iFix Scada

[krysmberg]

I am new to ifix, I am having an issue, I am unable to receive any information, after attempting to fix the fact that the view was only pulling half the data I lost it all, I had a back up saved, but it didn't work on restoring communication, I was getting a cannot connect to node error, but I have fixed that, now all I am getting is question marks. essentially I believe that I have two standalone computers with the ifix software and the communicate directly with various plcs that share information across, either a ring topology or full connected. so the computer I have that is working is setup with scada and the database and MB1 with no network support, the one that is not working is set up the same, my cable connection is a usb to Ethernet and im communicating with a Comm port on the computer. I've tried different comm ports, even contacted GE, they were suppose to have someone call me back but no one has yet. Can anyone give me an idea of what I've got wrong here? I'm using a mixture some allen Bradley but mostly Schneider Modicon Quantum PLCs. I have several PLCs that are interconnected, there are two view points in two separate building but they obtain information from the same PLCs, one is working with no network support and essentially the same settings I have on the computer that is not working. I have a USB to Ethernet adapter so the Computers Communicate over Com port 5, in this scenario which would be best to use? MBE, MB1, OPC? The other computer that is working has no network support and uses MB1, I have the correct com port and same settings for communication on the non working unit as I do on the working unit. When I leave it with no network support I get all question marks I was getting network connection not set up, and Not connected to node when I've setup a tcp/ip with dynamic connection I get nothing but @ symbols. The computer does not have an IP address or an Ethernet cable plugged in so TCP/IP doesn't seem to be the choice in this setup.

 

[harryting]

Paragraphs, please.

Was this is working system at one time?

First, figure out the physical layer connection, second, figure out the dataflow. that will gets you 3/4 of the way there.

 

[krysmberg]

Yes it was working at one time and then only half the data was polling, I tried getting troubleshooting to get it to poll again, but it lost connection completely, I had a back of when it was working but when I loaded the restore it still would not poll. I don't have blue prints, or documentation to show me what exactly connects to what. the system has been in place for years, and the pervious employees upgraded the communication system but did not document the changes, the only thing I have to go off of are physical components I can see and settings on the other computer that is working. so I have come to the assumption that they are standalone units that communicate with the plcs that are interconnected from various points on the site. both computers communicate via COM port so no use of tcp/ip communication. If I posted pictures of the settings from the working computer would that help?

 

[harryting]

Well, that's not usual. Not have any documentation, that is.

Starts by documenting what you can, pay attention to the physical layer stuff. I say that because I see you jumping over to program setting right away. many times, it's just a mouse chewed cable.

Come back with the interconnection diagram and software list and versions. Of course, keep in mind troubleshooting a messy system like this via the board is far from ideal. If you need this up and running anytime soon, call a local integrator.

 

[krysmberg]

That is what I've been trying to do we even pay for support through GE but no one has contacted me back, the last person I spoke with told me they would email me an on site visit quote and that a specialist would be calling me back, that was last week. The other people we have documentation of dealing with over issues with the system told me to contact GE. so I figured until I can get ahold of someone serious about helping me I would see what I could find here. I did find a diagram of the physical layer and I have three PLC that run in series that connect to a fourth PLC, the fourth PLC connects to pc 1 (the working unit) from there I have a cat 5 connection that runs from that building to another, that connects to pc 2 (non working unit) PC2 has the cat 5 cable going into a Ethernet to USB adapter that connects to the computer and the computer shows COM5 as the port being utilized by the adapter.

 

[krysmberg]

Also the version of GE Proficy iFix I am running on a windows XP computer is version5.0

 

[harryting]

I'm a picture kind of guy, can you post the diagram?

I'm just guessing here based on what you posted so far. There looks to be RS485 network of some kind, probably modbus that connects the PLC together. You also said that PC1 is working but how is PC1 connected to PC2?

When you fire up SCU on both machine, in the network tab, is SCADA enabled on both PC1 and PC2? You can also find out what driver is used by clicking on that PLC looking thing to the left side of SCU.

 

[krysmberg]

I attached a copy of the diagram the only thing not mentioned in the setup is PMN-SA Powerlogic Modbus plus NIM between the PLC and the Operator PC, Operator PC functioning, but Supervisor PC is not

 

[krysmberg]

Scada is enabled on both and MB1 is the option on the PLC looking thing in the scu tab, which is setup with all I/O registers correctly.

 

[harryting]

Ah, ok. When you "restore" the supervisor PC, how did you go about it.

I suspect the supervisor PC is the client to the SCADA server (operator PC). When I say "is", I mean "should be".

- Now, be sure not to change any setting on the operator PC but compare the Network Configuration Tab in both machine, are they the same?
- what's the exact setting in the Network Configuration.
- Go back to SCU top level, what's the Node and PDB for both machine?
-What's the IP address of both machine?

my suspicion at this point that that you "restore" the supervisor with the image of the "operator" machine. But I'll wait for you to get these other information.

 

[krysmberg]

The Node and PDB of the operator computer is:
Node: Local
PDB: AB
The information for the supervisor is:
Node: FIX
PDB: AB

The network setting in SCU are both set to no network support. There is no Ethernet cable connected to the supervisor PC, The Ethernet cable coming in from the Operator Computer is Connected to an Ethernet to USB adapter that connects to the computer's COM Port 5, there is no IP address for the supervisor computer I will have to verify if the Operator computer is getting one.

 

[krysmberg]

Okay the operator pc does not have an IP address either it is communicating on com port 6 as well

 

[harryting]

it's communication problem between the two PCs; The Operator PC (PC1) is acting as the SCADA server to the supervisor PC (PC2). I still need you to find out this:

?- what's the exact setting in the Network Configuration?

What I can't figure out is why use a USB/Ethernet adopter. isn't there a built-in ethernet adopter on it? What happens if you do a "ping FIX" on the supervisor computer's command prompt?

 

[krysmberg]

As far as the restore is concern I closed out the program and I believe I selected both from archive options, then I used the box to check to replace all and followed the prompts.

 

[krysmberg]

That is something I do not understand, there is an Ethernet adapter my only assumption was to keep it off network and to use essentially Modbus communication between the two. How they are suppose to communicate is the confusing part, unless I'm missing a driver for the Ifix for Modbus communication I'm not sure, I don't even know if there is one that you have to download separate, When it dropped out before when I made changes I was able to recover. They did not at all set this up the way I would have, and I'm not sure who actually installed the system its self. The last backup that I can find saved anywhere was from 2010....