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Connecting to a B&R device in B&R Automation Studio

Connecting to a B&R device in B&R Automation Studio

Connecting to a B&R device over Ethernet or over a network is extremely helpful for updating and troubleshooting programs. Without a connection, a CompactFlash would have to be re-created for any small change that was made. In addition, it would be impossible to monitor the state of the program.

This article details how to connect to your B&R device over Ethernet and over a network.

Connecting to a Device over Ethernet

Purpose: Allows file downloads/transfers to the B&R device without re-flashing the Compact Flash each time.

Requirements: B&R device must be physically connected to a computer over Ethernet.

  1. To check the current IP address of the device, navigate to Online > Settings.

    Check the current IP address of the device
     
  2. If the desired IP address is different from the current IP address of the device, navigate to Ethernet Configuration (Physical View > Right-click main device > open Ethernet Configuration) and set the IP of device.

    Change the current IP address if it is not the desired IP address
     
  3. To ensure that communication will work between the computer and the device, set the computer’s IP address to an IP address with the same first 3 bytes. (Local Area Connection > TCP/IP > Set IP of the device (modify the last digit so that they are not matching).

    Set the IP address to the same first three bytes.

If the IP address of the device was not changed, the device should be properly connected. Certain options that were previously unavailable (Transfer, Monitor, Stop Target, Warm Restart) will now be available. If the IP address of the device was changed, a new CompactFlash will need to be created. As a workaround to re-creating the CompactFlash, you can change your local settings to match those on the Compact Flash (which will allow for Transfers). Then, you can download the changes to the device IP without re-flashing the CF card. To re-connect, simply repeat steps 2-3.

Connecting to a Device over a Network

Purpose: Allows file downloads/transfer to the B&R device without a direct physical connection, enables send to network locations functionality.

Requirements: Static IP address, B&R device, and computer must both be connected to the same network and network settings.

  1. To set the IP address and subnet mask, navigate to the Ethernet Configuration Configuration (Physical View > Right-click main device > open Ethernet Configuration) and set the IP and subnet of the device.


     
  2. To set the default gateway and DNS server address, navigate to AR Configuration (Physical View > Right-click main device > open AR configuration) and set the default gateway and DNS server address.

    Set the default gateway and DNS server address.
     
  3. If the device was previously connected to the computer over Ethernet, transfer the new program to set the new network settings. After this transfer, the device will not be connected until the computer’s network settings are set to match the device’s network settings. If the device was not previously connected over Ethernet, create a new CompactFlash for the device to set the new network settings.
     
  4. On the computer, set all the same parameters as are on the device. (Local Area Connection > TCP/IP > Set IP of device (same as the device is on), set subnet mask, set default gateway, set DNS server).

    Set all the same parameters as are on the device.

Learn more about DMC's B&R Automation Studio services and contact us today! 

Comments

sandhya
# sandhya
dear Sir/Madam,
I am working in visual studio 2017 c# program and i want to connect my C# front end code with the B&R PLC hardware device for the back end support. How can i achieve this condition?
Nikhil Holay
# Nikhil Holay
Hi Mahdi,

You will need to create a new CompactFlash the first time - this should allow you to set the IP address of the device. If you're having trouble connecting via network/Ethernet, you can always reflash the CompactFlash card. This should boot the program when the device powers up.
mahdi masoudi
# mahdi masoudi
dear sir / madam
i tried to connect with your ways but i couldnt
what is the default ip of pp065?
and when i turn pp065 on it opens a black screen and this text : no boot device present . halting
what can i do ?
regards.
Nikhil
# Nikhil
can we connect two plc in automation studio, it says two cpu's are not allowed in a project ,so how can i create a project in which 1plc is MN and another plc is CN
Prashant Kulkarni
# Prashant Kulkarni

Nice information. For connecting to a Device over Network: A diagram showing the connections between the device, gateway and static IP will help understand the architecture in detail.

Thanks
Pius Kariuki
# Pius Kariuki
Very supportive information. Learned a lot, Thanks.

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