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Version: 8.1

Connecting to ControlLogix

note

This driver is made for ControlLogix firmware up to version 20.18.

Inductive University

Connecting to Legacy ControlLogix

Watch the video

Connect to an Allen-Bradley ControlLogix Device​

  1. Go to the Config section of the Gateway webpage.

  2. Scroll down and select OPC UA > Device Connections.

    Connect to AB ControlLogix Step 2

  3. On the Devices page, find the blue arrow and click on Create new Device.

  4. Select Legacy Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, and click Next.

    Connect to AB ControlLogix Step 4

  5. On the Devices page, leave all the default values and type in the following fields:

    • Name: CLX
    • Hostname: Enter the IP address for the PLC, for example 10.20.4.50.

    Connect to AB ControlLogix Step 5

  6. Click Create New Device. The Devices page is displayed showing the ControlLogix device is added to Ignition. The Status will show as Disconnected and then Connected.

    Connect to AB ControlLogix Step 6

  7. To see all the tags, go to OPC Client > Quick Client in the Config section. On the OPC Quick Client page, expand the ControlLogix folder and in the Global folder you can see all the tags.

Device Connection Settings​

The General settings are common to all Allen Bradley devices, and the Connectivity settings are device dependent.

General​

NameDescription
NameThe user-defined name for this Device. The name chosen will show up in OPC Item Paths and under OPC-UA Server > Devices of the Configure page of the Gateway. The Device Name must be alphanumeric.
DescriptionThe user-defined description for the device. This is only used as a note to differentiate between devices.
Enable DeviceOnly devices that are enabled appear in Connections > Devices of the Status page of the Gateway and thus have their tags available for use.

Connectivity​

NameDescription
HostnameThis is the IP Address of the ControlLogix Ethernet module (1756-ENET) to route through to connect a ControlLogix processor. EthernetIP protocol on TCP port 44818 (0xAF12) is used to communicate to ControlLogix processors.
Local Address​
New in 8.1.8
The local address to connect from when establishing a TCP connection. If left blank, then the driver will simply pick an available address.
TimeoutAfter sending a request to the ControlLogix processor, the Communication Timeout setting is the amount of time in msec to wait for a response before treating it as a failure.
Slot NumberThe Slot Number value is the zero based ControlLogix chassis slot number of the ControlLogix processor to connect to.
Connection PathThe Connection Path value is used to define the route of the PLC-5 processor to connect to. Currently routing through the ControlLogix Ethernet Communication Interface Module (1756-ENET) to the ControlLogix Data Highway Plus-Remote I/O Communication Interface Module (1756-DHRIO) and on to a PLC-5 processor of the DH+ network is supported.
Concurrent RequestsThe number of requests that Ignition will try to send to the device at the same time. Increasing this number can sometimes help with your request throughput, however increasing this too much can overwhelm the device and hurt your communications with the device.

Advanced​

NameDescription
Disable Automatic BrowseDisables the automatic browse setting. (Default is false.)
Show String ArraysDisables the Show String Arrays setting. (Default is false.)
Status Request Poll RateControls the poll rate for status requests, in milliseconds. (Default is 1,000.)

Supported Connection Methods​

ControlLogix 5500 connected through 1756-ENET/A or 1756-ENET/B.