Remote PLC Programming

ken c · Sep 18, 2006

i have an application where we would like to have the ability to do programming changes on a PLC via a modem (Allen Bradley SLC 5/05, if it makes a difference). However, we don't have a telephone line available. Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes a modem that functions using wireless (that is, cell phone) communications?

Thanks so much!

Ken Roach · Sep 18, 2006

The best products I've seen for this sort of application are from Digi International:

http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/digiconnectwanfamily.jsp

They have a strong understanding of A-B protocols as well, so they know how to make things work with RSLinx.

ken c · Sep 18, 2006

thanks!

ken c · Sep 27, 2006

I've found a product that Digi carries that is essentially a modem that utilizes cellular communications. My application seems relatively straightforward. However, the vendor is asking if need a “static IP address” (it makes a difference when you evaluate cell coverage of various providers). Just to clarify my application, i wish to connect this cellular modem, a Digi "ConnectPort WAN VPN", via ethernet, to a network comprised of the following: a desktop PC running Rockwell RS View and an Allen BRadley SLC 5/05 PLC. I would like to monitor the system and make programming changes remotely.

Does anyone have any insite into if this is a "static IP address" application or not?

Thanks!

rsdoran · Sep 27, 2006

You never mentioned how far away the 5/05 will be and what type of situation.

Example: 5/05 is located in a plant facility with office located several hundred feet away. Depending on situation you may not need a modem, may just be able to connect using your LAN. The specifics in how can vary but a router and/or extender may be all that is needed.

Using a cellular modem will require cell coverage which means a monthly charge which are usually based on minutes. Monitoring with RSView, using cellular, could be costly.

ken c · Sep 27, 2006

we need to monitor network/make program changes from afar (3000 miles away). no land line available. cellular is the right technology, I just need guidance on how to imlement it.

thanks

ajoe · Sep 30, 2006

ken c said:
we need to monitor network/make program changes from afar (3000 miles away). no land line available. cellular is the right technology, I just need guidance on how to imlement it.

thanks[/QUO

hi...
we have apply this system.

we use ip static to remote monitor ( we use leased line via- fiber optic and satelite, we think cheaper than via cellular phone. ) slc plc, for prgrammning and monitor the data, then logging data to our central server.

for remote terminal we use 1 pc server with linx gateway to acces plc from central server.

pc central we use rslogix500 , rs view and linx.
pc remote ( direct to plc ) use rslinx gateway. gateway addres of plc use address of remote pc.

why we use pc remote? because some times our technician visit the remote plc for check or maintain.
then we use pc remote to for temporary logging data, so our central server not work heavily with raw data from plc.

for all applicartion, land line or cellualar we think, best use static ip. because setting of linx more secure and safe if use static ip than diynamic.

the difficulty ( because i am not a satelite man ) when we 1st time to make route to plc remote from central server. ) best if you need advice from your line provider to connect from central in order to acces plc ip number.

the summary of our work to connect
1. make route from pc remote to plc. via comand com of windows xp
2. make route from pc remote to pc server( ask to satelite man, faster than try by oursef), idem
3. sett gateway of plc to ip pc remote. than
4. set all linx setting to connect each other.
5. get conected from you central to plc.

ajoe · Sep 30, 2006

remote programming

if you connect to plc rarely, only programming only, and at remote area have telephone / cellualar line, best if you use dial up connection from your central pc to remote pc than leased line from satelite or cellular.

ken c · Oct 2, 2006

Thank you very much. this was very helpful. by the waywhat country are you from, anyway? Excuse my ignorance, but i don't recognize the flag.

amigo · Oct 2, 2006

you can use a dynamic ip as well which may be cheaper than static ip. it really depends on who you will choose as you cellular provider.

If you choose dynamic ip, make sure your cellular modem is capable of updating a DNS server. Also this way you type in like www.mysiteplc.com when you want to connect rather than 65.98.123.50 .

as far cellular modems go, in my opinion, www.airlink.com has got the best ones.

BryanG · Oct 3, 2006

Hi Ken

Just done this myself and so have gone through the headache.
There are two main types of connection, remote initiated and remote terminated. Remote initiated means the remote device makes contact with you, remote terminated is where you want to make contact with it. Remote initiated is the easiest from an IP address point of view, in the same way that your PC can have any address on a LAN that is connected via a router to the internet, the remote device can have any IP address. But you need remote terminated, this means that you will need to know and have access to the remote devices IP address.

Different wireless providers have different solutions or APIs to solve this problem. All of them route the connection from the remote device to an IP address on their private networks. Some then give you access to their private network so that you can reach the device, others map their internal IP address to an external IP address on the web. The internal IP address is more secure because script kiddies have no access. A fixed public facing IP address is more flexible and can be contacted from anywhere in the world but anyone can try to break in.

A further complication is part of your question of whether to have a fixed IP address. As mentioned above you need to know the remote devices IP address, so if the provider changes it all the time you would be sunk. However there is a solution, the wireless device knows its IP address and transmits it to a Dynamic DNS company who then let your system know what is the current IP address of the remote device. Of course they do charge for the service.

That headache has come back again. The answer to your question is that you need to know what the wireless provider can offer before you can decide what you need.

Regards

Bryan

BryanG · Oct 3, 2006

Hi Ken

Another way round it it to forget ethernet and IP just go for a simple modem. You would know the telephone number for the device and you would dial in from your computer. Its a simpler system but is charged by the minute you are connected rather than by how much data you transfer.

Regards

Bryan

ajoe · Oct 5, 2006

indonesia,

rPraveenkum · Oct 5, 2006

ken c said:
Thank you very much. this was very helpful. by the waywhat country are you from, anyway? Excuse my ignorance, but i don't recognize the flag.

Place the mouse pointer on the flag it Show the country name

ken c · Oct 12, 2006

Thanks everyone. all this information is great. i can actually talk somewhat intelligently about what our needs are.

this forum is such a huge time saver.

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