What is the CONNECT-D ? It is a Virtual Machine running the CONNECT software. It also includes a set of software that are necessary for system operations:

The CONNECT-D software itself.
CONNECT-D Configurator: software that lets you configure the CONNECT-D System Specifics parameters. This will be further detailed in the next sections.
CONNECT-D Web UI: a web interface that allows you to interact directly with the CONNECT-D for basic operations (monitoring connected tools - checking results...) but also for maintenance operations (tool calibration - ...).
CodeMeter: this software allows for the connection between U-RIM and CONNECT-D. See the Licensing section of this article for a short description of the U-RIM.

What is the benefit of using a CONNECT-D ? The CONNECT-D can run on any computer that meets both Software and Hardware requirements - please refer to the next sections for additional details.

Furthermore, the CONNECT-D can run on the same host as:

Pivotware.
NEXONAR Neo.

How many battery tools can I connect to the CONNECT-D ? The CONNECT-D can support connection up to 20 Battery tools (same limit as the CONNECT when using an external access point).

Can I run several CONNECT-D installed on a single computer ? No: only a single CONNECT-D per host is possible.

Is there any difference in functionality between CONNECT-D and CONNECT ? There are several key differences:

No e-bus support. Early hardware revisions of Socket Trays, Bit Trays and other IO Modules are therefore not supported. This extends to the use of Positioning Arms.
It is however possible to connect IO Modules, Socket and Bit Trays over Ethernet. This includes an option to connect IO Modules compliant with MODBUS protocol.
No Fieldbus support to interface with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
No USB support: this limits the use of the Virtual Cable to the Ethernet option and prevents the use of Barcode readers.
No RS232 Support: this prevents the use of a printer and the Report Output option.
No ToolsNet support.

1.2 - Suggested readings before diving-in

We advise you to read through the following article before proceeding with the installation procedure:

CONNECT-D hardware requirements: article lists the minimum system specifications to support the CONNECT-D regardless of the type of installation.

1.3 - Software requirements

1.3.1 - Protocol requirements

This section lists the Protocols that need to be enabled on the host station.

Protocol Name	Purpose	Mandatory
SMB	Used to share folders between CONNECT-D virtual machine and the host machine.	Yes
SSH	Used for communication between CONNECT-D and host machine.	Yes

1.3.2 - Port requirements

This section lists the port number that needs to be allowed on the Host Station.

Port Number	Purpose	Configurable	Mandatory
443 - 8443 - 6443	TLS communication between CVIConfig and CONNECT-D	Yes (limited - CVIConfig)	Yes
1024	Port for PFCS Protocol. Please refer also to 2.2.4 - CONNECT-D Network Port Setting.	Yes (CVIConfig)	No
4700	Port for VWXML Protocol. Please refer also to 2.2.4 - CONNECT-D Network Port Setting.	Yes (CVIConfig)	No
5501	Port for IPM Protocol. Please refer also to 2.2.4 - CONNECT-D Network Port Setting.	Yes (CVIConfig)	No
4545...4564	Ports for Open Protocol communication. Please refer also to 2.2.4 - CONNECT-D Network Port Setting.	Yes (CVIConfig)	No
7477...7490	Ports dedicated to Tool and Protocol communication. Please refer also to 2.2.4 - CONNECT-D Network Port Setting.	Yes (CVIConfig)	Yes

1.3.3 - System privileges

The CONNECT-D requires the following privileges:

Administrator privileges: required to run the CONNECT-D installation but also to start, stop and administrate the CONNECT-D.
Permission to run PowerShell scripts.

1.3.4 - Software packages

The CONNECT-D application runs within a dedicated Hyper-V container. To check that the host machine can support this particular feature:

Press Windows + R to open Windows' Run prompt.
Type optionalfeatures and press Enter.
Check in the Windows Features list whether Hyper-V is enabled:
If the feature is not selected/available, select it then click OK: this will install the necessary Windows packages.

1.4 - Licensing

The CONNECT-D requires an U-RIM (part number: 6159279480) with sufficient UVs to run.

With a sufficient number of UVs, You can operate alongside the CONNECT-D the following programs :

Pivotware Infinity Client.
NEXONAR Neo.

The cost of operating the CONNECT-D varies based on the type of installation:

You will need 30UVs If you are running the CONNECT-D as a standalone software.
The cost of the CONNECT-D is included in the Infinity Client and NEXONAR Neo operating costs.

2 - Installation procedure

2.1 - CONNECT-D Installation

Download the latest CONNECT-D software release then copy the installer to the target computer. Once the installer is successfully copied :

Start the installation by double clicking the CONNECT-D.exe file.
An interface opens that summarize the installation scope.
Click Continue.
Note: CodeMeter Runtime will not be installed if you are already running a higher version of the software.
After providing administrator privileges if necessary, wait for the Installation Setup to complete.
Click Next in the CONNECT-D Setup window.
Accept the End-User Level Agreement then click Next.
The next panel lets you select the type of Installation you wish to run.
- Typical: installation will be done in the default installation folder, i.e. C:\Program Files\Desoutter\Connect-D\Connect-D-configurator.
- Custom: you can select the folder the CONNECT-D software will be installed in.
Click Next to start the installation.
Wait for the installation completion.
When prompted, select whether you wish to start the CONNECT-D Configurator then click Finish.

The CONNECT-D Configurator interface will open as a result.

In addition, you should be able to see on your computer's desktop a shortcut to the CONNECT-D Configurator.

It is also possible to check whether the virtual machine is available from the Hyper-V manager:

Type Hyper-V in windows search bar.
Click on Hyper-V Manager in the search results.
Check in the Hyper-V Manager that the CONNECT-D is listed and Running.

2.2 - CONNECT-D System Configuration

This section explains the purpose of the CONNECT-D Configurator then details the setup steps to get your CONNECT-D running.

2.2.1 - CONNECT-D Configurator overview

The Configurator lets you set the CONNECT-D system parameters, but also manage maintenance operations. This lets you setup the virtual machine running the CONNECT-D without having prior knowledge of Hyper-V management.

More specifically, the Configurator allows you to:

Select the Network Adapter dedicated to the CONNECT-D.
Specify the CONNECT-D virtual IP address and netmask.
Select the folder shared between the Host Computer (i.e. the machine the CONNECT-D is installed on) and the CONNECT-D virtual environment.
Setup the CONNECT-D network port dedicated to the tool communication.
Start, Stop the CONNECT-D, but also backup and restore the system.

2.2.2 - CONNECT-D Network Settings

Start the CONNECT-D Configurator by double clicking on the dedicated shortcut - a dedicated interface opens:

The first step is to setup the CONNECT-D network details:

Select the Network panel.
Click Load in the Exernal Network Switch section. Once all the Network interfaces available on your computer are detected, expand the drop down list then select the Ethernet link you wish to dedicate to the CONNECT-D.
Check that the IP Address of the Network interface is exact.
Click Create or Update External Switch once you have confirmed the IP Address is exact.
Wait for the switch to be successfully created.
Note: the Verbose output provides an insight into the creation process status.
What is a Virtual Switch ? The virtual switch allows the Virtual Machine to communicate with the Physical Network.
In the Select Host IP field, click Select after checking the IP Address matches the selected Network Interface.
A dialog box opens to confirm that the IP Address has been saved. Click OK.

The last step to setup your CONNECT-D Network is to set its specific IP parameters and the related settings:

Provide your CONNECT-D IP: this IP address is used to interface your device with your Network - note that this address must be different from the Host IP previously selected.
Fill- in the CONNECT-D Netmask.
Fill in the Gateway IP Address.
Fill in the DNS IP address if required.
Click Setup network settings.
Wait for the setup to end.

Your CONNECT-D network parameters are fully set past this stage.

2.2.3 - CONNECT-D Shared Folder Setup

It is necessary to setup a shared folder between the CONNECT-D and the Host Computer. This folder will allow you to retrieve log data, but also backup files from the CONNECT-D.

Note: it is mandatory for the SMB protocol to be authorised on your host machine to setup a shared folder.

To setup a shared folder:

Open the Sharing panel.
Select the Folder you wish to shared between the Host Machine and the CONNECT-D.
Click Share Folder.

Wait for the folder to be shared - once the setup is complete, the CONNECT-D is ready to start.

2.2.4 - CONNECT-D Network Port Settings

The last setup step before starting your CONNECT-D for the first time is to customise, if necessary, the Dedicated Ports that can be used with your CONNECT-D.

What is the port setting for ? The configured port is necessary to setup the Battery Tools connection details via CVIConfig, but also to allow communication via Open Protocol or Customized Protocol.

⚠	Communication through a port that has not been setup is not possible - be sure to setup all the necessary ports at this stage, especially for communication with either Open Protocol or Customized Protocol.

To that end:

Open the Configuration panel.
Setup the Port you wish to use for communication - default values are set to allow connection via any port within the 7477-7490 range.
Click Apply.

A confirmation window open to notify you that the settings have been saved.
Click OK.

Your CONNECT-D is now ready to be started.

3 - Starting the CONNECT-D

The last step is to Start the CONNECT-D.

Open the CONNECT-D panel.
Click Start in the Application Lifecycle panel.
Wait for the CONNECT-D Status to be set to CONNECT-D is running.

Note that this menu lets you also either Stop or Restart the CONNECT-D: simply click on the corresponding buttons in the CONNECT-D panel.

Once the CONNECT-D is started, you can use CVIConfig to configure your CONNECT-D, in the same way you would use to configure your CONNECT.

Additionally, click Open Connect-D Web User Interface to open the CONNECT-D Web UI.

4 - Further readings

You may find the following articles of interest if you wish to further discover the CONNECT-D or get some answers about specific behaviours:

CONNECT-D update procedure: this article explains how to upgrade your CONNECT-D software.
What is a self-signed certificate: this articles, while written for CVINet, can be of benefit if you wish to know more about Self-Signed certificates such as the one used with the CONNECT-D.

CONNECT-D Installation Procedure

This Article Applies From:

COnnect-d

2.7.5.1

Cviconfig

2.5.4.1

CVimonitor

1.9.7.1

Cvianalyzer

1.5.6.1

DeMeter

25.1.2

Introduction

1 - Pre- requisites

1.1 - CONNECT-D Overview