ABR I/O Driver Manual

October 2008

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Version 7.29 09.05

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ii

Table of Contents
About the I/O Driver ..........................................................................................................................1
OLE Automation Technology....................................................................................................1
Integration with the FIX .............................................................................................................1
Event-Driven Architecture .........................................................................................................1
OPC Compliance ......................................................................................................................2
How the I/O Driver Works .............................................................................................................2
Features........................................................................................................................................4
The ABR I/O Driver Features ...................................................................................................4
Feature: Using the OLE for Process Control (OPC) Functionality ...........................................5
Feature: Creating Datablocks Automatically in FIX Database Builder .....................................6
Feature: Configuring the Driver from Custom COM/OLE Automation Applications .................7
Feature: Using the ABR I/O Driver Graphical User Interface ...................................................7
Feature: Remote Control and Configuration ............................................................................7
Feature: Using Exception-Based Processing ...........................................................................8
Feature: Using Secondary Poll Rates ......................................................................................9
Feature: Phasing Poll Rates .....................................................................................................9
Feature: Enabling or Disabling Individual Channels, Devices, and Datablocks .......................9
Feature: QuickFail Logic .........................................................................................................10
Feature: Using Simulation Mode ............................................................................................10
Feature: Using Latched Data..................................................................................................11
Feature: Time/Date Stamp for Data and Alarms ....................................................................11
Feature: Running as a Windows Service ...............................................................................11
Feature: Block Writes .............................................................................................................14
Feature: Advanced Diagnostics..............................................................................................14
Feature: Validating Datablocks...............................................................................................15
Feature: Generating Multiple Datablocks ...............................................................................15
Feature: Digital Pictures of Sample Configurations................................................................16
Setting up the I/O Driver .................................................................................................................17
Supported Hardware ..................................................................................................................17
Supported KT Interface Cards ....................................................................................................20
Supported Interface Modules .....................................................................................................21
Supported Memory Types ..........................................................................................................21
Supported PLC 3 Memory Types ...........................................................................................21
Supported PLC 5 Series Memory Types ................................................................................22

iii

Supported PLC 5/250 (Pyramid Integrator) Memory Types ...................................................22

Supported SLC 5 Series Memory Types ................................................................................23
Supported MicroLogix PLC Memory Types ............................................................................23
Supported ControLogix Gateway Module Memory Types......................................................24
Setting Datablock Address Properties: Start, End, and Length .................................................24
Example ..................................................................................................................................24
Example ..................................................................................................................................25
ASCII, Binary, BCD, and Integer Datablock Maximum Lengths ............................................25
Input, Output, and Status Datablock Maximum Lengths ........................................................26
Float Datablock Maximum Lengths ........................................................................................26
Maximum Datablock Lengths for Binary, Internal Storage, Output, Input, Integer, String,
Block Transfer Data, and Unsolicited File Types (PLC 5/250 only) .......................................26
Valid PLC 3 Addresses ...........................................................................................................26
Valid PLC 5 Addresses ...........................................................................................................27
Valid PLC 5/250 Addresses....................................................................................................28
Valid SLC 5/00, SLC 5/01, and SLC 5/02 Addresses ............................................................29
Valid SLC 5/03, SLC 5/04, SLC 5/05 Addresses ...................................................................30
Valid MicroLogix PLC 1761-L10BWA Addresses* .................................................................30
Valid MicroLogix PLC 1761-L20BWA-5A Addresses*............................................................31
Supported ControLogix 1756 Lx Processor Memory Types ..................................................31
Supported Mnemonics ................................................................................................................31
Adapter Status Mnemonics ....................................................................................................32
Counter Mnemonics................................................................................................................32
ControlNet Transfer Mnemonics.............................................................................................32
Message Control Mnemonics .................................................................................................33
PID Mnemonics ......................................................................................................................34
Control Mnemonics .................................................................................................................36
String Mnemonics ...................................................................................................................36
Timer Mnemonics ...................................................................................................................36
Block Transfer Read and Block Transfer Write Mnemonics (PLC5/250 only) .......................37
Block Transfer Mnemonics (PLC5 only) .................................................................................37
Required Software ......................................................................................................................38
Operating System ...................................................................................................................38
Rockwell Software ..................................................................................................................38
Using the ABR I/O Driver with Windows XP Service Pack 2 .....................................................39
Cabling ........................................................................................................................................39
Configuring the Hardware ...........................................................................................................44

iv

Programming the Hardware .......................................................................................................44

Upgrading to ABR 7.x from ABR 6.x ..........................................................................................44
Upgrading to ABR 7.x from ABR 7.x ..........................................................................................45
Sample Configurations ...................................................................................................................49
Disclaimer ...................................................................................................................................49
Configuring a 1784-KT Interface Card........................................................................................49
Configuring a 1784-KTX or KTXD Interface Card ......................................................................50
Cabling ....................................................................................................................................51
MicroLogix Cabling .................................................................................................................53
ControLogix Cabling ...............................................................................................................53
Establishing a Serial Connection to Process Hardware .............................................................53
Connecting a 1785-KE Module to Your Computer .....................................................................56
Communicating with a 1770-KF2 Device ...................................................................................59
Using a 1785-KA Module ........................................................................................................61
Communicating with a 1770-KF3 Device ...................................................................................63
Communicating with a 1747-KE or a 1761 NET AIC Converter to a SLC 5/03..........................66
Setting up a 1747-KE Converter.............................................................................................66
Setting up a 1761 NET AIC Converter ...................................................................................68
Configuring a PLC 5/250 Pyramid Integrator with an Ethernet Module .....................................69
Establishing an Ethernet Connection to Process Hardware ......................................................72
Offlinking to Remote Devices .....................................................................................................73
Using KT, KTX, and KTXD Cards...........................................................................................73
1785-KE Settings ....................................................................................................................74
Using Ethernet Cards .............................................................................................................76
Offlinking with ControLogix Gateways ....................................................................................77
Configuring MicroLogix PLCs .....................................................................................................78
Using the Serial Port ...............................................................................................................78
Using a KF3 Device ................................................................................................................80
Using a KTX or KTXD Interface Card .....................................................................................82
Communicating with a ControLogix Gateway ............................................................................83
Communicating with a ControLogix Gateway to a ControlNet Module ......................................85
Configuring the 1756-L1 ControLogix Processor .......................................................................86
Using the Power Tool .....................................................................................................................89
Overview: About the I/O Driver Power Tool ...............................................................................89
Features..................................................................................................................................89
Access Methods .....................................................................................................................89
Understanding the Power Tool's Graphic Interface ....................................................................90

Using the Power Tools Properties Viewer .............................................................................90

Using the Power Tools Browser ............................................................................................91
Using the Power Tools Menu Bar ..........................................................................................92
Using Shortcut Keys ...............................................................................................................93
The Status Bar ........................................................................................................................93
Using the Power Tools Main Toolbar.....................................................................................94
Using the Power Tools Run-time Toolbar ..............................................................................94
Using the Power Tools Configuration Toolbar .......................................................................95
Setting up the Power Tool's Environment ..................................................................................95
Setting the Statistics Refresh Rate .........................................................................................96
Setting Defaults for I/O Driver Configuration File Name and Path .........................................96
Making Advanced Settings .....................................................................................................97
Setting Up the ABR I/O Server Connection ............................................................................98
Setting the I/O Server for Automatic Connection ...................................................................99
Configuring Channels, Devices, and Datablocks .........................................................................101
Choosing a Method for Configuring Your Driver ......................................................................101
Configuring the I/O Driver with the Power Tool ........................................................................101
Channels...............................................................................................................................102
Devices .................................................................................................................................106
Datablocks ............................................................................................................................106
Setting Default Values ..........................................................................................................117
Configuring from FIX Applications ............................................................................................119
Overview: Creating Datablocks Inside FIX Applications ......................................................119
Entering Driver Information in FIX Database Builder ...........................................................120
Specifying the I/O Driver in FIX Database Builder ...............................................................121
Specifying I/O Addresses in FIX Database Builder ..............................................................121
Specifying Signal Conditioning in Database Builder ............................................................123
Specifying Hardware Options in FIX Database Builder ........................................................125
Opening the Power Tool from FIX Database Builder ...........................................................125
Setting Up for Creating Datablocks Automatically in FIX Database Builder ........................125
Verifying New Datablocks Created in FIX Database Builder ...............................................125
Saving Datablocks Created in FIX Database Builder to the Configuration File ...................127
Making Reports.........................................................................................................................128
Using I/O Driver Report Files................................................................................................128
Running the I/O Driver ..................................................................................................................131
Viewing Statistics ......................................................................................................................131
Viewing I/O Driver Statistics .................................................................................................131

vi

Viewing Channel Statistics ...................................................................................................131

Viewing Device Statistics ......................................................................................................131
Viewing Datablock Statistics.................................................................................................131
Starting and Stopping the I/O Driver.........................................................................................132
Starting the I/O Driver from the Power Tool .........................................................................132
Starting the I/O Driver from the FIX SCU .............................................................................132
Setting the I/O Driver for Automatic Startup in FIX...............................................................133
Starting the I/O Driver Manually from Mission Control .........................................................134
Stopping the I/O Driver .........................................................................................................135
Checking Driver Communication ..............................................................................................135
Optimizing the Driver ....................................................................................................................139
Optimizing Your System ...........................................................................................................139
Optimizing Message Lengths ...................................................................................................139
Example ................................................................................................................................139
How do I eliminate excess datablocks? ...................................................................................140
Using Primary and Secondary Poll Rates with Access Time ...................................................141
Example 1 .............................................................................................................................141
Example 2 .............................................................................................................................141
Example 3 .............................................................................................................................141
Example 4 .............................................................................................................................141
Understanding Outstanding Message Allocation at the Channel Level ...................................142
Example ................................................................................................................................142
Understanding and Configuring the Maximum Outstanding Messages per Device.................142
Configuring the Maximum Number of Outstanding Messages .............................................143
Recommendations ................................................................................................................143
Troubleshooting Your System ......................................................................................................145
How Do I? .................................................................................................................................145
How do I choose poll rates? .................................................................................................145
How do I eliminate excess datablocks? ...............................................................................146
How do I set up for remote configuration and control?.........................................................146
How do I prevent the driver from writing to the hardware? ..................................................146
How do I create reports of my driver configuration files? .....................................................148
How do I save datablocks created in FIX Database Builder to the I/O driver configuration
file? .......................................................................................................................................148
How do I open the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool in FIX Database Builder? ...........................148
How do I configure my driver for demand polling? ...............................................................148
How do I poll a device only when data is being accessed? .................................................149

vii

What is the difference between access time and scan time? ..............................................149
How do I set up security for using the I/O Server remotely? ................................................150
How do I set up security when the driver runs as a service? ...............................................153
How do I force a switch between primary and back-up channels or devices using FIX? ....155
How do I enable or disable channels, devices or datablocks using FIX? ............................155
How do I write data to a datablock? .....................................................................................155
Tools for Troubleshooting the ABR I/O Driver ......................................................................156
How do I run the driver in simulation mode? ........................................................................158
How do I generate multiple datablocks? ..............................................................................158
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................159
The driver does not load .......................................................................................................160
The driver loads but does not start polling ...........................................................................161
The driver does not communicate to any devices ................................................................161
The driver is not transmitting messages ...............................................................................163
The driver transmits messages but does not receive messages .........................................163
The driver communicates to some but not all of my devices ...............................................164
The driver communicates to some but not all the datablocks for a device...........................165
What is the difference between access time and scan time? ..............................................165
I cannot connect to a remote server .....................................................................................166
I cannot see the driver in the FIX Database Builder .............................................................166
I am receiving old data in my display....................................................................................167
I am receiving overruns ........................................................................................................167
My message rate is slow ......................................................................................................167
My driver stops running after a period of time ......................................................................168
I do not receive driver messages in Alarm History ...............................................................168
Automatic driver startup does not work ................................................................................168
I receive an error about DTL32.DLL when I start FIX or the Power Tool .............................169
RSWho does not work ..........................................................................................................170
My device has a high number of timeouts ............................................................................170
The Most Common I/O Driver Problems ..................................................................................170
Error Codes ..............................................................................................................................170
DRVSTA Error Codes ...........................................................................................................171
DRVSTB Error Codes ...........................................................................................................178
DRVSTD Error Codes ..........................................................................................................180
DRVSTE through DRVSTH Error Codes .............................................................................180
Tools for Troubleshooting the ABR I/O Driver ..........................................................................181
The Statistics View in the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool .........................................................181

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The Statistics in FIX Mission Control ....................................................................................181

The Windows Event Viewer..................................................................................................181
The Alarm History Window in FIX.........................................................................................181
The Message Log in the I/O Server program .......................................................................181
Getting Technical Support ........................................................................................................183
Support for the ABR I/O driver..............................................................................................183
Support for the process hardware ........................................................................................183
Creating a Custom Client Application ...........................................................................................185
Creating a Custom Application Using Microsoft Visual Basic ..................................................185
Creating a Custom Application Using C or C++ .......................................................................186
Accessing the ABR Server with OPC .......................................................................................186
Accessing ABR Server Data Using an OPC Client ..............................................................186
Using A Files with an OPC Client .........................................................................................186
Accessing Information ..................................................................................................................188
Using F1 Help ...........................................................................................................................188
Using the Help Index ................................................................................................................188
Using the Help Full-Text Search...............................................................................................189
Using the Help Table of Contents.............................................................................................189
Navigating in the Online Help ...................................................................................................189
Using the Help Button Bar ....................................................................................................190
Using Help Links ...................................................................................................................190
Using the See Also List ........................................................................................................190
Using the Help Menus ..............................................................................................................190
Customizing the Online Help ....................................................................................................191
Annotations ...........................................................................................................................191
Bookmarks ............................................................................................................................191
Printing the Online Help ............................................................................................................192
Index .............................................................................................................................................193

ix

About the I/O Driver

The ABR I/O driver is a GE Fanuc version 7.x I/O driver that provides the interface and
communications protocol between Allen-Bradley process hardware and your process control software.
GE Fanuc version 7.x drivers incorporate the following attributes to provide flexibility and ease-ofuse:

OLE Automation technology.

FIX integration.

Event-driven architecture.

OLE for Process Control compliance.

OLE Automation Technology

Version 7.x drivers incorporate OLE Automation technology and can therefore expose their features to
scripting tools and other applications. Because the drivers are OLE Automation applications, you can:

Create and manipulate objects exposed in the I/O Server from another application.

Create tools that access and manipulate driver objects. These tools can include embedded macro
languages or external programming tools.

The I/O driver consists of the following OLE components:

The I/O Server The core executable program. The I/O Server maintains the driver's channel,
device, and datablock objects, performs all required functions for communicating with the
process hardware, and exposes the methods and properties to other applications.

The I/O Driver Power Tool A client application to the I/O Server with a graphical user
interface. The Power Tool accesses the I/O Server and lets you view and modify channel,
device, and datablock properties.

You can also view and modify driver properties with a custom client application developed specifically
for your system. Refer to Creating Custom Client Applications to learn more about creating your own
client application.

Integration with the FIX

GE Fanuc version 7.x drivers let you automatically add addresses to the driver configuration while you
are configuring your FIX database. When you add a block to the database that accesses a point in the
hardware that you have not configured, the point is automatically added to the I/O Server and polled
for data. Refer to Feature: Creating Datablocks Automatically in FIX Database Builder to learn how to
use this feature.

Event-Driven Architecture
Version 7.x drivers are event-based rather than time-based, reducing CPU time and increasing
performance.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

OPC Compliance
Version 7.x drivers also comply with the OLE for Process Control (OPC) v1.0a standard. Any 1.0acompliant OPC client application can access process hardware data through the I/O Server. The ABR
I/O Server is also compliant with the v2.0 standard and with the OPC Alarm and Events v1.0
specification. Refer to Using OLE for Process Control (OPC) Functionality to learn more about the
advantages of OPC.

How the I/O Driver Works

ABR I/O Driver Manual

1. I/O Server
Is the I/O driver core. The I/O Server contains objects and interfaces that perform the following tasks:

Maintain the I/O driver configuration.

Read and write process hardware data.

Expose the driver functionality through OLE Automation.

2. Server Objects
The I/O Server consists of the following objects:

Driver Object Manages Channel Objects and the overall state of the driver.

Channel Object A channel is an I/O drivers communication path. The Channel Object contains
the properties and methods that govern the behavior of a channel.

Device Object A device is a hardware device or station that exists on a channel. The Device
Object contains the properties and methods that govern the behavior of a device.

Datablock Object A datablock is an addressable portion of a device. The Datablock Object

contains the properties and methods that manage the behavior of a datablock. Datablocks in the
Servers local memory correspond to data areas in the Common Memory DLL. When you add
new datablocks to the Servers local memory, you also add new data areas to the Common
Memory DLL.

3. OLE Interfaces
Exposes the data and functionality of the Server to other applications.
4. I/O DLL
Provides functions for sending and receiving data to and from RSLinx software.
5. Common Memory DLL
Builds common memory, exposes its functionality to the Server and the NIO DLL, and stores and
maintains process data.
6. NIO DLL
Contains the I/O drivers data access API. The NIO DLL has direct access to the Common Memory
DLL, providing fast and efficient read/write capability.
7. Signal Conditioning DLL
Contains the API that scales raw data to the specified engineering units.
8. I/O Driver Power Tool
Serves as a high-performance client to the I/O Server with a graphical user interface for configuring
and monitoring the driver.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

9. OPC Server DLL

Accesses configuration data through the Servers OLE Interfaces and reads or writes data through the
NIO DLL. The OPC Server DLL is a fully compliant OLE for Process Control v1.0a and v2.0 inprocess server.
10. FIX Applications
Communicates with the I/O driver through the NIO DLL. Because the NIO DLL accesses the Common
Memory DLL directly, reading data from and writing data to FIX applications is fast and efficient.
11. OPC Client Applications
Communicates with the I/O driver through the OPC Server DLL. Because the OPC Server DLL
communicates with the NIO DLL, OPC Client applications can take advantage of the highperformance read/write capability that the NIO DLL provides.
12. Automation Controller and COM Client Applications
Communicates with the I/O driver through the OLE Interfaces. You can design custom applications
with a COM/OLE Automation programming application such as Visual Basic, PowerBuilder, or Visual
C++.
13. Process Hardware
Includes any type of I/O device that controls a process.
14. RSLinx
Provides communication to and from the process hardware. RSLinx is available from Rockwell
Software. Contact them at 440-646-7800.

Features
The ABR I/O Driver Features
In addition to performance improvements, version 7.x GE Fanuc I/O drivers:

Support OLE for Process Control (OPC).

Let You Automatically Create Datablocks from FIX Database Builder.

Let You Configure Custom COM/OLE Automation Applications.

Supply a New, Easy-to-Use Graphical User Interface.

Provide Remote Configuration and Control.

Provide Exception-Based Processing.

Incorporate Secondary Poll Rates.

Provide Phasing.

Let You Enable or Disable Individual Channels, Devices, and Datablocks.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Provide QuickFail Logic.

Provide Simulation Mode.

Provide Latched Data.

Provide a Time/Date Stamp for Data and Alarms.

Can run as a Windows Service.

Support Block Writes.

Provide Advanced Diagnostics.

Validate Datablocks.

Generate Multiple Datablocks.

Digital Pictures of Sample Configurations.

Feature: Using the OLE for Process Control (OPC) Functionality

OLE for Process Control (OPC) is a software standard that provides a method for business applications
to access plant floor data. The standard was developed specifically for the process control industry to
provide robust, high speed, client/server communication. The standard establishes consistency between
applications, thus simplifying system integration into a heterogeneous computing environment. The
OLE for Process Control Standard defines:

A set of custom COM interfaces for OPC client and server writers.

A set of OLE Automation interfaces for OPC clients developed with higher-level business
applications, such as Excel and Visual Basic. 7.x drivers do not support the Automation interfaces.

Because OPC interfaces are designed in accordance with the OPC specification to provide a common
interface, an OPC client can connect and communicate with multiple OPC servers from one or more
different vendors, as the following figure shows.

The code that your vendor writes defines the difference between servers and specifies the following
server information:

The devices and data that the server has access to.

The names of data items.

The details about how the server physically accesses the data.

The ABR I/O driver supplies an OPC v1.0a Server DLL that serves as the OPC Interface between
OPC-aware client applications and all GE Fanuc 7.x drivers. The ABR I/O Server has interfaces that
let the OPC Server DLL access ABR I/O Server data. The following figure illustrates how OPC clients
work with GE Fanuc I/O Servers and the OPC Server DLL.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

The ABR Server is also v2.0 compliant and supports the OPC Alarms and Events 1.0 specification. For
more information on these standards, refer to the OPC foundation web site at www.opcfoundation.org.

Feature: Creating Datablocks Automatically in FIX Database Builder

By enabling the Auto Create option in the I/O Driver Power Tool, you can automatically create
datablocks from your process control software by specifying an undefined I/O address for a database
block. Once you enter the address, the ABR I/O driver automatically creates a datablock for it and adds
the new datablock to your driver configuration. As a result, you do not have to start the I/O Driver
Power Tool and create your datablocks before you design your process database; you only need to
create the required channels and devices.
Example

1.

Start the I/O Driver Power Tool and click the Setup button from the Run-time toolbar.

2.

Click the Advanced tab and select Auto Create On in the Server area.

3.

Close the Setup dialog box and click the Templates button from the Run-time toolbar.

4.

Enter the default values you want to use for your channels, devices, and datablocks in the
Templates dialog box.

5.

Using the buttons on the Configuration toolbar, add Channel0 and select an RSLinx driver for
the channel.

6.

Add Device0 but do not create any datablocks.

7.

Exit from the Power Tool and close all remote connections to the I/O Server.

8.

Open FIX Database Builder and create five database blocks with valid I/O points using
Device0 as the device name.

9.

Open the Power Tool; the Tree Browser displays the following:

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Feature: Configuring the Driver from Custom COM/OLE Automation

Applications
In concert with the growing trend towards using custom programs to access plant floor data, GE Fanuc
version 7.x drivers enable you to connect easily with custom applications. You do not have to use the
ABR I/O Driver Power Tool to configure the driver. Instead, you can create your own COM or OLE
application or use an existing OLE application (such as Microsoft's Excel) to configure the driver and
access data.
Your driver may include a custom Visual Basic application. You can use this application in place of
the Power Tool to configure your driver. You can also refer to it when creating your own custom
application. Typically, custom Visual Basic applications are created for specific needs such as:

Customizing the way you gather and view statistics.

Automatically building a project.

Creating applications that control the way the driver operates.

Feature: Using the ABR I/O Driver Graphical User Interface

The ABR I/O Driver Power Tool is an OLE application that functions as a client to the ABR I/O
Server and is your main graphical driver-configuration tool. It provides a graphical user interface
(GUI) and graphical aids for configuring the driver to communicate with your process hardware.
Features of the Power Tool

Runs as a stand-alone program or can be launched from FIX.

Lets you view channels, devices, and datablocks graphically from the Tree Browser.

Displays run-time statistical and diagnostic information for the driver, and its channels, devices,
and datablocks.

Provides templates for configuring default channel, device, and datablock settings.

Provides options for customizing the Power Tools appearance.

Supports remote configuration.

Refer to the following topics for a description of the Power Tool and how to use it to configure your
driver:

About the I/O Driver Power Tool

Setting Up the ABR I/O Server Connection

Adding and Modifying Channels

Adding and Modifying Devices

Adding and Modifying Datablocks

Feature: Remote Control and Configuration

You can control and configure the ABR I/O Server remotely using the Power Tool or any other client
application. To set up remote control of the I/O Server, you can install the Power Tool or your client
application on a computer that does not have the server software installed. However, you must install
the I/O Server on the computer used to communicate with the process hardware.
To install the Power Tool for remote communication:

ABR I/O Driver Manual

1.

Insert the I/O Drivers and OPC Server CD into the remote computers CD-ROM drive.

2.

When the start-up screen appears, click the Install Driver button.

3.

Select the ABR 7.x Driver from the list and click the Install Now button.

4.

Click the I Agree button to accept the user license and continue with the installation.

5.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. When the Install program
prompts you for the node type, select Client.

6.

After installation is complete, open the Power Tool and connect to the I/O Server using the
Network list box. Refer to Setting Up the ABR I/O Server Connection to learn more about
establishing a connection to the ABR I/O Server.

Feature: Using Exception-Based Processing

GE Fanuc version 7.x drivers support exception-based processing when used with FIX products for
process control. Exception-based processing means that the software application processes data only
when the data changes beyond a datablocks dead band.
Exception-based processing also applies to database blocks. You can enable exception-based
processing for any block in the process database. Once you enable this feature, the I/O driver reports
any data change that exceeds a datablocks dead band to the FIX Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC)
program. This program resides in the background and works to maintain the process database
continuously. Upon receiving notification of an exception, SAC polls for information on the affected
database block and updates that blocks value.
To configure a database block for exception-based processing

1.

Start the Power Tool and enter a value in the Deadband field of the datablock you want to
modify. For a digital datablock, enter a dead band of 0.

2.

Start FIX Database Builder.

3.

Double-click the block you want to modify from the programs spreadsheet or select Add

ABR I/O Driver Manual

from the Blocks menu and select the type of block you want to create.
4.

Enter the datablocks address in the I/O Address field of the database block.

5.

Enter E in the Scan Time field of the database block.

If you have many database blocks, using exception-based processing can help reduce the demand on
SAC.
NOTE: Analog Register and Digital Register blocks in FIX databases do not support exception-based
processing. In addition, the ABR 7.x driver does not support using the Text block with exception-based
processing.

Feature: Using Secondary Poll Rates

With the ABR I/O driver, you can specify a secondary poll rate. The driver polls a datablock at its
secondary poll rate once its access time expires. The driver remains polling at the secondary poll rate
until there is another request for data from FIX.
Using this feature, you can enter a secondary poll rate that is longer than the primary poll rate. This
configuration lets you reduce CPU time and communication requests to the process hardware while
ensuring that the datablock is always polled.

Feature: Phasing Poll Rates

Phasing staggers the times at which the I/O driver scans your datablocks. This feature prevents
overruns that may occur when the I/O driver cannot collect all the data at the specified poll rate. Use
phasing to maximize the efficiency of your driver.
How It Works
By specifying a phase, you delay the drivers first attempt to read data from the datablock. When the
phase time expires, the driver resumes reading the datablock at the specified primary or secondary poll
rate.

Feature: Enabling or Disabling Individual Channels, Devices, and

Datablocks
You can enable or disable messaging to channels, devices, or datablocks at any time. This is a very
useful feature for debugging, maintenance, and for making preliminary configurations.
Disable a channel if

You are removing devices on a channel for repair or maintenance and do not want to display
errors.

Disable a device if

You are removing a device for repair or maintenance and do not want to display errors.

You want to reduce the communications load when you do not need to collect data from that
device.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

You want to isolate the device for debugging.

Disable a datablock if

You only want to intermittently view data for a datablock.

You are experiencing a problem with a datablock.

Feature: QuickFail Logic

QuickFail Logic is inherent to GE Fanuc 's version 7.x I/O drivers. Drivers with QuickFail do exactly
that quickly determine if there is a communication problem with a device and, if there is, bypass all
datablocks on the device. The driver intermittently attempts to read or write to the device but does not
linger on the device if it still has a communication failure. The QuickFail feature significantly
increases the efficiency of your process, especially if you have many datablocks configured on one
device.
How It Works
The driver polls a datablock on the device and experiences a communication timeout. If the driver
polls the datablock the specified number of retries and still experiences a communication timeout, it
marks the datablock as failed and sends a message to the next datablock in the queue. Any outstanding
messages for the bad device are failed immediately. Likewise, any messages in the queue intended for
the bad device and all new messages are sent once without retries. The driver continues this process
until the communication problem with the device is resolved.
Purpose
Typically, when a message fails because of a timeout, the cause is a communication problem with the
device. QuickFail lets the driver bypass the problem device to quickly handle other device messages.
Because the driver is not spending unnecessary time on a failed device, it performs more efficiently.
Example
Reply Timeout = 05 (5 seconds)
Retries = 5
Delay Time = 5:00 (5 minutes)
Backup Device = none
The driver attempts to send a message to the process hardware. After 5 seconds, the device still has not
responded so the driver re-sends the message.
The driver tries to send the message 6 times (the first time and then the 5 retries) with 5-second
intervals between each attempt.
Each attempt fails; consequently, the driver marks the datablock as failed. If the driver has messages
for other datablocks on the same device, it sends them only once without retries.
The driver waits 5 minutes before attempting to re-establish communication with the failed device.

Feature: Using Simulation Mode

Simulation mode lets you simulate the connection of the ABR server to the process hardware. This

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

allows you to develop a process database that reads and writes values to the datablock addresses that
you configure in the Power Tool without using actual process hardware. Later, when you want to
switch to real process hardware, you can do so without changing your datablocks or process database.
Simulating a connection to the process hardware is accomplished by writing values directly to the
datablocks themselves instead of sending a request to the ABR server to write the data to the process
hardware. Likewise, values are read directly from each datablock and do not require a read request sent
to the ABR server. These reads always return good data quality.
NOTE: Whenever you enable or disable simulation mode, close all remote connections to the I/O
Server and restart the Power Tool in order for your changes to take effect.

Feature: Using Latched Data

You can preserve a datablocks last read by enabling the Latch Data option. Should a communication
failure occur, Data links to unlatched datablocks display a series of question marks (?????) while Data
links to latched datablocks display the last data polled. This feature is very useful when you need to
create reports about your process and require data at all times. You can also use this option to preserve
the last values on the screen after a communication failure occurs.
Example
Your control system communicates with remote devices by radio transmission. You know that radio
transmission is not always reliable (particularly during inclement weather); however, you must provide
daily reports from your process hardware.
By enabling the Latch Data option for your datablocks, you ensure data is always available for reports.
NOTES: FIX 6.15 does not support latched data. However, you can add support for latched data by
downloading the SAC Software improvement Module (SIM) from GE Fanucs web site.
Analog Register and Digital Register blocks do not support latched data. Consequently, we do not
recommend using these blocks with the Latch Data option.

Feature: Time/Date Stamp for Data and Alarms

GE Fanuc version 7.x I/O drivers record the time and date of the following events:

The driver reads data from the process hardware.

The driver writes data to the process hardware.

An error occurs.

The driver time-stamps the data and errors at the datablock level. To view time and date stamps in the
ABR I/O Driver Power Tool:
1.

Select a datablock from the Tree Browser.

2.

Click the Statistics button from the Run-time toolbar.

Feature: Running as a Windows Service

Version 7.x drivers can run as a Windows Service. Running your driver as a service lets users log on
and off the operating system without shutting down the driver.
By default, an I/O Server does NOT run as a Windows service. To set up the I/O Server to run as a

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

service, you must register it as a service. During installation, the Setup wizard automatically registers
the server as a regular server process. To register it to run as a service, you must run the server on the
command line, specifying that you wish to register it as a service. Once the server is running as a
service, you may need to re-register it in certain situations, such as when you need to change the logon
account.
Before you register the I/O Server to run as a service, follow these steps to ensure that it is not
currently running:

If the driver is currently running as a regular server, you must stop the process by shutting down
all clients to the server, such as the PowerTool or iFIX.

If the driver is currently running as a service, you must stop the process by shutting down all
clients to the server, and you must also perform these tasks on your operating system:

Windows XP and Windows 2000 from Control Panel, select Administrative Tools, then
select Services. A list of all services configured on the machine displays. Locate ABR Server.
If the status is Started, right click and Stop the server.

Windows NT from Control Panel, select the Services icon. A list of all services configured
on the machine displays. Locate ABR Server. If the status is Started, click the Stop button.

Once you stop the server from running, select the Process tab from the Task Manager and verify that
the ABRDRV.exe process is no longer listed.
Registering the I/O Server as a Service
To register the I/O Server as a service:
1.

Select Run from the Windows Start menu.

2.

Enter the following text and click OK:

ABRDrv REGSERVICE

The registration process now allows the user to specify a logon account. This provides
flexibility with the users choice of security settings.
The Logon Account for Running As A Service dialog box appears after the user enters the
command and clicks OK:

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

This dialog box allows the user to select one of these accounts when registering the ABR
driver to run as a service:

FixIOUser Account uses the FixIOUser account to log on the I/O Server. This
conventional account uses a hard-coded password and has the necessary privileges to
log on as a service. You should not modify this account if one or more 7.x drivers
use this as the logon account when running the I/O Server as a service. If you do
modify this account, those drivers will not be able to start as a Windows service.
The FixIOUser account may not be created if it does not conform to your local IT
departments security policies. If this account does not exist, you must select one of
the other two options.
NOTE: If you previously ran the I/O Server as a service without incident, you should
continue to run it using the FixIOUser account.

System Account uses the local system account to log on the I/O Server. This predefined account is useful when your local IT departments security policy requires
password expiration.

This Account uses an account specified by the user to log on the I/O Server. This
account is useful if you need to specify a domain account. The account used here
must be an existing account with both Administrator and Logon as a Service
privileges to run the server as a service. To determine if the account has
Administrator privileges, refer to the manual provided with your operating system.
For example, to determine Administrator privileges in Windows 2000, select
Administrative Tools from Control panel, and then select Users and Passwords. Use
the Local Security Policy Setting tool to grant the account Logon as a Service
privilege.
NOTE: In earlier versions of the ABR driver, the I/O Server was automatically
logged on with the FixIOUser account. This logon was transparent to the user.

Once you register the driver, complete these steps:

1.

Start the Power Tool and make sure the Auto Start option is enabled. Refer to Starting the I/O
Driver from the Power Tool to learn how.

2.

Configure DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model). Refer to How do I set up security
for using the I/O Server remotely? to learn more.

3.

If your Human-Machine Interface (HMI) software is FIX or iFIX, start FIX or iFIX. When
either program runs, it will start the ABR Server as a service.

4.

If your HMI is a third-party package, then complete the following steps instead:
a.

Open the Services icon in Control Panel and change the ABR Server startup from
Manual to Automatic.

b.

Start your HMI software.

You can reset the server to be a regular server process again, by re-registering it as:
ABRDrv REGSERVER

NOTE: Before you register the I/O Server to run as a regular server, you must ensure that it is not
currently running.

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

When registering the server this way, it will run, perform the necessary registration work, and then
exit. You can then start the server by using more conventional methods such as starting FIX, starting
the Power Tool, or any client program capable of communicating with the server.
NOTE: You cannot display the ABR Server window using Alt + Shift + S when running as a service.

Feature: Block Writes

Block writes let you send data to various registers in the hardware at one time by using a special "send"
command. This command instructs the driver to send all outstanding writes in a single protocol
message. Block writes are useful in batch situations where multiple setup parameters are required by
the hardware at one time.
The ABR I/O driver supports block writes for the following file types: A, D, O, L, N, B, and F. On a
PLC5/250, the driver also supports blocks writes for BTD file types. When the driver sends its
outstanding writes, it also sends any unmodified values in the datablocks that are changing using the
last known value. Consequently, we recommend relatively short poll times for datablocks you are
writing to so that the driver will have the most up-to-date data.

To send block writes through FIX

1.

Enable block writes in the datablock you want to use.

2.

Create a Digital Output block with the following address:

!Send:DataBlockName

Note that only datablock names are valid with the !Send control address. You cannot trigger block
writes using any of the following items:

Channel and device names in place of a datablock name.

Analog Output blocks in place of a Digital Output block.

Feature: Advanced Diagnostics

The ABR I/O driver supports statistics and a data scope to help you troubleshoot any errors or
problems you may encounter. The statistics provide timeout, retries, and overruns for the driver and
each channel, device, and datablock defined. The data scope lets you see the transactions between
RSLinx and the ABR driver. The specific protocol characters are not displayed. To display the data
scope, click the Datascope button from the Run-time toolbar.
The ABR driver also provides a data monitoring utility used to view raw data stored in common
memory. To access this utility:
1.

14

Right-click a datablock in the Tree Browser.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

2.

Select Data Viewer from the pop-up menu that appears.

Feature: Validating Datablocks

Using the ABR driver, you can verify that each datablock is configured correctly by clicking the
Validate Datablock button. When you select this button, the driver polls the current datablock to ensure
the file number specified in I/O address is valid and that the datablock can communicate with the
driver. If the driver receives data from the I/O address, the associated datablock is validated. However,
if data is not received, the driver displays an error on the screen.

By using this feature you can quickly determine which datablocks are properly configured in the
process hardware, saving you time troubleshooting your driver configuration.
NOTE: Validating the datablock does not ensure the file type specified is valid.

Feature: Generating Multiple Datablocks

One time-saving feature that the ABR driver provides is the ability to generate multiple consecutive
datablocks. Generating datablocks lets you create many similar datablocks in one step instead of
creating each datablock individually.
Example
For example, suppose you want to access integer data starting at N7:0 and ending at N7:499. To create
the datablocks for this range of values, click the Generate Datablocks button and complete the
following fields as shown:
Enter Start Address: N7:0
Enter Address Length: 500
When the Power Tool creates the datablocks to your configuration, it adds the following:
Name

Address Range

Datablock 1

N7:0 - N7:117

Datablock 2

N7:118 - N7:235

Datablock 3

N7:236 - N7:353

Datablock 4

N7:354 - N7:470

Datablock 5

N7:471 - N7:499

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

NOTE: This example assumes you are communicating on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network.
Under Ethernet, only one block would be generated because Ethernet allows up to 1000 words per
block.

Feature: Digital Pictures of Sample Configurations

The ABR 7.x driver provides digital pictures of sample configurations to help you setup your
hardware. These pictures show where to connect your cables and the accompanying descriptions
explain how to configure RSLinx and the ABR Power Tool so that you can begin receiving data.
The sample configurations provided include:

Configuring a 1784-KT Interface Card

Configuring a 1784-KTX or KTXD Interface Card

Establishing a Serial Connection to Process Hardware

Connecting a 1785-KE Module to Your Computer

Communicating with a 1770-KF2 Device

Communicating with a 1770-KF3 Device

Communicating with a 1747-KE or a 1761 NET AIC Converter to a SLC 5/03

Configuring a PLC5/250 Pyramid Integrator with an Ethernet Module

Establishing an Ethernet Connection to Process Hardware

Offlinking to Remote Devices

Configuring MicroLogix PLCs

Communicating with a ControLogix Gateway

Configuring the 1756-L1 ControLogix Processor

16

Setting up the I/O Driver

The following is a general overview of the steps necessary for setting up your I/O driver.

Stage
1.

Description
Know your process hardware
What device does RSLinx communicate with?
How will the driver communicate with the device? DH+? DH485? Ethernet?
ControLogix?
What type of cable are you using?
What is the address of each device?
What addresses do you want to access and what data do you want to retrieve?
What are the bandwidth limitations of your network and hardware?

2.

Choose the method of configuration

Choosing a Method for Configuring Your Driver

3.

Configure the I/O driver

Configuring Channels
Configuring Devices
Configuring Datablocks
Setting Default Values for Driver, Channels, Devices, and Datablocks

4.

Check the I/O driver status

Using Statistics Mode

5.

Test driver communication with the process hardware

Getting Basic Communication

Supported Hardware
The ABR I/O driver works with many different types of process hardware. This hardware
communicates with an interface card installed in your SCADA server or through the servers serial
port. Below we list the supported hardware and the types of interface cards that the ABR I/O driver can
directly communicate with.

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

PLC 3

KT interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (Data Highway Plus (DH+) only).

PLC 5/20C, PLC 5/40C, PLC 5/60C, and PLC 5/80C

KT and KTC interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

PLC 5/20E, PLC 5/40E, and PLC 5/80E

KT and Ethernet interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

PLC 5/250 PI with an Ethernet interface module*

KT and Ethernet interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

SLC 5/00, 5/01, and 5/02

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH485 only).

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports to a 1770-KF3
(DH485 only).

SLC 5/03

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH485 only).

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

SLC 5/04

KT interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

SLC 5/05

Ethernet interface cards.

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

MicroLogix 1761-L10BWA and 1761-L20BWA-5A PLCs with a 1761-NET-AIC module

KTXD interface cards (DH485 only).

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports to a 1770-KF3
(DH485 only).

1756-GTWY ControLogix Gateway using a 1756-DHRIO module

KT interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

1756-GTWY ControLogix Gateway with a 1756 DHRIO module and a 1756 Lx processor in
the same chassis

KT interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

1756-GTWY ControLogix Gateway using a 1756-DHRIO module to a 1756-DHRIO module

KT interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

1756-GTWY ControLogix Gateway using a 1756-DHRIO module to a 1756-CNB module

KT interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

1756-GTWY ControLogix Gateway using a 1756-ENET module to a 1756-DHRIO module

Ethernet interface cards.

1756-GTWY ControLogix Gateway using a 1756-ENET module to a 1756 Lx processor in

the same chassis

Ethernet interface cards.

1756-GTWY ControLogix Gateway using a 1756-ENET module to a 1756-CNB module

Ethernet interface cards.

1756-GTWY ControLogix Gateway using a 1756-CNB module to a 1756-Lx processor in the

same chassis

KTC interface cards.

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

1747-KE network device**

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

1785-KA5 network device**

KT interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

1785-KE, 1770-KF2, and 1770-KF3 network devices**

KT interface cards.

KTX and KTXD interface cards (DH+ only).

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

1761 Net AIC network devices**

KTXD interface cards (DH485 only).

Serial communication through an interface card or the computers built-in ports.

*Non-Ethernet devices are accessible only through a PLC 5/250 Pyramid Integrator as a gateway.
These devices include an RM (resource manager) module and up to four KA modules (KA1
through KA4).
**These devices let you connect hardware that communicates with different protocols. For example,
you can use a 1770-KF2 to connect your computer (serial) to a PLC 5 (DH+). A 1770-KF3, on the
other hand, lets you connect your computer (serial) to a SLC 5 (DH485).

Supported KT Interface Cards

The ABR I/O driver communicates with the following Allen-Bradley KT interface cards through
RSLinx. These cards reside in your SCADA server and communicate with your process hardware:

1784-KT Data Highway Plus XT/AT Interface Module. GE Fanuc recommends that you use the
Series B version of this card.

1784-KTX Communications Interface Card, Data Highway (DH)/DH+ port, or DH485 port.

1784-KTXD Communications Interface Card, the DH/DH+ ports, and/or DH485 port.

1784-KTCX Communications Interface Card

1784-PCMK Communications Interface Card. The PCMCIA version of the KT card.

1784-PKTX-D Interface Card. The PCI version of the 1784-KTXD card.

1784-PKTX Interface Card. The PCI version of the 1784-PKTX card.

1784-PCIC Interface Card. The PCI version of the 1784-PTCX card. This card is untested with the
ABR driver.

When you install one of these interface cards, make sure that no other device in the computer uses the
same memory location as the KT card. In addition, if you are using a Gateway Pentium, do not use the
B000 memory area. GE Fanuc recommends that you use the D000 area instead.

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

Supported Interface Modules

Module

Description

1747-KE

RS-232 to DH485 converter for SLC processors that connects to the SLCs chassis.

1770-KF2

RS-232 to Data Highway Plus (DH+) external converter.

1770-KF3

RS-232 to DH485 external converter.

1785-KE

PLC 5 module that connects to the PLC 5s chassis.

(RS-232 to DH+).

1785-KA

DH to DH+ converter for a PLC 5 that connects to the PLCs chassis.

1785-KA5

DH+ to DH485 gateway that connects to the PLCs chassis.

1747-AIC

DH485 Link Coupler for SLC processors.

1761 Net AIC

MicroLogix external converter.

Supported Memory Types

NOTE: ASCII writes are supported for A, ST, and N memory types only.

Supported PLC 3 Memory Types

Memory Type

Description

Binary

Counter

BCD

Float

Input

Integer

O (read only)

Output

Status

Timer

UN

Unsolicited (used to receive PLC 2 unprotected writes)

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

Supported PLC 5 Series Memory Types

Memory Type

Description

ASCII

Binary

BT

Block Transfer

Counter

CT

ControlNet Transfer (ControlNet processors only)

BCD

Float

I (read only)

Input

MG

Message Control

Integer

O (read only)

Output

PD

PID Control

Control

Status

ST

String

Timer

UN

Unsolicited (used to receive PLC 2 unprotected writes)

Supported PLC 5/250 (Pyramid Integrator) Memory Types

22

Memory Type

Description

Binary

BR

Block Transfer Read

BTD

Block Transfer Data

BW

Block Transfer Write

Counter

Float

I (read only)

Input

IS

Internal Storage

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory Type

Description

Long

MSG

Message Control

Integer

O (read only)

Output

PD

PID Control

Control

Status

ST

String

Timer

UN

Unsolicited (used to receive PLC 2 unprotected writes)

Supported SLC 5 Series Memory Types

Memory Type

Description

A (SLC 5/03 OS301 or greater)

ASCII

Binary

Counter

F (SLC 5/03 OS301 or greater)

Float

I (SLC 5/03 OS301 or greater)

Input (read only)

Integer

O (SLC 5/03 OS301 or greater)

Output (read only)

Control

Status

ST (SLC 5/03 OS301 or greater)

String

Timer

UN

Unsolicited (used to receive PLC 2 unprotected writes)

Supported MicroLogix PLC Memory Types

Memory Type

Description

Binary

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory Type

Description

Counter

I (read only)

Input

Integer

O (read only)

Output

Control

Status

Timer

Supported ControLogix Gateway Module Memory Types

Memory Type

Description

Binary

Float

Integer

Setting Datablock Address Properties: Start, End, and Length

The Starting Address, Ending Address, and Address Length fields define the memory location in the
device that the datablock represents.
You must always enter a starting address. This is the point in the device that the datablock starts from.
You can then enter either an ending address or an address length to complete the entire block.

Example
You want to create a datablock named DATABLOCK-C that starts at address N7:5 and has a length of
8.
To do this, enter N7:5 in the Starting Address field and 8 in the Address Length field. The Power Tool
automatically completes the Ending Address field with the value N7:12.
DATABLOCK-C reads the following addresses in the N7 file of the device:
00
1920

01

02

03 04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

IIIIII IIIIII IIIIII IIIIII IIIIII IIIIII IIIIII IIIIII

You can also create multiple consecutive datablocks using the Generate Datablocks button on the
Configuration toolbar.

24

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

Example
Suppose you want to create datablocks starting at N7:0 and ending at N7:499. To create the datablocks
for this range of values, click the Generate Datablocks button and complete the following fields as
shown:
Enter Start Address: N7:0
Enter Address Length: 500
When the Power Tool creates the datablocks to your configuration, it adds the following:
Name

Address Range

Datablock 1

N7:0 - N7:117

Datablock 2

N7:118 - N7:235

Datablock 3

N7:236 - N7:353

Datablock 4

N7:354 - N7:470

Datablock 5

N7:471 - N7:499

NOTE: This example assumes you are communicating on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network.
Under Ethernet, only one block would be generated because Ethernet allows up to 1000 words per
block.
Valid addresses and address ranges supported by the ABR driver include:

PLC 3 Addresses

PLC 5 Addresses

PLC 5/250 Addresses

SLC 5/00, SLC 5/01, and SLC 5/02 Addresses

SLC 5/03, SLC 5/04, SLC 5/05 Addresses

MicroLogix PLC 1761-L10BWA Addresses

MicroLogix PLC 1761-L20BWA-5A Addresses

ControLogix 1756 Lx Processor Addresses

NOTE: ASCII writes are supported for A, ST, and N memory types only.
In most cases, when using a KT, KTX, KTXD, or KTC interface card, a datablocks maximum length
varies depending on the file number or address specified, as the following tables show.

ASCII, Binary, BCD, and Integer Datablock Maximum Lengths

When the file number is...

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Less than 256

Less than 256

118

Less than 256

Greater than 255

117

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

When the file number is...

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Greater than 255

Less than 256

117

Greater than 255

Greater than 255

116

Input, Output, and Status Datablock Maximum Lengths

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Less than 256

118

Greater than 255

117

Float Datablock Maximum Lengths

When the file number is...

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Less than 256

Less than 256

59

Less than 256

Greater than 255

58

Greater than 255

Less than 256

58

Greater than 255

Greater than 255

57

Maximum Datablock Lengths for Binary, Internal Storage, Output, Input,

Integer, String, Block Transfer Data, and Unsolicited File Types (PLC 5/250
only)
When the file number is...

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Less than 256

Less than 256

117

Less than 256

Greater than 255

116

Greater than 255

Less than 256

116

Greater than 255

Greater than 255

115

Valid PLC 3 Addresses

26

Memory
Type & File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Maximum
Length for KT
Cards

Maximum
Length for
Ethernet

Example

B0-B9999

Binary

0-9999

Varies

1000

B10:30

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory
Type & File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Maximum
Length for KT
Cards

Maximum
Length for
Ethernet

Example

Counter

0-9999

39

333

C:2

D0-D9999

BCD

0-9999

Varies

1000

D5:75

F0-9999

Float

0-9999

Varies

500

F8:10

Input

0-23417
Octal

Varies

1000

I12:50

N0-N9999

Integer

0-9999

Varies

1000

N7:30

O (read only)

Output

0-23417
Octal

Varies

1000

O21:15

Status

0-9999

Varies

1000

S20:6

Timer

0-9999

39

333

T:3

UN

Unsolicited

0-23417
Octal

118

1000

UN:0

Valid PLC 5 Addresses

Example

Max. Length Unsolicited

Max. Length Offlinking

Max. Length Ethernet

Max. Length - KT
Cards through
Interface Modules

Max. Length - KTC

Cards

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Address Range

Description

Memory Type & File

Number
A3-A9999

ASCII

0-9999

Varies

Varies 112

1000

118

116 A12:250

B3-B9999

Binary

0-9999

Varies

Varies 112

1000

118

114 B3:100

BT3BT9999

Block
Transfer

0-9999

Varies

Varies 112

1000

118

C3-C9999

Counter

0-9999

39

39

37

333

39

CT3-9999

ControlNet
Transfer

0-9999

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

D3-D9999

BCD

0-9999

Varies

Varies 112

1000

118

114 D44:3

F3-F9999

Float

0-9999

Varies

Varies 56

500

59

57

I (read
only)

Input

023417
Octal

Varies

Varies 112

1000

118

114 I:50

BT20:200
38

C5:900
N/A

F8:500

27

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Example

Max. Length Unsolicited

Max. Length Offlinking

Max. Length Ethernet

Max. Length - KT
Cards through
Interface Modules

Max. Length - KTC

Cards

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Address Range

Description

Memory Type & File

Number
MG3MG9999

Message
Control

0-9999

17

PD3PD9999

PID Control

0-9999

12

N3 - N9999

Integer

0-9999

Varies

Varies 112

1000

118

114 N7:300

O (read
only)

Output

023417
Octal

Varies

Varies 112

1000

118

114 O:50

R3-R9999

Control

0-9999

39

39

333

39

38

Status

0-9999

Varies

Varies 112

1000

118

114 S:30

ST3ST9999

String

0-9999

23

T3-T9999

Timer

0-9999

39

39

37

333

39

22

UN

Unsolicited

023417
Octal

N/A

2000

112

2000

118

114 UN:0

37

MG5:90
PD6:18

R6:20

ST34:38
T4:3

*Values represent the maximum size in elements as configured in the PLC 5 Typed Write message
control block.

Valid PLC 5/250 Addresses

28

Memory Type
& File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max.
Length Ethernet

Max. Length Offlinking

Example

B3-B9999

Binary

0-9999

1000

Varies

B13:5

BR3-BR9999

Block Transfer
Read

0-9999

BR24:8

BTD0-254

Block Transfer
Data

0-254

255

Varies

BTD2:0

BW3-BW9999

Block Transfer
Write

0-9999

BW25:70

C3-C9999

Counter

0-9999

333

40

C35:2

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory Type
& File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max.
Length Ethernet

Max. Length Offlinking

Example

F3-F9999

Float

0-9999

500

60

F45:12

I (read only)

Input

0-23417
Octal

1000

Varies

I:6

IS

Internal
Storage

0-23417
Octal

1000

Varies

IS:7

L0-L9999

Long

0-9999

500

60

L92:1

MSG3MSG9999

Message
Control

0-9999

17

MSG53:4

N0-N9999

Integer

0-9999

1000

Varies

N7:0

O (read only)

Output

0-23417
Octal

1000

Varies

O:64

PD3-PD999

PID Control

0-9999

12

PD200:29

R3-R9999

Control

0-9999

333

40

R76:35

Status

0-9999

1000

Varies

S:306

ST3-ST9999

String

0-9999

23

ST89:38

T3-T9999

Timer

0-9999

333

19

T4:10

UN

Unsolicited

0-23417
Octal

2000

Varies

UN:8

Valid SLC 5/00, SLC 5/01, and SLC 5/02 Addresses

Memory Type & File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

B3,
B10-B255

Binary

0-255

41

B3:10

C5,
C10-C255

Counter

0-255

13

C5:15

N7,
N10-N255

Integer

0-255

41

N7:20

R6,
R10-R255

Control

0-255

13

R6:25

Status

0-15

41

S:0

29

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory Type & File

Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

T4,
T10-T255

Timer

0-255

13

T:30

Valid SLC 5/03, SLC 5/04, SLC 5/05 Addresses

Memory Type
& File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max.
Length KT Cards

Max. Length Ethernet (SLC

5/05 only)

Example

A3-A9999

ASCII

0-9999

Varies

1000

A11:6

B3-B9999

Binary

0-9999

Varies

1000

B3:10

C3-C9999

Counter

0-9999

39

333

C5:20

F3-F9999

Float

0-9999

Varies

500

F8:30

I (read only)

Input

0-9999

Varies

1000

I:2

N3-N9999

Integer

0-9999

Varies

1000

N7:0

O (read only)

Output

0-9999

Varies

1000

O:1

R3-R9999

Control

0-9999

39

333

R6:21

S:0

Status

0-9999

Varies

1000

S:12

ST3-ST9999

String

0-9999

23

ST12:34

T3-T9999

Timer

0-9999

39

333

T4:8

UN

Unsolicited

0-9999

118

1000

UN:50

Valid MicroLogix PLC 1761-L10BWA Addresses*

30

Memory Type & File

Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

B3

Binary

0-255

Varies

B3:31

C5

Counter

0-255

39

C5:25

I (read only)

Input

0-1

I:0

N7

Integer

0-255

Varies

N7:0

O (read only)

Output

0-0

O:0

R6

Control

0-255

39

R6:13

Status

0-24

Varies

S:21

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory Type & File

Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

T4

Timer

0-255

39

T4:39

* Consult your MicroLogix hardware manuals for any hardware limits on the address range.

Valid MicroLogix PLC 1761-L20BWA-5A Addresses*

Memory Type & File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

B3

Binary

0-255

Varies

B3:31

C5

Counter

0-255

39

C5:25

I (read only)

Input

0-127

I:0

N7

Integer

0-255

Varies

N7:0

O (read only)

Output

0-0

O:0

R6

Control

0-255

39

R6:13

Status

0-24

Varies

S:21

T4

Timer

0-255

39

T4:39

* Consult your MicroLogix hardware manuals for any hardware limits on the address range.

Supported ControLogix 1756 Lx Processor Memory Types

Memory Type
& File Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length
- KT Cards

Max. Length
- Ethernet

Example

F0-F999

Float

0-9999

Varies

500

F8:500

N0 - N999

Integer

0-9999

Varies

1000

N7:300

Supported Mnemonics
The ABR driver supports the following mnemonics:

Adapter Status

Block Transfer

Block Transfer Read and Block Transfer Write

Control

ControlNet Transfer

Counter

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

Message Control

PID

String

Timer

Adapter Status Mnemonics

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder Address

Description

Block Type

CF

Device1:AS10:0.CF

Fault

Digital

OI

Device1:AS10:0.OI

Output Inhibit

Digital

RC

Device1:AS10:0.RC

Retry Count

Analog

Counter Mnemonics
Mnemonic

Example Database Builder

Address

Description

Block
Type

ACC

Device1:C5:52.ACC

Counter Accumulated
Value

Analog

CD
(read only)

Device1:C5:52.CD

Counter Down Enabled

Digital

CU
(read only)

Device1:C5:52.CU

Counter Up Enabled

Digital

DN

Device1:C5:52.DN

Counter Done

Digital

OV
(read only)

Device1:C5:52.OV

Counter Overflow

Digital

PRE

Device1:C5:52.PRE

Counter Preset Value

Analog

UN
(read only)

Device1:C5:52.UN

Counter Underflow

Digital

(read only)

ControlNet Transfer Mnemonics

32

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder

Address

Description

Block
Type

CO

Device1:CT12:0.CO

Continuous Mode of
Operation Bit

Digital

DATA0 through
DATA15

Device1:CT12:0.DATA0

Data Word 1 through Data

Word 15

Analog

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder

Address

Description

Block
Type

DLEN

Device1:CT12:0.DLEN

Done Length Word

Analog

DN

Device1:CT12:0.DN

Done Bit

Digital

ELEM

Device1:CT12:0.ELEM

File Transfer Element

Number Word

Analog

EN

Device1:CT12:0.EN

Enable Bit

Digital

ER

Device1:CT12:0.ER

Error Bit

Digital

ERR

Device1:CT12:0.ERR

Error Code Word

Analog

EW

Device1:CT12:0.EW

Enable Waiting Bit

Digital

FILE

Device1:CT12:0.FILE

File Transfer Number

Word

Analog

RLEN

Device1:CT12:0.RLEN

Requested Length Word

Analog

ST

Device1:CT12:0.ST

Start Bit

Digital

TO

Device1:CT12:0.TO

Timeout Bit

Analog

Message Control Mnemonics

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder

Address

Description

Block
Type

AD (PLC5/250
only)

Device1:MSG0:1.AD

Asynchronous Done

Digital

AE (PLC5/250
only)

Device1:MSG0:1.AE

Asynchronous Error

Digital

CO

Device1:MSG0:1.CO

Continuous

Digital

DLEN

Device1:MSG0:1.DLEN

Received Data Length

Analog

DN

Device1:MSG0:1.DN

Message Done

Digital

EN

Device1:MSG0:1.EN

Message Enabled

Digital

ER

Device1:MSG0:1.ER

Error

Digital

ERR

Device1:MSG0:1.ERR

Error Code (valid when ER is

set)

Analog

EW

Device1:MSG0:1.EW

Awaiting Execution

Digital

NR*

Device1:MSG0:1.NR

No Response from Target

Processor

Digital

33

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder

Address

Description

Block
Type

RLEN

Device1:MSG0:1.RLEN

Requested Data Length

Analog

ST

Device1:MSG0:1.ST

Start Message Transmitting

Digital

TO*

Device1:MSG0:1.TO

Timeout Bit (stops message

from processing)

Digital

*These mnemonics are not supported by a PLC5/250.

PID Mnemonics

34

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder

Address

Description

Block
Type

BIAS

Device11:PD18:0.BIAS

Output Bias %

Analog

CA

Device11:PD18:0.CA

Control Action

Digital

CL

Device1:PD18:0.CL

Cascaded Loop

Digital

CT

Device1:PD18:0.CT

Cascaded Type

Digital

DB

Device1:PD18:0.DB

Dead band

Analog

DO

Device1:PD18:0.DO

Derivative Of

Digital

DVDB

Device1:PD18:0.DVDB

Deviation Alarm Dead band

Analog

DVNA
(read only)

Device1:PD18:0.DVNA

Deviation Negative Alarm

Digital

DVPA
(read only)

Device1:PD18:0.DVPA

Deviation Positive Alarm

Digital

EN

Device1:PD18:0.EN

Status Enabled

Digital

ERR

Device1:PD18:0.ERR

Error

Analog

EWD
(read only)

Device1:PD18:0.EWD

Error Within Dead band

Digital

INI

Device1:PD18:0.INI

PID Initialization

Digital

KD

Device1:PD18:0.KD

Derivative Gain

Analog

KI

Device1:PD18:0.KI

Integral Gain

Analog

KP

Device1:PD18:0.KP

Proportional Gain

Analog

MAXI

Device1:PD18:0.MAXI

Input Range Maximum

Analog

MAXO

Device1:PD18:0.MAXO

Output Limit High %

Analog

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder

Address

Description

Block
Type

MAXS

Device1:PD18:0.MAXS

EGU Maximum

Analog

MINI

Device1:PD18:0.MINI

Input Range Minimum

Analog

MINO

DEVICE1:PD18:0.MINO

Output Limit Low %

Analog

MINS

Device1:PD18:0.MINS

EGU Minimum

Analog

MO

Device1:PD18:0.MO

Mode

Digital

OLH
(read only)

Device1:PD18:0.OLH

Output Limit High

Digital

OLL
(read only)

Device1:PD18:0.OLL

Output Limit Low

Digital

OUT

Device1:PD18:0.OUT

Output %

Analog

PE

Device1:PD18:0.PE

PID Equation

Digital

PV

Device1:PD18:0.PV

Process Variable

Analog

PVDB

Device1:PD18:0.PVDB

PV Alarm Dead band

Analog

PVH

Device1:PD18:0.PVH

PV Alarm High

Analog

PVHA
(read only)

Device1:PD18:0.PVHA

PV High Alarm

Digital

PVL

Device1:PD18:0.PVL

PV Alarm Low

Analog

PVLA
(read only)

Device1:PD18:0.PVLA

PV Low Alarm

Digital

DVN

Device1:PD18:0.DVN

Deviation Alarm -

Analog

DVP

Device1:PD18:0.DVP

Deviation Alarm+

Analog

PVT

Device1:PD18:0.PVT

PV Tracking

Digital

SO

Device1:PD18:0.SO

Set Output %

Analog

SP

Device1:PD18:0.SP

Set Point

Analog

SPOR
(read only)

Device1:PD18:0.SPOR

SP Out Of Range

Digital

SWM

Device1:PD18:0.SWM

Software Auto/Manual
Mode

Digital

TIE

Device1:PD18:0.TIE

Tieback %

Analog

UPD

Device1:PD18:0.UPD

Update Time

Analog

35

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Control Mnemonics
Mnemonic

Example Database Builder Address

Description

Block Type

DN

Device1:R6:0:DN

Done

Digital

EM

Device1:R6:0:EM

Empty

Digital

EN

Device1:R6:0.EN

Enable

Digital

ER

Device1:R6:0:ER

Error

Digital

EU

Device1:R6:0:EU

Enable unloading

Digital

FD

Device1:R6:0:FD

Found

Digital

IN

Device1:R6:0:IN

Inhibit comparisons

Digital

LEN

Device1:R6:0:LEN

Length

Analog

POS

Device1:R6:0:POS

Position

Analog

UL

Device1:R6:0:UL

Unload

Digital

String Mnemonics
Mnemonic

Example Database Builder Address

Description

Block Type

LEN
(read only)

Device1:ST10:0.LEN

Text Length

Analog

TEXT

Device1:ST10:0.TEXT

Text Data

Text

Timer Mnemonics

36

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder Address

Description

Block Type

ACC

Device1:T4:52.ACC

Timer Accumulated Value

Analog

DN
(read only)

Device1:T4:52.DN

Timer Done

Digital

EN

Device1:T4:52.EN

Timer Enabled

Digital

PRE

Device1:T4:52.PRE

Timer Preset Value

Analog

TT
(read only)

Device1:T4:52.TT

Timer Running

Digital

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Block Transfer Read and Block Transfer Write Mnemonics (PLC5/250 only)
Mnemonic

Example Database Builder Address

Description

Block Type

AD

Device1:BR:1.AD
Device1:BW:1:AD

Asynchronous Done

Digital

AE

Device1:BR:1.AE
Device1:BW:1:AE

Asynchronous Error

Digital

CO

Device1:BR:1.CO
Device1:BW:1:CO

Continue

Digital

DLEN

Device1:BR:1:DLEN
Device1:BW:1:DLEN

Transmitted word count

Analog

DN

Device1:BR:1.DN
Device1:BW:1:DN

Transfer Done

Digital

EC

Device1:BR:1.EC
Device1:BW:1:EC

Error Code

Analog

EN

Device1:BR:1.EN
Device1:BW:1:EN

Transfer Enabled

Digital

ER

Device1:BR:1.ER
Device1:BW:1:ER

Error

Digital

EW

Device1:BR:1.EW
Device1:BW:1:EW

Awaiting Execution

Digital

FILE

Device1:BR:1.FILE
Device1:BW:1:FILE

File Number

Analog

IDX

Device1:BR:1.IDX
Device1:BW:1:IDX

File Index

Analog

PLEN

Device1:BR:1.PLEN
Device1:BW:1:PLEN

Requested word count

Analog

ST

Device1:BR:1.ST
Device1:BW:1:ST

Start Transfer

Digital

TOUT

Device1:BR:1.TOUT
Device1:BW:1:TOUT

Timeout

Analog

Block Transfer Mnemonics (PLC5 only)

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder Address

Description

Block Type

CO

Device1:BT:1.CO

Continue

Digital

DLEN

Device1:BT:1:DLEN

Transmitted word count

Analog

37

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Mnemonic

Example Database Builder Address

Description

Block Type

DN

Device1:BT:1.DN

Transfer Done

Digital

ELEM

Device1:BT:1.ELEM

Element Number

Analog

EN

Device1:BT:1.EN

Transfer Enabled

Digital

ER

Device1:BT:1.ER

Error

Digital

EW

Device1:BT:1.EW

Awaiting Execution

Digital

FILE

Device1:BT:1.FILE

File Type Number

Analog

NR

Device1:BT:1.NR

No response

Digital

RGS

Device1:BT:1.RGS

Rack/Group/Slot

Analog

RLEN

Device1:BT:1.PLEN

Requested word count

Analog

RW

Device1:BT:1.RW

Read/write bit

Digital

ST

Device1:BT:1.ST

Start Transfer

Digital

TO

Device1:BT:1.TO

Timeout

Digital

Required Software
Operating System

Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5 or greater

Windows 2000 with Service Pack 1 or greater

Windows Server 2003

Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or greater. If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2,
refer to the Support for Windows XP SP2 topic in your RSLinx 2.43 or greater online help. It
contains important information regarding the configuration of the Windows Firewall.

Rockwell Software
RSLinx version 2.10.118 through version Classic 2.50.00.20. Consult the requirements for your
operating system to determine the appropriate version. RSLinx requires an activation file. You can
determine if you have an activation file by starting the application and examining the title bar. If the
text RSLinx Lite appears in the title bar you need an activation file, DTL32.DLL. Contact Rockwell
Software at 440-646-7800 to obtain an activation file.
Rockwell programming software. This software is needed to configure the communication parameters
of your hardware, the memory types available to the ABR driver, and any ladder logic you require. For
more information on available programming software, contact Rockwell Software at 440-646-7800.
NOTE: Using a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) software package is not required to use the ABR
driver. However, if you choose to use an HMI software package, select one of the following:

38

ABR I/O Driver Manual

FIX version 6.15 or greater for Windows NT.

Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX version 2.1 or greater.

Proficy HMI/SCADA CIMPLICITY version 6.0 or greater

A third-party HMI software package.

Using the ABR I/O Driver with Windows XP Service Pack 2

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes many changes and security enhancements that
will directly affect all iFIX drivers that use DCOM for remote connectivity. In addition, any iFIX
Ethernet driver that supports the receipt of unsolicited messages (UDP or TCP) from the hardware
(PLC, controller, or some other remote machine) can also be affected.
NOTE: For information about settings for Windows XP with Service Pack 2, go to
http://globalcare.gefanuc.com. and click the link to Important Information Regarding Microsoft XP
Service Pack 2.

Cabling
The network protocol used by your process hardware and your SCADA server determines the type of
cable you require. For example, if the hardware communicates using Ethernet, you need a standard
Ethernet cable.
However, if you plan to use Data Highway Plus (DH+), DH485, or ControlNet, refer to your process
hardware documentation to determine the type of cable you need. Likewise, when the SCADA server
communicates using its serial port to an interface module (such as, a 1770-KF2), refer to the sample
configurations described in this help system.
Use the following diagrams to help guide you as you connect and cable your hardware.

39

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Serial Connections

40

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Ethernet Connections

41

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Data Highway Plus Connections

42

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Data Highway 485 Connections

ControlNet Connections

43

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Data Highway Connections

Configuring the Hardware

In order to communicate with the ABR driver, you need to create RSLinx drivers using a configuration
utility, RSLinx. This program lets you configure the communication settings of each RSLinx driver to
match the settings of your process hardware. These communication settings are provided to the ABR
Power Tool under a specific name. For example, the communication parameters for a PLC 5 residing
on an Ethernet network might all be available to the ABR driver with the name AB_ETH1.
RSLinx does not allow you to set the value of each devices attributes; it just reads the current value
and provides access to them. To configure your process hardware or enter ladder logic, use
programming software, such as RSLogix. For more information about RSLinx and RSLogix, contact
Rockwell Software at 440-646-7800.

Programming the Hardware

You can program your process hardware to execute ladder logic programs with your PLCs
programming software. To learn more about your process hardwares programming tools, refer to your
process hardware programming documentation.

Upgrading to ABR 7.x from ABR 6.x

If you are upgrading from a version 6.x ABK, ABE, or ABR driver, use the following steps as a guide.
Also refer to The Differences Between 6.x and 7.x Drivers to learn what has changed.

44

1.

Uninstall the previous version of the driver. Do not install the new version over the old
version.

2.

Install the new version.

3.

Add the driver to the SCADA configuration and the Task list in the System Configuration
Utility (SCU) so that the driver automatically starts when you start FIX or iFIX

4.

If you have no process database to import, use the Auto Create option to create datablocks

ABR I/O Driver Manual

automatically.

If you have a process database to import and you want Database Builder to create
datablocks for you, you can configure the driver using the Auto Create option. Do
not import a CSV version of your old driver configuration. Create a new one with the
Power Tool.

If you have a process database to import and you do not want Database Builder to
create datablocks for you automatically, you can create the datablocks with the
Power Tool. Typically, you create datablocks manually when your driver
configuration uses many different data types for the same file type. For example, if
you have unsigned data for N7:101 through N7:200 and signed data for N7:0 through
N7:100 and N7:201 through N7:300, you do not want to use the Auto Create option
because it creates datablocks with one data type, based on the selected datablock
defaults.

Upgrading to ABR 7.x from ABR 7.x

You can upgrade from one version of the ABR 7.x driver to another using the steps provided below.
Before you begin:
1.

Create a directory on your hard disk and copy:

a.

Your process database file (databasename.PDB).

b.

Your ABR configuration file (filename.ABR).

Typically, the process database resides in your Database path. The ABR configuration file
resides in the default file name path defined in the Power Tool.
2.

Save the existing driver configuration file as a Text (*.csv) file. To do this:
a.

Select Save As from the File menu in the Power Tool.

b.

Select Text Files (*.CSV) from the Save File as Type field.

The Power Tool saves the CSV file in the default file name path.
3.

4.

Export the process database as follows:

a.

Start Database Builder.

b.

Select Export from the Database menu. If you are using FIX32, the exported
database resides in a *.GDB file in the \PDB directory. However, if you are using
iFIX, you can export the database to a CSV file. Regardless of the format, the
exported file resides in the \PDB directory.

Rename the existing filename.ABR and DEFAULT.ABR files residing in the default file
name path to filename.OLD and DEFAULT.OLD.

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Upgrading the ABR 7.x driver:

1.

Create a temporary directory on your hard drive, for example, C:\upgrade.

2.

Uninstall the existing ABR driver:

3.

a.

Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon in Control Panel.

b.

Locate and highlight the ABR I/O Server.

c.

Click the Add/Remove button to uninstall it.

If you are installing a new version from the Driver CD, click the Install Driver button, select
the ABR 7.x driver, and click the Install Now button. Follow the instructions on the screen
and when the installation completes, refer to After Upgrading.
However, if you downloaded a SIM from the GE Fanuc web site, extract your driver files to
the temporary directory:

4.

a.

If the downloaded file is a *.EXE file, copy it to the temporary directory, and double
click it to extract the files.

b.

If this downloaded file is a *.ZIP file, run WinZip and extract the files to the
directory.

c.

If you have individual driver files, copy them to your temporary directory.

Install the new version of the ABR driver from the temporary directory you created:
a.

Double-click the Setup.exe icon.

b.

Click Next until prompted for the location of FIX or iFIX on your computer.

c.

Verify that the location of FIX or iFIX is correct and click Next. Otherwise, enter the
correct location.

d.

Select Server as the Node Type.

e.

Enter the FIX node name of this computer as specified in the System Configuration
Utility (SCU).

f.

Enter the name of the folder in the Windows Start menu that you want the ABR
driver to be placed in. By default, the ABR driver and its help file are placed in the
FIX or iFIX folder.

g.

Click Finish to install the ABR driver.

After upgrading:
1.

46

Start the new version of the Power Tool.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

2.

Enter the default configuration file name and verify the default path:
a.

Click the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

b.

Select the Default Path tab.

d.

Enter the configuration files default name in the field provided.

e.

Confirm the default path is correct. If it is not, change it.

3.

Select Open from the File menu.

4.

Select Text Files (*.CSV) from the List Files of Type field. The previously saved *.CSV file
should appear in the file list.

5.

Double-click the CSV file to read your old configuration back into the Power Tool.

6.

Select Save As from the File menu.

7.

Enter filename.ABR as the file name.

8.

Close the Power Tool and start FIX or iFIX.

Once you import the OPC Server configuration, we recommend that you import your process database
as follows:
1.

Save and reload the driver configuration.

2.

Start Database Builder and select Reload from the Database menu.

3.

Select the local node and double-click the file EMPTY.PDB.

4.

Select Import from the Database menu.

5.

Select the *.GDB or *.CSV file that you saved before the upgrade. After the import is
complete, a window appears and tells you if there were any import errors. If there were they
will be described in a file named IMPORT.ERR. This file resides in the \PDB directory.

6.

Select Save As from the Database menu.

7.

Save the database with the name specified in the SCU.

8.

Select Reload from the Database menu.

9.

Select the local node and double-click the database you just saved.

47

Sample Configurations
Disclaimer
Important Note: The sample configurations provided in this document are for informational purposes
only. GE Fanuc does not warrant the accuracy of the information and assumes no responsibility for
errors or omissions to the instructions provided.
GE Fanuc recommends that you contact the manufacturer of the hardware to answer any specific
questions or to clarify possible inconsistencies.

Configuring a 1784-KT Interface Card

With a 1784-KT interface card installed in your SCADA server, the ABR driver can communicate with
process hardware on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network. These devices include a PLC 3, a PLC 5, a
SLC 5/04, or a ControLogix Gateway. Note that a PLC 3 requires a 1775-S5 module installed in its
chassis in order to communicate on a DH+ network; likewise, the ControLogix Gateway requires a
1756-DHRIO module.
The following figures show how to set the address switches and jumpers on the 1784-KT interface
card.
Location of 1784-KT Switches and Jumpers

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Valid 1784-KT Addresses and Switch Settings

To establish communication with a 1784-KT card:

1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for the interface card.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver with the correct baud rate, memory address, device type, station
number, station name, interrupt level, and network type.

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Notice
the devices address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the interface card.

6.

Add a device, select the type of hardware you want to communicate with from the PLC Type
field, and enter the devices address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

7.

Add the datablocks you need.

Configuring a 1784-KTX or KTXD Interface Card

1784-KTX or KTXD interface cards installed in your SCADA server enable the ABR driver to
communicate over a Data Highway Plus (DH+) or DH485 network, depending on how your configure
the interface cards. Once installed and configured, 1784 KTX and KTXD cards enable the ABR driver
to communicate with a wide variety of devices including PLC 5s, PLC 5/250s, SLC 5s, MicroLogix
processors, and ControLogix hardware.

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Location of the 1784-KTX and KTXD Dials and Jumpers

Dial...

Selects...

SW1 and
SW2

Base address for channel 2.

SW3 and
SW4

Base address for channel 1. Channel 1A communicates using DH+. Channel 1B

uses DH485.

Cabling
Use a 3-pin phoenix cable to connect the interface card to your process hardware on a DH+ network,
as the following figure shows.

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Use a 6-pin phoenix cable to connect the card to hardware on a DH485 network as shown below.

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MicroLogix Cabling
If you are connecting to MicroLogix hardware, use a 6-pin phoenix (DH485) cable to connect the card
to a 1761 NET AIC device. Next, use 1761-CBL-HM02 Series B cable to connect the 1761 NET AIC
to the MicroLogix processor. Refer to Configuring MicroLogix PLCs to learn how to configure
RSLinx and the ABR driver.

ControLogix Cabling
To connect ControLogix hardware to the interface card, refer to Communicating with a ControLogix
Gateway.
After cabling your hardware, configure RSLinx and the Power Tool to establish communication with
the interface card.
To establish communication with a 1784-KTX or KTXD card:
1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for the interface card.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver with the correct baud rate, memory address, device type, station
number, station name, interrupt level, and network type.

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the interface card.

6.

Add a device and select the type of hardware you want to communicate with from the PLC
Type field.

7.

Enter the address of the target device in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

Establishing a Serial Connection to Process Hardware

You can establish a serial connection between your SCADA server and any of the following hardware:

PLC 5

SLC 5/03

SLC 5/04

SLC 5/05

MicroLogix processor

You can connect any of these devices to your SCADA server as the following figures show.

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The pin outs for the 1747 CP3 cable are:

To complete the serial connection:

1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for an RS-232 device.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver by clicking the Auto Configure button. It should set up the
driver with settings similar to the following configuration:

Setting
Device

Value

SLC-CH0/Micro/PanelView
for SLC devices

PLC-CH0 for PLC 5

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Setting

Value

Duplex

Full

Baud Rate

19200

Stop Bits

Parity

None

Error Checking

CRC for SLC 5/03 or 5/04

BCC for SLC 5/05 or PLC 5

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices station address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the serial port.

6.

Add a device and select the type of hardware you want to communicate with from the PLC
Type field.

7.

Enter the devices address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

NOTE: You can establish half-duplex communication to a SLC processor with RSLinx. Set the RSLinx
drivers protocol to half duplex and the station ID of the RSLinx driver and the SLC processor to 0.
Refer to the Allen-Bradley technical note number P845 for more information.

Connecting a 1785-KE Module to Your Computer

You can connect a 1785-KE module to your SCADA server using a serial cable and 3-pin phoenix
connector cable (Data Highway Plus (DH+) network cable). Use the following figures as a guide. To
offlink with a 1785-KE module, refer to the topic Offlinking to Remote Devices.

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The pin outs for the serial cable are:

Set the 1785-KE modules dip switches as follows:

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Switch

Value

Function

SW1

000001
123456

BCC error checking, no parity, Embedded Response No

SW2

11110111
12345678

Station 10

SW3

110111
123456

DH+; 57.6K baud, RS-232, 9600, Local Address

SW4

1111
1234

Reserved

Off = 0; On=1
Once the dip switches are set, configure RSLinx to establish a connection.
To configure RSLinx and the Power Tool for a 1785-KE module:

58

1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for an RS-232 device.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver by clicking the Auto Configure button. It should set up the
driver with settings similar to the following configuration:

Setting

Value

Device

1770-KF2/1785-KE

Duplex

Full

Baud Rate

9600

Stop Bits

Parity

None

Error Checking

BCC

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices station address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the 1785-KE module.

6.

Add a device and select the type of hardware you want to communicate with from the PLC
Type field.

7.

Enter the address of the SLC or PLC 5 in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Communicating with a 1770-KF2 Device

A 1770-KF2 is a serial device that lets your SCADA server communicate with a SLC 5/04 or PLC 5
over a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network, as the following figures show.

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Set the KF2s dip switches as follows. You can access the switches through a door on the bottom on
the device.
Switch

Setting

Function

SW1

00000
12345

Full duplex, BCC error checking, none

SW2 through SW4

00000010
12123123

Address = 2

SW5

11
12

Net rate, 57.6K baud, DH+

SW6

0111
1234

RS-232, 9600

SW7

10
12

Peer link

SW8

01
12

Protocol, RS-232/422

Off = 0; On=1
Next, configure RSLinx to establish a connection.

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To configure RSLinx and the Power Tool for a 1770-KF2 device:

1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for an RS-232 device.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver by clicking the Auto Configure button. It should set up the
driver with settings similar to the following configuration:

Setting

Value

Device

1770-KF2/1785-KE

Duplex

Full

Baud Rate

9600

Stop Bits

Parity

None

Error Checking

BCC

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices station address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the KF2.

6.

Add a device and select the type of hardware you want to communicate with from the PLC
Type field.

7.

Enter the address of the SLC or PLC 5 in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

Using a 1785-KA Module

You can also connect a KF2 device to a Data Highway (DH) to DH+ converter (1785-KA module).
This module enables DH networks to communicate with a PLC 5 over DH+, as the following figure
shows.

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

Connecting the hardware and configure it is very similar to using a KF2 device alone. The main
difference is that SW7 on the KF2 is set as follows:
Switch

Setting

Function

SW7

00
12

Peer link

The 15-pin to 15-pin cable between the KF2 and the 1785-KA module has the following pin outs.

Once you connect the hardware, configure RSLinx and the Power Tool.
To configure RSLinx and the Power Tool for a 1770-KF2 device:

62

1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for the KF2.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver by clicking the Auto Configure button. It should set up the
driver with settings similar to the following configuration:

Setting

Value

Device

1770-KF2/1785-KE

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Setting

Value

Duplex

Full

Baud Rate

9600

Stop Bits

Parity

None

Error Checking

BCC

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices station address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the KF2.

6.

Add a device and select the type of hardware you want to communicate with from the PLC
Type field.

7.

Enter the address of the PLC 5 in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

Communicating with a 1770-KF3 Device

1770-KF3 devices enable the ABR driver to communicate with MicroLogix processors, SLC 5/00,
SLC 5/01, SLC 5/02, and SLC 5/03 hardware over a Data Highway (DH) 485 network. For
information on configuring MicroLogix hardware, refer to Configuring MicroLogix PLCs.
You can establish communication with SLC 5s and a 1770-KF3 device by connecting your hardware
as the following figures show.

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Use the buttons and information on the bottom of the KF3 and configure the device as follows:
Option

Data

Description

03

Node Address

19

DH485, 19200 Baud

01

Diagnostic command execution

19

RS-232 Baud Rate 19200

00

No parity

00

DF1 Protocol, Full Duplex

01

Error Detection, CRC

00

Modem Handshake disabled

01

Duplicate message detection enabled

--

AC

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Next, configure RSLinx to establish a connection.

To configure RSLinx and the Power Tool for a 1770-KF3 device:
1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for an RS-232 device.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver by clicking the Auto Configure button. It should set up the
driver with the settings similar to the following configuration:

Setting

Value

Device

1770-KF3/1747-KE

Duplex

Full

Baud Rate

19200

Stop Bits

Parity

None

Error Checking

CRC

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the KF3.

6.

Add a device and select SLC5 from the PLC Type field.

7.

Enter the SLCs address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

Communicating with a 1747-KE or a 1761 NET AIC Converter to a

SLC 5/03
Using a rack-mounted DF1 to DH485 converter (1747-KE) or an external MicroLogix converter (1761
NET AIC), the ABR driver can communicate with a SLC 5/03 using your SCADA servers serial port.

Setting up a 1747-KE Converter

You can connect a 1747-KE converter as the following figure shows.

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Once you have cabled the hardware together, configure RSLinx and the Power Tool.
To configure RSLinx and the Power Tool for a 1747-KE Converter:
1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for an RS-232 device.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver with the following settings:

Setting

Value

Device

1770-KF3/1747-KE

Duplex

Full

Baud Rate

9600

Stop Bits

Parity

None

Error Checking

BCC

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the converter.

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6.

Add a device and select SLC5 from the PLC Type field.

7.

Enter the SLCs address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

Setting up a 1761 NET AIC Converter

A 1761 NET AIC converter connects to a SLC 5/03 as shown below.

After cabling the hardware together, configure RSLinx and the Power Tool.
To configure RSLinx and the Power Tool for a 1761 NET AIC Converter

68

1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for the 1761 NET AIC Converter by selecting the
1747-PIC/AIC+ driver from RSLinx.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver by clicking the Auto Configure button. It should set up the
driver with settings similar to the following configuration:

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Setting

Value

Device

1770-KF3/1747-KE

Baud Rate

19200

Station Number

00

Max Station Number

31

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured.

6.

Add a device and select SLC5 from the PLC Type field.

7.

Enter the SLCs address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

Configuring a PLC 5/250 Pyramid Integrator with an Ethernet

Module
A PLC 5/250 chassis consists of eight slots (0 through 7) and a power supply. Typically, when an
Ethernet module is installed in the chassis, communicating with the PLC 5/250 is handled using the
modules AUI port and a 10-Base-T connection.
You can use a PLC 5/250 as a gateway to other devices on the Data Highway Plus (DH+) network or
you can communicate directly to the modules installed in the device. The following figures show each
configuration.

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When communicating to devices on DH+ network, the Resource Manager (RM) or a KA module in the
PLC 5/250 chassis establishes the connection between the DH+ devices and the SCADA server. Each
module communicates through Channel 2 or 3. You can configure each channel with programming
software.

When communicating directly to a module in the chassis, the Ethernet module handles communication.

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Use these figures to connect your hardware. Once you have connected the hardware together, use the
PLCs programming software to configure its IP address. Be sure to ping the PLC to ensure the device
is communicating and that the IP address is configured correctly. Next, configure RSLinx and the ABR
Power Tool.
To configure a PLC 5/250 as a gateway to DH+ devices:
1.

Start RSLinx and add an Ethernet driver to communicate with the controller.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver with the correct IP address to establish communication with
RSLinx.

3.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

4.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured to communicate with the controller.

5.

Add a device and set the following device properties:

Set the property...

To...

PLC Type

PLC5250

Primary Routing

PLC5250 ENET to DH+

PLC5/250 Routing

The module and the channel (2 or 3) your DH+ network is

connected to.

Destination DH+ Addr

The destination devices network (station) address.

Destination PLC Type

The type of device you want to access through the PLC 5/250.

Primary Channel Primary

Address

The IP address of the PLC 5/250.

6.

Add the datablocks you need.

To configure a direct connection to a module in the PLC 5/250 chassis:

1.

Start RSLinx and add an Ethernet driver to communicate with the controller.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver with the correct IP address.

3.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

4.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured to communicate with the controller. Typically,
this driver is AB_ETH1.

5.

Add a device and select PLC5250 as the PLC Type.

6.

Select None from the Primary Routing field.

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7.

Enter the module number you want to communicate with in the PLC 5/250 Module field.

8.

Enter the IP address of the PLC 5/250 in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

9.

Add the datablocks you need.

Establishing an Ethernet Connection to Process Hardware

You can establish an Ethernet connection between your SCADA server and any of the following
hardware:

SLC 5/05

PLC 5/20E

PLC 5/40E

PLC 5/80E

PLC 5/250 with an Ethernet interface module

You can connect any of these devices, except a PLC 5/250, as the following figure shows. To learn
about connecting a PLC 5/250, refer to Configuring a PLC 5/250 Pyramid Integrator with an Ethernet
Module.

Once you have connected the hardware together, use the PLCs programming software to configure its
IP address. Be sure to ping the PLC to ensure the device is communicating and that the IP address is
configured correctly. Next, configure RSLinx and the ABR Power Tool.
To configure RSLinx and the Power Tool for an Ethernet connection:

72

1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for an Ethernet connection to a PLC 5.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver with the correct IP address.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

3.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

4.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured.

5.

Add a device and select your hardware from the PLC Type field.

6.

Enter the devices IP address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

7.

Add the datablocks you need.

Offlinking to Remote Devices

Offlinking enables you to access data from PLCs on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) that are configured
on a physically separate network from the SCADA servers network. Offlinking is possible with KT,
KTX, KTXD, and Ethernet interface cards.
NOTES: Offlinking is not supported for any DH485 configuration.
The ABR 7.x driver supports unsolicited messages with offlinking addressing when communicating to a
ControLogix Gateway on an Ethernet network. The devices sending the unsolicited messages must be a
PLC5 or a PLC5/250 and must reside on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network. For more information
about receiving unsolicited messages from an offlinking address, refer to Offlinking with ControLogix
Gateways below.

Using KT, KTX, and KTXD Cards

With a KT, KTX, or KTXD interface card installed in your SCADA server, you can off link to a DH+
device as the following figure shows:

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1785-KE Settings
Settings for the first (source) 1785-KE device
Switch

Setting

Description

SW1

000000
123456

BCC error checking, no embedded responses, accept all messages, ignore

handshaking, pass through diagnostics.

SW2

111101
10
121231
23

Address 11

SW3

110110
123456

DH+ at 57.6 Kbaud, RS-232 at 9600 baud, remote mode.

SW4

1111
1234

Reserved

Off = 0; On=1

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Settings for the second (destination) 1785-KE device

Switch

Setting

Description

SW1

000001
123456

BCC error checking, no embedded responses, accept all messages, ignore

handshaking, execute diagnostics.

SW2

1 1 1 1 0 1 1 Address 10
1
1212312
3

SW3

110110
123456

DH+ at 57.6 Kbaud, RS-232 at 9600 baud, remote mode.

SW4

1111
1234

Reserved

Off = 0; On=1
With these bridged configurations, each of the source and destination bridges reside on their own DH+
networks and route read and write requests across the network bridges to the appropriate devices.
Next, start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for the KTX or KTXD interface card. Configure the
RSLinx driver with the correct baud rate, memory address, device type, station number, station name,
interrupt level, and network type. This driver communicates with the first (source) 1785-KE device. It
cannot communicate with the second device.
To complete the configuration:
1.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

2.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the interface card.

3.

Add a device and set the following device properties:

Set the property...

To...

PLC Type

PLC5

Primary Routing

DH+ to 1785 KA/KE

Source Bridge

The address of the bridge device (network router) that transmits the
request to the destination bridge. In our example, this is 11.

Destination Bridge

The address of the destination bridge. In our example, this is 10.

Primary Channel
Primary Address

The address of the destination PLC.

4.

Add the datablocks you need.

NOTE: The most significant bit of the Source Bridge address is ignored under DH+. As a result, the
largest address you can assign is 77 octal.

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Using Ethernet Cards

To off link with an Ethernet card, you need the Allen-Bradley Resource Manager (5130-RM) module
and/or the DH/DH+ Communication Interface (5130-KA) module. Each of these modules can support
2 DH/DH+ highway connections. A Pyramid Integrator (PLC 5/250) chassis can hold one RM module
and up to 4 KA modules allowing for a maximum of 10 DH/DH+ connections. You can assign a
unique address to each RM and KA module using the push button at the top of the module. Consult
your associated Allen-Bradley documentation for addressing information on these modules.
Example
Using the following figure, connect your hardware. Use an E1 module with either an RM module or a
KA module. Connect the PLC 5/250 to your SCADA server with an Ethernet (10BaseT twisted pair)
cable. Connect your DH+ devices to the RM or KA module with a multi-drop network, 3-pin phoenix
connector cable.

Once you have connected the hardware together, use the PLCs programming software to configure its
IP address. Be sure to ping the PLC to ensure the device is communicating and that the IP address is
configured correctly.
Next, assuming you want to access data from Link 3, shown below, configure RSLinx and the ABR
Power Tool.
To configure the RSLinx and ABR Power Tool:

76

1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for an Ethernet connection to a PLC 5.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver with the correct IP address.

3.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

4.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured.

5.

Add a device and set the following device properties:

Set the property...

To...

PLC Type

PLC5250

Primary Routing

PLC5250 ENET to DH+

PLC5/250 Routing

KA 2 Chan 3

Destination Address

The address of the destination PLC. In our example, this is 40.

Destination PLC Type

The type of device you want to access through the PLC 5/250. In our
example, this is PLC 5.

Primary Channel Primary

Address

The IP address of the PLC 5/250.

6.

Add the datablocks you need.

Offlinking with ControLogix Gateways

You can receive unsolicited messages from an offlinking address using a ControLogix Gateway that
communicates to a PLC5 or a PLC5/250. When communicating on a DH+ or Ethernet network, refer
to Communicating with a ControLogix Gateway. When communicating on a ControlNet network, refer
to Communicating with a ControLogix Gateway to a ControlNet Module.
Once the hardware is connected, you can Create a processor configuration to establish communication
between RS-Linx and the process hardware.
After you configure RS-Linx, start the Power Tool and do the following:
1.

Add a channel and select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the interface card in your
SCADA server.

2.

Select the Receive Unsolicited Messages check box.

3.

Add a device and set the following device properties:

Set the property...

To...

PLC Type

PLC5 or PLC5250 (depending on the device you are

receiving unsolicited messages from)

PLC5/250 Module (used only when

offlinking to a PLC5/250)

0 (for the Resource Manager)

Primary Routing

1756-GTWY

Primary Channel Primary Address

The address of the PLC 5 or PLC 5/250.

1-4 (for module in PLC 5/250)

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Set the property...

To...

Primary Gateway Path

ENET -> DH+

Primary Destination Link ID

The link ID of the destination DHRIO (used to

communicate with the PLC 5 or the PLC5/250).

Slot

The slot number of the destination module.

Channel

Channel number of the destination module.

4.

Create datablocks you need.

Configuring MicroLogix PLCs

The v7.x ABR driver supports MicroLogix PLCs 1761-L10BWA and 1761-L20BWA-5A using
RSLinx. You can establish communication between the ABR driver and a MicroLogix PLC using
many different types of configurations. Refer to the following sections to locate the configuration that
applies best to you.

Using the Serial Port

You can establish communication between the ABR driver and a MicroLogix PLC by connecting the
hardware as the following figure shows:

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Configure the PLC with the following settings using RSLogix 500 programming software:
DH485 baud rate

19200

DF1 baud rate

9600

DF 1 protocol

Full duplex

Next, configure an RSLinx driver and the Power Tool.

To configure an RSLinx driver for a MicroLogix PLC and the Power Tool:
1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for the MicroLogix PLC by selecting the RS-232 DF1
Devices driver from RSLinx.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver by clicking the Auto Configure button. It should set up the
driver with settings similar to the following configuration:

Setting

Value

Device

SLC-CH0/Micro/PanelView

Duplex

Full

Baud Rate

9600

Stop Bits

Parity

None

Error Checking

CRC

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured to communicate with the controller.

6.

Add a device and select SLC5 from the PLC Type field.

7.

Enter the SLCs address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need. For a list of supported memory types, refer to MicroLogix
1761-L10BWA addresses and MicroLogix 1761-L20BWA-5A addresses.

NOTE: You can establish half-duplex communication to a MicroLogix PLC with RSLinx by connecting
the MicroLogix PLC directly to the SCADA server, setting the RSLinx drivers protocol to half duplex,
and setting the station ID of the RSLinx driver and the MicroLogix processor to 0. Refer to the AllenBradley technical note number P845 for more information.

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Using a KF3 Device

You can use a 1770-KF3 device to communicate with MicroLogix processors. When this is done, the
ABR driver can communicate with two MicroLogix processors through one serial port on your
SCADA server.

You can begin to establish the connection by programming your MicroLogix PLCs with RSLogix
5000 software as follows:
DH485 baud rate

19200

DF1 baud rate

19200

DF 1 protocol

Full duplex

Next, configure the KF3 with the following settings:

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Option

Data

Description

03

Node Address

19

DH485, 19200 Baud

01

Diagnostic command execution

19

RS-232 Baud Rate 19200

00

No parity

00

DF1 Protocol, Full Duplex

01

Error Detection, CRC

00

Modem Handshake disabled

01

Duplicate message detection enabled

--

AC

Next, configure an RSLinx driver and the Power Tool.

To configure an RSLinx driver for a MicroLogix PLC and the Power Tool:
1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for the serial port.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver by clicking the Auto Configure button. It should set up the
driver with settings similar to the following configuration:

Setting

Value

Device

1770-KF3/1747/KE

Duplex

Full

Baud Rate

19200

Stop Bits

Parity

None

Error Checking

CRC

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured to communicate with the controller.

6.

Add a device and select SLC5 from the PLC Type field.

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7.

Enter the SLCs address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need. For a list of supported memory types, refer to MicroLogix
1761-L10BWA addresses and MicroLogix 1761-L20BWA-5A addresses.

Using a KTX or KTXD Interface Card

When a KTX or KTXD interface card is used to communicate with MicroLogix PLCs, you connect the
hardware as shown below:

After cabling your hardware, configure RSLinx and the Power Tool to establish communication with
the interface card.
To establish communication with a 1784-KTX or KTXD card:

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1.

Start RSLinx and add an RSLinx driver for the interface card by selecting the 1784KT/KTX(D)/PKTX(D) driver from RSLinx.

2.

Configure the RSLinx driver with the correct baud rate, memory address, device type, station
number, station name, interrupt level, and network type.

3.

Expand the RSLinx tree browser and locate the device you want to communicate with. Note
the devices address.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the interface card.

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6.

Add a device and select SLC5 from the PLC Type field.

7.

Enter the address of the PLC in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

8.

Add the datablocks you need.

Communicating with a ControLogix Gateway

The v7.x ABR driver can communicate with a SLC 5 or PLC 5 using a ControLogix Gateway. The
gateway holds modules that allow the SCADA server and your SLC 5 or PLC 5 to communicate with
each other. The exact modules you need depends on the hardware you are connecting. In general,
1756-DHRIO modules communicate with Data Highway Plus (DH+) devices and 1756-ENET
modules communicate with Ethernet devices.
For example, if you want to communicate with a PLC 5 or SLC 5/03 on a Data Highway Plus (DH+)
network, you need a KTX or KTXD interface card in your SCADA server and two 1756-DHRIO
modules in the ControLogix Gateway, as the following figure shows.

However, if you want to communicate from an Ethernet network to a DH+ network, you can cable
your hardware as shown below.

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To establish communication with a ControLogix Gateway:

84

1.

Create a processor configuration.

2.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

3.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the interface card.

4.

Add a device and set the following device properties:

Set the property...

To...

PLC Type

PLC5

Primary Routing

1756-GTWY

Primary Gateway Path

DH+ -> DH+ or

ENET -> DH+

Source Bridge

The address of the first DHRIO module or your ENET module. In

our example, this is 21.

Primary Channel Primary

Address

The address of the PLC 5. In our example, this is 6.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Set the property...

To...

Primary Destination Link

ID

The link ID of the destination DHRIO module (used to communicate

with the PLC 5).

5.

Create datablocks you need.

NOTE: You should be able to communicate with the far end of the second DHRIO module by
expanding the RSLinx tree browser.

Communicating with a ControLogix Gateway to a ControlNet

Module
The v7.x ABR driver can communicate with PLC 5 using a ControLogix Gateway. The gateway holds
modules that allow the SCADA server and PLC 5 to communicate with each other. For example, when
the gateway is on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network and the PLC-5 is communicating using the
ControlNet protocol, install a 1756-DHRIO module to handle communication between the gateway
and the SCADA server and install a 1756-CNB module to handle communication between the gateway
and the PLC-5. If the gateway is on an Ethernet network, install a 1756-ENET module in place of the
DHRIO module.
Once you install and connect the hardware, you can establish communication by configuring RSLinx
and the ABR Power Tool.
To configure RSLinx and the ABR Power Tool:
1.

Create a processor configuration.

2.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

3.

Select the RSLinx driver (AB_KT-1) that you configured for the interface card.

4.

Add a device and set the following device properties:

Set the
property...

To...

PLC Type

PLC5

Primary Routing

1756-GTWY

Primary Gateway
Path

DH+ -> CNET or

ENET ->CNET

Source Bridge

The address of the first DHRIO module or your ENET module. In our
example, this is 21.

Primary CNet
Address

The address of the PLC-5. In our example, this is 6.

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Set the
property...

To...

Primary
Destination Link
ID

The link ID of the destination CNB module (used to communicate with the
PLC 5). You can locate this information in the routing table of the
ControLogix Gateways programming software.

5.

Create datablocks you need.

Configuring the 1756-L1 ControLogix Processor

The v7.x ABR driver can communicate with the 1756-L1 processor using a KTX or KTXD interface
card residing in the local SCADA server. This interface card communicates with the processor through
a 1756-DHRIO module. Both the module and the 1756-L1 processor must reside in the same 1756GTWY chassis. Connect your SCADA server to the DHRIO module using a 3-pin phoenix connector
Data Highway Plus (DH+) network cable. Plug the cable into the DH+ port on the KTX or KTXD card
and one of the ports on the DHRIO module, as the following figure shows.

If you want to communicate from an Ethernet network to a 1756-L1 processor, you can connect your
SCADA servers Ethernet port to an Ethernet hub and then connect the hub to a 1756-ENET module
residing in your ControLogix Gateway. Likewise, you can communicate from a ControlNet network to
a 1756-L1 processor by connecting a KTC interface card (installing in your SCADA server) to a 1756CNV module residing in your ControLogix Gateway.
The processor supports binary, integer, and float data types. You configure these data types in the
processor and then map them to a PLC 5 message format. This format allows the ABR driver to
process the devices data.

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To configure a 1756-L1 processor:

1.

Create a processor configuration.

2.

Create global data arrays.

3.

Map each data array to a PLC 5 message.

4.

Start the Power Tool and add a channel.

5.

Select the RSLinx driver that you configured for the interface card.

6.

Add a device and set the following device properties:

Set the property...

To...

PLC Type

PLC5

Primary Channel Primary

Address

The address of the DHRIO, CNB, or ENET module. In our

example, this is 21.

Primary Routing

1756-GTWY

Primary Gateway Path

DH+ -> 1756-Lx

Cnet -> 1756Lx or
ENET ->1756Lx

Primary Slot

The slot number of the destination controller. In our example, this

is 6.

7.

Create datablocks for each mapped data array. Refer to 1756-L1 addresses for a list of
supported memory types you can use when creating datablocks.

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Overview: About the I/O Driver Power Tool
The ABR I/O Driver Power Tool is your main configuration utility for setting up and maintaining the
ABR I/O driver. It provides fields for specifying the properties of channels, devices, and datablocks.

Features
The Power Tool provides:

The Template dialog box for specifying channel, device, and datablock defaults.

The Setup dialog box for defining the default name and default path for configuration files.

The Server Connection dialog box for connecting to a remote or local I/O Server.

The Tree Browser for an overall view of your system configuration.

A statistics mode for displaying the statistics of your I/O driver while it is running. Statistics are
provided for all levels: driver, channel, device, and datablock.

A configuration mode for displaying and modifying driver, channel, device, and datablock
properties.

Access Methods
From the Windows Start menu:
1.

Select Programs.

2.

Select FIX, Dynamics, or iFIX from the Programs menu.

3.

Select ABR Power Tool from the context menu.

From FIX Database Builder:

Select ABR from the Drivers menu.

From the FIX System Configuration Utility (SCU):

1.

Select SCADA from the Configure menu.

2.

Double-click your driver from the Configured I/O Drivers list box.

When you first start the Power Tool, the Server Connection dialog box appears. This dialog box lets
you choose the server that the Power Tool communicates with. You can choose either the local server
(on your computer) or a remote server (on the network).

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Once you choose a server, the I/O Driver Power Tool attempts to connect to it. If the connection is
successful, a message appears telling you that the connection is established. Then the main window of
the Power Tool appears. This window is comprised of:

The Properties Viewer

The menu bar

By default, the following additional components also appear:

Tree Browser

Main toolbar

Configuration toolbar

Run-time toolbar

Status bar

You can show or hide any of the components by selecting a command from the View menu. You can
also customize the Power Tools appearance by dragging the toolbars or the Tree Browser to the
location you want. For example, you can make the toolbars or the Tree Browser float above the Power
Tool by dragging them to the center of the screen. Later, you can dock them or resize them, as needed.

Understanding the Power Tool's Graphic Interface

Using the Power Tools Properties Viewer
The Properties Viewer displays the statistics or configuration properties of the selected item in the Tree
Browser.

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Properties Viewer Displaying Channel Statistics Properties

To display the configuration properties for a driver, channel, device, or datablock:

Select an item in the Tree Browser and click the Configuration button in the Run-time toolbar.

To modify an items configuration:

1.

Select the item you want to modify in the Tree Browser.

2.

Click the Configuration button in the Run-time toolbar.

3.

Modify the items properties in the fields provided.

To view statistics for a driver, channel, device, or datablock:

Select an item in the Tree Browser and click the Statistics button in the Run-time toolbar.

Using the Power Tools Browser

The Tree Browser displays a hierarchical list of the I/O driver and its channels, devices, and
datablocks. The I/O driver appears at the top of the tree.

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Power Tool Tree Browser

When you select an item in the Tree Browser, the items properties display in the Properties Viewer.
You can choose to view the item's configuration or statistics properties by clicking buttons on the Runtime toolbar.
Changing Items in the Tree Browser
When you add or modify channels, devices, or datablocks in the Power Tool or in FIX Database
Builder, changes are made immediately to the I/O Server. Changes you make to the driver
configuration while working with the I/O Driver Power Tool automatically display in the Tree
Browser. For changes from Database Builder to take effect, the Auto Create option must be enabled.
Refreshing the Tree Browser
To view changes made from another client application (such as FIX Database Builder, another I/O
Driver Power Tool accessing the server, or a custom client application accessing the server), refresh
the Tree Browser display by selecting an item in the Tree Browser and pressing the F5 key.
Collapsing and Expanding the Tree Browser
You can collapse or expand the tree under an item by double-clicking it. You can also use the right
arrow key to expand an item and the left arrow key to collapse it.
Navigating in the Tree Browser
Navigating through the Tree Browser can be done by selecting items with a mouse or by using the
keyboard. Use the up or left arrow keys to move up in the Tree Browser. Similarly, use the down or
right arrow keys to move down in the Tree Browser. You can also press a letter key to jump to the
nearest item that begins with that letter.
Additional Tree Browser Features
Connection lines show the relationship between channels, devices, and datablocks by displaying which
devices are on a channel and which datablocks belong to a device. The plus and minus buttons indicate
whether items are fully expanded or collapsed. The plus button shows the item is collapsed and the
minus buttons indicates that the item is expanded. For example, a channel with a plus sign next to it
means that there are devices and possibly datablocks configured on that channel.

Using the Power Tools Menu Bar

The Power Tool menu bar includes a title bar, a Minimize button, a Maximize button, a Control-menu

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box, and menus you can use to configure the driver. The menu bar is displayed at the top of the screen.
The Power Tool has the following menus:

File

Edit

View

Display Mode

Options

Help
To open a menu and display its commands:

Click the menu name.

To choose a command:

Open the command's menu and click the command name or press the commands shortcut
keys. You can find the shortcut keys for a command next to the command on its pull-down
menu. For example, select the File menu and note that the shortcut key for the New command
is Ctrl + N.

Using Shortcut Keys

The following is a list of shortcut keys for working with the I/O Driver Power Tool:
Shortcut
Keys

Description

The F5 key

Refreshes the Tree Browser.

Ctrl + N

Opens a new I/O driver configuration file.

Ctrl + O

Lets you open an existing file.

Ctrl +S

Saves the current file.

Alt + Shift +
S

Opens and closes the server window when an item in the Tree Browser is selected.
Use the server window for troubleshooting. When you are not debugging a problem,
leave the server window closed.

The Status Bar

Displays Power Tool status messages. It is located under the Properties Viewer.
Example

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Using the Power Tools Main Toolbar

The Power Tools Main toolbar is shown below:

The Main toolbar buttons are shortcuts to some commonly-used menu items.
Icon

Description
New Creates a new I/O driver configuration file.
Open Opens an existing I/O driver configuration file.
Save Saves the current I/O driver configuration file. If the current configuration is new,
the Save As dialog box appears with fields for naming the file, selecting a path, and
choosing a file type.
Save AsSaves the current configuration file:

With a different file name.

In a different path.

As a configuration file.

As a comma separated value (CSV) file.

Help TopicsDisplays the ABR I/O driver online help.

Using the Power Tools Run-time Toolbar

The Run-time toolbar is shown below:

The Run-time toolbar contains buttons that are shortcuts to dialog boxes for viewing driver
configurations and statistics.
Icon

Description
Start Starts the driver. Enabled only when the driver is not running.
Stop Stops the driver. Enabled only when the driver is running.
Configuration Displays the properties of the item selected in the Power Tools
browser. These properties appear in the Properties Viewer.
Statistics Displays the statistics of the item selected in the Power Tools browser. The
statistics appear in the Properties Viewer and are read-only.

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Icon

Description
Reset Resets the statistics of the item currently selected in the Tree Browser. This
button is only accessible when the Power Tool is in Statistics mode. Click the Statistics
button, shown above to enable Statistics mode.
Template Lets you enter defaults for the drivers channels, devices, and datablocks.
Setup Lets you select the statistics refresh rate, enter defaults for the I/O driver
configuration file name and path, and make advanced settings.
OLE Server Lets you select an OLE server.
Data Scope Displays the data scope for this server. Any objects that have the data
scope enabled send messages to the Data scope window.
To enable the data scope for an object
1. Right-click an object in the Tree Browser.
2. Select Datascope On from the pop-up menu that appears.

Using the Power Tools Configuration Toolbar

The Configuration toolbar is shown below:

The Configuration toolbar buttons are shortcuts to the driver configuration dialog boxes.
Icon

Description
Add Channel Lets you add a new channel and define its properties.
Add Device Lets you add a new device and define its properties.
Add Datablock Lets you add a new datablock and define its properties.
Generate Datablocks Creates multiple datablocks with a range of I/O addresses. For
example, you could create 10 datablocks with the addresses N7:0 to N7:9999.
Delete Deletes the channel, device, or datablock currently selected in the Tree
Browser.

Setting up the Power Tool's Environment

You can set up the Power Tools environment by displaying the Setup dialog box and completing each
tab. The Setup dialog box lets you do the following:

Set the statistics refresh rate.

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Set the default configuration file name and default path for the configuration file.

Make advanced settings for your I/O driver.

To open the Setup dialog box:

Click the Setup button

in the Run-time toolbar.

Setting the Statistics Refresh Rate

To set the refresh rate:
in the Run-time toolbar.

1.

Click the Setup button

2.

Select the Display Setup tab.

3.

Enter the refresh rate in the field provided.

IMPORTANT: The Power Tool reads the refresh rate whenever you switch into Statistics mode.
Consequently, if you change the refresh rate while in Statistics mode, your changes do not take effect
immediately. In order for the new refresh rate to take effect, you must switch into Configuration mode
and then back to Statistics mode.

Setting Defaults for I/O Driver Configuration File Name and Path
The default path for the configuration file is the same path where you installed the I/O Server. The
ABR driver requires you to specify the default path and file name when you automatically start the
driver.
To set the default configuration file name and change the default path:

96

1.

Click the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

2.

Select the Default Path tab.

3.

Enter the configuration files default name and default path in the fields provided.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

NOTE: A configuration file named nodename.ABR is saved in the root iFIX directory when you install
the driver. If you are using FIX, the file resides in the Database path (C:\FIX32\PDB, by default). Do
not delete this file. FIX and iFIX use this file to load the driver.
If you subsequently change the name of your SCADA server after installing the ABR driver, FIX
cannot automatically start the driver because the name of the node does not match the name of the
configuration file. To correct this, rename the configuration file to match the name of your SCADA
server. For example, if you change the name of the SCADA server from SCADA1 to SCADA9,
rename the configuration file from SCADA1.ABR to SCADA9.ABR.

Making Advanced Settings

You can make more detailed settings for your driver using the Advanced tab in the Setup dialog box.
Advanced settings are for fine-tuning your driver and should not be changed unless you have an
intimate knowledge of how the driver operates and know that you need to make some
adjustments.
To make advanced driver settings:
in the Run-time toolbar.

1.

Click the Setup button,

2.

Select the Advanced tab. The Advanced fields display as shown below.

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3.

Complete the Advanced fields by making selections for the following fields.

DTL Init Size

Simulation Mode

Last Error Display

Auto Create

Auto Start

Setting Up the ABR I/O Server Connection

The Power Tool is a client of the ABR I/O Server. The Server maintains the driver's channel, device,
and datablock objects and performs all required functions for communicating with the process
hardware. The Power Tool accesses the Server and lets you view and modify channel, device, and
datablock properties.
The ABR I/O Server Connection dialog box displays when you first start the Power Tool. This dialog
box lets you choose whether to set up the Power Tool to communicate with a Local I/O Server (on
your computer) or a Remote I/O Server (a computer on the network). If you choose a remote I/O
Server, you must enter or select the remote machine name or address.
To change the ABR I/O Server connection:

You can display the ABR I/O Driver Server Connection dialog box and change the settings
at any time by clicking the ABR I/O Server button
toolbar.

in the Power Tool's Run-time

To connect to the server on the local machine:

1.

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Start the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool or click the Server button in the ABR I/O Driver Power
Tool.

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2.

Select the Use Local Server option and click Connect.

The Power Tool attempts to connect to the local server. If the connection is successful, the
Connection dialog displays the message Connection Established and then the main
window of the Power Tool displays. If the connection is not successful, the Connection dialog
boxes displays the message Connection Not Established and you receive the
following message:
Connection to the selected server has failed. Do you want to select another
server?

3.

Click Yes if you want to try connecting to a remote server. If you cannot connect to the local
server, there is a problem with the server start-up. Refer to Using the Event Viewer for details
on how to display any errors that the server or RSLinx may have generated.

To connect the server on a remote machine:

1.

Start the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool or click the Server button in the ABR I/O Driver Power
Tool.

2.

Select the Use Remote Server option and enter the remote machine name or TCP/IP address
in the Remote Machine Name or TCP/IP Address field.
You must enter the machine name or address exactly. If you do not know the exact machine
name, select it using the Network list box. If the connection is successful, the Connection
dialog displays the message Connection Established and then the main window of
the Power Tool displays. If the connection is not successful, the Connection dialog boxes
displays the message Connection Not Established and you receive the following
message:
Connection to the selected server has failed. Do you want to select another
server?

3.

Click Yes, if you want to try another server. If you cannot connect to the machine that the
server is on, you may not have an account to that machine or your DCOM settings may be
incorrect. Refer to How do I Set up Security for using the I/O Server Remotely for more
information.

Use the Show this Dialog on Startup check box, to select whether to display the ABR I/O Driver
Server dialog box every time you start the driver.

Setting the I/O Server for Automatic Connection

To set your I/O Driver Power Tool to connect automatically to the I/O Server on either
a local or remote machine:
1.

From the Windows Explorer, open your FIX folder, typically C:\FIX32, and select
ABRDidw.exe.

2.

Create a shortcut by right-clicking the mouse and selecting Create Shortcut from the menu
displayed.

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3.

Select the Shortcut to the ABR Power Tool.

4.

Right-click the mouse and select Properties from the menu displayed.

5.

Select the Shortcut tab.

6.

In the Target field, add one of the following command line parameters after ABRDidw.exe as
shown in the examples:

Remote Connection

Example

/N remote_machine_name

ABRDIDW.EXE/ N Jake

/N remote_ip_address

ABRDIDW.EXE/ N 199.103.251.114

Local Connection
/L

Example
ABRDIDW.EXE/ L

This setup suppresses the I/O Driver Server Connection dialog box on Power Tool start-up. This is a
good practice if you plan to always use the same server on the same computer.

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Configuring Channels, Devices, and

Datablocks
Choosing a Method for Configuring Your Driver
You can configure the ABR I/O driver in several ways. The best method for you depends on how you
decide to configure your process control system. The following table lists the driver configuration
methods to choose from:
Method

When to use

Using the Power Tool

If you are familiar with your process hardware and want to make a
detailed configuration.

Creating Datablocks from

FIX Database Builder

If you are using FIX for process control and you know:

Using a Visual Basic Client

Application

The names of the devices you want the driver to access.

The registers and addresses in the devices that you want to

access.

If you are using a custom automation application built with a

scripting language such as Visual Basic to configure the driver and
access data.

Configuring the I/O Driver with the Power Tool

To configure the ABR I/O driver with the Power Tool:
1.

Click the Add Channel button on the Configuration toolbar to add a channel to the Tree
Browser.

2.

Select the RSLinx driver that you want to use to communicate with the devices on the current
channel.

3.

Click the Add Device button to add a device.

4.

Select the type of hardware you want to communicate with from the PLC Type field and enter
an address in the Primary Channel Primary Address field.

5.

Click the Add Datablock button to add a datablock.

6.

Add channels, devices, and datablocks as needed. If you need to create multiple datablocks
with a range of I/O addresses, click the Generate Datablocks button and enter the address
range you want for the datablocks you require.

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7.

Modify the fields in the Properties Viewer as needed.

To modify the fields in the Properties Viewer:

1.

Select a channel, device, or datablock from the Tree Browser. The fields for the selected item
appear in the Properties Viewer.

2.

Edit the fields you want to change.

Channels
Adding and Modifying Channels
To add a new channel to your driver configuration:
1.

Click the Add Channel button on the Configuration toolbar. The new channel appears in the
Tree Browser and the fields for entering channel properties appear in the Properties Viewer.

2.

Enter the properties for the new channel. Edits to a field do not take effect until you remove
the focus (the cursor) from the field.

3.

Select the Enable check box to enable communication for the new channel.

You can add up to 40 channels with the ABR driver.

To modify an existing channel:
1.

Select the channel you want to modify from the Tree Browser.

2.

Edit the channels fields as needed. If the Enable check box is selected, the new channel
settings take effect immediately once you remove focus (the cursor) from the current field.

Receiving Unsolicited Messages

Typically, messages from the process hardware are responses to requests from the ABR driver.
However, certain process hardware can send data messages to the ABR driver. These messages are not
requested by the ABR driver and are called unsolicited messages.
The ABR driver supports the following types of unsolicited messages:

PLC 2 Unprotected Write.

PLC 5 Typed Write.

Typed Write from a PLC 5/250.

An unsolicited message occurs when the source PLC sends a write command to the ABR driver.
Typically, the PLC sends this command when it transmits data to the ABR driver without the driver
generating a request for the data.
When the ABR driver receives an unsolicited message, it must have allocated space to store the
transmitted data. For PLC 2 unprotected writes, the driver allocates this space when you create a
datablock of type UN. Consequently, by creating datablocks with this data type in your driver

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configuration, you enable the driver to allocate memory and store PLC 2 unprotected writes.
For PLC 5 typed writes or typed writes from a PLC 5/250, creating UN datablocks is not necessary
because the driver can use the datablocks you create for a PLC 5 or a PLC 5/250 to read data from the
hardware or accept writes from the hardware. For example, assume you create a datablock for a PLC 5
with the address N7:1 and a length of 50. This datablock can be used to receive unsolicited messages
or poll the hardware for data.
The datablocks you create to receive unsolicited messages must be big enough to hold the largest
possible message. If the datablocks are not big enough, the driver attempts to extend the target
datablock to accommodate the incoming data. However, if there is another datablock using the
addresses required by the target datablock, the driver cannot resize it to store the message and marks
the message as bad.
Example
Suppose you have two datablocks.
Name

Starting Address

Length

Datablock A

N7:1

50

Datablock B

N7:51

50

In this configuration, the driver can store unsolicited messages for Datablock A that are up to 50 words
long. If the driver receives a message that is 75 words long, the message is marked as bad since
Datablock A cannot be resized.
However, if Datablock B receives an unsolicited message that is 75 words long, the driver resizes the
datablock to accommodate the data.
Creating datablocks with the correct data type and length by itself does not allow the driver to receive
unsolicited messages. You must also select the Receive Unsolicited Messages check box for the
datablocks channel. This check box enables the channel to receive unsolicited messages. When you
clear the check box, the channel ignores unsolicited messages.
Receiving Unsolicited Typed Write Messages from a PLC 5/250
I and O information in a PLC 5/250 is global to the entire rack. Consequently, Typed Write messages
from a PLC 5/250 containing I or O information does not contain any data regarding the module that
sent it.
When the ABR 7.x driver parses the message, it uses the station number to identify the message source
and ignores the module number. Now consider the following driver configuration:
Name

PLC Type

PLC 5/250 Module

Station Address

Enabled

Device0

PLC 5/250

199.103.251.49

No

Device1

PLC 5/250

199.103.251.49

Yes

Device2

PLC 5/250

199.103.251.49

Yes

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Device

Name

Start Address

Length

Enabled

Device1

Block1

I:0

100

Yes

Device2

Block2

I:0

200

Yes

Using this configuration, when the driver receives an unsolicited message from station 199.103.251.49
containing information from I:0, it traverses the device list on the channel looking for a device that
matches the source station address. The first device found is Device0; however, Device0 is disabled
and cannot accept any unsolicited messages.
Next, the driver finds Device1 in the list. This device is enabled and its station address matches the
source address of the unsolicited message. Consequently, the driver examines Device1s datablock list
and finds Block1. Since the datablock is enabled, the driver does the following:
1.

The driver examines the start address and the size of the block. The datablock starts at I:0 for
a length of 100 elements.

2.

The driver accepts the data from the unsolicited message because the message contains 50
elements and can be stored in Block1. If the message contained 200 elements, the driver
would continue searching the datablock list because Block1 cannot store the unsolicited
message. Upon examining Block2, the driver would then accept the data because this
datablock can store the messages data. However, if no match was found, the driver would
ignore the incoming message and send text to the Server window to indicate the unsolicited
message was ignored.

3.

The driver places the data from the unsolicited message in the read area for Block1 and sets
the data quality to GOOD.

Notice that once the driver finds a valid device and datablocks, it does not continue searching for any
additional matching device/datablock pairs. In addition, even though Device2 is enabled and its
station address matches the source address of the incoming message, and Block2 can hold the data
from the unsolicited message, the driver does not update Block2 with the data because a match for the
received message has already been found.
NOTES: Unsolicited messages are supported on the local link (network). Messages from remote links
(offlinking addresses) are supported when communicating to a ControLogix Gateway on an Ethernet
network. The devices sending the unsolicited messages must be a PLC5 or a PLC5/250 and must
reside on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network. Refer to Offlinking to Remote Devices for more
information.
Only one channel for a given RSLinx driver can receive unsolicited messages. If you configure two
channels for an RSLinx driver, only the last channel configured receives the messages.
Setting Channel Timing Properties: Reply Timeout, Retry, and Delay Time
Reply Timeout, Retries, and Delay Time are timing properties of the driver and are set for each
channel.
The timing sequence is as follows:
1.

104

The I/O driver sends a message to the process hardware and waits the length of time specified
in the Reply Timeout field for a response.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

2.

If the process hardware does not respond, the driver re-sends the message for the number of
times specified in the Retries field.

3.

The driver marks the datablock as failed after all retries have been sent and the device has not
responded.

4.

a.

If a back-up channel is specified, the driver uses the Failover Logic field to
determine the device to switch to. For example, if Channel First is selected, the
driver switches to the primary device on the back-up channel, waits the length of
time specified in the Delay Time field, and sends the message to the datablock on the
back-up channel. The message is sent once. If the primary device on the back-up
channel does not respond, the driver switches to the back-up device on the back-up
channel and the message is sent again. If the back-up device on the back-up channel
does not respond, the driver switches to the back-up device on the primary channel,
waits the delay time, and the message is sent again. If this device does not respond,
the driver switches back the primary device on the primary channel and the cycle
repeats.

b.

If a back-up channel is not specified, the driver waits the delay time and switches to
the back-up device specified in the Primary Channel Backup Address field. The
message is sent once. If the back-up device does not respond, the driver switches
back to the primary device on the primary channel, waits the delay time, and sends
the message again. This cycle repeats until one of the devices responds.

c.

If a back-up channel and a back-up device on the primary channel are not specified,
the driver waits the delay time and re-initiates the polling process with the primary
device on the primary channel.

The device may have multiple datablocks. In this situation, the driver uses its Quick Fail logic
and only performs one cycle through the Timeout, Retries, and Delay process for the
messages currently in the Read queue. It then marks the datablock and all subsequent
datablocks on that device as failed and moves on to the next device. The next time the driver
attempts to send the message to the failed device, it ignores the Retries and only makes one
attempt. If the attempt is successful, the driver recovers all datablocks on the device and
marks them ready for messages.
By using Quick Fail, the driver saves time and bypasses the problem device, thereby
increasing its efficiency.

NOTE: RSLinx can communicate with only the first Ethernet interface card you configure. It provides
no support for selecting and establishing communication with multiple Ethernet cards. Consequently,
should the first Ethernet interface card fail, RSLinx cannot failover to another Ethernet card. As a
result, you cannot failover from one Ethernet device to another Ethernet device with the ABR driver.
Example
Reply Timeout = 05 (5 seconds)
Retries = 5
Delay Time = 5:00 (5 minutes)
Back-up channel = none
Back-up device on primary channel = none

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The driver attempts to send a message to the process hardware. After 5 seconds, the device still has not
responded so the driver re-sends the message.
The driver tries to send the message 6 times (the first time and then the 5 retries) with 5-second
intervals between each attempt.
Each attempt fails; consequently, the driver marks the device as failed. If the driver has messages for
other datablocks on the same device, it sends them only once without retries.
The driver waits 5 minutes before attempting to re-establish communication with the failed device.

Devices
Adding and Modifying Devices
To add a new device to your driver configuration:
1.

From the Tree Browser, select the channel you want to add the device to.

2.

Click the Add Device button on the Configuration toolbar. The new device appears in the
Tree Browser and the fields for entering device properties appear in the Properties Viewer.

3.

Enter the properties for the new device. Edits to a field do not take effect until you remove the
focus (the cursor) from the field.

4.

Select the Enable check box to enable communication for the new device.

To modify an existing device:

1.

Select the device you want to modify from the Tree Browser.

2.

Edit the devices fields as needed. The device updates automatically once you remove the
focus (the cursor) from the current field.

Datablocks
Adding and Modifying Datablocks
To add a new datablock to your driver configuration:

106

1.

From the Tree Browser, select the device you want to add a datablock to.

2.

Click the Add Datablock button on the Configuration toolbar. The new datablock appears in
the Tree Browser and the fields for entering datablock properties appear in the Properties
Viewer.

3.

Enter the properties for the new datablock. Edits to a field do not take effect until you remove
the focus (the cursor) from the field.

4.

Select the Enable check box to enable communication for the new datablock.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

To modify an existing datablock:

1.

Select the datablock you want to modify from the Tree Browser.

2.

Edit the datablocks fields as needed. If the Enable check box is selected, your changes take
effect as soon as you remove focus from the field.

To add multiple consecutive datablocks to your driver configuration:

1.

Click the Generate Datablocks button on the Configuration toolbar.

2.

Enter the starting address for the datablocks you want to create in the Enter Start Address
field.

3.

Enter the total length for all the datablocks you want to create in the Enter Address Length
field.

4.

Select the Enable Generated Datablocks check box to enable the generated datablocks. The
Power Tool creates as many datablocks as needed.

Example
Suppose you want to create datablocks starting at N7:0 and ending at N7:499. To create the datablocks
for this range of values, complete the following fields as shown:
Enter Start Address: N7:0
Enter Address Length: 500
When the Power Tool creates the datablocks to your configuration, it adds the following:
Name

Address Range

Datablock 1

N7:0 - N7:117

Datablock 2

N7:118 - N7:235

Datablock 3

N7:236 - N7:353

Datablock 4

N7:354 - N7:470

Datablock 5

N7:471 - N7:499

NOTE: This example assumes you are communicating on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network.
Under Ethernet, only one block would be generated because Ethernet allows up to 1000 words per
block.
The ABR driver examines your configuration for possible errors when you enable a back-up channel
and device. If the primary and back-up device do not use the same network protocol, the maximum
length of the datablocks you can create is limited by whichever protocol is more restrictive. For
example, if the primary device uses Ethernet and the back-up device use Data Highway Plus (DH+)
you can only create datablocks with a length of 118 words because this is the maximum size allowed
under DH+.

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Setting Datablock Address Properties: Start, End, and Length

The Starting Address, Ending Address, and Address Length fields define the memory location in the
device that the datablock represents.
You must always enter a starting address. This is the point in the device that the datablock starts from.
You can then enter either an ending address or an address length to complete the entire block.
Example
You want to create a datablock named DATABLOCK-C that starts at address N7:5 and has a length of
8.
To do this, enter N7:5 in the Starting Address field and 8 in the Address Length field. The Power Tool
automatically completes the Ending Address field with the value N7:12.
DATABLOCK-C reads the following addresses in the N7 file of the device:
00

01

02

03

04

1920

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

IIIIII

IIIIII

IIIIII

IIIIII

IIIIII

IIIIII

IIIIII

IIIIII

13

14

15

16

17

18

You can also create multiple consecutive datablocks using the Generate Datablocks button on the
Configuration toolbar.
Example
Suppose you want to create datablocks starting at N7:0 and ending at N7:499. To create the datablocks
for this range of values, click the Generate Datablocks button and complete the following fields as
shown:
Enter Start Address: N7:0
Enter Address Length: 500
When the Power Tool creates the datablocks to your configuration, it adds the following:
Name

Address Range

Datablock 1

N7:0 - N7:117

Datablock 2

N7:118 - N7:235

Datablock 3

N7:236 - N7:353

Datablock 4

N7:354 - N7:470

Datablock 5

N7:471 - N7:499

NOTE: This example assumes you are communicating on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network.
Under Ethernet, only one block would be generated because Ethernet allows up to 1000 words per
block.
Valid addresses and address ranges supported by the ABR driver include:

PLC 3 Addresses

PLC 5 Addresses

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PLC 5/250 Addresses

SLC 5/00, SLC 5/01, and SLC 5/02 Addresses

SLC 5/03, SLC 5/04, SLC 5/05 Addresses

MicroLogix PLC 1761-L10BWA Addresses

MicroLogix PLC 1761-L20BWA-5A Addresses

ControLogix 1756 Lx Processor Addresses

NOTE: ASCII writes are supported for A, ST, and N memory types only.
In most cases, when using a KT, KTX, KTXD, or KTC interface card, a datablocks maximum length
varies depending on the file number or address specified, as the following tables show.
ASCII, Binary, BCD, and Integer Datablock Maximum Lengths
When the file number is...

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Less than 256

Less than 256

118

Less than 256

Greater than 255

117

Greater than 255

Less than 256

117

Greater than 255

Greater than 255

116

Input, Output, and Status Datablock Maximum Lengths

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Less than 256

118

Greater than 255

117

Float Datablock Maximum Lengths

When the file number is...

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Less than 256

Less than 256

59

Less than 256

Greater than 255

58

Greater than 255

Less than 256

58

Greater than 255

Greater than 255

57

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Maximum Datablock Lengths for Binary, Internal Storage, Output, Input, Integer, String,
Block Transfer Data, and Unsolicited File Types (PLC 5/250 only)
When the file number is...

And the starting address is...

The maximum length is...

Less than 256

Less than 256

117

Less than 256

Greater than 255

116

Greater than 255

Less than 256

116

Greater than 255

Greater than 255

115

Valid PLC 3 Addresses

Memory Type
& File Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length
- KT Cards

Max. Length
- Ethernet

Example

B0-B9999

Binary

0-9999

Varies

1000

B10:30

Counter

0-9999

39

333

C:2

D0-D9999

BCD

0-9999

Varies

1000

D5:75

F0-9999

Float

0-9999

Varies

500

F8:10

Input

0-23417
Octal

Varies

1000

I12:50

N0-N9999

Integer

0-9999

Varies

1000

N7:30

O (read only)

Output

0-23417
Octal

Varies

1000

O21:15

Status

0-9999

Varies

1000

S20:6

Timer

0-9999

39

333

T:3

UN

Unsolicited

0-23417
Octal

118

1000

UN:0

Valid PLC 5 Addresses

1000 118

116

Example

112

Max. Length for

Unsolicited
Messages*

Varies

Max. Length Offlinking

Varies

Max. Length Ethernet

Max. Length - KTC

Cards

0-9999

Max. Length - KT
Cards through
Interface Modules

Max. Length - KT
Cards

ASCII

Address Range

110

Description

Memory Type &

File Number
A3-

A12:250

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Example

Max. Length for

Unsolicited
Messages*

Max. Length Offlinking

Max. Length - KTC

Cards

Max. Length Ethernet

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Max. Length - KT
Cards through
Interface Modules

Address Range

Description

Memory Type &

File Number
B3B9999

Binary

0-9999

Varies

Varies

112

1000 118

BT3BT9999

Block
Transfer

0-9999

Varies

Varies

112

1000 118

C3C9999

Counter

0-9999

39

39

37

333

39

CT39999

ControlNet
Transfer

0-9999

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

D3D9999

BCD

0-9999

Varies

Varies

112

1000 118

114

D44:3

F3F9999

Float

0-9999

Varies

Varies

56

500

57

F8:500

I (read
only)

Input

023417
Octal

Varies

Varies

112

1000 118

114

I:50

MG3MG9999

Message
Control

0-9999

17

PD3PD9999

PID
Control

0-9999

12

N3 N9999

Integer

0-9999

Varies

Varies

112

O (read
only)

Output

023417
Octal

Varies

Varies

R3R9999

Control

0-9999

39

Status

0-9999

ST3ST9999

String

T3T9999

Timer

A9999

59

114

B3:100
BT20:200

38

C5:900
N/A

MG5:90
1

PD6:18

1000 118

114

N7:300

112

1000 118

114

O:50

39

37

333

38

R6:20

Varies

Varies

112

1000 118

114

S:30

0-9999

23

0-9999

39

39

37

333

39

39

ST34:38
22

T4:3

111

ABR I/O Driver Manual

114

Example

2000 118

Max. Length for

Unsolicited
Messages*

112

Max. Length Offlinking

2000

Max. Length Ethernet

N/A

Max. Length - KT
Cards through
Interface Modules

023417
Octal

Max. Length - KTC

Cards

Address Range

Unsolicited

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Description

Memory Type &

File Number
UN

UN:0

*Values represent the maximum size in elements as configured in the PLC 5 Typed Write message
control block.
Valid PLC 5/250 Addresses

112

Memory Type
& File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max.
Length Ethernet

Max. Length Offlinking

Example

B3-B9999

Binary

0-9999

1000

Varies

B13:5

BR3-BR9999

Block Transfer
Read

0-9999

BR24:8

BTD0-254

Block Transfer
Data

0-254

255

Varies

BTD2:0

BW3-BW9999

Block Transfer
Write

0-9999

BW25:70

C3-C9999

Counter

0-9999

333

40

C35:2

F3-F9999

Float

0-9999

500

60

F45:12

I (read only)

Input

0-23417
Octal

1000

Varies

I:6

IS

Internal
Storage

0-23417
Octal

1000

Varies

IS:7

L0-L9999

Long

0-9999

500

60

L92:1

MSG3MSG9999

Message
Control

0-9999

17

MSG53:4

N0-N9999

Integer

0-9999

1000

Varies

N7:0

O (read only)

Output

0-23417
Octal

1000

Varies

O:64

PD3-PD999

PID Control

0-9999

12

PD200:29

R3-R9999

Control

0-9999

333

40

R76:35

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory Type
& File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max.
Length Ethernet

Max. Length Offlinking

Example

Status

0-9999

1000

Varies

S:306

ST3-ST9999

String

0-9999

23

ST89:38

T3-T9999

Timer

0-9999

333

19

T4:10

UN

Unsolicited

0-23417
Octal

2000

Varies

UN:8

Valid SLC 5/00, SLC 5/01, and SLC 5/02 Addresses

Memory Type & File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

B3,
B10-B255

Binary

0-255

41

B3:10

C5,
C10-C255

Counter

0-255

13

C5:15

N7,
N10-N255

Integer

0-255

41

N7:20

R6,
R10-R255

Control

0-255

13

R6:25

Status

0-15

41

S:0

T4,
T10-T255

Timer

0-255

13

T:30

Valid SLC 5/03, SLC 5/04, SLC 5/05 Addresses

Memory Type
& File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max.
Length KT Cards

Max. Length Ethernet (SLC

5/05 only)

Example

A3-A9999

ASCII

0-9999

Varies

1000

A11:6

B3-B9999

Binary

0-9999

Varies

1000

B3:10

C3-C9999

Counter

0-9999

39

333

C5:20

F3-F9999

Float

0-9999

Varies

500

F8:30

I (read only)

Input

0-9999

Varies

1000

I:2

N3-N9999

Integer

0-9999

Varies

1000

N7:0

O (read only)

Output

0-9999

Varies

1000

O:1

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ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory Type
& File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max.
Length KT Cards

Max. Length Ethernet (SLC

5/05 only)

Example

R3-R9999

Control

0-9999

39

333

R6:21

S:0

Status

0-9999

Varies

1000

S:12

ST3-ST9999

String

0-9999

23

ST12:34

T3-T9999

Timer

0-9999

39

333

T4:8

UN

Unsolicited

0-9999

118

1000

UN:50

Valid MicroLogix PLC 1761-L10BWA Addresses*

Memory Type & File
Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

B3

Binary

0-255

Varies

B3:31

C5

Counter

0-255

39

C5:25

I (read only)

Input

0-1

I:0

N7

Integer

0-255

Varies

N7:0

O (read only)

Output

0-0

O:0

R6

Control

0-255

39

R6:13

Status

0-24

Varies

S:21

T4

Timer

0-255

39

T4:39

* Consult your MicroLogix hardware manuals for any hardware limits on the address range.
Valid MicroLogix PLC 1761-L20BWA-5A Addresses*

114

Memory Type & File

Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

B3

Binary

0-255

Varies

B3:31

C5

Counter

0-255

39

C5:25

I (read only)

Input

0-127

I:0

N7

Integer

0-255

Varies

N7:0

O (read only)

Output

0-0

O:0

R6

Control

0-255

39

R6:13

Status

0-24

Varies

S:21

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Memory Type & File

Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length - KT
Cards

Example

T4

Timer

0-255

39

T4:39

* Consult your MicroLogix hardware manuals for any hardware limits on the address range.
Supported ControLogix 1756 Lx Processor Memory Types
Memory Type
& File Number

Description

Address
Range

Max. Length
- KT Cards

Max. Length
- Ethernet

Example

F0-F999

Float

0-9999

Varies

500

F8:500

N0 - N999

Integer

0-9999

Varies

1000

N7:300

Setting Datablock Timing Properties: Rate, Phase, and Access Time

The Primary Rate, Secondary Rate, Phase, and Access Time fields determine the timing of the driver's
polling process. Polling is the process of sending or receiving messages between the driver and a
specific datablock. The timing sequence works as follows:
1.

The driver polls the datablock at the specified primary poll rate. For example, if you enter 2
seconds in the Primary Rate field, the driver polls for data every 2 seconds.

2.

The process control software no longer requests data from the datablock. The driver continues
polling at the primary poll rate until the access time expires.
a.

If the process control software makes a request on the same datablock before the
access time expires, the access time resets and the driver continues polling at the
primary poll rate.

b.

If the access time expires, the driver starts polling the datablock at the secondary poll
rate. To maximize the efficiency of the driver, specify a secondary poll rate that is
longer than the primary poll rate. This configuration ensures that the driver polls the
datablock at a slower rate when there are no requests.

c.

If the process control software stops its request, the access time expires, and you do
not specify a secondary poll rate, the driver stops polling the datablock.

d.

When the process control software requests data from the datablock again, the access
time resets and the driver polls at the primary poll rate.

Refer to Using Primary and Secondary Poll Rates with Access Time for examples of primary and
secondary poll rates with access times.
Typically, you phase datablocks when you are collecting information from many points on a single
device. Phasing means staggering the first time at which the driver polls its datablocks. When the
phase time expires, the driver resumes reading its datablocks at the specified primary or secondary poll
rate. Refer to Using Phasing with Poll Rates for an example of phasing datablocks.

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Using Primary and Secondary Poll Rates with Access Time

Below practical examples for combining your primary poll rates, secondary poll rates, and access times
are provided to help you configure your datablocks.
Example 1
PollRec1
Primary Poll Rate = 10 seconds
Secondary Poll Rate = Disabled
Access Time = 5 minutes
In this datablock, when the access time expires, the driver attempts to poll with the secondary poll rate
then stops because this poll rate is disabled.
Example 2
PollRec2
Primary Poll Rate = 10 seconds
Secondary Poll Rate = 1 minute
Access Time = 5 minutes
In PollRec2, when the access time expires, the driver switches to the secondary poll rate and then polls
the datablock every minute.
Example 3
PollRec3
Primary Poll Rate = 10 seconds
Secondary Poll Rate = Disabled
Access Time = Disabled
The driver always polls PollRec3 at 10 seconds with this configuration because the access time is
disabled.
Example 4
PollRec4
Primary Poll Rate = Disabled
Secondary Poll Rate = Disabled
Access Time = Disabled
The driver does not read messages from PollRec4 on the device. This is the configuration for a writeonly datablock.
Using Phasing with Poll Rates
Below a practical example for phasing the primary poll rate is provided to help you configure your
datablocks.

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In situations where the mode of transmission is slow, such as serial communication to a SLC 5, we
recommend phasing one or more datablocks to prevent overruns. Overruns can occur when the driver
attempts to process (read data from) more datablocks at one time than it can handle. By using phasing,
you can stagger when the driver processes a datablock.
Example
The following table shows an example of 10 datablocks processing every 10 seconds.
Name

Primary Poll Rate

Phase

Datablock0

10

Datablock1

10

Datablock2

10

Datablock3

10

Datablock4

10

Datablock5

10

Datablock6

10

Datablock7

10

Datablock8

10

Datablock9

10

The driver processes the first datablock immediately after starting up. Each subsequent datablock
message is processed one second later instead of all at once.
NOTE: When transmission errors, retries, or other errors occur, the phasing you set may not remain
consistent. You may have to stop and restart the driver.

Setting Default Values

Setting Default Values for Channels, Devices, and Datablock Properties
You can enter defaults for driver, channel, device, and datablock properties by clicking the Templates
button,

, in the Run-time toolbar and displaying the Templates dialog box.

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The driver uses the defaults you enter when you:

Add addresses to the driver configuration from FIX Database Builder or an OLE application, or

Configure the driver from the Power Tool.

The Power Tool stores the default driver, channel, device, and datablock properties in the registry of
the computer on which you installed the ABR I/O Server. For example, if you run the Power Tool and
connect to a server on another computer, the default values you enter are written to the remote server.
Setting default values can significantly decrease I/O driver configuration time. For example, if you
have 100 devices that have the same property settings except for the device name and IP address, you
can use the default settings for each device and modify only the two unique fields.
Example
Entering the following as channel default values:
Channel Description: Channel1
Channel Name: Channel1
Sets the registry on the server as shown below:

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Configuring from FIX Applications

Overview: Creating Datablocks Inside FIX Applications
You do not have to use the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool to create all of the driver datablocks. If you
have the right information, you can add datablocks while configuring your database in FIX Database
Builder.
To configure the driver from FIX Database Builder, you must know the following information about
the driver:

The three-letter acronym for the driver. For the ABR driver, the acronym is ABR.

The data type of the data you want to receive.

The name of the field device or process hardware that you want to collect data from, as defined in
the driver configuration.

The register in the device that you want to collect data from.

The type of signal conditioning you want to apply to the data.

The specific digital point in the register you want to access. This information is only necessary for
digital database blocks. The ABR driver accepts bit entries of 0 to 15.

Datablocks are automatically created for devices that already exist in the Power Tool. Devices are not
automatically created. Remember that the Device field in FIX Database Builder accepts the three-letter
driver acronym. The I/O Address field uses the device name assigned in the Power Tool followed by
the memory location in the device.
Refer to Entering Driver Information in FIX Database Builder for details on entering driver data in
Database Builder for automatic datablock creation.
IMPORTANT: Always stop any 7.x driver you have running before you import a database, reload a
database, or create multiple database blocks with the Generate command. If you leave the driver
running while you complete any of these tasks, the database may not load or import properly, or you
may have to restart FIX or Database Builder.

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Entering Driver Information in FIX Database Builder

To enter driver specifications for a database block in FIX Database Builder:
1.

Select Add from the Blocks menu in the FIX Database Builder to add a database block.
Database Builder prompts you to select the type of database block.

2.

Select the type of block and click OK. The block's dialog box appears as shown below.

Database Block Dialog Box

3.

Enter a name in the Tag Name field.

4.

Complete the driver fields with the appropriate information for your driver.

I/O Driver Fields

Refer to the following topics for valid entries for each field:

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Specifying Hardware Options

Specifying I/O Addresses

Specifying Signal Conditioning

Specifying the I/O Driver in FIX Database Builder

The Device field in Database Builder identifies the I/O driver that the database block accesses. This
field accepts your drivers three-letter acronym. The default for this field is the first driver listed in the
Configured I/O Driver list box in the SCADA Configuration dialog box of the System Configuration
Utility (SCU). For the ABR driver, enter ABR in this field.

Specifying I/O Addresses in FIX Database Builder

You can specify the datablock address that the database block accesses in the Database Builder I/O
Address field. ABR I/O addresses typically consist of the device name and the datablock element. The
I/O address is specific to the driver. This field is not case sensitive.
NOTE: When accessing file type D, the signal conditioning is assumed to be 4BCD with no scaling.
Entries in the Signal Conditioning and Engineering Units fields are ignored.

ABR I/O addresses have the following format:

DEVICE_NAME:ADDRESS [:BIT] or
DEVICE_NAME:ADDRESS.MNEMONIC

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Where:
Parameter

Description

DEVICE_NAME

Is the name of the field device or process hardware that you want to collect data
from. This name must match the device name in the driver configuration file.

ADDRESS

Is a register in the device. This address matches the address defined by a datablock,
such as N7:3.

BIT

Is a specific digital point in the register. This entry is only necessary for digital
database blocks. The driver accepts bit entries of 0 to 15. For a PLC 3, bits values
range from 0 to 7 and 10 to 17.

MNEMONIC

Is a particular field in a data structure. Each mnemonic may return an analog or

digital value and is analog and digital sensitive. For example, if you use the
following syntax for an analog block:
Device1:PD13:1.INI

FIX returns an error message since INI is a digital mnemonic. To display a list of
mnemonics, refer to Supported Mnemonics.

If you enter an I/O address that is not defined by a datablock, the driver performs one of the following
operations if you enabled the Auto Create option:

Adds the datablock to the specified device, or

Extends an existing datablock to include the new address.

If you have not enabled the Auto Create option:

Database Builder prompts you to start the Power Tool so that you can add the nonexistent
datablock to your driver configuration. You can then continue configuring the database block.

NOTE: You are also prompted to start the Power Tool whenever you enter the name of an undefined
device.
The driver optimizes the building of datablocks by automatically determining whether to extend an
existing datablock or add a new one. If you want to modify the datablock default values, open the ABR
I/O Driver Power Tool and make the changes to the configuration file.
You can enter the following special addresses into the I/O Address field of a Digital Output or Analog
Output block to perform certain events:
!SWITCH:NAME
!MODE:NAME
!POLL:NAME
!SEND:DATABLOCK
!START
Where NAME is the name of the channel, device, or datablock you want to perform the event on.

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Special Address Events

Command

Description

!SWITCH

Triggers the failover logic by switching to a back-up device when any value is
written to a Digital Output or Analog Output block. For the order in which the driver
switches among your devices, refer to the Failover Logic field.

!MODE

Enables polling to the channel, device, or datablock specified when a value of 1 is

written to a Digital Output block (Analog Output blocks are not supported).
Disabling a specified object occurs when a value of 0 is written to a Digital Output
block.

!POLL

Triggers a demand (one-shot) poll of:

A channel and all of its devices and datablocks,
A device and all its datablocks, or
a specified datablock
when any value is written to a Digital Output or Analog Output block.

!SEND

Sends a special command to the specified datablock when any value is written to a
Digital Output block. The command is sent only if the Block Writes option is
enabled in the datablock. The command instructs the driver to send all outstanding
writes in a single message to the process hardware.
When the driver sends its outstanding writes, it also sends any unmodified values in
the datablocks that are changing using the last known value. Consequently, we
recommend relatively short poll times for datablocks you are writing to so that the
driver will have the most up-to-date data.
The ABR driver supports block writes with the following file types: A, B, D, O, N,
L, and F. On a PLC5/250, the driver also supports blocks writes for BTD file types.
You cannot use an Analog Output block to trigger block writes.

!START

Starts the driver when a value of 1 is written to a Digital Output block (Analog
Output blocks are not supported). To stop the driver, write a value of 0 to a Digital
Output block.

Specifying Signal Conditioning in Database Builder

With the Database Builder Signal Conditioning field, you can specify the method for converting raw
data to a value that FIX applications can use. Once you select a signal conditioning, the driver scales
(converts) the data to a value within the specified range.

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Unsigned data types support many types of signal conditioning; signed values only support LIN signal
conditioning. The type of signal conditioning you select must match the range of incoming values from
the process hardware. By matching the range of values in the process hardware, you ensure the driver
can properly convert the raw data values to the database blocks EGU range. For example, if the
incoming values are between 0 and 255, you would select 8BN signal conditioning.
ABR Supported Signal Conditioning Types

NONE Signal Conditioning

RNDF Signal Conditioning

12BN Signal Conditioning

12AL Signal Conditioning (with alarming)

12LZ Signal Conditioning (with alarming)

15BN Signal Conditioning

15AL Signal Conditioning (with alarming)

LIN Signal Conditioning

3BCD Signal Conditioning

4BCD Signal Conditioning

13BN Signal Conditioning

13AL Signal Conditioning (with alarming)

14BN Signal Conditioning

14AL Signal Conditioning (with alarming)

14LZ Signal Conditioning (with alarming)

8BN Signal Conditioning

8AL Signal Conditioning (with alarming)

IMPORTANT: Most signal conditioning types with alarming return values with all 16 bits and
generate an OVER or UNDER range alarm if a value is outside the EGU range of the database block.
For example, if a database block using 8AL signal conditioning receives a value of 300, an OVER
range alarm is generated and the value 300 is displayed.
When 3BCD or 4BCD signal conditioning is used, out of range values are not displayed. For example,
if a database block using 3BCD signal conditioning receives a value of 1000, an OVER range alarm is

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generated and question marks are displayed instead of the out of range value.
When accessing file type D, the signal conditioning is assumed to be 4BCD with no scaling. Entries in
the Signal Conditioning and Engineering Units fields are ignored.
Signal conditioning is supported for Timer and Counter mnemonics ACC and PRE. These are the only
structured memory types that the ABR driver supports with signal conditioning.

Specifying Hardware Options in FIX Database Builder

The ABR driver ignores entries into the Database Builder Hardware Options field. In other drivers, the
field is used to override the data type of the associated datablock.

Opening the Power Tool from FIX Database Builder

To open the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool from FIX Database Builder:

Select ABR from the Drivers menu. Any devices or datablocks that you added appear in the
Tree Browser.

Setting Up for Creating Datablocks Automatically in FIX Database Builder

FIX Database Builder uses the default settings for datablocks when you add a new database block that
refers to an undefined address. Default values may already be set for your application. To find out
what the default values are, open the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool and click the Templates button in
the Run-time toolbar. When the Templates dialog box appears, you can display the default channel,
device, and datablock values by selecting a tab. To change a value, refer to Setting Default Values for
Channels, Devices, and Datablock Properties.

Verifying New Datablocks Created in FIX Database Builder

When you create a datablock in FIX Database Builder, it automatically adds to the driver server.
To verify that the datablock was added to the run-time configuration:
1.

Open the ABR Power Tool and select an item in the Tree Browser.

2.

Press the F5 key to refresh the Tree Browser.

3.

Expand the device containing the datablock you added.

Example
If you enter the following in the FIX Database Builder driver-specific fields:

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And the default settings for datablocks entered in Power Tool's Templates dialog box are:

The Power Tool Tree Browser displays:

Press the F5 key to refresh the Tree Browser, and the Tree Browser displays:

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And the properties for the datablock are:

Use the following I/O driver-specific fields in FIX Database Builder to set up the driver:

Device

Hardware Options

I/O Address

Signal Conditioning

Saving Datablocks Created in FIX Database Builder to the Configuration

File
Creating a datablock with Database Builder only adds the datablock to the run-time configuration, not
the driver configuration file.
To save the datablock to the configuration file, you can:

Save the configuration file in the Power Tool at any time while FIX is running by clicking the

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Save button.

Let the datablock automatically add to the configuration file when you shut down FIX by
clicking an item in the Tree Browser and pressing Alt + Shift + S. When the Server window
appears select Save on FIX Exit from the Server menu.

Making Reports
Using I/O Driver Report Files
You can use I/O driver report files (.CSV files) to document, create, or upgrade I/O driver
configuration binary files. .CSV files are Comma Separated Value files that you can view and edit in a
text editor or Microsoft Excel.
Driver .CSV files have the following sections:

Report header

Channel header

Channel data

Device header

Device data

Datablock header

Datablock data

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.CSV File
Section

Description

Report
Header

Informational and contains the driver name and the date of the report.

Channel
Header

Contains a list of all the channel properties. The channel header must start with an
exclamation point (!).

Channel
Data

Contains the values of the channel properties for your driver configuration. The
number of data values must match the number of channel properties listed in the
channel header. If you do not specify a value for a property, it uses the default value
for that property.

Device
Header

Contains a list of all the device properties. The device header must start with an atsign (@).

Device Data

Contains the values of the device properties for your driver configuration. The
number of data values must match the number of device properties listed in the
device header. If you do not specify a value for a property, it uses the default value
for that property.

Datablock
Header

Contains a list of all the datablock properties. The datablock header must start with a
pound sign (#).

ABR I/O Driver Manual

.CSV File
Section

Description

Datablock
Data

Contains the values of the datablock properties for your driver configuration. The
number of data values must match the number of datablock properties listed in the
datablock header. If you do not specify a value for a property, it uses the default
value for that property.

Example .CSV file displayed in a text editor

.CSV
File
Section

Example

Report
Header

[ I/O Driver Configuration Report, Wednesday May 14 1999, 11:26 AM]

Channel
Header

!Name,Description,Enabled,PrimaryRSLinxDriverName,PrimaryReceiveUnsolicited,
BackupRSLinxDriverName,BackupReceiveUnsolicited,SwitchOverMethod,PrimaryReplyTimeout,
PrimaryRetries,PrimaryDelay,BackupReplyTimeout,BackupRetries,BackupDelay

Channel
Data

Channel0,"This,Is,The,Description",1,AB_ETH1,0,,0,Device First,1,3,10,1,3,10

Device
Header

@Channel,Name,Description,PlcType,PyramidIntegratorSlot,PyramidIntegratorRouting,
PyramidIntegratorDestPlcType,PrimaryChannelPrimaryStation,PrimaryChannelBackupStation,
BackupChannelPrimaryStation,BackupChannelBackupStation,Enabled,PrimaryRoutingOption,
BackupRoutingOption,DestinationBridge,SourceBridge,PrimaryGatewayDestinationLink,
PrimaryGatewayChannel,PrimaryGatewaySlot,PrimaryGatewayPath,BackupGatewayDestinationLink,
BackupGatewayChannel,BackupGatewaySlot,BackupGatewayPath,OutstandingMessagesMax

Device
Data

Channel0,Device2,"This,Is,The,Description 2",PLC5,0,None,PLC5,100.100.100.100,
100.100.100.101,,,1,None,None,0,0,,2,,"ENet,->,DH+",,2,,"ENet,->,DH+",40

Channel14,"This,Is,The,Description 1",0

Channel0,Device6,"This,Is,The,Description 3",PLC5250,1,RM Chan 2,PLC5,

100.100.100.101,100.100.101.101,,,1,None,None,0,0,,2,,"ENet,->,DH+",,2,,"ENet,->,DH+",40
Channel14,Device8,"This,Is,The,Description 4",SLC500,0,SLC500,None,100.100.100.102,
100.100.102.101,,,1,None,None,0,0,,2,,"ENet,->,DH+",,2,,"ENet,->,DH+",40

Datablock
Header

#Device,Name,Description,StartAddress,Length,PrimaryPollTime,SecondaryPollTime,
Phase,AccessTime,DeadBand,Enabled,LatchData,OutputDisabled,DataType

Datablock
Data

Device2,Block13,,N7:0,1,00,01,00,01:00:00,1,1,0,0,2
Device2,Block14,,N7:50,1,00,01,00,01:00:00,1,1,0,0,2
Device2,Block15,,N7:100,1,00,01,00,01:00:00,1,1,0,0,2
Device2,Block16,,N7:150,1,00,01,00,01:00:00,1,1,0,0,2
Device2,Block17,,N7:200,1,00,01,00,01:00:00,1,1,0,0,2
Device2,Block18,,N7:250,1,00,01,00,01:00:00,1,1,0,0,2
Device2,Block19,,N7:300,1,00,01,00,01:00:00,1,1,0,0,2
Device2,Block20,,N7:350,1,00,01,00,01:00:00,1,1,0,0,2

You can import a .CSV file from the Power Tool or the I/O Server. Regardless of the method you
select, any errors in the .CSV file appear in the I/O Server window when you import it. To view the
errors, click an item in the Tree Browser and press Alt + Shift + S.

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Example of Errors Displayed in I/O Server

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Running the I/O Driver

Viewing Statistics
Viewing I/O Driver Statistics
The I/O Driver Statistics display shows statistics for the I/O driver. This is the highest level of driver
statistics and provides information about the entire system. The number of transmits, receives,
timeouts, retries, errors, and overruns are displayed for all channels, devices, and datablocks in the
current configuration.
To display the drivers statistics, select the I/O driver icon from the Tree Browser and then click the
Statistics button in the Run-time toolbar.

Viewing Channel Statistics

The Channel Statistics display shows statistics for the selected channel. The number of transmits,
receives, timeouts, retries, errors, and overruns displayed are for all devices and datablocks configured
for the channel. You can also see the number of messages waiting for a response, the number of
messages waiting to be parsed, and the number of requests pending for the channel.
To display a channels statistics, select the channel from the Tree Browser and click the Statistics
button in the Run-time toolbar.

Viewing Device Statistics

The Device Statistics display shows statistics for the selected device. The number of transmits,
receives, timeouts, retries, errors, and overruns are displayed for all datablocks configured for the
device. You can also see the number of unsolicited messages received, the number of messages
processed per second, and the number of outstanding messages for the device.
To display a devices statistics, select the device from the Tree Browser and click the Statistics button
on the Run-time toolbar.

Viewing Datablock Statistics

The Datablock Statistics display shows statistics for the selected datablock. The number of transmits,
receives, timeouts, retries, errors, and overruns are displayed. Other available statistics include the last
time the driver successfully read data from and wrote data to the datablock, the OPC quality of the
datablock, and the number of pending datablock writes.
To display a datablocks statistics, select the datablock from the Tree Browser and click the Statistics
button in the Run-time toolbar.

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Starting and Stopping the I/O Driver

Starting the I/O Driver from the Power Tool
To start the I/O driver from the I/O Driver Power Tool:
1.

Specify a default path and configuration file name for the driver:
a.

Click the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

b.

Select the Default Path tab.

c.

Enter the configuration files default name and default path in the fields provided.

2.

Configure your channels, devices, and datablocks. Click the Enable check box for each
channel, device, and datablock you want to start.

3.

from the Run-time toolbar. The driver processes all enabled

Click the Start button
channels, devices, and datablocks.

If you want to start the driver automatically, you should also turn on the Auto Start option:
1.

Select the Setup button in the Power Tools Run-time toolbar.

2.

Select the Advanced tab in the Setup dialog box.

3.

Click the Auto Start On option button from the Server area.

Starting the I/O Driver from the FIX SCU

IMPORTANT: You must install the ABR driver in your root FIX or iFIX directory to start it from the
SCU. If you have not installed the driver in this directory, uninstall it and then re-install it in the
proper path.
To start the ABR I/O driver from FIX SCU:
1.

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Start the System Configuration Utility (SCU):

a.

Select Programs from the Start menu.

b.

Select FIX, Dynamics, or iFIX from the Programs menu.

c.

Select System Configuration from the context menu.

2.

Click the SCADA button from the SCU toolbox.

3.

Click the ? button next to the I/O Driver Name field for a list of available drivers.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

4.

Select the ABR I/O driver.

5.

Click Add.

6.

Click Configure.

7.

Click the Start button from the Power Tool.

NOTE: You must have an ABR configuration file in your root iFIX directory with a name of
nodename.ABR. This file is necessary for iFIX to load the driver and is created by the installation
program when you install the ABR driver. You also need a configuration file with a different name that
defines your channels, devices, and datablocks.
If you are using FIX, nodename.ABR resides in your Database path (C:\FIX32\PDB, by default). Do
not delete this file. FIX uses this file to load the driver. Use nodename.ABR to define your channels,
devices, and datablocks.

Setting the I/O Driver for Automatic Startup in FIX

You can configure a driver to start automatically by adding the I/O Control program to the list of
programs that are defined in the System Configuration Utility (SCU) to start automatically. FIX or
iFIX may have already added this program to the list if you had one or more drivers installed when you
installed FIX. However, if you do not have any drivers installed, or I/O Control is not listed, add the
program to the Configured Tasks list in the SCU.
IMPORTANT: You must install the ABR driver in your root FIX or iFIX directory to automatically
start it from the SCU. If you have not installed the driver in this directory, uninstall it and then reinstall it in the proper path.
To set the I/O driver for automatic startup:
1.

Start the System Configuration Utility (SCU):

a.

Select Programs from the Start menu.

b.

Select FIX, Dynamics, or iFIX from the Programs menu.

c.

Select System Configuration from the context menu.

2.

Click the Tasks button from the SCU toolbox.

3.

Enter the Base path and IOCNTRL.EXE in the Filename field.

4.

Enter the following command lines as needed, separated by a space:

Parameter

Description

/A

Starts all I/O drivers identified in the SCADA configuration.

/Sxxx

Starts one I/O driver where xxx is the three-letter I/O driver acronym.

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5.

Select the Background option button and click Add.

If you are connecting datablocks to one or more database blocks and need to access data with SAC,
add the ABR I/O driver to the SCADA Configuration dialog box, as follows:
1.

Click the SCADA button from the SCU toolbox.

2.

Select the ? button next to the I/O Driver Name field.

3.

Select the ABR driver from the dialog box and click OK. The following text appears in the
I/O Driver Name field:
ABR - Allen-Bradley RSLinx 7.x

4.

Click Add to add the selected I/O driver to the Configured I/O Drivers list box.

NOTE: You must have an ABR configuration file in your root iFIX directory with a name of
nodename.ABR. This file is necessary for iFIX to load the driver and is created by the installation
program when you install the ABR driver. You also need a configuration file with a different name that
defines your channels, devices, and datablocks.
If you are using FIX, nodename.ABR resides in your Database path (C:\FIX32\PDB, by default). Do
not delete this file. FIX uses this file to load the driver. Use nodename.ABR to define your channels,
devices, and datablocks.
If you change the name of your SCADA server after installing the ABR driver, FIX cannot
automatically start the driver because the name of the node does not match the name of the
configuration file. To correct this, rename the configuration file to match the name of your SCADA
server. For example, if you change the name of the SCADA server from SCADA1 to SCADA9, rename
the configuration file from SCADA1.ABR to SCADA9.ABR.

Starting the I/O Driver Manually from Mission Control

To start the I/O driver manually from Mission Control:
1.

134

Start Mission Control:

a.

Select Programs from the Start menu.

b.

Select FIX, Dynamics, or iFIX from the Programs menu.

c.

Select Mission Control from the context menu.

2.

Click the I/O Control tab. This tab displays a list of each driver installed on your system,
along with the drivers status (ACTIVE or STOPPED).

3.

Select the driver you want to start from the Drivers list box.

4.

Click Start. If the selected I/O driver is already running, the Start button becomes a Stop

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button.
NOTE: You must have an ABR configuration file in your root iFIX directory with a name of
nodename.ABR. This file is necessary for iFIX to load the driver and is created by the installation
program when you install the ABR driver. You also need a configuration file with a different name that
defines your channels, devices, and datablocks.
If you are using FIX, nodename.ABR resides in your Database path (C:\FIX32\PDB, by default). Do
not delete this file. FIX uses this file to load the driver. Use nodename.ABR to define your channels,
devices, and datablocks.

Stopping the I/O Driver

To stop the I/O driver manually from Mission Control:
1.

Start Mission Control:

a.

Select Programs from the Start menu.

b.

Select FIX, Dynamics, or iFIX from the Programs menu.

c.

Select Mission Control from the context menu.

2.

Click the I/O Control tab. This tab displays a list of each driver installed on your computer,
along with the drivers status (ACTIVE or STOPPED).

3.

Select the driver you want to stop from the Drivers list box.

4.

Click Stop.

To stop the I/O driver from the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool:

Click the Stop button from the Run-time toolbar.

To stop the driver from a FIX application:

1.

Open the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool. Refer to Opening the Power Tool from FIX Database
Builder to learn how.

2.

Click the Stop button from the Run-time toolbar.

Checking Driver Communication

The following step-by-step procedure details how to set up a single Data link and enabling
communication between FIX software and the process hardware with the ABR I/O driver.

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To add the ABR I/O driver to a SCADA configuration and launch the ABR I/O Driver
Power Tool:
1.

Start the System Configuration Utility (SCU):

a.

Select Programs from the Start menu.

b.

Select FIX, Dynamics, or iFIX from the Programs menu.

c.

Select System Configuration from the context menu.

2.

Click the SCADA button from the SCU toolbox.

3.

Click the question mark (?) next to the I/O Driver Name field. A list of drivers installed on the
local node appears.

4.

Select the ABR I/O driver and click Add. The ABR I/O driver adds to the Configured I/O
Drivers list.

5.

Save and exit the SCU.

6.

Start or restart FIX.

7.

Start the ABR Power Tool:

a.

Select Programs from the Start menu.

b.

Select FIX, Dynamics, or iFIX from the Programs menu.

c.

Select ABR Power Tool from the context menu.

NOTE: When you start the ABR driver, it automatically starts RSLinx for you. If you have not
configured RSLinx, do so now before you proceed. For more information on configuring RSLinx, refer
to your RSLinx documentation.
To configure a device with the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool:

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1.

With the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool open, click the Add Channel button from the
Configuration toolbar.

2.

Select an RSLinx driver and select the Enable check box.

3.

Select the channel that you added from the Tree Browser, and select the Add Device button
from the Configuration toolbar.

4.

Enter the appropriate information. Change the devices name to TESTPOINT.

5.

Enter an address for the device in the Primary Channel Primary Address field. If you selected
a Data Highway Plus (DH+) or DH485 RSLinx driver, enter a DH+ station number. If you

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selected an Ethernet RSLinx driver, enter an IP address.

6.

Select the Enable check box.

To add a link that accesses the configured device from FIX Draw:
1.

From the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool, click the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

2.

Click the Advanced tab and select Auto Create On from the Server area.

3.

Open FIX Draw.

4.

If the Toolbox does not appear on your screen, select Toolbox from the Tools menu.

5.

Click the Data Link button

6.

Position the stamp on the screen and click once.

7.

Enter a tagname.

8.

Select Allow Data Entry in the Data Entry area of the dialog box. When the Choose Data
Entry method dialog box appears, click OK.

9.

Select Controllable in the Data Link dialog box.

on the Toolbox. A stamp appears.

10. Click OK. A message box appears stating that the tagname does not exist and prompting you
to add it.
11. Click Add.
12. Select Analog Input and click OK.
13. Enter ABR in the Device field.
14. Enter TESTPOINT:N7:15 in the I/O Address field.
Where TESTPOINT is the device name you entered in the Power Tool, and N7:15 is the
register in the device that you want to access for the tag.
15. Select OK. Database Builder automatically adds a datablock for the address N7:15.
16. Select Quickview from the View menu.
17. Data from the hardware appears in the link. If it does not, refer to the Troubleshooting section.

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Optimizing the Driver

Optimizing Your System
The following topics provide tips for optimizing your process.

Optimizing message lengths.

Cleaning up datablocks while using the Auto Create option in FIX applications.

Using the secondary poll rate with access time.

Understanding outstanding message allocation at the channel level.

Understanding and configuring the maximum outstanding messages per device.

Optimizing Message Lengths

Automatically creating datablocks from FIX Database Builder is an easy way to reference device
addresses without having to use both an I/O driver configuration program (Power Tool, VB Client
application, or other) and FIX software. When you use this feature, you may find it necessary to
modify the datablock address properties to optimize throughput. By using this approach, you ensure
that all of the requested data can be retrieved from the process hardware with the fewest number of
datablocks. Since each datablock represents a message request, the more data that can be retrieved with
the fewest requests, the more bandwidth on your network will be available for other uses, such as peerto-peer communications or additional PLCs and SCADA servers.

Example
The following example assumes that the communication protocol of the selected RSLinx driver has a
limit of 120 registers per datablock, and the ABR driver configuration has not been loaded.
1.

Create a FIX tag referencing address N7:130.

Once this tag is added, the driver configuration has a datablock (we will call it DataBlock1 in
this example) with a start address of N7:130, an end address of N7:130, and a length of 1.

2.

Create a FIX tag referencing address N7:5.

When this tag is added, the driver configuration has another datablock (we will call it
DataBlock2 in this example) with a start address of N7:5, end address of N7:5, and a length of
1.

3.

Create a FIX tag referencing address N7:120.

When this tag is added, DataBlock2 in the driver configuration starts at register N7:5, ends at
register N7:120, and has a length of 116.

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This behavior may not have a major impact on small configurations; however, for large configurations,
it is more efficient to extend DataBlock1 to start at N7:120 and end at N7:130 and change DataBlock2
to start at N7:5 and end at N7:5 because the first scenario generates the following messages:

Message 1: N7:5, length 116

Message 2: N7:130, length 1

The second scenario, by comparison, generates these messages:

Message 1: N7:5, length 1

Message 2: N7:120, length 11

In both cases, the same three registers of data are polled. However, by requesting smaller groups of
contiguous data, as in the second scenario, the driver configuration uses less bandwidth.
You should periodically start the I/O Driver Power Tool, examine the driver configuration datablock
address properties, and modify them for optimization.

How do I eliminate excess datablocks?

Use the following procedure to eliminate excess datablocks if you enabled the Auto Create option in
your I/O driver configuration and you created FIX database blocks that required new datablocks. This
procedure removes any incorrectly configured or unused datablocks.
Using the Auto Create option also adds datablocks with default values. If you have modified the poll
rate or access time of one or more datablocks, use the procedure at the end of this topic.
NOTE: You may not be able to delete datablocks from the driver configuration because another
computer may start accessing them.
To eliminate excess datablocks:
1.

With FIX running, open Mission Control, click the SAC tab, and click Stop, to stop SAC.

2.

Open the I/O Driver Power Tool and delete all the datablocks. Do not delete the channels and
devices.

3.

Return to Mission Control and the SAC tab. Click Start. The driver automatically adds the
necessary datablocks with the default settings defined in the Power Tool.

This procedure guarantees that the I/O driver configuration in the Power Tool matches what you are
accessing in your FIX database.
If you made specific modifications to one or more datablocks, such as a different poll rate for each
datablock on a device, use the following procedure.
To eliminate excess datablocks for specialized configuration files:
1.

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Export the current driver configuration file by saving it as a .CSV file.

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2.

Perform the three steps above for removing excess datablocks.

3.

Compare the export file to the new configuration. Note any differences.

4.

Modify the export file as needed.

5.

Import the modified export file and save it as a driver configuration file.

Using Primary and Secondary Poll Rates with Access Time

Below practical examples for combining your primary poll rates, secondary poll rates, and access times
are provided to help you configure your datablocks.

Example 1
PollRec1
Primary Poll Rate = 10 seconds
Secondary Poll Rate = Disabled
Access Time = 5 minutes
In this datablock, when the access time expires, the driver attempts to poll with the secondary poll rate
then stops because this poll rate is disabled.

Example 2
PollRec2
Primary Poll Rate = 10 seconds
Secondary Poll Rate = 1 minute
Access Time = 5 minutes
In PollRec2, when the access time expires, the driver switches to the secondary poll rate and then polls
the datablock every minute.

Example 3
PollRec3
Primary Poll Rate = 10 seconds
Secondary Poll Rate = Disabled
Access Time = Disabled
The driver always polls PollRec3 at 10 seconds with this configuration because the access time is
disabled.

Example 4
PollRec4
Primary Poll Rate = Disabled

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Secondary Poll Rate = Disabled

Access Time = Disabled
The driver does not read messages from PollRec4 on the device. This is the configuration for a writeonly datablock.

Understanding Outstanding Message Allocation at the Channel

Level
Whenever the poll time expires on a datablock, the ABR driver builds a message for the datablock to
send to the PLC. RSLinx limits the maximum number of pending messages the ABR driver can have at
any time to 40. This limit means that RSLinx allows up to 40 simultaneous message transactions at any
time across all channels. Once the driver has 40 pending message requests, it cannot send another
message request until it receives a reply or a timeout for one or more of the outstanding messages.
Because of the RSLinx limit, the ABR driver automatically distributes the number of allowable
outstanding messages among the configured channels to ensure an effective distribution for optimum
performance. The distribution of the messages depends on the channels method of communication.
For example, the ABR driver allocates 1 messages to DF1 (serial) channels. For all other channels, the
ABR driver attempts to evenly divide the remaining outstanding message count among them.

Example
A configuration of 1 Ethernet, 1 Data Highway Plus (DH+), and 1 DF1 channel would divide the
outstanding message count as follows:
Channel

Method of Communication

Message Allocation

DH+

20

Ethernet

19

DF1

You may not need all the messages the ABR driver automatically allocates for a given device. For this
reason, the ABR Power Tool also lets you configure the maximum of outstanding messages for each
device. To learn more about configuring the maximum outstanding messages for a device, refer to
Understanding and Configuring the Maximum Outstanding Messages per Device.

Understanding and Configuring the Maximum Outstanding

Messages per Device
Your specific network configuration may require you to modify the number of outstanding messages
that any one device has pending at a given time. For example, any of the following circumstances may
require you to make changes to a devices maximum outstanding messages:

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Buffering limitations of a device.

The user-defined rate at which information is sent to or received from a device on a particular
channel.

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Your attempts to evenly distribute message requests across all devices.

The ABR Power Tool automatically allocates a maximum number of outstanding messages for each
channel. However, the Power Tool also lets you fine-tune these values on a per device basis. To learn
more about how outstanding messages are allocated at the channel level, refer to Understanding and
Outstanding Messages at the Channel Level.

Configuring the Maximum Number of Outstanding Messages

Configuring a maximum number of outstanding messages per device does not ensure that a specific
device always has the configured maximum number of messages outstanding at any time. However, it
does ensure that the device never has more outstanding messages. In this way, the value you enter acts
as a limit.
The actual number of outstanding messages per device can be any value from 1 to 30. The following
factors affect how many messages that are outstanding on a device:

Datablock poll rates.

The frequency of requests to write data to a specific device.

The available bandwidth of the network (Ethernet, DH+, serial, and so on).

The turnaround time of the device.

Peer-to-peer communications

It is possible for you to configure the maximum number of outstanding messages for each device on a
given channel that, when added together, exceed the maximum number of outstanding messages
available for the channel. Typically, this happens in configurations with multiple channels and multiple
devices per channel. When the total number of outstanding messages per device exceeds the maximum
at the channel level, some devices will not be able to send and retrieve messages at all times. These
devices will have to wait for another device to complete its message request before space becomes
available. This situation is called starving and can be minimized by adjusting the maximum
outstanding message property for each device.

Recommendations
Ideally, the maximum number of outstanding messages for all devices on a channel should not exceed
the maximum for the channel. Such a configuration ensures that no devices are starved. However,
enforcing this restriction may be impractical or impossible for certain configurations.
By default, the maximum outstanding message property is set to 5. We suggest that you begin with this
default value and closely observe the ABR drivers device statistics. If you see a large number of
overruns, the driver may be requesting the data from the device faster than the device can handle. To
correct this situation, consider adjusting the poll rates of the devices datablocks.
If you consider the data from the device more important than data from other devices, you can increase
the number of outstanding messages for the device. Please keep in mind that by increasing the number
of messages for one device means that the remaining devices on the channel will be able to send fewer
messages.
If you see a devices Transmits and Receives statistics counters temporarily pause, it could indicate
that the device is being starved. In this situation, you may want to adjust the outstanding message
property of unaffected devices to free up messages for the starved device.

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Above all, some experimentation may be necessary to adequately fine-tune your configuration for the
desired throughput. No hard and fast rules exist, however, because of the varied network
configurations possible. Nonetheless, the ABR driver contains the flexibility you need to tune your
system correctly.

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Troubleshooting Your System

How Do I?
The following list details procedures available to help you troubleshoot your system:

Choose poll rates?

Eliminate excess datablocks?

Set up for remote configuration and control?

Prevent the driver from writing to the hardware?

Create reports of my driver configuration files?

Save datablocks created in FIX Database Builder to the I/O driver configuration file?

Open the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool in FIX Database Builder?

Configure my driver for demand polling?

Poll the device only when data is being accessed?

What is the difference between access time and scan time?

Set up security for using the I/O Server remotely?

Set up security when the driver runs as a service?

Force a switch between primary and back-up channels or devices using FIX?

Enable or disable channels, devices or datablocks using FIX?

Write data to a datablock?

View my driver statistics?

Run the driver in simulation mode?

Generate multiple datablocks?

How do I choose poll rates?

Make the datablocks poll rate shorter than your scan time. For example, if you have a database block
with a 5-second scan time, set the poll rate of the datablock it accesses to 2 or 3 seconds.
Keep in mind that if you set datablock poll rates to values that are shorter than needed, you impose
unnecessary stress on your system.
Zero Poll Rate
You can set the poll rate to zero; this setting forces the driver to run at its maximum rate and disables
overruns. In general, you should set the poll rate equal to 0 if it is more important to run the driver at
its maximum speed than to detect overruns.

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How do I eliminate excess datablocks?

Use the following procedure to eliminate excess datablocks if you enabled the Auto Create option in
your I/O driver configuration and you created FIX database blocks that required new datablocks. This
procedure removes any incorrectly configured or unused datablocks.
Using the Auto Create option also adds datablocks with default values. If you have modified the poll
rate or access time of one or more datablocks, use the procedure at the end of this topic.
NOTE: You may not be able to delete datablocks from the driver configuration because another
computer may start accessing them.
To eliminate excess datablocks:
1.

With FIX running, open Mission Control, click the SAC tab, and click Stop, to stop SAC.

2.

Open the I/O Driver Power Tool and delete all the datablocks. Do not delete the channels and
devices.

3.

Return to Mission Control and the SAC tab. Click Start. The driver automatically adds the
necessary datablocks with the default settings defined in the Power Tool.

This procedure guarantees that the I/O driver configuration in the Power Tool matches what you are
accessing in your FIX database.
If you made specific modifications to one or more datablocks, such as a different poll rate for each
datablock on a device, use the following procedure.
To eliminate excess datablocks for specialized configuration files:
1.

Export the current driver configuration file by saving it as a .CSV file.

2.

Perform the three steps above for removing excess datablocks.

3.

Compare the export file to the new configuration. Note any differences.

4.

Modify the export file as needed.

5.

Import the modified export file and save it as a driver configuration file.

How do I set up for remote configuration and control?

The ABR I/O Server configures the necessary remote settings when it is installed. However, before
you can use the server, your network administrator must set up security for using the server remotely.
Refer to How do I Set up Security for using the I/O Server Remotely for more information.
Once security is configured, you can select a remote server using the I/O Driver Power Tool. Refer to
Setting Up the ABR I/O Server Connection to learn more.
If you cannot connect remotely, refer to the topic, I cannot connect to a remote server.

How do I prevent the driver from writing to the hardware?

You can use one of the following methods to stop output to the hardware:

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Use the Disable Outputs option:

1.

From the I/O Driver Power Tool Tree Browser, select the datablock that you want to disable.

2.

Click the Configuration button from the Run-time toolbar.

3.

Select the Disable Outputs check box for the datablock.

Use the Enable option:

1.

In the I/O Driver Power Tool Tree Browser, select the channel, device, or datablock you want
to disable.

2.

Click the Configuration button from the Run-time toolbar.

3.

Clear the Enable check box for the channel, device, or datablock.
-Or-

In FIX, create a link to a Digital Output block whose I/O address is !MODE:NAME, where
NAME is the channel, device, or datablock name you want to disable. Write a value of 0 to
disable the channel, device, or datablock.
This approach stops communication for the selected channel, device, or datablock.

Stop the I/O driver:

Click the Stop button in the Power Tools Run-time toolbar.

-Or-

In FIX Mission Control, highlight your driver and click Stop.

This approach stops all driver communication.

Use Simulation Mode:

1.

Click the Setup button in the Power Tools Run-time toolbar.

2.

Click the Advanced tab.

3.

Click the Simulation Mode On option from the Simulation area.

4.

Restart the server.

This approach stops all writes to the process hardware.

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How do I create reports of my driver configuration files?

You can create reports from your driver configuration files by saving them as Comma Separated Value
(.CSV) files. Once you create .CSV files, you can edit them in any third-party application that supports
.CSV files, such as Microsoft Excel or a text editor. You can also create .CSV files in a third-party
application and open them with the I/O Driver Power Tool.
Refer to Using I/O Driver Report Files for details on creating reports.

How do I save datablocks created in FIX Database Builder to the I/O driver
configuration file?
You can use one of the following methods to save datablocks that you create in FIX:

Click an item in the Tree Browser and press Alt + Shift + S. When the I/O Server window
appears, select SaveOnFIXExit from the Server menu. This selection enables the server to
save the driver configuration automatically when you exit FIX.

Open the Power Tool and select Save from the File menu.

Click an item in the Tree Browser and press Alt + Shift + S. When the I/O Server window
appears, select Save from the File menu.

How do I open the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool in FIX Database Builder?
To open the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool from FIX Database Builder:
1.

Select ABR from the Drivers menu in Database Builder. When the ABR I/O Driver Power
Tool opens, any devices or datablocks that you added appear in the Tree Browser.

2.

Modify and add channels, devices, and datablocks as needed.

How do I configure my driver for demand polling?

By entering a special I/O address in a Digital Output or Analog Output block, you can poll:

Individual datablocks.

Devices and all their datablocks.

Channels and all their devices and datablocks.

This one-shot poll is called a demand poll.

You may want to set your driver up for demand polling if:

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The drivers poll time is slow and you want to get data without having to wait for the next
update.

You want to poll a device after opening a FIX operator display.

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You want to poll a device just before generating a report.

The poll occurs when you write any value to the block.
The I/O address syntax is: !POLL: NAME
Where NAME is the name of the datablock, device, or channel you want to demand poll.

How do I poll a device only when data is being accessed?

To poll the device only when data is being accessed:
1.

From the I/O Driver Power Tool Tree Browser, select the datablock that you want to modify.

2.

Enter DISABLED in the Secondary Rate field.

3.

Enter a value in the Access Time field. Do not enter DISABLED in the field.

4.

In the Primary Rate field, enter a value that is close to the time that the data in the device is
being updated.

What is the difference between access time and scan time?

Although the scan time is not a property of any driver object, it is important to know how it affects
driver throughput and data integrity. Whether using FIX View, or a Visual Basic Client, the rate at
which the data is being read or written is usually referred to as the scan time.
Example
Assume a Visual Basic Client has a timer function that calls the I/O Servers ReadData method. The
ReadData interval is a property you can configure in a Visual Basic Timer. If the interval is set to 30
seconds, the Visual Basic Client calls the ReadData method every 30 seconds and accesses data every
30 seconds.
The data returned from the ReadData method is directly from the I/O driver memory. The data in
memory updates only when the driver polls. The ReadData method does not poll for data and waits for
a memory update before returning a value. Therefore, having a scan time longer than the access time
always returns old data and the driver flags the data quality as NO_DATA.
To resolve this problem, select a scan time that is shorter than the access time and enter an access time
that is longer than the primary or secondary poll time. For example, if you select a scan time of 30
seconds, you could use an access time of 45 seconds and a primary poll rate of 15 seconds.
If the secondary poll time is used, you may want to lengthen the scan time and access time to ensure
the driver has updated the datablock. For example, you could set the secondary poll time to 30 seconds,
the scan time to 45 seconds, and the access time to 60 seconds.
NOTE: Specifying an access time that is shorter than the primary poll time forces the driver to poll at
the access time interval; however, the data received is always old and is marked with the NO_DATA
quality flag.
Similarly, entering a scan time that is longer than the access time also results in old data. The data
scanned each interval is as old as the access time minus the scan time and is marked with the
NO_DATA quality flag.

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How do I set up security for using the I/O Server remotely?

The I/O Server supports DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model). If you want to grant only
certain users permission to launch or access the ABR I/O Server, you can use the Windows utility,
DCOMCNFG.EXE, for configuring DCOM applications. DCOMCNFG.EXE is usually located in
your Windows \system32 directory.
IMPORTANT: We recommend that you allow client applications such as the FIX or the I/O Driver
Power Tool to automatically start the I/O Server rather than opening the Server independently from
the Windows environment. This is the intended method for Server start-up.
The I/O Server re-registers every time you double-click the I/O Server icon or use a shortcut to open it
from Windows or any Windows application such as Explorer. By re-registering, you reset the servers
registry settings. When the I/O Server starts automatically from a client application, the registry
settings do not change.
If you start the I/O Server independently by selecting its icon or shortcut while the server is already
running, you overwrite the current custom security settings.
Example
The following procedures describe how to configure your system for the following conditions:

Only the user that is logged on to the computer where the I/O Server resides can launch the
Server.

Only administrators of the I/O Server host computer can access the server.

Use these procedures as a guide to implement security for your needs under Windows NT and
Windows 2000:
To allow only Administrators access to the I/O Server:

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1.

Start DCOMCNFG.EXE and select the driver application from the list in the Applications tab.
The ABR application name is ABRDrv I/O Driver Server.

2.

Click Properties.

3.

Click the Security tab to display the three modes of DCOM security.

4.

Select the Use Custom Access Permissions option, and click the Edit button for access
permissions.

5.

If Administrators and SYSTEM appears in the list on the Registry Value Permissions dialog
box, skip to step 9. Otherwise, if Administrators or SYSTEM is not in the list, click Add.

6.

Select the local computer name in the List Names From field.

7.

Double-click Administrators and SYSTEM in the Names list to add it to the Add Names list
at the bottom of the dialog box.

8.

Click OK to accept the selection and close the dialog box.

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9.

Select Administrators from the Name list and Allow Access from the Type of Access field.
Repeat this step for SYSTEM as well. For the other entries in the Name list, select Deny
Access from the Type of Access field.

To allow only the local user to launch the I/O Server:

1.

Start DCOMCNFG.EXE and select the driver application from the list in the Applications tab.
The ABR application name is ABRDrv I/O Driver Server.

2.

Click Properties.

3.

Click the Security tab to display the three modes of DCOM security.

4.

Select the Use Custom Launch Permissions option and click the Edit button for launch
permissions.

5.

If INTERACTIVE and SYSTEM appears in the list on the Registry Value Permissions dialog
box, skip to step 9. Otherwise, if INTERACTIVE or SYSTEM is not in the list, click Add.

6.

Select the local computer name in the List Names From field.

7.

Double-click INTERACTIVE and SYSTEM in the Names list to add it to the Add Names list
at the bottom of the dialog box.

8.

Click OK to accept the selection and close the dialog box.

9.

Select INTERACTIVE from the Name list and Allow Access from the Type of Access field
to allow launch access to the local user only. Repeat this step for SYSTEM as well. For the
other entries in the Name list, select Deny Launch from the Type of Access field to deny
launch access on the network.

After completing these steps, only users who have Administrator rights to the driver server host
computer can access the server. You can assign administrator rights with the Windows User Manager.
Use the following procedures as a guide to implement security for your needs under Windows Server
2003 or Windows XP:
NOTE: For information about firewall settings for Windows XP with Service Pack 2, go to
http://globalcare.gefanuc.com. and click the link to Important Information Regarding Microsoft XP
Service Pack 2.
To allow only Administrators access to the I/O Server:
1.

2.

Using the Start Menu, launch DCOMCNFG.EXE. The Component Services dialog box
appears.
a.

Select Run from the Start Menu.

b.

Type DCOMCNFG in the field provided and click OK.

Double-click the folder Component Services from the system tree.

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3.

Double-click the folder Computers from the system tree.

4.

Double-click the folder My Computer from the system tree.

5.

Double-click the folder DCOM Config from the system tree.

6.

Locate the driver application in the system tree and right-click it. The ABR application name
is ABRDrv I/O Driver Server.

7.

From the context menu, select Properties. The drivers Properties dialog box appears.

8.

Click the Security tab to display the three modes of DCOM security.

9.

Select Customize from the Access Permissions area and click the Edit button for access
permissions. The Access Permissions dialog box appears.

10. If Administrators and SYSTEM appears in the list, skip to step 15. Otherwise, if
Administrators or SYSTEM is not in the list, click Add. The Select User, Computers, or
Groups dialog box appears.
11. Click Locations. Windows XP prompts you to log in.
12. Click Cancel. The Locations dialog box appears.
13. Select the local computer name in the Locations field and click OK to return to the Select
User, Computers, or Groups dialog box.
14. Enter Administrator in the Enter the Objects Name to Select field. Repeat this step for
SYSTEM, if necessary and click OK to return to Access Permissions dialog box.
15. Select Administrator from the list and select the Allow check box. Repeat this step for
SYSTEM as well. For the other entries in the list, select the Deny check box.
To allow only the local user to launch the I/O Server:
1.

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Using the Start Menu, launch DCOMCNFG.EXE. The Component Services dialog box
appears.
a.

Select Run from the Start Menu.

b.

Type DCOMCNFG in the field provided and click OK.

2.

Double-click the folder Component Services from the system tree.

3.

Double-click the folder Computers from the system tree.

4.

Double-click the folder My Computer from the system tree.

5.

Double-click the folder DCOM Config from the system tree.

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6.

Locate the driver application in the system tree and right-click it. The ABR application name
is ABRDrv I/O Driver Server.

7.

From the context menu, select Properties. The drivers Properties dialog box appears.

8.

Select Customize from the Launch Permissions area and click the Edit button for launch
permissions. The Launch Permissions dialog box appears.

9.

If Administrators and SYSTEM appears in the list, skip to step 14. Otherwise, if
Administrators or SYSTEM is not in the list, click Add. The Select User, Computers, or
Groups dialog box appears.

10. Click Locations. Windows XP prompts you to log in.

11. Click Cancel. The Locations dialog box appears.
12. Select the local computer name in the Locations field and click OK to return to the Select
User, Computers, or Groups dialog box.
13. Enter INTERACTIVE in the Enter the Objects Name to Select field. Repeat this step for
SYSTEM, if necessary and click OK to return to Launch Permissions dialog box.
14. Select INTERACTIVE from the list and select the Allow check box. Repeat this step for
SYSTEM as well. For the other entries in the list, select the Deny check box.
After completing these steps, only users who have Administrator rights to the driver server host
computer can access the server. You can assign administrator rights with the User Accounts applet in
Control Panel.

How do I set up security when the driver runs as a service?

To set up security for the ABR driver, you must configure DCOM (Distributed Component Object
Model). Configuring DCOM can be difficult. To simplify the process, we recommend that you grant
access to everyone to get started. Later, when security is configuring correctly, you can reconfigure
DCOM and restrict access.
You can grant everyone of access to the ABR Server using the Windows utility, DCOMCNFG.EXE,
for configuring DCOM applications. DCOMCNFG.EXE is usually located in your Windows
\system32 directory.
To configure DCOM when the ABR driver runs as a service under Windows NT or
Windows 2000:
1.

Start DCOMCNFG.EXE and double-click the ABRDrv I/O Server from the list in the
Applications tab.

2.

Click the Security tab to display the three modes of DCOM security.

3.

Select the Use Custom Access Permissions option, and click the Edit button for access
permissions. The Registry Value Permissions dialog box appears.

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4.

Click Add. The Add Users and Groups dialog box appears.

5.

Select the local computer name in the List Names From field.

6.

Double-click Everyone (All Users) in the Names list to add it to the Add Names list at the
bottom of the dialog box.

7.

Click OK to accept the selection and return the Registry Value Permission dialog box.

8.

OK to accept the changes to the access permission properties.

9.

Select the Use Custom Launch Permissions option and click the Edit button for launch
permissions. The Registry Value Permissions dialog box appears.

10. Repeat steps 4 through 9 for launch permission properties.

11. Click OK to accept your changes to ABR Server properties and return to the Applications tab.
12. Click OK to close the DCOMCNFG.EXE utility.
To configure DCOM when the ABR driver runs as a service under Windows XP:
1.

Using the Start Menu, launch DCOMCNFG.EXE. The Component Services dialog box
appears.
a.

Select Run from the Start Menu.

b.

Type DCOMCNFG in the field provided and click OK.

2.

Double-click the folder Component Services from the system tree.

3.

Double-click the folder Computers from the system tree.

4.

Double-click the folder My Computer from the system tree.

5.

Double-click the folder DCOM Config from the system tree.

6.

Locate the driver application in the system tree and right-click it. The ABR application name
is ABRDrv I/O Driver Server.

7.

From the context menu, select Properties. The drivers Properties dialog box appears.

8.

Click the Security tab to display the three modes of DCOM security.

9.

Select Customize from the Access Permissions area and click the Edit button for access
permissions. The Access Permissions dialog box appears.

10. Click Add. The Select User, Computers, or Groups dialog box appears.
11. Click Locations. Windows XP prompts you to log in.

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12. Click Cancel. The Locations dialog box appears.

13. Select the local computer name in the Locations field and click OK to return to the Select
User, Computers, or Groups dialog box.
14. Enter Everyone (All Users) in the Enter the Objects Name to Select field and click OK to
return to Access Permissions dialog box.
15. Select Everyone from the list and select the Allow check box and click OK to return to the
Properties dialog box.
16. Select Customize from the Launch Permissions area and click the Edit button for launch
permissions. The Launch Permissions dialog box appears.
17. Repeat steps 10 through 15 for launch permission.
18. Click OK to accept your changes to ABR Server.
To learn more about configuring DCOM for specific users, refer to How do I set up security for using
the I/O Server remotely?.

How do I force a switch between primary and back-up channels or devices

using FIX?
You can force the driver to switch to the next channel and device in the selected failover logic by
entering a special I/O address into a Digital Output or Analog Output block. The driver switches when
you write a value to the block.
I/O address syntax: !SWITCH:NAME
Where NAME is the name of the channel or device you want to switch.
NOTE: RSLinx can communicate with only the first Ethernet interface card you configure. It provides
no support for selecting and establishing communication with multiple Ethernet cards. Consequently,
should the first Ethernet interface card fail, RSLinx cannot failover to another Ethernet card. As a
result, you cannot failover from one Ethernet device to another Ethernet device with the ABR driver.

How do I enable or disable channels, devices or datablocks using FIX?

You can enable or disable a channel, device, or datablock by entering a special I/O address into a
Digital Output block. Write a value of 1 to the block to enable it, or write a value of 0 to disable it.
I/O address syntax: !MODE:NAME
Where NAME is the name of the channel, device, or datablock you want to enable or disable.

How do I write data to a datablock?

You can write data to various registers in the hardware at one time using the Block Writes option. This
option provides a special "send" command that instructs the driver to send all outstanding writes in a
single protocol message.
The ABR I/O driver supports block writes for the following file types: A, D, O, L, N, B, and F. On a
PLC5/250, the driver also supports blocks writes for BTD file types. When the driver sends its

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outstanding writes, it also sends any unmodified values in the datablocks that are changing using the
last known value. Consequently, we recommend relatively short poll times for datablocks you are
writing to so that the driver will have the most up-to-date data.
To send block writes:
1.

Enable block writes in the datablock you want to use.

2.

Create a Digital Output block with the following address:

!Send:DataBlockName

When any value is written to the Digital Output block, it sends a command to the specified
datablock and instructs the driver to send the writes to the process hardware.
Note that only datablock names are valid with the !Send control address. You cannot trigger block
writes using any of the following items:

Channel and device names in place of a datablock name.

Analog Output blocks in place of a Digital Output block.

Tools for Troubleshooting the ABR I/O Driver

The Statistics View in the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool
The Power Tool displays communication statistics for each datablock, device, channel, and the entire
driver. Displaying these statistics is useful for narrowing down which part of the driver is not
functioning. To view the statistics, select a datablock, device, or channel from the Tree Browser and
click the Statistics button on the Run-time toolbar.
The Statistics in FIX Mission Control
Mission Control is the main FIX tool for monitoring background tasks, such as SAC, Historical
Collect, and I/O drivers. Using Mission Control, you can start and stop a driver, and view driver error
numbers. This is useful for quickly determining if the driver is having a problem.
Mission Control also provides a summary of driver-level statistics. To see the statistics for each
channel, use the ABR Power Tool.
The Windows Event Viewer
The driver reports any major errors to the Windows Event Viewer. To learn more about using this
application, refer to Using the Event Viewer.
The Alarm History Window in FIX
Because the I/O driver reports event messages to the Alarm History application in FIX, you can use
this program for debugging your driver. The events reported include when the driver:

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Starts and stops.

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Connects and disconnects.

Switches channels and devices.

Fails to communicate and subsequently recovers.

Refer to the FIX documentation for details on enabling alarm services.

The Message Log in the I/O Server program
The message log in the I/O Server program tracks the following events:

The date and time a configuration file loads.

Which configuration file loads. If the driver is not loading the configuration file you want,
you can change the default file name and location in the Power Tools Setup dialog box.

The date and time other applications attach to the server. This data can help you determine if
someone is attached and making changes to the server you are working on.

CSV import errors.

To view the I/O Server program:

1.

Open the Power Tool.

2.

Select an item from the Tree Browser.

3.

Press Alt + Shift + S.

The options in the programs View menu let you choose the types of messages to display. The message
priority is as follows:
1.

Errors

2.

Warnings

3.

Information

4.

Debug1

5.

Debug2

6.

Debug3

7.

OPC DLL

The default setting for the Server is to display errors, warnings, and informational messages. You can
also enable debug and OPC DLL messages. The following table summarizes the contents of these
messages.

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Message Type
Debug 1

Contains Information About

Creating and deleting channel, device, and datablock objects.

NIO, Poll stub, and OPC connections to the server.

Debug 2

RSLinx define strings.

Debug 3

Internal run-time errors. Debug 3 messages also provide important

run-time information, such as when an object is created or when a
device is marked bad using the quickfail logic.

OPC DLL

Run-time and configuration time "trace" and error messages sent by

the OPC DLL. We recommend you disable this selection during
normal operation of the driver.

To close the I/O Server program:

1.

Select an item from the Tree Browser.

2.

Press Alt + Shift + S.

How do I run the driver in simulation mode?

To run the I/O driver in simulation mode:
1.

Start the Power Tool.

2.

Select the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

3.

Select the Advanced tab in the Setup dialog box.

4.

Click the Simulation Mode On option button.

5.

Restart the server.

To restart the server:

1.

Shut down all server clients including the FIX. This action shuts down the server.

2.

Restart the FIX.

Once the server restarts, you can create your operator displays and process databases with real I/O
addresses. Later, when you want to switch to real process hardware, turn off simulation mode and
restart the server again. You can do this without changing your configured I/O addresses.

How do I generate multiple datablocks?

With the ABR driver, you can generate multiple consecutive datablocks. Generating datablocks lets

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you create many similar datablocks in one step instead of creating each datablock individually.
To generate multiple datablocks:
1.

Click the Generate Datablocks button from the Configuration toolbar.

2.

Enter the starting address of the first datablock you want to create in the Enter Start Address
field.

3.

Enter the number of addresses you want to assign to these datablocks.

The Power Tool adds the datablocks to your configuration.

Example
If you want to assign 500 addresses starting with N7:0, the Power Tool adds the following datablocks:
Name

Address Range

Datablock 1

N7:0 - N7:117

Datablock 2

N7:118 - N7:235

Datablock 3

N7:236 - N7:353

Datablock 4

N7:354 - N7:470

Datablock 5

N7:471 - N7:499

NOTE: This example assumes you are communicating on a Data Highway Plus (DH+) network.
Under Ethernet, only one block would be generated because Ethernet allows up to 1000 words per
block.

Troubleshooting
The following Troubleshooting tips are offered to help you correct problems with your I/O driver. If
you have a problem with RSLinx, contact Rockwell Software at 440-646-7800.
To enter new support issues, go to GE Fanucs WWW support site.
To search for an updated version of your driver, go to GE Fanucs WWW SIM site.

My driver doesnt load.

My driver loads but does not start polling

My driver doesnt communicate to any devices or I receive ????? in my operator display links.

The driver is not transmitting messages.

The driver is transmitting messages but not receiving any messages.

My driver communicates to some but not all of my devices or I receive ????? in some of my

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operator display links.

The driver communicates to some but not all of the datablocks for a device.

My driver is communicating but I am receiving question marks. When I look in alarm history, the
data quality is marked with a NO_DATA flag. (Access Time Versus Scan Time)

I cant connect to a remote server.

I cant see the driver in FIX Database Builder.

I am receiving old data in my HMI display.

I am receiving overruns.

My message rate is slow.

My driver stops running after a period of time.

I do not receive driver messages in Alarm History.

Automatic driver startup does not work.

I receive an error about DTL32.DLL when I start FIX or the Power Tool.

RSWho does not work.

My device has a high number of timeouts.

The driver does not load

If you think the driver didnt load:

Start the Event Viewer in Windows. The Event Viewer displays specific messages regarding
loading and starting the driver. Problems loading the driver are logged to this file. To learn
more about using this application, refer to Using the Event Viewer.

If you see the following text in the Event Viewer log:

Unable to start driver: No RSLinx activation file was found

you may have RSLinx Lite installed. The ABR driver does not support RSLinx Lite because
that version of RSLinx does not have an activation file. The ABR driver requires an activation
file in order to function correctly. To determine which version of RSLinx you have installed,
start the application and examine the title bar. If the text RSLinx Lite appears in the title bar
you need an activation file. Contact Rockwell Software to obtain an activation file and
upgrade your copy of RSLinx.
If you have been loading the driver from a FIX application:

Shut down the FIX application and try starting the driver without FIX running. This removes
problems associated with applications other than the I/O driver.

If you are starting a driver on a remote computer and it does not load:

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Try starting the driver on your local node. If it loads correctly on the local computer, you may
be experiencing network problems or security issues. You must configure DCOM

ABR I/O Driver Manual

(Distributed Component Object Model) to provide access to a remote server. Refer to How do
I Set up Security for using the I/O Server Remotely for more information.
If the driver still does not load:

Rename the default configuration file so the driver loads a blank configuration. If the
configuration file is corrupt, it may prevent the driver from loading. You can retrieve a
corrupted configuration file if you save it as a .CSV file; otherwise, you have to rebuild the
driver configuration.

The driver loads but does not start polling

If the driver loads but does not start:
1.

Verify that the channels, devices, and datablocks are enabled. You can examine these
properties in the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool.

2.

If FIX is not your Human-Machine Interface (HMI) software, make sure the Auto Start option
is turned on:
a.

Select the Setup button in the Power Tools Run-time toolbar.

b.

Select the Advanced tab in the Setup dialog box.

c.

Click the Auto Start On option button from the Server area.

If you are starting the driver from FIX:

1.

Verify that IOCNTRL starts from the System Configuration Utility (SCU). You should have
/a on the command line for IOCNTRL to start the driver automatically.

2.

Specify a default path and configuration file name for the driver:
a.

Click the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

b.

Select the Default Path tab.

c.

Enter the configuration files default name and default path in the fields provided.

The driver does not communicate to any devices

Or I receive ?????? in my operator display links.
If the driver loads and starts but you are not getting any information from your devices, examine the
statistics in the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool for information about the drivers current state. Start at the
highest level of the driver statistics:
1.

Select the I/O driver icon from the ABR I/O Driver Power Tools Tree Browser and click the
Statistics button in the Run-time toolbar. The I/O drivers statistics display in the Power Tool.

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2.

If you see errors, examine the channel statistics to find which channel(s) has the problem
device(s).

3.

Examine the device(s) statistics as well. The device statistics may help to narrow your search.

If you have multiple devices and the driver is not communicating with any of them, you most likely
have one of the following problems:

You have a problem with your cable.

An incorrect station or IP address.

A configuration error in RSLinx.

To help you pinpoint where the error is, the Power Tool provides the Validate Datablock button. When
you click this button, the Power Tool polls the selected datablock. If the application cannot read data
from your process hardware, it displays an error describing the problem.
If you are receiving error numbers in the device statistics Errors field:

Examine the station or IP address in the device properties and verify that it is correct.

If you are communicating with Ethernet, use the ping program to ensure you can
communicate with the device.

If you receive error 51, your process hardwares memory buffer cannot hold all the requests
they are receiving or the process hardware could not process all its messages because the
network bandwidth is too small. When the PLC cannot process the message properly, RSLinx
sends error 51 and clears memory.
You can aggravate these problems by:

Using peer-to-peer communications between PLCs.

Configuring multiple redundant SCADA servers on the Data Highway.

Implementing multiple script-triggered, digital or analog writes from any SCADA

server.

To determine if this is a bandwidth or memory buffering issue, reduce the traffic on the
highway. For example, disconnect redundant SCADA servers and stop peer-to-peer
communications. In addition, complete the following tasks to further reduce highway traffic:

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1.

Phase datablocks by prime numbers.

2.

Consolidate any datablocks you can to reduce their overall number.

3.

Lengthen the poll times of less critical datablocks.

4.

Reduce the number of SCADA servers on the highway by using FIX networking, if
possible.

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Refer to the topic Error Codes for a list of errors are returned from RSLinx. If they
are not listed in the table, contact Rockwell Software at 440-646-7800.

The driver is not transmitting messages

If the driver is not transmitting messages:
1.

Examine the green arrow in the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool to ensure the driver starts; the
arrow should be selected. If it is, select the Stop button and click the Start button again.

2.

Select an item in the Tree Browser and press Alt + Shift + S. to display the Server window.
Make sure the window contains a message the driver has started.

3.

Make sure the device can communicate over the network using by clicking the Validate
Datablock button. When you click this button, the Power Tool polls the selected datablock. If
the application cannot communicate with RSLinx, it displays an error describing the problem.

4.

Monitor the servers display window or start the FIX Alarm History application to ensure the
driver connects to the device.

5.

Examine the cable to ensure it is plugged in.

6.

If you are running the driver with FIX, make sure you have a configuration file with the name
nodename.ABR in the Database path (C:\FIX32\PDB, by default). If you are using iFIX, the
file resides in the root iFIX directory. This file is needed for FIX and iFIX to load the driver;
do not delete it.

The driver transmits messages but does not receive messages

To find out why your driver is transmitting but not receiving messages:
1.

When communicating with an Ethernet device, attempt to ping the IP address and make sure
that you can reach the device from your computer.

2.

Examine your process hardware. See if any diagnostic lights on the device indicate what the
problem is.

3.

Examine RSLinx and use the RSWho utility to determine if it can communicate with your
hardware. If RSLinx cannot communicate, neither will the driver. Consult your hardware and
RSLinx documentation to resolve the problem.

4.

If you are also receiving DRVSTA error 102 in Mission Control, the specified device address
may reference hardware that does not exist. Verify the address exists with the RSWho utility.
If you are offlinking, you must complete the Source Bridge and Destination Bridge fields with
the correct addresses. If you are not offlinking, keep the fields blank.

At this point, we strongly recommend reducing the configuration to one channel, one device, and one
datablock. This makes it easier to focus on the problem.

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To reduce the configuration to one channel, one device, and one datablock:
1.

Disable all but one channel.

2.

On the enabled channel, disable all but one device.

3.

On the enabled device, disable all but one datablock.

4.

Verify that the devices address is correct. Usually, the wrong address returns an error
message; however, some hardware devices do not reply at all if you enter the wrong address.

The driver communicates to some but not all of my devices

Or I receive ?????? in some of my operator display links.
If you are receiving errors in the device statistics Errors field:
1.

Verify that the devices address is correct.

2.

Examine RSLinx and use the RSWho utility to determine if it can communicate with your
hardware. If RSLinx cannot communicate, neither will the driver. Consult your hardware and
RSLinx documentation to resolve the problem.

3.

If it is an Ethernet device, try to ping it.

To examine device statistics in the Errors field:

1.

Select the device that is not communicating from the ABR I/O Driver Power Tools Tree
Browser and click the Statistics button in the Run-time toolbar. The devices statistics display
in the Power Tool Properties Viewer.

2.

If there are error numbers in the Errors field, look up the error number in the table Error
Codes. These errors are returned from the hardware. The Power Tool can display these errors
as either a hexadecimal number or an ASCII string. You can configure the error output with
the Last Error Display option.

To configure the Last Error Display option:

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1.

Click the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

2.

Select the Advanced tab.

3.

Select the ASCII or HEX option from the Errors area. If you select the ASCII option, errors
appear as ASCII text. If you select the HEX option, the hexadecimal error number appears in
the Errors field.

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The driver communicates to some but not all the datablocks for a device
If you are receiving errors for datablocks in the statistics section of the ABR I/O
Driver Power Tool:
1.

Verify that each datablock address is valid and exists. The most common error for datablocks
is requesting memory locations that are not configured in the hardware.

2.

Look up the error number in the table Error Codes. These errors are returned from the
hardware. The Power Tool can display these errors as either a hexadecimal number or an
ASCII string. You can configure the error output with the Last Error Display option. To do
so:

3.

a.

Click the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

b.

Select the Advanced tab.

c.

Select the ASCII or HEX option from the Errors area. If you select the ASCII option,
errors appear as ASCII text. If you select the HEX option, the hexadecimal error
number appears in the Errors field.

You can identify the device and datablock requesting the data and causing the error with the
DRVSTE and DRVSTF fields in Mission Control. If the values in these fields change, you
have more than one improperly configured datablock. To correct each datablock, click the
Validate Datablock button. As part of the validation process, the Power Tool displays an error
message about the source of the problem if it cannot read data from one or more datablocks.

If you are not receiving errors in the statistics section:

Refer to What is the Difference between Access Time and Scan Time to ensure the
datablocks access time is set correctly.

What is the difference between access time and scan time?

Although the scan time is not a property of any driver object, it is important to know how it affects
driver throughput and data integrity. Whether using FIX View, or a Visual Basic Client, the rate at
which the data is being read or written is usually referred to as the scan time.
Example
Assume a Visual Basic Client has a timer function that calls the I/O Servers ReadData method. The
ReadData interval is a property you can configure in a Visual Basic Timer. If the interval is set to 30
seconds, the Visual Basic Client calls the ReadData method every 30 seconds and accesses data every
30 seconds.
The data returned from the ReadData method is directly from the I/O driver memory. The data in
memory updates only when the driver polls. The ReadData method does not poll for data and waits for
a memory update before returning a value. Therefore, having a scan time longer than the access time
always returns old data and the driver flags the data quality as NO_DATA.
To resolve this problem, select a scan time that is shorter than the access time and enter an access time
that is longer than the primary or secondary poll time. For example, if you select a scan time of 30

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seconds, you could use an access time of 45 seconds and a primary poll rate of 15 seconds.
If the secondary poll time is used, you may want to lengthen the scan time and access time to ensure
the driver has updated the datablock. For example, you could set the secondary poll time to 30 seconds,
the scan time to 45 seconds, and the access time to 60 seconds.
NOTE: Specifying an access time that is shorter than the primary poll time forces the driver to poll at
the access time interval; however, the data received is always old and is marked with the NO_DATA
quality flag.
Similarly, entering a scan time that is longer than the access time also results in old data. The data
scanned each interval is as old as the access time minus the scan time and is marked with the
NO_DATA quality flag.

I cannot connect to a remote server

If you cannot connect to a remote server:

Make sure you have entered the correct name or IP address for the remote server. Also verify
that the security for using the server remotely has been set up. Refer to How do I Set up
Security for using the I/O Server Remotely for more information.

If you cannot see the remote server from Microsoft Explorer or by using the Ping
program:

You have a networking problem. You may want to speak to your network administrator.

If you were running the Power Tool and you changed the server location:
1.

Exit the Power Tool and restart it. If this is not the problem, proceed with the following steps.

2.

Physically go to the server and verify that it started successfully.

3.

If the server does not start, refer to My driver does not load.

4.

If the server does start, leave the server running and try to connect to it from another
computer.

I cannot see the driver in the FIX Database Builder

FIX has not loaded the driver. Make sure you have installed the driver in the root FIX or iFIX
directory. If the driver is installed in a different path, uninstall it and then re-install it in the root FIX or
iFIX directory.
Next, configure FIX to load your driver:

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1.

Start the System Configuration Utility (SCU) and verify that the driver is listed in the
SCADA Configuration dialog box. If it is not listed, add it.

2.

Verify that the SCU is configured to start the IOCNTRL program with the command line
parameter /a in the Task Configuration dialog box.

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Refer to Setting the I/O Driver for Automatic Startup in FIX to learn how to complete both tasks.

I am receiving old data in my display

Data returned from a datablock read comes directly from I/O driver memory. The data in memory
updates when the driver polls. A read from SAC or View does not prompt the I/O driver to poll for
data. If you enter a scan time that is longer than the datablocks access time, the I/O driver always
returns old data and the driver flags the data quality as NO_DATA.
To resolve this problem, select a scan time that is shorter than the access time and enter an access time
that is longer than the primary or secondary poll rate.
Example
To receive up-to-date data, you could set the poll rate, access time, and scan time as follows:
Poll rate:

1 second

Access time:

3 seconds

Scan time:

2 seconds

If this is not the problem, you may have the Latch Data option enabled while experiencing a
communication failure. To determine if this is the problem, turn off the Latch Data option. If the links
on the screen change to question marks, you are experiencing a communication failure. Refer to the
topic Troubleshooting to resolve this issue.
You also receive old data if your exception deadband is larger than the change in data. For example, if
your deadband is 20 but your data fluctuates between 5 and 15, the deadband is never exceeded and no
new data is sent. To correct this problem, reduce the deadband value.

I am receiving overruns
Overruns do not necessarily indicate an error condition. They merely indicate that the driver is trying
to process more data requests than the process hardware can handle. You can minimize the number of
overruns you receive by changing the driver configuration.
To reduce overruns:
1.

Try increasing the poll times for the individual datablocks.

2.

If the overruns are sporadic or only occur when the driver starts, try phasing the datablocks so
that the driver does not attempt to poll all the datablocks at the same time.

3.

If your datablocks are phased, try stopping and restarting the driver since phasing only
happens when the driver starts.

My message rate is slow

If you have a slow message rate:

Examine your devices for incorrect addresses. If the driver is sending messages to devices that

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are offline or do not exist, the driver performs a series of timeouts and retries reducing
message throughput. If you plan to have a device offline for a period of time, disable the
device until it is back online.

Also, if a devices receive buffer is limited in size, it is possible to send more data requests
than the device is capable of processing. When the receive buffer is full, the device may
respond to further received requests by discarding them, causing timeouts and retries. To
avoid these timeouts, decrease the devices number of outstanding messages.

My driver stops running after a period of time

You may have a power-saving option enabled in your computers BIOS. Power-saving utilities may
put the hard drive in sleep mode and turn off the monitor to save power. If you do have a power-saving
utility, disable it.
Likewise, screen savers can stop your driver from running, depending on the screen saver. If you have
a screen saver enabled, disable it and turn off your monitor when no one is actively using your
SCADA server.

I do not receive driver messages in Alarm History

You may have started the I/O Server before starting FIX. Typically, the I/O Server starts when you
start a driver configuration program, such as I/O Driver Power Tool or a Visual Basic client
application.
To make sure you receive driver messages in Alarm History:
1.

Shut down FIX and the I/O Driver Power Tool.

2.

Start the System Configuration Utility (SCU) and click the Tasks button from the SCU
toolbox. (bmc task.bmp}

3.

Enter the Base path and IOCNTRL.EXE in the Filename field.

4.

Enter the /a command line parameter in the Command Line field.

5.

Select the Background option button and click Add.

6.

Save the SCU configuration and start FIX. The ABR Server automatically starts and you
should see a message that the driver started.

Automatic driver startup does not work

NOTE: To automatically start the driver, install it in your root FIX or iFIX directory. If you have not
installed the driver in this directory, uninstall it and then re-install it in the proper path.
Next, start the Power Tool and verify that it is configured correctly:

168

1.

Verify that the channels, devices, and datablocks are enabled.

2.

Make sure the Auto Start option is turned on:

ABR I/O Driver Manual

3.

a.

Select the Setup button in the Power Tools Run-time toolbar.

b.

Select the Advanced tab in the Setup dialog box.

c.

Click the Auto Start On option button from the Server area.

Specify a default path and configuration file name for the driver:
a.

Click the Setup button in the Run-time toolbar.

b.

Select the Default Path tab.

c.

Enter the configuration files default name and default path in the fields provided.

Lastly, start the System Configuration Utility (SCU) and verify it is configured correctly:
1.

Click the SCADA button from the SCU toolbox. You should see the following text in the
dialog box that appears:
ABR - Allen-Bradley RSLinx 7.x

2.

If you do not see this text, Select the ? button next to the I/O Driver Name field.

3.

Select the ABR driver from the dialog box and click OK.

4.

Click Add to add the selected I/O driver to the Configured I/O Drivers list box.

5.

Click OK again to close the SCADA Configuration dialog box.

6.

Click the Task Configuration button from the SCU toolbox. You should see IOCNTRL.EXE
/a listed in the dialog box that appear.

7.

If you do not see this text, enter the Base path and IOCNTRL.EXE /a in the Filename field.

8.

Click OK to save your changes and save your SCU configuration.

9.

Restart FIX. The driver should automatically start.

I receive an error about DTL32.DLL when I start FIX or the Power Tool
The DTL32.DLL is an RSLinx file. Be sure you have installed RSLinx on your computer before
starting the FIX or the Power Tool. You can find the file in your Windows system32 directory.
If RSLinx is installed and you cannot find DTL32.DLL, you may have RSLinx Lite installed. The
ABR driver does not support RSLinx Lite because this version of RSLinx does not have an activation
file. The ABR driver requires an activation file in order to function correctly. To determine which
version of RSLinx you have installed, start the application and examine the title bar. If the text RSLinx
Lite appears in the title bar you need an activation file. Contact Rockwell Software to obtain an
activation file and upgrade your copy of RSLinx.

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RSWho does not work

RSWho is an application released and supported by Rockwell Software. If you have problems with this
application, you can contact Rockwell at (440) 646-7800.

My device has a high number of timeouts

Lower the number of outstanding messages in the device statistics. If that does not correct the problem,
lengthen the reply timeout for the devices channel.

The Most Common I/O Driver Problems

Some of the most common problems people encounter when setting up and using I/O drivers are
caused by one or more of the following:

Using incorrect or faulty cable connections. To verify your connections, refer to the cable diagram
in your hardware documentation. Another test that usually verifies that the cable is correct is to
attempt to communicate to the hardware with the programming software through the same cable.
You can also refer to the topic Cabling.

Specifying an incorrect Data Highway Plus (DH+) station number or IP address for the process
hardware in your driver configuration. Review your driver configuration and your process
hardware. You can also obtain this information from RSWho.

Failing to run SAC. You cannot access data from your I/O driver in View until SAC is running.

Setting the write protect switch on the hardware. If the I/O driver reads values but does not write
values, make sure the switch is not set. Also, start the Power Tool and verify that the Disable
Output option is not enabled for the datablock.

Attempting to communicate to areas of memory not defined in the controller. Verify that each
datablocks address is valid.

Using the same interrupts for a KT (KTC, KTX, or KTXD) or Ethernet interface card and the
computers serial ports (COM 1 and COM 2). Most personal computers assign IRQ4 to COM port
1 and IRQ3 to COM port 2. If a conflict occurs, change the interrupt of the conflicting expansion
board. The most common expansion conflict is the network adapter. Use the Windows Event
Viewer and Windows Diagnostics programs to troubleshoot these problems.

Error Codes
Error codes display in the Errors field of the Power Tools statistics display and in the Mission
Controls DRVST fields. DRVSTA and DRVSTB errors are RSLinx errors. For more information
about these errors, contact Rockwell Software at 440-646-7800.
The following types of error codes are covered:

DRVSTA Error Codes

DRVSTB Error Codes

DRVSTD Error Codes

DRVSTE through DRVSTH Error Codes

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DRVSTA Error Codes

Code

Description

01

I/O operation in progress.

02

Invalid DEFINE string.

03

Invalid number of elements to define.

04

Invalid data type.

05

Invalid access rights.

06

Invalid module, pushwheel or channel.

07

Invalid remote station address.

08

Invalid PLC processor type.

09

Invalid number of DEFINE parameters.

0A

Conflicts in DEFINE parameter number 5.

0B

DEFINE table full.

0C

Loading DEFINE table ID conflict.

0D

DEFINE input file error.

0E

Invalid DTSA atype member.

0F

Data item is read only.

10

Data invalid for operation (bit, RMW operation write to float, bit or structured data item).

11

Not enough memory available.

12

Operation did not complete in time.

13

DEFINE table not initialized.

14

DEFINE ID out of range.

16

PLC processor type not supported.

17

NOS timer error.

18

I/O completed with errors.

19

Bad parameter value.

1A

Expected parameter is missing.

1B

I/O operation not attempted.

1D

NOS message packet error.

1F

Data item is greater that maximum allowed.

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172

Code

Description

20

No such data item defined.

21

Wait ID out of range.

22

Too many pending I/O requests.

23

NOS initialization error.

25

NOS initialization error.

26

Bad DEFINE address.

27

DTL system already initialized.

28

Input string too long.

29

Data conversion error.

2A

PLC 5/250 time invalid.

2B

VMS error setting time.

2C

Error getting symbol expansion.

2D

Bad application address.

2E

Invalid network interface identifier.

2F

Network interface already connected.

30

Bad IP address.

31

Symbol expansion invalid.

32

Invalid use of definition.

33

Invalid number of elements.

34

Invalid host data type keyword.

35

Invalid PLC data type.

36

Invalid network interface identifier.

38

Invalid network interface identifier.

39

No connection to network interface.

3A

Receive operation already pending.

3B

Conversion error for read data.

3C

Conversion error for write data.

3D

Data comparison failure.

3F

Receive operation was canceled.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Code

Description

40

Receive operation is not pending.

41

Session to network interface was lost.

42

Session to network interface was established.

43

DTL_SET_FDS nfds parameter is too small.

44

Operation not supported.

45

Bad DTSA_TYPE station address.

46

Bad DTSA_TYPE communication channel.

47

Bad DTSA_TYPE module type.

49

Cannot specify DTL_REJECT for both handlers.

4A

Address specified is not supported by DTL function.

4B

Bad DTSA_TYPE Pushwheel.

4C

Operation cancelled by DTL_DISCONNECT.

4D

Network interface cannot support more connections.

4E

Network interface software revision incompatible.

4F

Duplicate application address.

50

Application address in use by other user.

51

I/O was canceled by DTL_UNDEF.

52

Access mode reserved for PLC-2.

54

Archive file format error.

5A

Error accessing disk.

60

PLC types do not match.

61

Internal error initializing VRNA.386.

65

Compare failed.

66

PLC has invalid mode for attempted operation.

67

PLC is faulted.

68

Compare utility - compare failed.

69

Compare utility - compare success.

6A

Get faults utility - found faults.

6B

Get faults utility - found no faults.

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174

Code

Description

6C

Sense mode utility - run mode.

6D

Sense mode utility - remote run mode.

6E

Sense mode utility - test mode.

6F

Sense mode utility - remote test mode.

70

Sense mode utility - program mode.

71

Sense mode utility - remote program mode.

72

DLL detected WM_QUIT message.

73

Can't copy PLC image.

74

Can copy image but with warnings.

75

PLC mode not changed to request mode.

76

Invalid DTSA_TYPE file type.

77

DTSA structure file name is NULL or zero.

78

DTSA_TYPE file length is zero.

79

Invalid DTSA_TYPE File Type

7A

Server is not loaded.

7B

Server is not running.

7C

Reply buffer is too small.

7D

Bit mask contains illegal bits.

7E

PCCC packet handler is NULL.

7F

Invalid option parameter.

80

Invalid backlog value.

81

Can't find subprogram to execute.

82

Invalid option name parameter.

83

Invalid option value parameter.

84

U/D/C operation terminated by user.

85

DTL_UNSOL_GETALL already active.

86

DTL_UNSOL_GETALL and DTL_UNSOL_DEF used.

87

Sense Mode Utility test cont scan mode.

88

Sense Mode Utility test sing scan mode.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Code

Description

89

Sense Mode Utility test sing step mode.

8A

Uninterpretable path in DTSA_ASA.

8B

Invalid connection ID in DTSA_CONN.

8C

Disallowed ASA service code.

8D

Invalid ASA Internal Object Identifier.

8E

Data exceeds maximum size allowed.

8F

No more ASA connections can be opened.

90

Connection not ready to send.

91

Connection lost.

92

Invalid connection structure.

93

Invalid ASA mode.

94

Invalid ASA trigger.

95

Invalid ASA transport.

96

Invalid ASA timeout multiplier.

97

Invalid ASA network connection type.

98

Invalid ASA connection priority.

99

Invalid ASA connection packet type.

9A

Invalid ASA connection max packet size.

9B

Driver ID was illegal.

9C

Driver ID was invalid.

9D

Driver ID is already in use.

9E

Driver name is invalid.

9F

Failed attempt to register/unregister broadcast unsolicited request.

A0

Failed attempt to register/unregister PLC2 memory unsolicited request.

A1

Failed attempt to register/unregister virtual link unsolicited request.

A2

PLC-2 address not in use by this application.

A3

Virtual link node not in use by this application.

A4

DTL_C_DEFINE pushwheel parameter was specified more than once.

A5

DTL_C_DEFINE pushwheel parameter was out of range.

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176

Code

Description

A6

DTL_C_DEFINE module parameter was specified more than once.

A7

DTL_C_DEFINE module parameter was out of range.

A8

DTL_C_DEFINE channel parameter was specified more than once.

A9

DTL_C_DEFINE channel parameter was out of range.

AA

DTL_C_DEFINE El station parameter was specified more than once.

AB

DTL_C_DEFINE El station parameter was out of range.

AC

DTL_C_DEFINE bridge parameter was specified more than once.

AD

DTL_C_DEFINE bridge parameter was out of range.

AE

DTL_C_DEFINE link parameter was specified more than once.

AF

DTL_C_DEFINE link parameter was out of range.

B0

DTL_C_DEFINE gateway parameter was specified more than once.

B1

DTL_C_DEFINE gateway parameter was out of range.

B2

DTL_C_DEFINE ka flag parameter was specified more than once.

B3

Cannot find RSLinx in INI file.

B4

Cannot find WinLinx in INI file.

B5

Error sending message to server.

B6

Specified host name is not mapped to a station address.

B7

Unable to create RSLinx process.

B8

Unable to communicate with RSLinx process.

B9

Unable to find activation key.

BA

One or more pointers were NULL.

BB

Who active struct type is invalid.

BC

Who active struct type is illegal.

BD

Who active struct size is wrong for struct type.

BE

Who active manufacturer type is invalid.

BF

Who active manufacturer type is illegal.

C0

Specified request id was bad.

C1

Unable to create WinLinx process.

C2

Unable to communicate with WinLinx process.

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Code

Description

C3

Unable to find activation key.

C4

RSLinx CIP subsystem not found.

C5

No response to CIP registration.

C6

Invalid registration ID.

C7

CIP Symbol exceeds max length allowed.

C8

CIP Symbol has invalid format.

C9

Invalid transaction ID.

CA

DDE Topic already exists.

CB

Failed attempt to register/unregister source unsolicited request.

CC

DDE Topic exists with different name.

CD

DDE Topic exists with different poll mode.

CE

DDE Topic exists with different poll rate.

CF

DDE Topic exists with different manufacturer type.

D0

DDE Topic exists with different process type.

D1

DDE Topic exists with different process station.

D2

DDE Topic exists with different route.

D3

DDE Topic exists with different driver.

D4

DDE Topic exists with different communication timeout.

D5

Version does not match WinLinx version.

D6

Version does not match RSLinx version.

D7

The connection to WinLinx server is broken.

D8

The connection to RSLinx server is broken.

D9

CIP link address was already registered.

DA

CIP symbol was already registered.

DB

Invalid link address.

DC

Invalid return status code.

DD

No INTERCHANGE compatibility mappings exist.

DE

DDE Topic is active.

DF

DDE Topic has no project.

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Code

Description

E0

Could not initialize RSHarmony sub-system.

E1

Operation not supported by server.

E2

Could not open RSHarmony project.

E3

Could not bind to RSHarmony object.

E4

Could not invoke method on RSHarmony object.

E5

Could not get property of RSHarmony object.

E6

Could not set property of RSHarmony object.

E7

INTERCHANGE mapping exists for specified pushwheel.

E8

Target struct type is invalid.

E9

Target struct type is illegal.

EA

Target struct size is wrong for struct type.

EB

DTL32.DLL version mismatch with Linx server.

EC

Reply is too short or is incorrectly formatted.

DRVSTB Error Codes

178

Code

Description

101

Station cannot buffer command.

102

Cannot guarantee delivery; link layer timed out or received a NAK.

103

Duplicate token holder detected by link layer.

104

Local port is disconnected.

105

Timed out waiting for a response from remote station.

106

Duplicate node detected.

107

Station is offline.

108

Hardware fault.

110

Illegal command or format, including an odd address.

120

Host has a problem and will not communicate.

130

Remote station host is not there, disconnected or shutdown.

140

Host could not complete function because of a hardware fault.

150

Addressing problem or memory protect rungs.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Code

Description

160

Function disallowed because of a command protection selection.

170

Processor is in program mode.

180

Compatibility mode file missing or communication zone problem.

190

Remote station cannot buffer command.

1A0

No ACK received.

1A2

Network is dead.

1A4

COM port hardware problem.

1A5

Packet is too large.

1A7

Illegal station address seen.

1A8

Not getting solicited.

1A9

Service/LSAP not supported.

1B0

Remote station problem because of a download.

1C0

Cannot execute command because of IBPs.

201

Illegal address format - a field has an illegal value.

202

Illegal address format - not enough fields specified.

203

Illegal address format - too many fields specified.

204

Illegal address format symbol not found.

205

Illegal address format symbol is 0 or greater than 8 characters.

206

Illegal address format address does not exist.

207

Illegal file size.

208

Cannot complete request situation changed during multi-packet operation.

209

Data or file is too large.

20A

Data or file is too large.

20B

Access denied, privilege violation.

20C

Resource is not available.

20D

Resource is already available.

20E

Command cannot be executed.

20F

Overflow - histogram overflow.

210

No access.

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Code

Description

211

Incorrect data type.

212

Invalid parameter.

213

Address reference exists to deleted area.

214

Command execution failure for unknown reason.

215

Data conversion error.

216

1771 rack adapter not responding.

217

1771 module not responding to rack adapter.

218

1771 module response was not valid.

219

Duplicate label.

21A

File is open - another node owns it.

21B

Another node is the program owner.

2746

Connection reset by Peer, possibly caused by disconnecting the cable.

DRVSTD Error Codes

Code

Description

E0

Unsupported data type.

E1

Unconfigured datablock.

E2

Improperly sized datablock.

FD

You have configured RSLinx with a driver name that does not exist. Consequently, the
ABR driver could not establish a connection and read data from the process hardware.

FE

You have configured RSLinx with a driver name that does not exist. Consequently, the
ABR driver could not establish a connection and write digital data to the specified address.

FF

You have configured RSLinx with a driver name that does not exist. Consequently, the
ABR driver could not establish a connection and write analog data to the specified address.

DRVSTE through DRVSTH Error Codes

180

Value

Displays the...

DRVSTE

Device number of last protocol error.

DRVSTF

Datablock number of last protocol error.

DRVSTH

Number of unsolicited write messages received (PLC sent data).

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Tools for Troubleshooting the ABR I/O Driver

The Statistics View in the ABR I/O Driver Power Tool
The Power Tool displays communication statistics for each datablock, device, channel, and the entire
driver. Displaying these statistics is useful for narrowing down which part of the driver is not
functioning. To view the statistics, select a datablock, device, or channel from the Tree Browser and
click the Statistics button on the Run-time toolbar.

The Statistics in FIX Mission Control

Mission Control is the main FIX tool for monitoring background tasks, such as SAC, Historical
Collect, and I/O drivers. Using Mission Control, you can start and stop a driver, and view driver error
numbers. This is useful for quickly determining if the driver is having a problem.
Mission Control also provides a summary of driver-level statistics. To see the statistics for each
channel, use the ABR Power Tool.

The Windows Event Viewer

The driver reports any major errors to the Windows Event Viewer. To learn more about using this
application, refer to Using the Event Viewer.

The Alarm History Window in FIX

Because the I/O driver reports event messages to the Alarm History application in FIX, you can use
this program for debugging your driver. The events reported include when the driver:

Starts and stops.

Connects and disconnects.

Switches channels and devices.

Fails to communicate and subsequently recovers.

Refer to the FIX documentation for details on enabling alarm services.

The Message Log in the I/O Server program

The message log in the I/O Server program tracks the following events:

The date and time a configuration file loads.

Which configuration file loads. If the driver is not loading the configuration file you want, you can
change the default file name and location in the Power Tools Setup dialog box.

The date and time other applications attach to the server. This data can help you determine if
someone is attached and making changes to the server you are working on.

CSV import errors.

To view the I/O Server program:
1.

Open the Power Tool.

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2.

Select an item from the Tree Browser.

3.

Press Alt + Shift + S.

The options in the programs View menu let you choose the types of messages to display. The message
priority is as follows:
1.

Errors

2.

Warnings

3.

Information

4.

Debug1

5.

Debug2

6.

Debug3

7.

OPC DLL

The default setting for the Server is to display errors, warnings, and informational messages. You can
also enable debug and OPC DLL messages. The following table summarizes the contents of these
messages.
Message
type
Debug 1

Contains information about...

Creating and deleting channel, device, and datablock objects.

NIO, Poll stub, and OPC connections to the server.

Debug 2

RSLinx define strings.

Debug 3

Internal run-time errors. Debug 3 messages also provide important run-time

information, such as when an object is created or when a device is marked bad using
the quickfail logic.

OPC DLL

Run-time and configuration time "trace" and error messages sent by the OPC DLL.
We recommend you disable this selection during normal operation of the driver.

To close the I/O Server program:

182

1.

Select an item from the Tree Browser.

2.

Press Alt + Shift + S.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Getting Technical Support

Support for the ABR I/O driver
By World Wide Web
To enter new support issues, go to GE Fanucs WWW support site.
To search for an updated version of your driver, go to GE Fanucs WWW SIM site.

By Phone
GE Fanuc Technical Support:
(Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
Within the United States: 1-800-GEFANUC (1-800-433-2682)
Option 3 for Support
International: 1-434-978-5100
Option 2 for Support

Support for the process hardware

By World Wide Web
Click the shortcut to visit Rockwell Softwares web site.
By Email
Click the shortcut to mail Rockwell Softwares support staff.
By Phone
(440) 646-7800 Technical Support
(440) 646-7801 Tech Support Fax
(440) 646-7777 AutoFax Product Info

183

Creating a Custom Client Application

The ABR I/O Server is an OLE application that you can control programmatically. It exposes its
functionality to other OLE applications through its interfaces, which means you can create custom
OLE applications to access or control the driver.
For example:

You can use Visual Basic to programmatically enable channels, device, or datablocks depending
on user input.

You can use VBA in Excel to create a program that generates reports comparing device statistics
within a driver.

You can write programs that control the driver with higher performance using C or C++.

Refer to the following topics for steps on getting started with creating custom applications:

Creating a Custom Application Using Microsoft Visual Basic

Creating a Custom Application Using C or C++

Accessing ABR Server Data Using an OPC Client

Creating a Custom Application Using Microsoft Visual Basic

Microsoft Visual Basic is one of many applications that you can use to develop custom OLE
applications for use with the ABR I/O driver.
To start designing a Visual Basic application that accesses the ABR I/O driver
objects:
1.

Start Visual Basic and select References from the Projects menu. The ABRDRV OPC Server
7.20 Library should display in the Available References list box. If it does, select it. If it does
not, browse your directories for .TLB files and add ABRDRV.TLB to the Available
References list box.

2.

Select Object Browser from the View menu and select ABRDRV from the Libraries/Projects
drop-down list at the top of the browser.

3.

Select Help on the Properties and Methods to learn how to use the driver objects for creating
your application.

The type library, ABRDRV.TLB, is installed in the same path that you installed the ABR I/O Server.
NOTE: To use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) instead of the VB Compiler, select References from
the Tools menu in step 1 and follow steps 2 and 3 above.

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Creating a Custom Application Using C or C++

You can create a custom client application for use with the I/O Server using Microsoft Visual C or
C++.
To get started creating an client application with C or C++:
1.

Add a call to CoCreateInstance to load the server and get a pointer to the driver interface.

2.

Include InterfaceDef.h in the source from your driver.

3.

Add Interfacedef_i.obj to the project.

You can obtain copies of InterfaceDef.h and Interfacedef_i.obj from GE Fanuc. Contact your local GE
Fanuc sales representative for more information.

Accessing the ABR Server with OPC

Accessing ABR Server Data Using an OPC Client
You can use any v1.0a or 2.0 OPC-compliant client to access data from your process hardware through
the ABR OPC server using the ABR driver. In order to access this data, your client must use the OPC
Custom interface to communicate with the ABR OPC server. The ABR OPC server does not support
the OPC Automation interface.
You can begin accessing OPC data from the ABR OPC server by using the Power Tool to enter the
default driver configuration file name for the server. To learn how to enter this information, refer to
Setting Defaults for the I/O Driver Configuration File Name and Path.
Once you specify the default configuration file name, you can use the following syntax for the OPC
Item ID:
devicename:address (analog or ASCII values)
devicename:address:bit (digital values)
devicename:address|bytes (ASCII values)

For an explanation of analog and digital syntax, refer to Specifying I/O Addresses. For an explanation
of ASCII syntax, refer to Using A Files with an OPC Client.
If your OPC client supports browsing, you can also browse the ABR OPC server.
NOTE: The ABR Server does not allow you to browse down to bit level unless you are accessing a
structured mnemonic. Consequently, when browsing the ABR Server for digital data, make sure you
add the bit you want to access to your Item ID.

Using A Files with an OPC Client

You can read text values with an OPC client using the following syntax:
devicename:address|bytes (ASCII values)

Where:

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Parameter

Description

device_name Is the name of the field device or process hardware that you want to collect data
from.
address

Is a register in the device. This address matches the address defined by a datablock,
such as A9:3

bytes

Is the number of bytes (characters) you want to read. Specifying the number of bytes
is optional. When omitted, the client reads 20 bytes.

Using this feature, you can read text values of any size you need. However, you cannot read passed the
boundary of a datablock. For example, if you create a datablock with the address range A9:0 to A9:4
on device D1 then the following address is invalid and returns no data because it reads past the
boundary of the datablock:
D1:A9:0

To correct this, specify the number of bytes to read as shown below:

D1:A9:0|10

You can also change the default number of bytes the client reads by modifying the registry of your
computer.
CAUTION: Do not modify the registry unless you are familiar editing registry values. You can
seriously affect the performance of your computer if you accidentally change or delete a registry
setting.
To change the default number of bytes to read:
1.

Select Run from the Windows Start menu.

2.

Enter REGEDT32 in the field provided to start the Registry Editor.

3.

Select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE window from the Window menu.

4.

Locate and select the folder

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intellution\Drivers\ABR\OPC\ItemDefaults

5.

Select Add Value from the Edit menu.

6.

Enter StringLength in the Value Name field. This text is case-sensitive and must be entered
as shown.

7.

Select REG_DWORD from the Data Type field and click OK. The DWORD Editor dialog
box appears.

8.

Select Decimal from the Radix area.

9.

Enter the default number of bytes you want your OPC client to read in the Data field and click
OK. The new default is added to the ItemDefaults registry key. The default value is displayed
as a hexadecimal number

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Accessing Information
The ABR I/O driver help consists of independent topics with specific information on I/O driver
concepts and procedures. You can access these topics using one of the following methods:

F1 help

The index

The full-text search

The table of contents

The index, full-text search, and table of contents are all located in the Help Topics dialog box. You can
display this dialog box by using one of the following methods:

Selecting Help Topics from the Power Tools Help menu.

Selecting ABR Help from the Start menu as follows:

1.

Select Programs from the Start menu.

2.

Select FIX, Dynamics, or iFIX from the Programs menu.

3.

Select ABR Help from the context menu.

Using F1 Help
The fastest way to get help using the Power Tool fields is by pressing the F1 key. To display F1 help,
select the field or control you want information on and press the F1 key. The topic that appears is
specific to the selected field or control and usually explains what happens when you enter information
in the field, which entries are valid, and provides examples of valid entries when applicable.

Using the Help Index

The online help provides an index to all its topics. This index is similar to the index in a printed book.
To search the index:

188

1.

Select the Index tab in the Help Topics dialog box.

2.

Type or select the word you want information on.

3.

Double-click the indexed item in the lower part of the Index tab to display the
associated topic. If the word you entered is associated with more than one topic, a list
box appears displaying all the topics indexed under the word you entered.

4.

Double-click the topic you want to display.

ABR I/O Driver Manual

Using the Help Full-Text Search

If you cant find the information youre looking for in the index, you can use the full-text search
capability. A full-text search finds every occurrence of a selected word or phrase anywhere within the
online help.
To use the full-text search:
1.

Select the Find tab in the Help Topics dialog box.

2.

Follow the prompts for creating the word list for the Help file.

3.

Enter the word or phrase you want to locate in lower case text.

4.

Double-click the associated topic you want to display from the list at the bottom of
the Find tab.

NOTE: Do not enter your search string with all upper case text. Using upper case text locates only
words and phrases in upper case. Using lower case text, on the other hand, finds all matching words
and phrases.

Using the Help Table of Contents

The table of contents provides an overview of whats available in the ABR online help. It displays the
titles of the books and the topics within each book.
To use the Table of Contents:
1.

Select the Contents tab in the Help Topics dialog box.

2.

To open a book, double-click it.

3.

Double-click the topic you want to read.

4.

To close a book, double-click it again.

Navigating in the Online Help

When you access a topic in the ABR I/O driver online help, it may not provide all the information you
need. To learn more about a topic, you can:

Use the Help Button Bar.

Use help links.

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Using the Help Button Bar

The
button...

Lets you...

Help
Topics

Display the Help Topics dialog box.

Back

Return to the last topic you viewed. The default keyboard shortcut is CTRL + B. You
can also see a list of previously viewed topics by selecting Display History Window
in the Options Menu. Refer to Using the Help Menus for details on ABR Help menu
commands.

Print

Print the current topic. See Printing the Online Help for information on how to print
the entire help system.

Using Help Links

Green words or phrases are links. Clicking a link either displays another topic or a pop-up window on
top of the current topic. If you are using the keyboard, press the Tab key to move to the next link in the
topic and press the Enter key to activate the link.
Links to other topics are green with a solid underline and are called jumps. Jumps take you out of
viewing the current topic to viewing a new topic. Links that display pop-up windows are green with a
dotted underline. Pop-up windows display over the current window and are usually definitions of
terms.

Using the See Also List

Most topics have a See Also button located directly under the topic title. Click the button to display a
dialog box with a list of topics related to the current topic. If you select one of the topics from the list,
that topic displays. To get back to your original topic, click the Back button on the button bar.

Using the Help Menus

The following menus appear at the top of every Help topic:

Each menu contains a list of commands. To display the commands, click the menu name. The
following table explains the function of each command.
Command

Description

File
Open

Opens another help file.

Print Topic

Prints the currently displayed topic.

Exit

Exits the ABR online help.

Edit

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Command

Description

Copy

Copies the selected text.

Annotate

Makes an annotation to a topic. When you select this command, a dialog box
appears with a space for entering your annotation.
Help inserts a green paperclip icon at the top, left corner of the topic to indicate
that an annotation exists for the topic. To view an annotation, click the green
paperclip. Annotations remain with topics after you exit and re-open the online
help.

Bookmark
Define

Bookmarks topics for reference during a Help session.

Options
Keep on Top

Chooses whether to display the ABR I/O driver help on top of all open
applications or to cover the ABR help as other applications open.

Display History
Window

Displays all the topics you have viewed during a Help session.

Font

Lets you choose the font size used by the online help.

Use System
Colors

Directs the online help to use the system colors of your computer.

Help
Version

Displays the version of the ABR I/O driver online help.

Customizing the Online Help

The ABR online help lets you annotate and bookmark topics.

Annotations
Select the Annotations command from the ABR Help Edit menu to add your own annotations to a
topic.

Bookmarks
Select the Define command from the Bookmark menu to mark the topics that you want to refer back to
during a Help session.
Refer to the Microsoft Windows Help for details on making annotations and bookmarks.

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Printing the Online Help

To print one ABR Help topic at a time:

Click Print from the Help Button Bar.

To print the entire online help as a book:

192

1.

Open the Help Topics dialog box and select the Contents tab.

2.

Double-click the Print Version book.

3.

Double-click the ABR Help Print Version topic.

4.

Click Print from the Help Button Bar to print the entire help system

Index
!

adding devices ..........................................95, 106

!MODE ........................................................... 121

address length ...........................................24, 108

!POLL............................................................. 121

addressing format in Database Builder ...........121

!SEND ...................................................... 14, 121

addressing format in the Power Tool ........24, 108

!START .......................................................... 121

advanced settings ............................................. 97

!SWITCH ....................................................... 121

automatic datablock creation ............................. 6

automatic server connection ............................ 99

1747 AIC link coupler ................................ 63, 66

automatic startup ......................................96, 133

1747 C11 cable ................................................. 63

1747 C13 cable ................................................. 66

binary files ......................................................128

1747 KE converter............................................ 66

block transfers .............................. 21, 24, 31, 108

1747-CP3 cable ........................ 53, 59, 63, 66, 78

block writes ..................................................... 14

1756-DHRIO module ................................. 83, 85

browser ............................................................ 91

1756-ENET module.................................... 83, 85

1756-L1 ControLogix processor ...................... 86

C++ custom client applications ......................186

1761 NET AIC converter ........................... 66, 78

cabling ........................................................21, 39

1761-CBL-HM02 Series B cable ..................... 78

changing servers .............................................. 98

1770-KF2 devices............................................. 59

channels

1770-KF3 devices............................................. 63

adding ...................................................95, 102

1784 CP14 cable ............................................... 63

enabling ......................................................... 9

1784 KT interface card ..................................... 49

properties ............................................102, 104

1784-KTD interface card .................................. 50

statistics ......................................................131

1784-KTXD interface card ............................... 50

viewing statistics.........................................131

1785 KA module .............................................. 59

choosing commands ........................................ 92

1785-KE module .............................................. 56

CNB module .................................................... 85

command line parameters ................................ 99

ABR I/O driver features ..................................... 4

communicating locally .................................... 98

access time.............................................. 115, 116

communicating remotely ................................. 98

accessing ABR data ........................................ 186

communicating with

accessing documentation ................................ 188

a 1747 KE converter .................................... 66

accessing the Power Tool ................................. 89

a 1761 NET AIC converter .......................... 66

adding channels ........................................ 95, 102

a 1770-KF2 device....................................... 59

adding datablocks ............................... 15, 95, 106

a 1770-KF3 device....................................... 63

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a 1785KE module ......................................... 56

processor ...................................................... 86

a ControLogix Gateway ......................... 83, 85

configuring the hardware ................................. 44

a MicroLogix processor .......................... 53, 78

configuring the Power Tool ............ 7, 94, 95, 101

a PLC 5 ................................................... 53, 72

connecting to local servers..........................94, 98

a PLC 5/250 ............................................ 69, 72

connecting to remote servers ......................94, 98

a SLC 5 ................................................... 53, 72

ControlNet ....................................................... 85

communicating with ......................................... 49

ControLogix ................................... 50, 83, 85, 86

communication errors ....................................... 10

creating custom applications using C or C++ .186

communication modules ................................... 21

creating custom applications with Visual

Basic ...........................................................185

conditioning data ............................................ 123

Configuration button ........................................ 94
configuration file default settings ................... 117
configuration file name..................................... 96
configuration file path ...................................... 96
configuration methods .................................... 101
configuration mode ........................................... 89
Configuration toolbar ....................................... 95
configuring a 1784 KT interface card ...............49
configuring a PLC 5/250 .................................. 69
configuring a Pyramid Integrator ..................... 69
configuring channels ...................................... 102
configuring datablocks ................................... 106
configuring datablocks automatically ................. 6
configuring devices ........................................ 106
configuring drivers
from custom applications ............................... 7
remotely .......................................................... 7
configuring drivers ........................................... 94
configuring drivers ........................................... 95
configuring drivers ......................................... 101
configuring drivers ......................................... 119
configuring drivers ......................................... 120

creating custom client applications .................185

creating datablocks .......................................... 15
creating datablocks automatically from
client applications .......................................... 6
creating datablocks in FIX Database Builder .125
creating datablocks with FIX ..........................119
creating new files ............................................. 94
creating reports ...............................................128
CSV files ........................................................128
custom applications ........................................... 7
custom client applications.......................185, 186
customizing help .............................................191
D
data monitoring ................................................ 14
data scope ........................................................ 14
Data Scope button ............................................ 94
database blocks ...............................................120
datablocks
adding ...................................................95, 106
addresses ...............................................24, 108
block writes ................................................. 14
configuring .................................................106

configuring drivers ......................................... 125

creating automatically in Database

Builder ................................................6, 125

configuring local communication ..................... 98

creating with FIX applications....................119

configuring MicroLogix PLCs ......................... 78

enabling ......................................................... 9

configuring remote communication.................. 98

modifying ...................................................106

configuring the 1756-L1 ControLogix

properties ...................... 24, 106, 108, 115, 116

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saving ................................................. 125, 127

selecting an account to run as a service ....... 11

statistics ...................................................... 131

setting up 16, 17, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59, 63, 66, 69,
72, 73, 78, 83, 85, 86

viewing statistics ........................................ 131

starting ................................................132, 181

datablocks ......................................................... 15

statistics ..............................................131, 181

datablocks ......................................................... 15

stopping ........................................ 94, 135, 181

date stamp for data and alarms ......................... 11

upgrading ................................................44, 45

default configuration file name................... 89, 96

viewing statistics.........................................131

default configuration file path .................... 89, 96

default settings........................................ 117, 125
delay time property ......................................... 104
devices
1770-KF2...................................................... 59
1770-KF3...................................................... 63
adding ................................................... 95, 106
configuring the hardware .............................. 44
enabling .......................................................... 9
modifying ................................................... 106
properties .................................................... 106
statistics ...................................................... 131
viewing statistics ........................................ 131
diagnostics ........................................................ 14
disclaimer ......................................................... 49
Display Mode menu ......................................... 92
documentation ........................................ 188, 189
driver alarms ..................................................... 11
driver messages ................................ 97, 102, 181
drivers
architecture ..................................................... 2
configuration ...................... 7, 94, 95, 101, 120
error numbers ............................................. 170
features ........................................................... 4

DRVST ...........................................................170
DTL initialization size ..................................... 97
E
Edit menu......................................................... 92
enabling channels .............................................. 9
enabling datablocks ........................................... 9
enabling devices ................................................ 9
end address ...............................................24, 108
entering driver information in FIX Database
Builder ........................................................120
error display format ......................................... 97
error numbers..........................................170, 181
establishing a serial connection ....................... 53
establishing an ethernet connection ................. 72
ethernet ............................................................ 72
Event Viewer ..................................................181
exception-based processing ............................... 8
F
F1 help ............................................................188
features .............................................................. 4
File menu ......................................................... 92
file path ............................................................ 96
finding information .................................188, 189

how they work ................................................ 2

FIX applications 6, 119, 120, 121, 125, 127, 134,

135

manual start-up ........................................... 134

FIX Database Builder

remote configuration ...................................... 7

addressing format .......................................121

running as a service ...................................... 11

FIX Database Builder ................. 6, 119, 120, 121

sample configurations16, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59, 63,

66, 69, 72, 78, 83, 85, 86

FIX Database Builder .....................................121

FIX Database Builder .....................................123

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FIX Database Builder ..................................... 125

latched data ...................................................... 11

FIX Database Builder ..................................... 125

local communication........................................ 98

FIX Database Builder ..................................... 125

local connection ............................................... 98

FIX Database Builder ..................................... 125

local server....................................................... 98

FIX Database Builder ..................................... 127

logging messages ............................................181

FIXIOUser Account ......................................... 11

format for I/O addresses ................................. 121

main toolbar ..................................................... 94

full text search ................................................ 189

making new files.............................................. 94

manual start-up ...............................................134

generating multiple datablocks ......................... 15

maximum memory size ................................... 97

getting technical support................................. 183

maximum outstanding messages ..................... 97

graphical user interface....................................... 7

memory growth increment ............................... 97

memory types .............................................21, 31

handling exceptions ............................................ 8

menu bar .......................................................... 92

hardware16, 17, 21, 44, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59, 63, 66,
69, 72, 73, 78, 83, 85, 86

message log ....................................................181

hardware options ............................................ 125

help ................................................. 159, 188, 189
Help menu ........................................................ 92
help menus...................................................... 190
help printing ................................................... 192
how the driver works .......................................... 2
how to use the driver ...................................... 145
I
I/O address format .................................... 31, 121
I/O Server ............................................... 2, 98, 99
index ............................................................... 188
information ..................................................... 189
Interfacdef_i.obj ............................................. 186
interface cards................................................... 20
interface modules ............................................. 21
InterfaceDef.h ................................................. 186
K
KF2 devices ...................................................... 59
KF3 devices ...................................................... 63
L
last error display buttons .................................. 97

196

MicroLogix PLCs .......................................50, 78

Mission Control .............................. 134, 135, 181
mnemonics ....................................................... 31
modifying channels.........................................102
modifying configurations ...............................139
modifying datablocks .....................................106
modifying devices...........................................106
N
navigating in the ABR Help system ...............189
new files........................................................... 94
nodename.ABR ............................................... 96
O
offlinking ......................................................... 73
OLE for Process Control ................................... 5
OLE Server button ........................................... 94
OPC client ......................................................186
OPC servers ....................................................... 5
opening files .................................................... 94
opening menus ................................................. 92
opening the Power Tool ............ 94, 125, 132, 181
optimization techniques ..................................139
Options menu................................................... 92

ABR I/O Driver Manual

overrun buffer ................................................... 97

overview

QuickFail logic ................................................ 10

About the Power Tool .................................. 89

creating datablocks with FIX applications . 119

refresh rate ....................................................... 96

Setting Up the Driver.................................... 17

refreshing the browser ..................................... 91

remote communication .................................... 98

path to configuration files ................................. 96

remote configuration.......................................... 7

path to error resource DLL ............................... 97

remote connection............................................ 98

path to signal conditioning DLL ....................... 97

remote control .................................................... 7

performance .................................................... 139

remote server ................................................... 98

phasing ............................................... 9, 115, 116

reply timeout property ....................................104

pictures 16, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59, 63, 66, 69, 72, 73,
78, 83, 86

report files.......................................................128

PLC 3................................................................ 49
PLC 5.............................................. 50, 53, 59, 72
PLC 5 rack ........................................................ 56
PLC 5/250 .................................................. 50, 69
poll rate ....................................................... 9, 115
Power Tool
addressing format ................................. 24, 108

required software ............................................. 38

Reset button ..................................................... 94
resetting statistics ............................................. 94
retries property................................................104
running the driver as a service ......................... 11
S
SAC ............................................................8, 133

browser ......................................................... 91

sample configurations .. 16, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59, 63,

66, 69, 72, 78, 83, 85, 86

configuring ........................... 7, 94, 95, 96, 101

saving configuration changes .........................127

opening ....................................................... 132

saving datablocks............................................127

setup ............................................................. 96

saving files ..................................................94, 96

starting ........................................................ 132

SCADA configuration ............................132, 133

status bar ....................................................... 93

scaling data .....................................................123

Power Tool ......................................................... 2

SCU ........................................................132, 133

Power Tool ....................................................... 89

searching help .................................................189

Power Tool ....................................................... 90

secondary poll rate ..............................9, 115, 116

Power Tool ....................................................... 92

server connection ........................................98, 99

primary poll rate ............................................. 116

service under Windows

printing ABR documentation.......................... 192

running the driver as .................................... 11

printing help ................................................... 192

setting default values ......................................117

process hardware ... 16, 17, 44, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59,
63, 66, 69, 72, 73, 78, 83, 85, 86

setting up drivers ... 17, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59, 63, 66,
69, 72, 73, 78, 83, 85, 86

programming hardware .................................... 44

setting up the default configuration file path ... 96

Properties Viewer ............................................. 90

setting up the Power Tool ................................ 16

Pyramid Integrator ............................................ 69

Setup dialog box .........................................89, 96

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short cut keys .................................................... 93

supported memory types .................................. 21

signal conditioning ......................................... 123

supported mnemonics ...................................... 31

simulation mode ......................................... 10, 97

supported signal conditioning .........................123

SLC 5.......................................................... 50, 53

switching channels..........................................121

SLC 5/00 .......................................................... 63

switching devices............................................121

SLC 5/01 .......................................................... 63

system account................................................. 11

SLC 5/02 .......................................................... 63

system optimization ........................................139

SLC 5/03 .................................................... 63, 66

SLC 5/04 .......................................................... 59

table of contents ..............................................189

SLC 5/05 .......................................................... 72

technical support .....................................159, 183

software ............................................................ 38

Templates dialog box.................. 89, 94, 117, 125

specifying hardware options in FIX

Database Builder ........................................ 125

time stamp for data and alarms ........................ 11

specifying I/O addresses in FIX Database

Builder ........................................................ 121
specifying signal conditioning in FIX
Database Builder ........................................ 123
specifying the I/O driver in FIX Database
Builder ........................................................ 121
start address .............................................. 24, 108
Start button ....................................................... 94

timing properties .............................................104

Tree Browser ................................................... 89
troubleshooting ............................... 159, 170, 181
U
unsolicited messages.......................................102
upgrading the driver....................................44, 45
user interface ..................................................... 7

starting drivers .................. 94, 132, 133, 134, 181

using a logon account when running the

driver as a service ........................................ 11

starting drivers from FIX ................................ 132

using an OPC client ........................................186

starting drivers manually ................................ 132

using default driver settings ............................125

starting the driver automatically ..................... 133

using drivers remotely ....................................... 7

starting the driver manually ............................ 134

using help........................................................189

starting the Power Tool .................................. 132

using phasing with poll rates ..........................116

statistics ............................................ 14, 131, 181

using the ABR I/O Driver with Windows

XP Service Pack 2 ....................................... 39

Statistics button ................................................ 94

statistics mode .................................................. 89
statistics refresh rate ......................................... 96
status bar ........................................................... 93
Stop button ....................................................... 94
stopping drivers ................................ 94, 135, 181
support .................................................... 159, 183
supported hardware .......................................... 17

using the menus in help ..................................190

using the Power Tool ..................................89, 90
V
validating datablocks ....................................... 15
verifying datablocks created from Database
Builder ........................................................125
View menu....................................................... 92

supported interface cards .................................. 20

viewing datablocks created from Database

Builder ........................................................125

supported interface modules ............................. 21

viewing statistics ......................................94, 131

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Visual Basic custom applications ................... 185

running the driver as one ............................. 11

Windows XP Service Pack 2 ........................... 39

Windows service

writing to a datablock ...................................... 14

199