MN1941WEN Input / Output 4-25
4.6 Ethernet interface
The Ethernet interface provides TCP/IP and Ethernet POWERLINK networking capabilities.
4.6.1 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 NextMove e100 to support standard Ethernet communication with a host
PC running Mint WorkBench. The connection uses a 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 switch or hub, as shown in Figure 26. A switch is preferable to a hub as it will
provide faster performance when there is a large amount of data being transmitted.
Figure 26: Connecting to controllers 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.
Figure 27: Connecting to daisy-chained controllers using TCP/IP and EPL mode
Host PC
Ethernet switch
NextMove e100
MicroFlex e100 drives
Host PC
Ethernet POWERLINK
compatible router
NextMove e100 MicroFlex e100 drives
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