DeviceHub allows you to add new PLC devices for device communication and data monitoring. The following sections show how to Add, Monitor, and Delete devices with LoopEdge DeviceHub:
About this example:
If you have no available PLCs to connect to, download and install a trial version of the Modbus Slave Simulator to simulate a PLC for the example shown on this page.
Modbus Information:
Modbus is a serial communication open protocol for connecting industrial devices, such as PLCs. It uses a simple master-slave configuration to connect the serial ports of two devices. A common use case is to send data from sensors and control devices to data-collection systems such as LoopEdge. A Modbus devices work with Modbus RTU, for a serial interface, and also Modbus TCP, for Ethernet IP.
Add a Device
To add a device to DeviceHub:
- Click DeviceHub from the navigation panel.
- Click the Devices tab.
- Click
. Select the device driver type associated with the device in the dialog.
Device types such as Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron, and GE Fanuc will be listed. See also, HID Device and the PLC Connection Guide.
- Enter a Device Name and an optional Description.
- Enter Station ID, Network Port, and Network Address. This is the IP address of the PLC.
- Click Add Device to finalize the new DeviceHub device.
Monitor or Delete a DeviceHub Device
Device Statuses
During polling status, LoopEdge is in the process of polling the device for a response before deciding if the PLC is connected or disconnected.
If a PLC is properly communicating with LoopEdge DeviceHub and LoopEdge receives a response from the it during polling, it will show connected status on its card.
If LoopEdge polls the PLC device and does not receive a response, it will show disconnected status on its card.
Actions and Icons
When adding a PLC device, icons will appear in the device card.
See also, Troubleshoot Device Connectivity Status.
- Copy the driver name to the clipboard. This is useful for uploading a large number of tags. See DeviceHub Bulk Upload Tags.
- Copy the device ID. This is useful for bulk-loading tags. See DeviceHub Bulk Upload Tags.
- Refresh the status of the device. Use when you change a parameter of the PLC.
- Edit the device parameters. Such as the name and IP address.
- Delete the device. When deleting a device, you will be shown a warning, Deleting this device is irreversible, you will be prompted to explicitly enter the name of the device. Note that you must type the case-sensitive name exactly as it appears.
After deleting a DeviceHub device, we recommend re-booting the LoopEdge IPC (Industrial PC) before adding another PLC to DeviceHub. It takes some time before the device will actually delete in the back-end.
Manage a Device
If the PLC is not physically connected to the the network as loopedge, user can manage the device driver and stop the calls to the PLC. Devicehub has a manage topic which can be used to start stop the driver instance using flows.
To Stop a driver communication
Send the string payload shown below to the devicehub.manage.deviceid topic.
{"command": "pause"}
To Start a driver communication
Send the string payload shown below to the devicehub.manage.deviceid topic.
{"command" : "resume"}