Baldor E100 manual Ethernet interface, 1 TCP/IP

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5.4 Ethernet interface

The Ethernet interface provides TCP/IP and ETHERNET Powerlink (EPL) networking capabilities.

5.4.1 TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is a common set of protocols used to transfer information between devices over a network, including the internet. TCP enables two devices to establish a connection, and guarantees the delivery of packets (datagrams) of information in the correct order. IP specifies the format of the individual packets (which includes the destination address of the receiving device) but has no influence on whether the packet is delivered correctly.

TCP/IP allows the MicroFlex e100 to support standard Ethernet communication with a host PC running Mint WorkBench. The connection uses Baldor’s high level ICM (Immediate Command Mode) protocol to allow Mint commands, Mint programs and even firmware to be sent to the controller over the Ethernet network.

When operating in standard Ethernet mode, TCP/IP cannot be used to communicate with a controller on a daisy-chained network. This is due to cumulative timing errors caused by each controller’s internal hub. It is necessary to connect the host PC to the controller either directly or via a single hub, as shown in Figure 34:

Host PC

MicroFlex e100 drives

External hub

Figure 34 - Connecting to drives using TCP/IP in standard Ethernet mode

When operating in EPL mode, in conjunction with an EPL compatible router, the host PC can use TCP/IP to communicate with controllers on a daisy-chained network. In this situation, the router will use TCP/IP only within EPL’s asynchronous time slots. See the Mint help file for further details.

Host PC

NextMove e100	MicroFlex e100 drives
Master Node

ETHERNET Powerlink

compatible router

Figure 35 - Connecting to daisy-chained drives using TCP/IP and EPL mode

5-14 Input / Output MN1942