Pmcs DDE Server .ini File, Slow Poll Count

When either the Protocol Timer Tick or the Valid Data Time-outfields have been changed, the OK button is enabled. It is disabled until any changes are made. Click on this button to accept changes. The changes take effect the next time the Server software is launched (not to be confused with Run from the Server menu).

CAUTION: Changing the Server operational parameters can adversely affect the Server’s performance. If you are unsure of how to adjust any of these settings, consult Customer Support before making any changes.

PMCS DDE Server .ini File

The application program’s .ini file contains several lines that may be modified by knowledgeable and qualified personnel to fine tune performance of an individual network. Do not modify these items unless you are experienced with the PMCS DDE Server.

NOTE: Back up the application’s current .ini file before attempting any of these modifications.

Open the application’s .ini file with Windows Notepad. This file is named GE32MODB.ini for the Modbus RTU version or GE32EIND.ini or GE32MTCP.ini for the Ethernet version of the software, and is located in the Windows 2000 SP2 directory. The parameters are grouped by subject:

[Server Operational Parameters]

[GE32MODB] or [GE32EIND] or [GE32MTCP] Port Settings], etc.

Look for the GE32MODB or GE32MTCP group (depending on whether you’ve got a Modbus-based system or an Ethernet-based system), and locate the following line items:

Communication Time-out

When the Server receives a request for data from a client, it sends a request for data to the appropriate device. The communication time-out is the length of time in milliseconds that the Server will wait for a reply after sending a message to a device. If a reply is not received in this length of time, the Server declares a time-out.

The default Communication Time-outvalue is 2000 milliseconds.

Increasing this number may improve communication reliability, but will decrease performance.

Slow Poll Count

The Slow Poll Count is a multiplier, with a default value of 10. The Slow Poll Count multiplied by the scan interval for a topic equals the scan interval for a register block if slow poll has been selected.

Increasing the Slow Poll Count value causes the Sever to scan slow-poll data less often, allowing more time to be devoted to scanning fast-poll registers. Decreasing this value requires the slow-poll register groups to be scanned more often, reducing the performance of fast-poll scanning.

DDE Server User’s Guide

Chapter Six - Advanced Options • 77