The hardware and network editor opens when you double-click on the "Devices and Networks" entry in the project tree. The hardware and network editor is the integrated development environment for configuring, networking and assigning parameters to devices and modules.
① Device view, Network view, Topology view: Graphic area ② Device view, Network view, Topology view: Table area ③ Hardware catalog ④ Inspector window
Drag the devices and modules you need for your automation system from the hardware catalog to the network, device or topology view. The inspector window contains information on the object currently marked. Here you can change the settings for the object marked.
You undertake the following tasks here: ● Configuring and assign device parameters ● Networking devices with one another ● Editing the device names
② Toolbar of network view ④ Overview navigation
Mode to network devices.
Mode to create connections. You can use the adjacent drop-down list to set the connection type.
Mode to create relations.
The graphic area of the network view displays any network-related devices, networks, connections and relations. In this area, you add devices from the hardware catalog, connect them with each other via their interfaces and configure the communication settings.
The table area of the network view includes various tables for the devices, connections and communication settings present.
You undertake the following tasks here: ● Configuring and assign device parameters ● Configuring and assign module parameters ● Editing the names of devices and modules
The graphic area of the device view displays hardware components and if necessary the associated modules that are assigned to each other via one or more racks. The table area of the device view gives you an overview of the modules used and the most important technical and organizational data.
A graphic display of the rack and the devices plugged into it is shown in the left area of the device view. You can see the device overview in the right area of the device view. The device overview is a table showing you the most important information about the modules inserted in the rack.
If you set the zoom level in the device view to at least 200%, you can see the individual I/O channels for I/O modules. If you have defined PLC tags for the channels, the names of the PLC tags are displayed. You can select the individual I/O channels and have the following options for channels with PLC tags: ● You see the general properties of the selected PLC tag in the inspector window under "Properties". ● In the inspector window under "Info > Cross-references" you find the cross-reference information on the selected PLC tag.
In some cases, the modules for a hardware configuration are not assigned a slot for short periods. Such unplugged modules are moved to the area of unplugged modules, a special area in the device view. Under the following conditions, modules are automatically added to the area of unplugged modules: ● In the network view, a module is moved to a device but the rack does not have a compatible free slot. ● In the device view, a module is moved or copied from the rack, the hardware catalog or the project tree straight into the storage area.
You undertake the following tasks here: ● Displaying the Ethernet topology ● Configuring the Ethernet topology ● Identifying and minimizing differences between the desired and actual topology ● Editing the device names
The graphic area of the topology view displays Ethernet modules with their appropriate ports and port interconnections. Here you can add additional hardware objects with Ethernet interfaces. The table area consists of the following two tabs: ● "Topology overview" tab ● "Topology comparison" tab The "Topology overview" tab displays the Ethernet or PROFINET modules, their ports and port interconnections in a table. This table corresponds to the network overview table in the network view. In the "Topology comparison" tab, you identify and minimize differences between the desired and actual topology.
The properties and parameters shown for the object selected can be edited in the Inspector window.
to be continued...
