1761-6.5
5-18
DNI Configuration Parameters and Programming Notes
Message Timeout
The Message Timeout is the amount of time that a DeviceNet explicit 
connection is held open after message completion. The Message Timeout 
allows the DNI to hold open a connection with another device over 
DeviceNet. (On DeviceNet, a connection means that two devices have 
established a communications path.) Each time communications need to 
occur between devices, a connection is established; when the 
communications have completed, the connection is released.
The number of connections that each device can support depends on the 
design/capabilities of each device. The DNI has five connections available 
for messaging. The Message Timeout allows the user to tune how a 
connection behaves after communications have completed. You may want 
to dedicate a connection to a specific node/device to maintain a connection. 
This reduces the amount of time needed to re-establish communications 
with the device. 
It is recommended that this value only be changed (from the default) if 
communications with another node is constant. When the timeout is set, the 
connection is not released back to the system until the timeout expires 
(where 0 ms means close immediately after use).
Parameter
Type
Parameter Number Description Range Default Value
Series A Series B
Messaging 2 15 Message Timeo ut 0 to 2500 ms 0 ms
Important:
An open connection between devices over DeviceNet does not 
limit or inhibit communications over the network. If two 
devices maintain a connection, other devices continue to 
communicate.