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5-14 Input/ Output MN1942

5.4 Ethernet interface
TheE thernet interface provides TCP/IP and ETHERNET Pow erlink (EPL) networking capabilities.

5.4.1 TCP/IP

TransmissionC ontrol Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) isa common set of protocols usedto
transfer information between devices over a network, including t he internet. TCP enables two
devices to establish a connection, and guarantees the delivery of packets (datagrams) of
informationin the correc t order. I P specifies the format of the individual packets (whic hinc ludes
thedes tination address of the receiving device) but has no influence on whether the packet is
deliveredc orrectly.
TCP/IP allows the MicroFlex e100 to support standard Ethernet c ommunication with a host PC
runningMint 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 c umulative timing errors caused by each
controller’s internal hub. It is necessary to connect thehost PC to the c ontroller either directly or
viaa s ingle hub, as shown in Figure 34:
HostPC
Externalhub
MicroFlexe100 drives
Figure34 - Connecting to drives using TCP/IP instandard Ethernet mode
Whenoperating in EPL mode, in conjunct ion with an EPL compatible router, the host PC can use
TCP/IPto c ommunicate with controllers on a daisy-chained network. In this situation, the router
will use TCP/IP only within EPL’s asynchronous time slot s. See theMint help file for further
details.
HostPC
ETHERNETPowerlink
compatiblerouter
NextMovee100
MasterNode MicroFlexe100 drives
Figure35 - C onnecting to daisy-chained drives using TCP/IP and EPL mode