This Article Applies From:
CONNECT 2.0.0.x


Introduction

This article serves to give information about setting up network connections in the Connect - Industrial Smart Hub including default parameters, capabilities of hardware and how to manage multiple adapter set-ups.


Contents

1  Overview

1.1 CONNECT-X vs CONNECT-W

2  Understanding CONNECT Network Configuration

2.1  Capabilities 

3   Modifying Network Configuration

3.1  Connect HMI

3.1.1  Ethernet Connection(s)

3.1.1.1  Network Configuration Type

3.1.1.2  Adapter Name

3.1.1.3  Adapter Details

3.1.1.4  Adapter Selection

3.1.2  Wi-Fi Connection

3.1.2.1  Wi-Fi Definition

3.1.2.2  Wi-Fi Network Details

3.2  CVI Config

3.2.1  Ethernet Connection(s)

3.2.2  Wi-Fi Connection


Overview  


The Connect - Industrial Smart Hub is a versatile and flexible device able to be configured in a number of ways in order to suit an environment's network requirements. Depending on model, the CONNECT can connect with both wired and/or wireless connections as well as act as a junction passing network connections onward to other contactable devices.


CONNECT-X vs CONNECT-W  

The principal difference between a CONNECT-X and CONNECT-W is that the CONNECT-W has a built-in wireless access point in order to facilitate the connection of tools, integrating parties and other devices directly by Wi-Fi whereas CONNECT-X has only ethernet connections built-in to the device.


Understanding CONNECT Network Configuration  

Connect-X and Connect-W have differing default network configuration based on their stated hardware differences.


By default, all models of Connect - Industrial Smart Hub have their Ethernet ports split into separate adapters/networks. 

  • Ethernet 1 and 2 are grouped together as "Ethernet 1"
  • Ethernet 3 and 4 are grouped together as "Ethernet 2"
AdapterDefault IP AddressDefault Subnet MaskDefault SSIDDefault Password
Ethernet 1192.168.5.212255.255.255.0N/aN/a
Ethernet 2192.168.6.212255.255.255.0N/aN/a
Access Point (applicable to only CONNECT-W)192.168.7.212255.255.255.0Desoutter_1mydesoutter_1


Based on this default configuration, it is easy for users to integrate the device directly into environments that have multiple  wired networks and a separated Wi-Fi for connection; for wireless tools for example.

As CONNECT-X does not have an embedded access point, it is required to connect it by Ethernet to a wireless access point in order to have a Wi-Fi connection with the tools.


Capabilities  

The CONNECT is able to function in multiple configurations:

  • All network adapters are linked together functioning as one - This means that a user can make use of all ethernet ports and they will all be linked to a single IP Address. If the device is a CONNECT-W then another device can connected to the embedded access point and also communicate with the same IP Address.

  • Wired and Wireless Adapters can be split apart - This means that "Ethernet 1" and "Ethernet 2" share the same IP Address whilst (if the device is a CONNECT-W) the wireless access point use a different IP Address for managing it's connection.

  • All network adapters are separated and function on different IP Address ranges. - This means that "Ethernet 1" and "Ethernet 2" and the wireless access point (if the device is a CONNECT-W) all use different IP Addresses in different IP Address ranges.


Modifying Network Configuration  


All network configuration of the Connect - Industrial Smart Hub can be configured directly through the device's HMI or in the CVI Config application.

Connect HMI  

Click the Configuration icon

Navigate to "System > Peripherals > Networks"


Ethernet Connection(s)  

Network Configuration Type  

  • Modify "Configuration" to define if the Connect - Industrial Smart Hub should use one unified network adapter or split it's ethernet ports between two different adapters/networks.
    • 1 network  = Ethernet ports 1-4 will share one IP Address configuration
    • 2 networks = Ethernet 1+2 will have a different IP Address configuration to Ethernet 3+4.


Adapter Name  

  • Modify "Network Name" to give this adapter/network a suitable name for easy management


Adapter Details  

  • Modify "IP Address" , "Subnet mask" and "Gateway" as required to communicate with the connected network.


Adapter Selection  

Use the "Adapter Selection" to switch between each available adapter - dependent on "Configuration" defined.


Wi-Fi Connection  

Wi-Fi Definition  

  • Define if the access point should be active or not
  • Define if the access point should share an IP Address with one of the active Ethernet adapters or whether it should have it's own IP Address using "Linked to"
  • Define the SSID so that other devices can find and connect to the CONNECT access point


Wi-Fi Network Details  

  • Modify "IP Address" , "Subnet mask", "Security Type" and "Encryption Type" as required for your environment.

  • Define essential WiFi connection details such as the password for the access point with "Security key", the frequency used for transmission and the data rate.


CVI Config  

  • Open CVI Config
  • Navigate to your controller in the Factory Tree and choose "Parameters > Networks


Ethernet Connection(s)  

Using the tab "TCP/IP - Ethernet"

  • Modify "Configuration" to define if the Connect - Industrial Smart Hub should use one unified network adapter or split it's ethernet ports between two different adapters/networks.

- 1 network  = Ethernet ports 1-4 will share one IP Address configuration

- 2 networks = Ethernet 1+2 will have a different IP Address configuration to Ethernet 3+4.

  • Modify "IP Address" , "Subnet mask" and "Gateway" as required to communicate with the connected network.


Wi-Fi Connection  

Using the tab "Wi-Fi"

  • Define if the access point should be active or not
  • Define if the access point should share an IP Address with one of the active Ethernet adapters or whether it should have it's own IP Address using "Linked to"
  • Define the SSID, Security Type, Security Key, IP Address, Subnet mask etc so that other devices can find and connect to the CONNECT access point.