Establishing an Ethernet/IP
Connection to a 1756-L7x
Controller
Prerequisite to Tech Drill “Establish Ethernet/IP PLC driver”.
Objectives
Given a computer with Windows 10 and RSLinx Classic software
installed and an Ethernet card configured to communicate on the
desired network, you should be able to:
• Establish an Ethernet/IP network connection to a 1756-L7x series
controller through a communication module.
• Use an RSWho window in the RSLinx Classic software to view
controller properties.
Requirements
• RSLinx Classic software installed.
• Ethernet card configured on the computer (IP address and Subnet mask).
• Ethernet module configured in the Controllogix chassis (IP address and
Subnet mask).
• A physical connection between the computer and the Ethernet module
(Wired or Wirless).
Limitations
• The 1756-L7x controllers only have a USB port that supports a point to
point connection. Therefore, network access to a 1756-L7x controller is
accomplished through a communication module installed in a
ControlLogix chassis that can provide access to the backplane where the
1756-L7x controller is installed.
• The RSLinx Classic “Ethernet/IP” driver will browse the local subnet
searching for devices that support the Ethernet Industrial Protocol.
• To communicate with older devices that do not support the “Ethernet/IP”
protocol, an “Ethernet Device” driver can be configured.
Configuring a Static IP Address (Windows 10)
• There are many ways to configure a
static IP address in Windows 10. The
steps outlined below is just one
example.
• Right-Click the Windows icon and
select “Network Connections”
Configuring a Static IP Address (Windows 10)
• From the “Settings” window, select “Change adapter options”.
Configuring a Static IP Address (Windows 10)
• From the “Network Connections” window, right-click on the wired
Ethernet adapter and select “Properties”.
Configuring a Static IP Address (Windows 10)
• From the “Ethernet Properties”
window, select “Internet
Protocol Version 4” and select
“Properties”.
Configuring a Static IP Address (Windows 10)
• From the “Internet Protocol
Version 4 Properties” select
“Use the following IP address”
option.
• Populate the desired IP address
and Subnet mask.
• Click “OK”.
Ethernet/IP Driver Configuration
• The “Ethernet/IP” driver must be configured using the RSLinx Classic
application.
• Open the RSLinx software and select “Commmunications>Configure
Drivers...”.
Configuration
In the “Configure Drivers” window, select “EtherNet/IP Driver” from the
Available Driver Types dropdown box and then click on the “Add New”.
Configuration
Here you can choose a name for your driver. The name must be between
1 and 15 printable characters cannot contain spaces, or any of the
following characters: ! : . / \
Configuration
Here you will choose from the
devices on the computer that is
configured correctly to
communicate on the desired
network.
In this example, the hard wired
Ethernet Adapter with an IP
address of 192.168.1.250 is
configured to communicate on
the desired network.
Configuration
In the “Configure Drivers” window you should now see your new driver with
the status of “Running”.
Connection
If not already opened, open an “RSWho” window by selecting
“Communications>RSWho”. The newly created driver should be displayed
in the tree on the left side of the window.
Driver
Connection
With “Autobrowse” selected, access to the desired controller will be
accomplished by browsing/expanding through the
“Driver>Communication Module>Backplane>Controller”.
Autobrowse
Driver
Communication Module
Backplane
Controller
Controller Properties
You can view certain properties of the controller such as firmware revision by
“Right-Clicking” on the controller and selecting “Device Properties”.
Summary
• RSLinx Classic application is used to configure and Ethernet/IP
communication driver.
• An Ethernet connection to a 1756-L7x controller from a computer
must be accomplished through a Ethernet device installed on the
computer to a communication module installed in the Controllogix
chassis.
• The Ethernet device on the computer must be configured to
communicate on the same network as the communication module in
the Controllogix chassis.
• With this connection, you can go Online, Upload and Download
programs as well as update firmware directly from your workstation.