11/23/2023 EtherNet/IP Scanner Configuration

Topic: P258

EtherNet/IP Scanner Configuration

Description
An EtherNet/IP Scanner (or I/O Scanner) is the client device responsible for establishing a connection path
to an EtherNet/IP Adapter (or I/O Adapter). The I/O Scanner initiates implicit connections with I/O Adapters
for the exchange of real-time data. Unlike explicit messages, once an I/O connection is established, implicit
messages are exchanged without request / response. The T->O (Input) and O->T (Output) data is produced
and consumed at intervals determined by the Production Trigger specified in the connection establishment.

To configure your CPU as an EtherNet/IP Scanner, use the setup tools found in the Hardware
Configuration window. The EtherNet/IP options are found under the EtherNet/IP tab of the Hardware
Configuration window as shown below. To configure a client device, click and drag (or double-click) a
Generic Client or existing EDS File from the right-hand column onto the EtherNet/IP palette.

You can create an EtherNet/IP device via three possible methods:

1.) Existing EDS File in the Library
2.) Generic Client (below)
3.) Importing an EDS File
Once a client has been placed on the palette, the following EtherNet/IP Client Properties window will
appear.

Note: A maximum number of 32 EtherNet/IP clients is allowed per CPU.

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EDS Library
The EDS library comes pre-populated with AutomationDirect EtherNet/IP Adapter devices. To add new EDS
files, see the EtherNet/IP EDS file import help topic.
The EDS library is organized into 4 tabs - Vendor, Part Number, Description, and Device Type - and every
EDS file in the library is searchable. Each tab organizes the EDS files by a specific field and searching within
that tab uses the criteria of that tab / view.

The Vendor tab organizes the EDS files first by Vendor, then by Device Type, then by Part Number.

The Part Number tab organizes the EDS files by Part Number only.

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The Description tab organizes the EDS files first by Description, then by Part Number.

The Device Type tab organizes the EDS files first by Device Type, then by Part Number:

Each tab is also sortable alphabetically (A-Z or Z-A) by the first level of organization.

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Expand All / Collapse All:
The buttons at the bottom of the EDS library window allow the user to expand All of the folders or collapse
ALL of the folders.
Double-clicking on a folder or folder level will also expand or collapse that folder or folder level.
Double-clicking an EDS file is the same a dragging the EDS file to the left.
Mousing over any EDS file will show the file Description.
Right clicking an EDS file will give the user the option to view a read-only copy of the EDS file (View EDS File) in a
text window, Delete the EDS file, or view the EDS file Properties.

Note: If EIP Clients have already been configured, deleting an EDS file will NOT affect those EIP clients.

EtherNet/IP Client Configuration

a. Device Name: Each Generic Client added to the EtherNet/IP window must contain a unique Device Name that can be
referenced (if needed) through the Explicit Message instruction.
b. Ethernet Port: The port of the Productivity Suite CPU that will send the EtherNet/IP messages. Currently, only the CPU
External Port (upper (P3) or forward (P2) Ethernet port) supports this functionality.
c. IP Address: This is where the IP address of the target EtherNet/IP Adapter device is entered.
d. TCP Port Number: Enter the listening TCP port number of the Target device. Typically, this value will need to be 44818 as this
is the registered TCP port number for the EtherNet/IP protocol.
e. Close unused CIP Session after ___ secs: Many devices have only a limited number of simultaneous CIP connections that are
supported. The CIP connection can be closed after a specified number of seconds in order to free up these connections. If the

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session times out and closes, the Connection Online tag will turn OFF. To re-establish the connection the Enable tag must be
turned OFF and back ON again.
f. Swap Byte Order: This option allows you to swap the byte order of the data coming from the target device (T->O) or going out to
the target device (O->T). This option does not affect configuration data (CONFIG DATA) byte order if the configuration data is a
Parameter Table. However, if configuration data is a 16-bit array or 32-bit array, the byte order is affected by this option.
g. Add IO Message/Add Explicit Message: For each device created, multiple Class 1 IO messages can be created as well as
one Class 3 connected explicit message. If creating an IO Message, an optional Enable bit can be specified to start the IO
messaging. If creating an Explicit Message, the Explicit Message Instruction is used to send the explicit message. IO
Message Setup and Explicit Message Setup details are found in the section below.

Note: Device specific connections may also be available from within the menu after importing the EDS
file for the target device."

h. Use Structure: Enables use of Structures.

i. TCP Connected: The TCP Connected bit indicates that the TCP connection has been successful. This does NOT indicate that
a successful CIP connection has been established. Reference the Connection Online bit for indication of the CIP connection
status. It is sometimes helpful in troubleshooting EtherNet/IP connections to know if the TCP connection has been successful in
order to isolate a fundamental network connection (IP address issues, TCP port issues, etc…) from a CIP forward open issue.
j. Adapter Name: This string tag contains the text of the adapter device returned in the CIP Forward Open Message. This can be
helpful in identifying whether the CPU is connected to the correct device.
k. Vendor ID: This numeric tag contains the Vendor ID number. This tag, along with the Adapter Name tag, can be helpful in
identifying whether the CPU is connected to the correct device. A list of some Vendor ID values can be found on ODVA’s
website.
l. TCP/IP Error: This string tag will contain an error created when the TCP connection fails. This tag should be used to help
troubleshoot connections to adapter devices. Below are the possible errors the string may be populated with.
1. ERR: NO CONNECTION, which could indicate:

A problem with the physical connection to the device (cabling, switches, etc.).
Incorrect network settings to the device (IP address, subnet, etc.).
Targeted device is not an ENETIP device.
Targeted device is not listening on the specified TCP port number (default is 44818).
Targeted device is out of TCP connections.

2. ERR: NO REG SESS, which could indicate: the target device is out of EtherNet/IP connections.
IO Message Setup
(Shown using Structures)

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a. Enable: Enter a Boolean tag into this field in order to programmatically control the configured IO Message connection.
b. Application Type:
Exclusive Owner - The Exclusive Owner Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Output connection point that
allows the Scanner to send Output Data to the Target (O->T). The Target can also send Input Data to the Scanner (T-
>O). If the Input Data length is zero, then a 'heartbeat' connection point is used. The Target can only accept ONE
connection to the specified Output connection point.
Input Only - The Input-Only Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Input connection point that allows the Target
to send Input Data to the Scanner (T->O). The Scanner sends no Output Data to the Target, but rather maintains the
connection using a 'heartbeat' connection.
Listen Only - The Listen-Only Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Input connection point that allows the Target
to send Input Data to the Scanner (T->O). The Scanner sends no Output Data to the Target, but rather maintains the
connection using a 'heartbeat' connection. The Listen-Only connection is dependent upon a non-Listen-Only connection
(Exclusive Owner or Input-Only) for its existence. If the Exclusive Owner/Input-Only connection closes, the Listen-Only
connection will also close or timeout. If a Target receives a request to open a Listen-Only connection while there is no
existing Exclusive Owner/Input-Only connection, the Target will send an error to the Scanner and the connection will not
open.
c. Enable Routing: This field allows a routing parameter value to be entered. This field only allows a CPU slot number to be
configured.
d. Connection Online: Enter a Boolean tag into this field to indicate whether the IO messaging is active and communicating. If the
IO Message has been enabled and the Connection Online tag is not true, look at the General Status, Extended Status and
Status Description tags in order to try and ascertain why the connection was not successful. Also look at the TCP Connected
tag to verify that the basic TCP/IP parameters have been configured correctly.
e. General Status: This numeric tag will indicate an error value if the CIP Forward Open attempt was unsuccessful. This value is
returned from the Adapter device so the documentation from the manufacturer of that device will need to be referenced.
f. Extended Status: This numeric tag will indicate the extended error code (if applicable) that is being returned from the Adapter
device. Reference the documentation from the manufacturer of that device for further information.

Note: Consult the server's documentation for the maximum message size in bytes to determine how many
array elements are required. If the array size in bytes is smaller than the actual message size the remaining
bytes will be discarded. Each extended status will be stored in their own array element.

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g. Status Description: This string tag contains a more descriptive explanation of the error being returned IF the error code is one
of the standard EtherNet/IP error codes as defined by the specification from the ODVA. If the error code is not a standard error
code, the string tag will contain the error code number in text format.
h. Target to Originator (Input) Data:

1. Delivery Option: Some adapter devices can be configured to Multicast their input data on the network or
Unicast their input data back to the Originator (scanner) device. Some devices only support multicasting of input
data. In some situations where the Adapter device supports both, it may be desired to have multiple devices
consuming this data and it is more efficient to Multicast. Unicast tends to be more ‘quiet’ on most networks.
2. RPI Time (msec): RPI stands for Requested Packet Interval. This establishes how often the input data (in
milliseconds) will be sent back to the Scanner from the Adapter device. The smaller the value configured in this
field, the more resource intensive it will be for both devices. See the EtherNet/IP Performance Calculation
section for information on RPI restrictions.
3. Connection Point: This field is where the Connection Point parameter for the desired input data block of the
Adapter device is entered. This value is specific for the Adapter and must be ascertained from the
manufacturer’s documentation of that device when not using its EDS file. The value is entered in decimal format.
There is a hexadecimal representation to the right of the entry field for convenience as many devices specify this
parameter in that format.
4. Datatype: This is a read-only field that displays the data type of the selected Data Array. This helps to determine
the size of the input data that needs to be configured in order to match the Adapter configuration.

Note: The number of bytes being requested will need to match the Adapter configuration or an error will be
returned.

5. Data Array: The array specified in this field will hold the input data received from the Adapter device. The size of
the array must be sufficient to support the specified Number of Elements being requested. If the Number of
Elements requested exceeds the array size, a warning will be given to correct this. Only single dimension arrays
can be specified for this field.
6. Message Size (bytes): This is a read-only field that displays the size of the data configured by the specified array
data type and the Number of Elements field in bytes.

Data Type Number of Elements Message Size (Bytes)

Integer 8 Bit 100 100
Integer 16 Bit 100 200
Integer 32 Bit 100 400

7. Number of Elements: This is an entry field to specify the number of array elements that will hold the input data
returned from the Adapter device.
8. Run/Idle Header & Status: Some Adapter devices support run/idle status for the T->O direction. The Include
Run/Idle Header check box enables the Run/Idle Status field and increases the message size by 4 bytes.
Run/Idle Status is a Boolean tag (On = Run; Off = Idle) indicating the status of the Adapter device.

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i. Originator to Target (Output) Data:

1. Include Status Header: Adds 4 bytes to the message

2. RPI Time (msec): RPI stands for Requested Packet Interval. This establishes how often the output data (in
milliseconds) will be sent to the Adapter from the CPU. The smaller the value configured in this field, the more
resource intensive it will be for both devices. See the EtherNet/IP Performance Calculation section for
information on RPI restrictions.

Note: The P-Series cannot produce output data any faster than the current scan time.

3. Assembly Instance/Connection Point: This field is where the Connection Point parameter for the desired
output data block of the Adapter device is entered. This value is specific for the Adapter and must be
ascertained from the manufacturer’s documentation of that device when not using its EDS file. The value is
entered in decimal format. There is a hexadecimal representation to the right of the entry field for convenience as
many devices specify this parameter in that format.
4. Datatype: This is a read-only field that displays the data type of the selected Data Array. This helps to determine
the size of the output data that needs to be configured in order to match the Adapter configuration.

Note: The number of bytes being requested will need to match the Adapter configuration or an error will be
returned.

5. Data Array: The array specified in this field will hold the output data being sent to the Adapter device. The size of
the array must be sufficient to support the specified Number of Elements being requested. If the Number of
Elements requested exceeds the array size, a warning will be given to correct this. Only single dimension arrays
can be specified for this field.
6. Number of Elements: This is a read-only field that displays the size of the data configured by the specified array
data type and the Number of Elements field in bytes.

Data Type Number of Elements Message Size (Bytes)

Integer 8 Bit 100 100
Integer 16 Bit 100 200
Integer 32 Bit 100 400
7. Number of Elements: This is an entry field to specify the number of array elements that will hold the output data
being sent to the Adapter device.

j. Config Data:

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1. Enable Configuration Data: The configuration data can be selectively chosen for each IO Message setup (CIP
Forward Open). Enable this checkbox if configuration data is desired for the Adapter device.
2. Connection Point: This field is where the Connection Point parameter for the desired configuration data block
of the Adapter device is entered. This value is specific for the Adapter and must be ascertained from the
manufacturer’s documentation of that device when not using its EDS file. The value is entered in decimal format.
There is a hexadecimal representation to the right of the entry field for convenience as many devices specify this
parameter in that format.
3. Array Tag: See Data Array below for additional details.

Parameter Table: Allows user to enter a data type per parameter in table format. Right click to Add or Delete
parameter(s). If Add Parameters is chosen, then enter the number of parameters needed for the configuration.

Once the number of parameters is configured, choose a data type and value for each entry.

4. Message Size (bytes): This is a read-only field that displays the size of the data configured by the specified array
data type and the Number of Elements field in bytes. The Message Size is limited to 400 bytes.

Note: The number of bytes being requested will need to match the Adapter configuration
or an error will be returned.

Data Type Number of Elements Message Size (Bytes)

Integer 8 Bit 100 100
Integer 16 Bit 100 200
Integer 32 Bit 100 400

5. Datatype: This is a read-only field that displays the data type of the selected Data Array. This helps to determine
the size of the output data that needs to be configured in order to match the Adapter configuration.

6. Data Array: The array specified in this field will hold the configuration data being sent to the Adapter device. The
size of the array must be sufficient to support the specified Number of Elements being requested. If the Number

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of Elements requested exceeds the array size, a warning will be given to correct this. Only single dimension
arrays can be specified for this field.
7. Number of Elements: This is an entry field to specify the number of array elements that will hold the
configuration data being sent to the Adapter device.

Note: Device specific connections created from an EDS import may have preset parameter
values, range limitations, and / or inhibited fields.

Explicit Message Setup

The Explicit Message setup is intended to establish a Connected Explicit Message connection (Class 3).
The Explicit Message setup in the EtherNet/IP Client Properties is used in conjunction with an
EtherNet/IP Explicit Message Instruction in the ladder code.

Note: If an unconnected Explicit Message is desired, no Explicit Message setup is required in the EtherNet/IP
Client Properties dialog, only the general properties are required (at the top).

(Shown using Structures)

a. Enable: Enter a Boolean tag into this field in order to programmatically control the configured Connected Explicit Message
connection.
b. RPI Time (msec): RPI stands for Requested Packet Interval. This establishes how often the Explicit Message (in
milliseconds) will be sent to the Adapter from the CPU. The smaller the value configured in this field, the more resource
intensive it will be for both devices. See the EtherNet/IP Performance Calculation section for information on RPI
restrictions.
c. Application Type:
Exclusive Owner - The Exclusive Owner Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Output connection point that
allows the Scanner to send Output Data to the Target (O->T). The Target can also send Input Data to the Scanner (T-
>O). If the Input Data length is zero, then a 'heartbeat' connection point is used. The Target can only accept ONE
connection to the specified Output connection point.
Input Only - The Input-Only Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Input connection point that allows the Target
to send Input Data to the Scanner (T->O). The Scanner sends no Output Data to the Target, but rather maintains the
connection using a 'heartbeat' connection.
Listen Only - The Listen-Only Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Input connection point that allows the Target
to send Input Data to the Scanner (T->O). The Scanner sends no Output Data to the Target, but rather maintains the
connection using a 'heartbeat' connection. The Listen-Only connection is dependent upon a non-Listen-Only connection
(Exclusive Owner or Input-Only) for its existence. If the Exclusive Owner/Input-Only connection closes, the Listen-Only
connection will also close or timeout. If a Target receives a request to open a Listen-Only connection while there is no

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existing Exclusive Owner/Input-Only connection, the Target will send an error to the Scanner and the connection will not
open.
d. Enable Routing: This field allows a routing parameter value to be entered. This field only allows a CPU slot number to be
configured.
e. Connection Online: Enter a Boolean tag into this field to indicate whether the Explicit Message connection is active and
communicating. If the configured bit for the Enable field is true, the Explicit Message instruction is enabled and the Connection
Online tag is not true, look at the General Status, Extended Status and Status Description tags in order to try and ascertain
why the connection was not successful. Also look at the TCP Connected tag to verify that the basic TCP/IP parameters have
been configured correctly.
f. General Status: This numeric tag will indicate an error value if the CIP Forward Open attempt was unsuccessful. This value is
returned from the Adapter device so the documentation from the manufacturer of that device will need to be referenced.
Exclusive Owner - The Exclusive Owner Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Output connection point that
allows the Scanner to send Output Data to the Target (O->T). The Target can also send Input Data to the Scanner (T-
>O). If the Input Data length is zero, then a 'heartbeat' connection point is used. The Target can only accept ONE
connection to the specified Output connection point.
Input Only - The Input-Only Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Input connection point that allows the Target
to send Input Data to the Scanner (T->O). The Scanner sends no Output Data to the Target, but rather maintains the
connection using a 'heartbeat' connection.
Listen Only - The Listen-Only Connection is a Class 0 or 1 connection to an Input connection point that allows the Target
to send Input Data to the Scanner (T->O). The Scanner sends no Output Data to the Target, but rather maintains the
connection using a 'heartbeat' connection. The Listen-Only connection is dependent upon a non-Listen-Only connection
(Exclusive Owner or Input-Only) for its existence. If the Exclusive Owner/Input-Only connection closes, the Listen-Only
connection will also close or timeout. If a Target receives a request to open a Listen-Only connection while there is no
existing Exclusive Owner/Input-Only connection, the Target will send an error to the Scanner and the connection will not
open.
g. Extended Status: This numeric tag will indicate the extended error code (if applicable) that is being returned from the Adapter
device. Reference the documentation from the manufacturer of that device for further information.

Note: Consult the server's documentation for the maximum message size in bytes to determine how many
array elements are required. If the array size in bytes is smaller than the actual message size the remaining
bytes will be discarded. Each extended status will be stored in their own array element.

h. Status Description: This string tag contains a more descriptive explanation of the error being returned IF the error code is one
of the standard EtherNet/IP error codes as defined by the specification from the ODVA. If the error code is not a standard error
code, the string tag will contain the error code number in text format.

Explicit IP Performance Calculation

If the RPI is modified from the default of 250, the following warning will be displayed. Since the CPU supports
a maximum of 5120 EtherNet/IP packets per second, you will need to ensure this maximum is not exceeded
by using the formula below:

Formula: Number of Connections *(2 *(1/RPI)) <= 5120

Note:RPI is in units of seconds.

Example: If you are using 128 Connections (Max. # of Connections = 32 * 4 connections) and all
connections are set to 50 msec RPI.
Example Formula: 128*(2*(1/.050) = 5120
The example below shows how a Class 3 Explicit Message might be accomplished from a 3rd party device
(Allen Bradley PLC). As you can see the Input Data must be retrieved in 1 connection or message and the
output data in another. Remember that Class 3 messaging is not as efficient in protocol messaging as Class
1 but it does allow for granular control.

Note: In this example, size configuration is not shown on the Scanner side. The tag created for the Destination
must be large enough to contain the data requested (shown with dashed boxes).

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This example shows how to connect the Productivity Suite Scanner function to an EtherNet/IP adapter
device using Class1 IO Messaging. First, create an EtherNet/IP device in the Hardware Configuration as
seen below:

Configure the parameters to match the settings of the Adapter device. The image below shows the setup of
the Input data. The size, in this case, is dynamic to the configuration of the device. For this particular
example, we configured the device in a manner that allows it to publish 8 bytes of data for Input. Many
devices will have a fixed configuration that should be published in the manufacturer’s documentation.

The Output data must also be configured. Its data is also dynamic based upon the configuration. In our
example, we configured the device in a manner that caused it to require 8 bytes of Output data.

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The image below shows the setup for the Configuration data. The Configuration data, for most devices, is
a fixed size. Some devices will require that the Configuration data Connection Point be included in the
Forward Open message (as shown below) even if the size is 0. Some devices will require that the
Configuration data Connection Point not be in the Forward Open and the checkbox option in the image
below would need to be de-selected.

The following example shows how to connect the Productivity Suite Scanner function to an EtherNet/IP
adapter device using Class 3 Explicit Messaging. As with IO Messaging, an EtherNet/IP device must be
created in the Hardware Configuration as seen below:

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Explicit Messages can be performed in 2 ways: Unconnected or Connected (Class 3). The advantage of
using Unconnected messaging is it allows more discrete control of each request. The disadvantage of
Unconnected messaging is that Unconnected messages have a lower priority and will take longer to get
serviced on some devices. Connected messages get serviced faster since there is a connection established
to the device. If Connected messaging is desired, create an Explicit Message tab as shown in the image
above. If Unconnected messaging is desired, do not create an Explicit Message tab. Only fill out the
information in the upper portion of the EtherNet/IP Client Properties window.

Once the desired parameters have been entered, the device may now be referenced in the Explicit
Message Instruction. If Unconnected messaging has been selected, choose the Unconnected MSG
option in the Connection drop down box. If Connected messaging has been selected, choose the Explicit

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Message that was configured in the EtherNet/IP Client Properties window in the Connection drop down
box. The rest of the settings should be matched to the specifications documented by the manufacturer. An
example for requesting the Identity of a device is shown below. The data array configured for this function
must be sufficient in size to hold the returned data from the device for this object. Data can also be written to
the device if it supports an object for this purpose. If data is being written, enable the Output selection and
specify the data array and size required by that device’s object.

Related Topics

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