Ethernet Interface Ports; Station Manager; Firmware Upgrades - GE RX3i User Manual

Chapter 1. Introduction

Station Manager

Ethernet Interface Ports

The PACSystems Ethernet interface use auto-sensing 10Base T / 100Base TX RJ-45 shielded twisted pair
Ethernet ports for connection to either a 10BaseT or 100BaseTX IEEE 802.3 network. The RX3i embedded
Ethernet interface provides one such port; all other models provide two.
The port automatically senses the speed (10Mbps or 100Mbps), duplex mode (half-duplex or full-duplex) and
cable configuration (straight-through or crossover) attached to it with no intervention required.
Ethernet Media
The Ethernet Interface can operate directly on 10BaseT/100BaseTX media via its network ports.
10BaseT: 10BaseT uses a twisted pair cable of up to 100 meters in length between each node and a switch, hub,
or repeater. Typical switches, hubs, or repeaters support 6 to 12 nodes connected in a star wiring topology.
100BaseTX: 100BaseTX uses a cable of up to 100 meters in length between each node and a switch, hub, or
repeater. The cable should be data grade Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) or shielded twisted pair (STP)
cable. Two pairs of wire are used, one for transmission, and the other for collision detection and receive. Typical
switches, hubs, or repeaters support 6 to 12 nodes connected in a star wiring topology.
Station Manager
The built-in Station Manager function of the Ethernet Interface provides on-line supervisory access to the
Ethernet Interface, through the Station Manager port or over the Ethernet cable. Station Manager services
include:
▪
An interactive set of commands for interrogating and controlling the station.
▪
Unrestricted access to observe internal statistics, an exception log, and configuration parameters.
▪
Password security for commands that change station parameters or operation.
For remote Station Manager operation over the Ethernet network, the Ethernet interface uses IP addressing. A
PACSystems Ethernet Interface cannot send or receive remote Station Manager messages sent to a MAC
address.
Refer to the PACSystems TCP/IP Ethernet Communications Station Manager Manual, GFK-2225 for complete
information on the Station Manager.

Firmware Upgrades

PACSystems Ethernet interfaces receive their firmware upgrades indirectly from the RX3i CPU using the
WinLoader software utility. WinLoader is supplied with any updates to the Ethernet Interface software. The user
connects WinLoader to the PLC CPU serial port and specifies the target module by its Rack/Slot location.
For the CPU module, the embedded Ethernet interface firmware is upgraded along with the rest of the CPU
firmware. WinLoader seamlessly upgrades first the CPU firmware and then the embedded Ethernet firmware
without user intervention. Each Ethernet Interface module's firmware must be explicitly upgraded by specifying
the rack and slot location of the module to the WinLoader utility.
Firmware upgrades for the CPE330 and CPE400 are performed over Ethernet using a web browser. This method
provides enhanced security features. Instructions for the procedure are included in the corresponding upgrade
kit documentation. The WinLoader Utility will not work with the CPE330 or CPE400.
8 PACSystems* RX7i & RX3i TCP/IP Ethernet Communications User Manual
Access remote UDP Refer to the Station Manager Manual, GFK-2225J or later
for supported commands.
GFK-2224Q