RSLinx questions

[M. Hamill]

In PLC-to-HMI interface applications, in my past experience, when I had to
interface brand A PLC to brand B HMI, it was a matter of making sure
the right drivers were available and installed on the computers running the
HMI. There was no need to use additional network management software.

I'm haven't networked Allen-Bradley PLCs together, but I've noticed that
Rockwell Software seems to have a different approach: it evidently uses
RSLinx as essential network configuration and management software.

So I have a few questions:

1. Am I right about this? RSLinx is RS' network config. & mgmt. software?


2. When using Allen-Bradley PLCs, when MUST RSLinx be used?


3. Is RSLinx used ONLY when interfacing Allen-Bradley PLCs with each other,
or when interfacing Allen-Bradley PLCs with RSView32? (I worked on a job in
2000 where RSLinx ran in the background, an Allen-Bradley PLC sent analog
data to a computer for trending and datalogging, and RSView32 was the HMI
used for this aspect of the job.) Next question, on a related tangent:


4. If someone wanted to use RSView32 with a non-Allen Bradley PLC, would
RSLinx still be used?


5. And does RSView32 come with a full set of drivers to let one interface it
with different brands of PLCs?


Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[John Burch]

Mike,

Take a look at the Ingear and other OPC Servers at Software Toolbox

http://www.softwaretoolbox.com/

It's the easiest way to hook Brand-X PLC to Brand-Y HMI

Totally agree with you here. OPC is the industry standard for hooking
Brand-X PLC to Brand-Y HMI and is vastly more versatile and simple to
configure then any other option.

Also, take a look at GraphWorX32 from ICONICS. It's by FAR the best HMI on
the planet from a price/performance standpoint. Free Development and
evaluation software.

Have to disagree with you here. WEB-FAQtory, http://www.webfaqtory.com is
far and away the best HMI on the planet from a price/performance standpoint
(but then I'm biased, I wrote it)

John

--
When the pin is pulled, Mr Grenade is not our friend. (US Marine Corps)
Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo. (Infantry Journal)
If your attack is going too well, you have walked into an ambush. (Infantry
Journal)
Any ship can be a minesweeper... once. (Admiral Hornblower)

 

[Cameron Dorrough]

In PLC-to-HMI interface applications, in my past experience, when I had to
interface brand A PLC to brand B HMI, it was a matter of making sure
the right drivers were available and installed on the computers running the
HMI. There was no need to use additional network management software.

I'm haven't networked Allen-Bradley PLCs together, but I've noticed that
Rockwell Software seems to have a different approach: it evidently uses
RSLinx as essential network configuration and management software.

So I have a few questions:

1. Am I right about this? RSLinx is RS' network config. & mgmt. software?

Yes. A *free* "lite" version is supplied with all of their software that
needs to communicate with one of their PLCs. Think of it as a "gateway"
between *any* RS software on your machine and the PLC network..

2. When using Allen-Bradley PLCs, when MUST RSLinx be used?

Whenever you use a "Rockwell Software" software package that require
communications with the PLC/network. Other software (eg. third-party SCADA
packages) can either use RSLinx or communicate directly.

3. Is RSLinx used ONLY when interfacing Allen-Bradley PLCs with each other,
or when interfacing Allen-Bradley PLCs with RSView32? (I worked on a job in
2000 where RSLinx ran in the background, an Allen-Bradley PLC sent analog
data to a computer for trending and datalogging, and RSView32 was the HMI
used for this aspect of the job.) Next question, on a related tangent:

RSView32 requires RSLinx to communicate with the PLC. RSLinx normally runs
in the background.

4. If someone wanted to use RSView32 with a non-Allen Bradley PLC, would
RSLinx still be used?

With the latest versions of RSView - not necessarily. RSView would most
likely use a third-party OPC Server, installed on the machine instead of
RSLinx to perform essentailly the same function.

5. And does RSView32 come with a full set of drivers to let one interface it
with different brands of PLCs?

A "full" set? No. If it did, there would be no need for other SCADA
packages, would there?? ;-)

Have a read of: http://www.software.rockwell.com/rsview32/

HTH, Cameron

 

[Patrick]

Mike...Pl. go through my response:-

So I have a few questions:
1. Am I right about this? RSLinx is RS' network config. & mgmt. software?
Ans: No RsLinx is used to connect to PLC/RsView only. For RsNetwoks you
require
RsNetwoxs. Its a different software.
2. When using Allen-Bradley PLCs, when MUST RSLinx be used?
Ans: For communicating its a MUST!.
3. Is RSLinx used ONLY when interfacing Allen-Bradley PLCs with each other,
or when interfacing Allen-Bradley PLCs with RSView32? (I worked on a job
in 2000 where RSLinx ran in the background, an Allen-Bradley PLC sent
analog data to a computer for trending and datalogging, and RSView32 was
the
HMI used for this aspect of the job.) Next question, on a related tangent:
Ans: RsLinx comes if different versions if you require only
communication with PLC then entry level Linx Lite would do and if
you wish to interface RsView with PLC then You require
professional or Gateway version of it.
4. If someone wanted to use RSView32 with a non-Allen Bradley PLC, would
RSLinx still be used?
Ans: No, you will have to use OPC in this case.
5. And does RSView32 come with a full set of drivers to let one
interface it with different brands of PLCs?
Ans: Its OPC compliant.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

I hope this helps u in some else email me on [email protected] i
will send you the detailed specs on RsLinx.
Thanks and regards.
Patrick