Lantronix XPress DR+ manual Industrial Automation Protocols, Network Protocols Serial Tunneling

Chapter 2: Introduction

Industrial Automation Protocols

The XPress DR+, adapted to multiple factory environments, can unite any mixture of equipment from industrial automation vendors into a single reliable pipeline. This new and open infrastructure opens the way for data to flow in real time from all your plant devices up to your IT layer.

The XPress DR+ is delivered with IAP Standard Tunneling protocol and can be loaded with industrial communication protocols. The suite of protocols includes DF1 Multi-Master (Rockwell Automation) and Modbus Bridge, which supports MODBUS/TCP, MODBUS/ASCII, and MODBUS/RTU (Schneider Electric). Where the IAP Standard Tunneling protocol is limited to standard ASCII device-to-device connections, the industrial protocols offer connections to other devices that require special formatting or features simultaneously.

For information about using any of the industrial communication protocols, see the specific protocol guides on the software CD or the Lantronix web site. Protocol firmware files are also on the CD.

Note: Please check the Lantronix web site for newer versions that may become available.

You can set up the unit using serial port 1 or remotely over Ethernet using Telnet or, when using the Standard Tunneling firmware, a web browser. The CD that comes with your device server includes DeviceInstaller, a Windows-based configuration software that simplifies the process of installing protocols and configuring them for use with attached devices. The XPress DR+ uses Flash memory for maintenance-free, non-volatile storage that allows fast system upgrades.

Network Protocols (Serial Tunneling)

The XPress DR+ uses TCP/IP protocols for network communication. The supported standards are ARP, UDP, TCP, ICMP, Telnet, TFTP, DHCP, AutoIP, MODBUS/TCP, and SNMP. For transparent connections, TCP/IP (binary stream) or Telnet protocols are used. You can perform firmware upgrades with the TFTP protocol.

The IP (Internet Protocol) protocol defines addressing, routing, and data-block handling over the network. The TCP (transmission control protocol) assures that no data is lost or duplicated, and that everything sent into the connection on one side arrives at the target exactly as it was sent.

For typical datagram applications, where devices interact with others without maintaining a point-to-point connection, UDP datagram is supported in the Standard Tunnel Protocol.

XPress DR+ comes loaded with Standard Tunnel Protocol. Standard Tunneling is a serial communications protocol used by most Lantronix device servers. You can configure it to Ethernet-enable most serial devices such as barcode scanners, weigh scales, operator panels, data access devices, alphanumeric displays, and thousands of intelligent serial devices.

XPress DR+ User Guide 14