locating and deleting the harmony files from your computer's hard
drive. This reduces the waiting time to open RSLinx Classic, or to expand the
driver nodes in the RSWho.
• This operation deletes the browsed topologies and
configured DDE/OPC topics in RSLinx Classic. If you are
using RSLinx Classic for OPC communications, RSLinx
Classic will not be able to serve data for the defined topics
after the operation is completed.
• To re-establish communications after you have compact
harmony files, you must re-open the application which
uses RSLinx Classic, edit the topic in RSLinx Classic, rebrowse and select a target device for each topic within
RSLinx Classic
To compact harmony files:
1. In RSLinx Classic menu bar, click File > Compact Harmony, or
In RSLinx Classic Launch Control Panel, click Tools > Compact
Harmony.
2. The following warning message shows. Read the message and click Yes
to continue, or click No to cancel the compact harmony operation.
"This operation will delete all of the RSLinx Classic stored topology
information. If you are using RSLinx Classic for OPC communications,
after the Compact Harmony Database operation is completed, RSLinx
Classic will not be able to serve data for defined topics. To re-establish
communications, you must manually browse and select a target device
for each topic within RSLinx Classic's Topic Configuration. Do you
want to continue?"
3. If RSLinx Classic or the Harmony service is running, the following
warning message shows. Read the message and click Yes to continue,
or click No to cancel the compact harmony operation.
"RSLinx Classic and Harmony service need to be shut down in order to
perform this operation. Shut down RSLinx Classic and Harmony
services?"
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 35
Chapter 6 Compact harmony files
Tip:
harmony process. This option is selected by default.
Tip:
completed or failed.
(Optional) Clear the Restart RSLinx Classic when finished check
box if you do not want to restart RSLinx Classic after the compact
4. If the system detects RSLinx Classic is in use by any other applications,
the following warning message shows. Read the message and click Yes
to continue, or click No to cancel the compact harmony operation.
"RSLinx Classic is currently in use by one or more applications. If
RSLinx Classic is shut down now, these applications will experience
timeouts and/or loss of data. Shut down RSLinx Classic anyway?"
5. Depending on your Windows User Account Control (UAC) level, an
UAC warning message may show to confirm whether to make changes
to your computer or not. Click Yes to start the compact harmony
process.
6. The progress begins and the Compact Harmony Progress dialog box
shows with progress bar. Click Detail to show or hide progress details.
During the compact harmony process, the OK button is disabled.
The button is enabled once the compact harmony progress is
7. When the compact harmony process is completed, click OK.
36 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Note:
Use the help
Help contents
Chapter 7
Find the information you need
Use this chapter to review the sources of additional information about RSLinx
Classic software. This chapter helps you find what you need efficiently by
describing how to:
• Use the help
• Access guides
• Participate in Rockwell Software training courses
• Contact Technical Support
RSLinx Classic help provides general overview information, comprehensive
step-by-step procedures, and context-sensitive, dialog box control definitions
for working with all of the features in the software. To view online help while
running RSLinx Classic:
• Choose RSLinx Classic Help from the Help menu on the RSLinx
Classic main window,
• Click Help on any RSLinx Classic dialog box or property page,
• Position the cursor over a control, with which you want help and right-
click, or
• Press F1.
The help contents include overview, procedural, screen, and reference
information for the product. The help contains these basic components:
• overview topics
• quick start topics
• step-by-step procedures
• screen element descriptions (for example, text boxes, drop-down lists,
and option buttons)
All of the help is context-sensitive with the application, and provides you with
immediate access to application tasks and screen element descriptions. For a
more detailed description of the help, see Find the information you need
on
page 37.
This getting results guide, as well as any reference guides, are included in a PDF (portable
document format) on your RSLinx Classic DVD. These files must be viewed using the Adobe
Acrobat Reader software, which you can download for free from the Adobe website:
http://www.adobe.com.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 37
Chapter 7 Find the information you need
Access help for a control or
Find step-by-step
field
To show a definition for a control or a field, click the Whats This? icon in
the upper right corner of the dialog box, drag the cursor to the selected area,
and then click to show the definition. In this example, the Property control
was selected.
procedures
To view a list of tasks related to the current topic, move to the See also section
at the bottom of the help window and select one of the listed tasks. The
current topic is replaced with a step-by-step procedure for completing the
task.
For example, from the What is a driver? help topic, if you select Add a driver
under the See also section, the procedure that describes how to add RSLinx
Classic drivers shows.
38 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Chapter 7 Find the information you need
Find definitions
Within the RSLinx Classic help, blue text highlighted with an underline
indicates a link to a pop-up definition or a link to a related topic. For example,
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 39
Chapter 7 Find the information you need
Training
Technical support
in the Dynamic Data Exchange help topic, application, topic, and item are
pop-up definitions, and DDE link is a link to a related topic.
Access guides
You can gain immediate access to product documentation through the guides
included with RSLinx Classic. The guides include this Getting Results Guide,
as well as any reference guides, in an electronic book format. The guides are
included in a PDF (portable document format) on your RSLinx Classic DVD.
These files must be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software, which
you can download for free from the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com.
One of the best ways to increase your proficiency at using Rockwell Software
products is to attend a Rockwell Software training program. Our training
programs can help you master the basics and show you how to unleash the full
potential of our software.
Rockwell offers a wide range of training programs, from regularly scheduled
classes conducted at Rockwell Software facilities, to custom-tailored classes
conducted at your enterprise. The size of each class is kept small intentionally
to maximize student engagement.
If you would like more information about Rockwell training programs, visit
the Rockwell Software site or contact the Rockwell Software Training
Coordinator. Our World Wide Web address and telephone numbers appear
on the inside front cover of this document.
40 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
If you cannot find answers to your questions in the Getting Results with RSLinx
Classic guide, the help, or the guides, you can call Rockwell Software Technical
Support at the numbers listed on the inside front cover of this guide. The
technical support staff is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to
5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, except holidays. You can also access the Rockwell
When you call
Chapter 7 Find the information you need
Software Online Support Library from the web site listed on the inside front
cover of this guide.
When you call, you should be at your computer and prepared to give the
following information:
• Product serial numbers
• Product version number
• The product serial numbers and version number can be found in the
software by clicking Help > About RSLinx Classic.
• Version of Windows and any service packs that you are using
• Hardware you are using
• Exact wording of any errors or messages that appeared on your screen
• Description of what happened and what you were doing when the
problem occurred
• Description of how you attempted to solve the problem
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 41
Note:
the U.S. call 1 (440) 646-3434. Outside the U.S. see http://www.rockwellautomation.com/locations/.
Note:
seven days.
Grace period
Appendix A
Activation
RSLinx Classic v2.58.00 (CPR 9 Service Release 4) and later only supports
activation using FactoryTalk Activation.
EvRSI activation is replaced by FactoryTalk Activation. If you are a current user using EvRSI
activation and want to upgrade to RSLinx Classic v2.58.00 or later, contact your local Rockwell
Automation Sales office or Rockwell Automation Technical Support for information on migrating
your activations to FactoryTalk Activation Manager. For Rockwell Automation Technical Support in
RSLinx Classic shows a message indicates the activation status when you
place the cursor over the tray icon in the notification area. If the activation
status changes during runtime, the message shows the new status after you
restart RSLinx Classic.
Activate RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Activation Manager
How to activate RSLinx Classic
RSLinx Classic v2.52.00 (CPR 9) and later supports a seven-day activation
grace period when a valid activation is not found. During the grace period:
• When the software is started, a message is logged to the FactoryTalk
Diagnostic log every four hours until a valid activation is found.
• RSLinx Classic can be started an unlimited number of times. If the
grace period ends, and a valid activation has not been found, RSLinx
Classic Lite is started.
If RSLinx Classic is unable to successfully obtain valid activations (for example, a
network failure occurs), the software will attempt to run in grace period for up to
RSLinx Classic v3.70.00 and later support software activation during the
software installation. The Installation Setup Wizard contains an Activate
products using FactoryTalk Activation check box. This no longer requires you
to open FactoryTalk Activation Manager to activate the software.
To activate RSLinx Classic in the RSLinx Classic Installation Setup wizard,
perform the following steps:
1. Perform the steps in Install RSLinx Classic software on page 17 on
18 to install RSLinx Classic software.
2. On the Almost there dialog box in the Installation Setup wizard, select
the Activate your software check box and click Next.
3. On the Software Activation dialog box, enter the serial number and
product key from your Activation Certificate.
4. Select a version from the Earliest version drop down list.
page
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 43
Appendix A Activation
Note:
activation.
Find more information
5. Select Activate locally to activate RSLinx Classic on a single computer,
or select Activate using a dongle to activate RSLinx Classic on any
computer by using a dongle.
The Activate using a dongle option requires that you have a dongle to lock the
6. Click Continue.
You can still activate RSLinx Classic via FactoryTalk Activation Manager by
clicking the Explore other options link in the Software Activation dialog box.
The link provides direct access to the FactoryTalk Activation Manager
software. To activate your copy of RSLinx Classic in the FactoryTalk Activation
Manager, click Get New Activations and follow the instructions in the
FactoryTalk Activation Manager.
For more information on using the FactoryTalk Activation Tool, click More or
Help in the FactoryTalk Activation Manager window.
For help with FactoryTalk Activation Manager at any point, you can click:
about FactoryTalk
Activation
• Help on the FactoryTalk Activation Manager window
• Help on the Rockwell Software Activation website:
https://licensing.software.rockwell.com
If you cannot connect to the Internet, call Technical Support for help creating
an activation file from an e-mail or a fax.
Phone: 440-646-3434 in North America. Outside of North America, call your
local support organization.
44 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Note:
Note:
The RSSecurity Emulator Installation files, required for RSLinx Classic to support
Service Platform but not installed.
How do I set up security in
RSLinx Classic?
If you have not used
Appendix B
Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
FactoryTalk Security™ is intended to improve the security of your automation
system by limiting access to those with a legitimate need. FactoryTalk Security
authenticates user identities and authorizes user requests to access a
FactoryTalk-enabled system. These security services are fully integrated into
the FactoryTalk Directory and are included as part of the FactoryTalk Services
Platform that installs with many products.
For more information on how to use security services, refer to FactoryTalk
Security help.
RSLinx Classic, along with supporting RSSecurity, also supports FactoryTalk
Security. FactoryTalk Security is intended to improve the security of your
automation system by limiting access to those with a legitimate need.
FactoryTalk Security authenticates the identities of users and authorizes user
requests to access a FactoryTalk-enabled system against a set of defined user
accounts and access privileges held in the FactoryTalk Directory. For more
information on FactoryTalk Security, read the About FactoryTalk Security
topic located in RSLinx Classic Help. The following sections explain the steps
you would need to perform to implement one of the two security mechanisms
(FactoryTalk Security and RSSecurity) supported by RSLinx Classic.
Follow the steps in the sections below to set up security in RSLinx Classic
v4.21.00 (CPR 9 SR 12) and later versions. The steps below are similar to
RSLinx Classic v3.70.00 but with a different user interface.
If you have not used FactoryTalk Security before, and have never configured
security using RSSecurity, follow the steps below to set up security in RSLinx
FactoryTalk Security or
RSSecurity before
Classic.
1. Install FactoryTalk Services Platform v6.21.00 and RSLinx Classic
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 45
When you install or upgrade the RSLinx Classic software, make sure to install or
upgrade a compatible version of FactoryTalk Services Platform. For the
compatibility information, refer to
http://www.rockwellautomation.com/compatibility/#/scenarios.
v4.21.00 using RSLinx Classic Setup Wizard.
security, are copied onto the workstation during the installation of FactoryTalk
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
2. Install RSSecurity Emulator from Start > All Programs > Rockwell
Software > FactoryTalk Tools > RSSecurity Emulator Install. And
follow the instructions to proceed the installation process.
46 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
this information when adding security policies to FactoryTalk Directory in Step 4.
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 47
Note:
During the RSSecurity Emulator installation, the FactoryTalk Directory screen
appears (see the following figure) where you will be prompted to select the
FactoryTalk Directory (Network or Local) that RSSecurity Emulator should use. At
this step, be sure to make a note of the directory you choose — you will require
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
3. Run the RSLinx Classic Setup Wizard, select Modify in the Program
Maintenance page.
Note:
48 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
In the RSLinx Classic Setup Wizzard page, select Enable Security. Click Modify and
follow the instructions until you finish the modification.
Note:
installed.
Note:
Note:
user you entered in Step 5 does not have the appropriate permission).
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
The Enable Security feature is only available when the RSSecurity Emulator is
4. Open FactoryTalk Administration Console from Start > All Programs >
Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk Administration Console to add user
accounts and set security settings to secure RSLinx Classic.
• For more information on how to add user accounts, read the Add a FactoryTalk
user account topic in FactoryTalk Services Platform help, located at Build a
FactoryTalk system > Manage users > Add a FactoryTalk user account.
• For more information on how to secure RSLinx Classic features, read the
Feature Security for Product Policies topic in FactoryTalk Services Platform
help, located at Secure a FactoryTalk system > Set product-specific
policies > Feature Security for Product Policies.
• For more information on what you can secure in RSLinx Classic, read the What
can I secure in RSLinx Classic topic in RSLinx Classic Online help, located at
How to > Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security > What can I
secure in RSLinx Classic.
5. Open RSLinx Classic from Start > All Programs > Rockwell Software >
RSLinx > RSLinx Classic, and click Security > Set Security User from
the main menu. In the New User dialog box, enter the username and
password of the user you created in FactoryTalk Administration
Console in step 4, and click OK.
Because the access to features in RSLinx Classic is governed by the permissions
you set for a user in FactoryTalk Administration Console, some features out of the
13 securable features in RSLinx Classic may be inaccessible (for example, if the
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 49
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
If you have used RSSecurity
This completes the security setup for RSLinx Classic.
If you have not used FactoryTalk Security before, and want to import an
existing RSSecurity Configuration into the FactoryTalk Directory, follow the
but not FactoryTalk
Security
steps below to configure security in RSLinx Classic. The steps below take
RSLinx Classic v4.21.00 (CPR 9 SR 12) as an example.
1. Install FactoryTalk Services Platform v6.21.00 and RSLinx Classic
v4.21.00 using RSLinx Classic Setup Wizard.
2. Launch the FactoryTalk Security Import dialog box by selecting Start >
All Programs > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk Tools> Import
RSSecurity Configuration.
3. In FactoryTalk Security Import, select Browse, choose a backup
database to import, and then select Open.
4. In FactoryTalk Security Import, select import options, and then select
OK.
5. Uninstall RSSecurity Server/Client (whichever is installed on this
machine) from Windows Control Panel.
50 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
6. Install RSSecurity Emulator from Start > All Programs > Rockwell
Software > FactoryTalk Tools > RSSecurity Emulator Install. And
forllow the instrunctions to proceed the installation process.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 51
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
FactoryTalk Directory in Step 8 below.
52 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Note:
During the RSSecurity Emulator installation, the FactoryTalk Directory page
appears. Select the FactoryTalk Directory (Network or Local) which RSSecurity
Emulator uses. At this step, be sure to make a note of the directory you
choose―this directory information is needed when adding security policies to
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
7. Run the RSLinx Classic Setup Wizard, select Modify in the Program
Maintenance page.
Note:
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 53
In the RSLinx Classic Security Configuration Selection page, select Enable
Security. Click Next and follow the instructions until you finish the modification.
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
Note:
installed.
Note:
The Enable Security feature is only available when the RSSecurity Emulator is
8. Import RSSecurity Server database by selecting Start > All Programs >
Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk Tools > Import RSSecurity
Configuration.
While running the Import RSSecurity Configuration utility, the FactoryTalk
Security Import dialog box appears. In the Destination directory of the
FactoryTalk Security Import dialog box, be sure to import the .bak file to the
directory where you installed the Emulator (Local or Network).
54 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Note:
Step 9 does not have the appropriate permission)
Note:
installation.
If you have used
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
9. Open RSLinx Classic, and select Security > Set Security User from the
main menu. In the New User dialog box, enter the username
(domain name\username) and password of the RSSecurity user.
• If you do not remember the usernames of the users that existed in your old
RSSecurity setup, perform the following steps:
a. Run FactoryTalk Administration Console by selecting
Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk Administration Console.
b. In the Explorer pane, expand the FactoryTalk Local or Network Directory
tree, and then expand the Systems folder until the Users folder is visible.
c. In the Users folder, the users who have domain associated with their
usernames (for example, na\Bob) are your RSSecurity users.
• Because access to features in RSLinx Classic is governed by the permissions
you set in the security server, some features out of the 13 securable features in
RSLinx Classic may be inaccessible (for example, if the user you entered in
Start > Programs >
FactoryTalk Security before
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 55
This completes the security setup for RSLinx Classic.
If you used FactoryTalk Security before, and want to continue to use
FactoryTalk Security when upgrading RSLinx Classic to v3.81.00 or later,
follow the steps below to set up security in RSLinx Classic. The steps below
take RSLinx Classic v4.21.00 (CPR 9 SR 12) as an example.
1. Install FactoryTalk Services Platform v6.21.00 and RSLinx Classic
v4.21.00 using RSLinx Classic Setup Wizard.
While running the RSLinx Classic Setup Wizard, expand RSLinx Classic v4.21.00.
Select Enable Security. Click Next and follow the instructions until you finish the
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
Note:
installed.
Note:
The Enable Security feature is only available when the RSSecurity Emulator is
2. Open FactoryTalk Administration Console from Start > All Programs >
Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk Administration Console to add user
accounts and set security settings to secure RSLinx Classic.
• For more information on how to add user accounts, read the Add a FactoryTalk
user account topic in FactoryTalk Services Platform help, located at Build a
FactoryTalk system > Manage users > Add a FactoryTalk user account.
• For more information on how to secure RSLinx Classic features, read the
Feature Security for Product Policies topic in FactoryTalk Services Platform
help, located at Secure a FactoryTalk system > Set product-specific
policies > Feature Security for Product Policies.
• For more information on what you can secure in RSLinx Classic, read the What
can I secure in RSLinx Classic topic in RSLinx Classic Online help, located at
How to > Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security > What can I
secure in RSLinx Classic.
3. Open RSLinx Classic from Start > All Programs > Rockwell Software >
RSLinx > RSLinx Classic, and click Security > Set Security User from
the main menu. In the New User dialog box, enter the username and
password of the user you created in FactoryTalk Administration
Console in Step 2, and click OK.
56 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Note:
see Considerations when using RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security.
Important:
information, contact your local Rockwell Automation distributor.
Securable feature
Description
networks.
specific networks.
Configure Network Properties
Allows you to configure network properties.
Edit DDE/OPC Project
Allows you to edit your DDE/OPC project.
Counters
What can I secure in RSLinx
Classic?
Using FactoryTalk Security
• Because the access to features in RSLinx Classic is governed by the
permissions you set for a user in FactoryTalk Administration Console, some
features out of the 13 securable features in RSLinx Classic may be inaccessible
(for example, if the user you entered in Step 3 does not have the appropriate
permission).
• When RSLinx Classic is reinstalled, all security settings that were previously
configured for networks and devices are lost. You must redefine these security
settings in the Networks and Devices tree, or in RSWho. For more information,
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
This completes the security setup for RSLinx Classic.
The following table explains the features you can restrict access to in RSLinx
Classic. For example, you might restrict the ability to shut down the RSLinx
Classic service to a small group of users, to prevent parts of your automation
system from going down at runtime.
If you selected Network Directory during the RSLinx Classic security setup procedure, you
must use FactoryTalk Security to secure the following list of features. For more
Clear DDE/OPC Event Log Shows information on any DDE/OPC error messages logged while running
RSLinx Classic with DDE/OPC compliant programs.
Configure CIP Options Administers how PCCC requests that use the CIP protocol are sent over
Configure Client Applications Maps configured and running RSLinx Classic drivers to legacy
INTERCHANGE C API, as well as shows the link identifier of the virtual
network maintained by RSLinx Classic for the use of Client Applications in
the virtual link unsolicited messaging model.
Configure ControlLogix Gateway Provides you with information about the modules in your ControlLogix
Gateway.
Configure DDE/OPC Topic Configures DDE/OPC topic.
Configure Drivers and Shortcuts Configures (add, edit, or delete) drivers and shortcuts that allow RSLinx
Classic to communicate with your PLC, and provide quick access to
Configure Gateway Allows you to enable the RSLinx Classic Gateway.
Edit Options Shows the options dialog box, which contains the General and DDE tabs.
Reset Station Diagnostic
Shutdown Shuts down RSLinx Classic.
Clears the counters in the station diagnostic screens.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 57
View NT Event Log Records important system occurrences such as RSLinx Classic drivers
successfully starting and stopping.
Keep the following in mind when using RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk
Security:
Appendix B Secure RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk Security
Network/Local Directory
Reset Network Tree
Miscellaneous
The FactoryTalk Services Platform can install two completely separate and
independent FactoryTalk Directories: Local Directory and Network Directory.
User accounts, passwords, and security permissions to securable features are
completely separate and cannot be shared between the Network Directory and
the Local Directory. Configuring any of these items on one directory does not
configure them on the other. Similarly, changing the password to a user
account in one directory does not change the password in the other directory,
even if the account has the same name in both directories.
When configuring RSLinx Classic to work in one of the two directories, keep
the following in mind:
• RSLinx Classic security policies and RSSecurity Emulator must be
installed in the same directory (either Local or Network).
• If you configured RSLinx Classic to work in the Network Directory,
you must use FactoryTalk Security to administer centralized security
across the network.
• If you configured RSLinx Classic to work in Local Directory and want
to use FactoryTalk Security, you can administer security only on a
single computer.
When RSLinx Classic is reinstalled, all security settings that were previously
configured for networks and devices are lost. You must redefine these
security settings in the Networks and Devices tree, or in RSWho. For more
information, read the Network and Devices are not shown correctly topic in
FactoryTalk Security help, located at Configure security > Troubleshooting
security > Network and Devices are not displayed correctly.
Keep the following additional FactoryTalk Security considerations in mind:
• If you did not select the Enable Security check box during the RSLinx
Classic installation, but want to enable security now, you need to
uninstall and then reinstall RSLinx Classic.
• Every time you are in RSLinx Classic, be sure to verify that the
Username shown in the Current Security User text box of the Set
Security dialog box (Security > Set Security User) is correct. If it is
incorrect, enter the new Username and Password, and click OK.
58 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Installation
method
Description
References
Silent installation
An automated installation method in CPR 9 SR 6 and later. It
Use silent
62
Comparing different
Appendix C
Install RSLinx Classic with command line syntax
Besides the Setup Wizard installation, RSLinx Classic supports automated
installation using command line syntaxes. You can typically use this
automated installation method during large-scale rollouts, when it might be
too slow and costly to have administrators or technicians interactively install
the software on individual computers.
This automated installation method requires you enter a command line at the
beginning of the installation. During the installation process, instead of
prompting you for installation and configuration information interactively,
the process follows the specific command line, without user intervention.
installation methods
RSLinx Classic supports the following automated installation:
• Unattended installation (recommended)
• Silent installation for RSLinx Classic .msi file
RSLinx Classic supports setup wizard installation, and installation with
command line syntax (that is, unattended installation and silent installation).
The following table illustrates the differences among each installation
method.
Setup wizard
installation
Unattended
installation
The standard method to install RSLinx Classic. It installs all the
necessary prerequisites software and required components. The
installation processes are visible, easy to use, and provides full
installation details such as installation summary and how to
register for products updates.
An automated installation method in CPR 9 SR 9 and later. It
installs all the necessary prerequisites software and required
components with little (or no) user intervention, and provides
multiple parameters that allow customized installations. It is
recommended for large-scale rollouts.
Tip: Depending on the customized parameters, you can silently
install RSLinx Classic, prerequisite software, and required
components using this method. See Example 1 on page 62
.
Install RSLinx
Classic software
on page 18
Use unattended
installation on
page 60
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 59
for RSLinx Classic
.msi file
installs the RSLinx Classic .msi file with little (or no) user
intervention. You need to manually install the prerequisite
software and required components before silent installation.
installation for
RSLinx Classsic
.msi file on page
Appendix C Install RSLinx Classic with command line syntax
Tip:
click Yes to continue.
Use unattended installation
Perform unattended
Parameters
Starting with CPR 9 SR 9, RSLinx Classic support unattended installation. In
the unattended installation, you enter a specified command line syntax with
multiple parameters. You can customize the parameters to meet your needs.
To perform RSLinx Classic unattended installation, follow the steps below.
The steps may vary slightly. Follow the on-screen instructions that apply to
installation
your operating system.
1. Close all open Windows programs.
2. Open the Command Prompt window as administrator.
3. In the Command Prompt window, navigate to D:, where D: is the drive
containing the RSLinx Classic installation DVD or installation
package, and press Enter.
4. Type a command line with the following syntax:
Setup.exe {/Q | /QS}
/IAcceptAllLicenseTerms
[/AutoRestart]
[/SetupLanguage=language]
[/InstallDrive=drive]
[/SerialNumber=serial_number]
[/ProductKey=product_key]
[/Version=product_version]
The User Account Control dialog box may show after you press Enter,
5. Press Enter. The installation process starts with the parameters you
specified.
6. For detailed description about each parameter, see Parameters. You
can also type Setup /? in the Command Prompt window, and press
Enter to view the help information of all parameters and examples.
The parameters and values are not case sensitive. If the value includes spaces,
you need to enclose it in quotation marks (" ").
/Q
Required if /QS is not specified.
Installs the product in the silent mode without any user interface.
/QS
Required if /Q is not specified.
Installs the product in the unattended mode without user interaction
during installation, and shows the progress, errors, or complete
messages on the user interface.
60 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
/IAcceptAllLicenseTerms
Required. Specifies that you read and acknowledge all license
agreements, and agree to continue the installation.
/AutoRestart
Optional. If specified, the computer will be restarted automatically
after the installation, if a restart is required to complete the
installation.
The parameter is ignored if a restart is not required.
/SetupLanguage=value
Optional. Specifies which language will be displayed during the
installation process. The value must be the one of ENU, CHS, DEU,
ESP, FRA, ITA, JPN, KOR, or PTB.
If omitted, the default language is the user or system user interface
language.
/Record
Optional.Records the installation options chosen to a recording file.
/Playback
Appendix C Install RSLinx Classic with command line syntax
Optional. Plays back a recording file to specify the installation options.
/IgnoreWarning
Optional. If specified, the setup will ignore warnings and continue.
/Uninstall
Optional. Use to uninstall the software.
/InstallDrive=value
Optional. Specifies the installation drive.
If omitted, the default drive and location are:
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Rockwell Software (64-bit) or
• C:\Program Files\Rockwell Software (32-bit).
/SerialNumber="value"
Optional. Specifies the serial number that is required if you want to get
an activation key during installation.
/ProductKey="value"
Optional. Specifies the product key which is required if you want to get
an activation key during installation.
/Version="value"
Optional. Specifies the version corresponds to the product version that
the SerialNumber and ProductKey are able to activate if you want to
get an activation key during installation. If omitted, the installer uses a
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 61
Appendix C Install RSLinx Classic with command line syntax
Use silent installation for
default version which is the most recent product version available
when retrieving the activation.
The following examples show how to use the commands during the
unattended installation.
Example 1
Setup.exe /Q /IAcceptAllLicenseTerms
means:
The RSLinx Classic unattended installation uses the default settings
during the installation process, with no user interface.
Example 2
Setup.exe /QS /IAcceptAllLicenseTerms /AutoRestart
/SetupLanguage=CHS /InstallDrive=D:
/SerialNumber=0123456789 /ProductKey=ABCDE-FGHIJ
/Version=3.90.01
RSLinx Classic .msi file
Before you begin
means:
• During the installation, the progress, error, or complete messages
show on user interfaces. The displayed language is Chinese.
• RSLinx Classic version v3.90.01 will be installed to D:\Program Files
(x86)\Rockwell Software if you are using a 64-bit operating system, or
D:\Program Files\Rockwell Software if you are using a 32-bit
operating system.
• The setup will get activation keys during installation if the serial
number 0123456789 and product key ABCDE-FGHIJ are valid.
• After the installation, if a restart is required, the computer will be
restarted automatically.
Starting with RSLinx Classic v3.60.00 (CPR 9 SR 6), RSLinx Classic supports
silent installation for RSLinx Classic .msi file. In the silent installation,
RSLinx Classic is installed with default settings, with no (or little) dialog
boxes, messages, or user intervention.
Before installing the .msi file of RSLinx Classic using the silent installation,
you must manually install the following prerequisite software and required
components, in the following sequences:
62 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6
To manually install it, run it from RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Redist\DotNETFX_4.6.
For detailed instructions about how to install it, refer to
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh506443.aspx.
• Microsoft SQL Server Compact 4.0
RSLinx Classic x64 driver
Appendix C Install RSLinx Classic with command line syntax
To manually install it, run it from RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Redist\SQLServerCE_4.0.
• OPC .NET API 4.5
To manually install it, run it from RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Redist\OPCNETAPIRedist_2.01.10600\x86.
• FactoryTalk Diagnostics v2.90.00
To manually install it, run it from RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Redist\FTDiagnostics_2.90.00.
• Windows Firewall Configuration Utility 1.00.08
To manually install it, run it from RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Redist\WFCU_1.00.08.
• Certificates installation
package
For detailed instructions about how to install it, refer to
Install
certificates on page 64.
• USB CIP driver package (for 32-bit operating systems)
This driver is used for Rockwell Automation USB devices and is
represented by the Virtual Backplane (SoftLogix58xx, USB driver)
type on the Configure Drivers dialog box.
To manually install it, run it from RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Redist\USBCIP_3.18.06.
• x64 driver package (for 64-bit operating systems)
To manually install it, run it from RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Redist\KN64Bit_2.01.01.
• FactoryTalk Services Platform
To manually install it, run it from RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Common\2.90.00-FTSP.
RSLinx Classic version 4.21.00 (CPR 9 SR 12) x64 driver package includes the
following:
• 1747-UIC (DH485)
• 1752-SmartGuard USB
• 1784-PCIC(S) (ControlNet)
• 1784-PKTX (DH485/DH+/RIO)
• 1784-U2DHP (DH+)
• Micro800 Remote LCD (208-REMLCD / 820 Remote LCD)
• Micro810
• Virtual Backplane
• USB CIP
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 63
In addition, this release of x64 driver package includes a number of
enhancements, including USB CIP driver improvements and new driver
installation folder C:\Program Files\Rockwell Automation.
Appendix C Install RSLinx Classic with command line syntax
Tip:
Install certificates
Perform silent installation
The following certificates are available in the installation directory
\Redist\Cert:
• 2016-Rockwell-Driver-SHA1.cer
• 2016-Rockwell-SHA256.cer
• DriverCodeSigning2012-1.cer
• Drivers-12-06-2016.cer
• Logix-11-04-2016.cer
• Rockwell_2013.cer
• Rockwell_2014.cer
• Rockwell_2015.cer
• rockwellcert2010.cer
• rockwellcert2013.cer
• VeriSign Class 3 Public Primary Certification Authority - G5 2036.cer
To manually install a certificate, perform the following steps. The steps below
take the VeriSign Class 3 Public Primary Certification Authority - G5 2036.cer
certificate as an example.
1. Locate the certificate file at RSLinx Classic installation directory
\Redist\Cert\VeriSign Class 3 Public Primary Certification Authority
-G5 2036.cer, and double click it.
2. On the General tab of the Certificate dialog box, click Install
Certificate.
3. In the Certificate Import Wizard dialog box, click Next.
4. Select Place all certificates in the following store, and click Browse.
5. In the Select Certificate Store dialog box, select the Trusted Root
Certificate Authorities folder, and click OK.
6. In the Certificate Import Wizard dialog box, click Next.
7. Click Finish.
64 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
For more information on certificate installation, see Deploying Certificates to the
Trusted Publishers Store at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cc730989(v=ws.10).aspx.
To install RSLinx Classic in silent mode with default parameter:
1. Close all open Windows programs.
2. Open the Command Prompt window as administrator.
3. In the Command Prompt window, navigate to D:\4.21.00-
RSLinxClassic\ENU, where D: is the drive containing the RSLinx Classic
installation DVD or installation package, and press Enter.
• For RSLinx Classic Lite, the directory is
Lite\ENU
; for RSLinx Classic SDK, the directory is
RSLinxClassic-SDK\ENU
• The User Account Control dialog box may show after you press Enter,
click Yes to continue.
.
D:/4.21.00-RSLinxClassic-
D:/4.21.00-
4. Type the following command line syntax, and press Enter.
Msiexec /I "RSLinx.msi" /qn /L*v+ "%Temp%\Rockwell
- RSLinx Classic Install.log"
Tip:
Appendix C Install RSLinx Classic with command line syntax
The command line install has two options:
• /qb: basic UI (user interface) - simple progress and error handling
• /qn: no UI - completely silent installation
The installation process starts silently. For the installation log file, type the
following command line syntax in the Command Prompt window:
%Temp%\Rockwell - RSLinx Classic Install.Log
During the installation, you may see one or two Windows Security messages:
• If the message shows "Windows can't verify the publisher of this driver
software", click Install this driver software anyway to continue the
installation.
• If the message shows "Would you like to install this device software",
select the Always trust software from Rockwell Automation check box
and click Install. Selecting the check box prevents this dialog box from
appearing again.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 65
ControlFlash uses...
If...
RSLinx Enterprise v5.90.00) is not installed.
Enterprise v5.90.00)
installed, and RSLinx Classic is not installed.
Enterprise v5.90.00) are installed.
Select an RSLinx Edition in
ControlFlash
RSWho
Configure drivers in RSLinx
Appendix D
Using RSLinx Classic with ControlFlash
When working with ControlFlash, you can use either RSLinx Classic or
FactoryTalk Linx (or RSLinx Enterprise v5.90.00) as your communications
software. The default choice is RSLinx Classic.
To select or change an RSLinx edition in ControlFlash:
1. Launch ControlFlash on your computer.
2. On the Welcome page, click Change RSLinx Edition. The button is
enabled only if RSLinx Classic and FactoryTalk Linx (or RSLinx
Enterprise v5.90.00) are installed.
• The default choice is RSLinx Classic to communicate over Data
Highway Plus, DF1, DH485, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Ethernet, and
USB networks.
• The other choice is FactoryTalk Linx (or RSLinx Enterprise v5.90.00)
to communicate over USB and Ethernet networks.
Classic
The following table shows the RSLinx edition that ControlFlash uses.
RSLinx Classic RSLinx Classic is installed, and FactoryTalk Linx (or
FactoryTalk Linx (or RSLinx
Your preferred RSLinx edition RSLinx Classic and FactoryTalk Linx (or RSLinx
FactoryTalk Linx (or RSLinx Enterprise v5.90.00) is
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
.
To add a driver in RSLinx Classic:
1. From the RSLinx Classic main menu, select Communications >
Configure Drivers.
2. From the Configure Drivers dialog box, select the desired driver from
the Available Driver Types list.
3. Click Add New. The Add New RSLinx Classic Driver dialog box opens.
4. Enter a name for the selected driver (15 characters at maximum), and
click OK. The Configuration dialog box for that driver shows.
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 67
Appendix D Using RSLinx Classic with ControlFlash
Note:
products will not be uninstalled.
Uninstall RSLinx Classic
5. In the Configuration dialog box, enter the appropriate parameters for
6. Click OK to close the Configuration dialog box. The new driver now
To edit a driver in RSLinx Classic:
1. From the RSLinx Classic main menu, select Communications >
2. From the Configure Drivers dialog box, select the desired driver from
3. Click Configure. The Configuration dialog box for that driver shows.
4. Make the necessary modifications to the driver, and click OK to return
To uninstall RSLinx Classic software, do any of the following:
• Open Programs and Features in Windows Control Panel, right-click
• Open Setup.exe, and then click modify or uninstall.
• Open the Command Prompt window and type a command with the
the desired driver.
appears in the Configured Drivers list.
Configure Drivers.
the Configured Drivers list.
to the Configure Drivers dialog box.
RSLinx Classic version 4.21.00 and then click Uninstall.
following syntax:
Setup.exe [/Q | /QS] /Uninstall
Components, such as FactoryTalk Activation Manager, that are shared with other
For more information about command-line parameter, see Parameters on
page 60.
68 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Glossary
Activation file - A hidden, read-only, system file that activates a Rockwell
Software product. The software will run only if your system can find the
correct activation file.
Activation key - Activation files contain a database of activation keys. Each key
is particular to a certain product and must be accessible on a local or remote
drive for that product to run.
Driver - The software interface to the hardware device that will be used to
communicate between RSLinx Classic and your processor.
DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) - A form of inter-process communication.
When two or more programs that support DDE are running simultaneously,
they can exchange information and commands.
License - Authorization to use a specified number of instances of software. A
products activation key contains a license for each copy of the software you
have purchased.
Links - The data path established for one or more channels between two or
more stations. DDE links can be hot, warm, or cold.
OPC - Provides an industry-standard mechanism to communicate and
exchange data between clients and servers using OLE technology.
Packet - The transmission unit exchanged at the network layer.
Poke - DDE version of a write.
Read - To acquire data from somewhere (memory, an output, another
station).
Topic - Represents a specific path to a processor.
Write - To load data into somewhere (memory, an output, another station).
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 69
Index
H
Index
A
activation 43
activate 43
application workspace 15
C
classes 40
close 14
communications device 17
configure a driver 11
configure a topic 12
context-sensitive help 15, 37
control definitions 37
Control menu 14
copy a link 13
Customer Information 18
D
hard drive space 17
hardware 17
I
Install 18
FactoryTalk Services Platform 45
RSLinx Classic 17
RSSecurity Emulator 45
intended audience 7
L
license 17
License Agreement 18
Lite version 9
Local Directory 58
M
maximize 14
memory 21
menu bar 14
minimize 14
mouse 17
move 14, 57
diagnostics 15
document conventions 7
document set 37
driver configuration 11
Dyamnic Data Exchange 27
E
electronic book format 7, 40
Electronic Data Sheet (EDS) 29
Enable Security 18
ethernet card 17
F
FactoryTalk Activation 43
FactoryTalk Administration Console 45
FactoryTalk Security user 45
feedback 7
G
Gateway version 11
grace period 43
N
Network Directory 57
O
OEM version 10
OLE for Process Control 27
online guides 40
online help 37
P
paste a link 13
pointing device 17
pop-up definition 39
Process Terminating 18
product
serial numbers 41
version number 41
Q
Quick start 11
Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021 71
Index
R
RAM 17, 21
related topic 39
release notes 17
requirements
hardware 17
software 17
restore 14, 45, 57
RSLinx Classic icon 14
RSLinx Classic types 9
RSSecurity Emulator 45
RSSecurity user 45
S
security 45
Add user accounts 45
considerations 57
enable security option 58
FactoryTalk Administration Console 45
FactoryTalk Security user 45
FactoryTalk Services Platform 45
Local Directory 58
Network Directory 57
Network Tree 58
RSSecurity Emulator 45, 58
RSSecurity user 45
securable features 57
Set Security dialog box 58
set up security 45
serial numbers 41
Single Node version 10
size 14, 57
software 17
starting RSNetWorx for DeviceNet 17, 20
status bar 15
step-by-step procedures 37, 38
support 40
support library 40
SVGA graphics adapter 17
system requirements 17
installation 21
types of RSLinx Classic 9
U
updating an existing installation 19
V
version numbers 41
W
What’s This? help 38
T
tasks 38
technical support 40
title bar 14
toolbar 15
topic configuration 12
training 40
troubleshooting
72 Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Technical Support Center
updates.
Knowledgebase
Access Knowledgebase articles.
rok.auto/knowledgebase
Literature Library
find associated firmware.
Rockwell Automation support
Use these resources to access support information.
Local Technical Support Phone Numbers
Product Compatibility and Download Center
(PCDC)
Find help with how-to videos, FAQs, chat, user forums, and product notification
Locate the telephone number for your country. rok.auto/phonesupport
Find installation instructions, manuals, brochures, and technical data publications. rok.auto/literature
Get help determining how products interact, check features and capabilities, and
rok.auto/support
rok.auto/pcdc
Documentation feedback
Your comments help us serve your documentation needs better. If you have any suggestions on how to improve our content, complete the form at
rok.auto/docfeedback
.
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At the end of life, this equipment should be collected separately from any unsorted municipal waste.
Rockwell Automation maintains current product environmental information on its website at rok.auto/pec.
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Trademarks not belonging to Rockwell Automation are property of their respective companies.
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Rockwell Automation Publication LINX-GR001W-EN-E - March 2021
Supersedes Publication LINX-GR001V-EN-E - September 2020 Copyright © 2021 Rockwell Automat ion Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
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