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.
Contents2 Understanding CONNECT Network Configuration 3 Modifying Network Configuration |
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"
| Adapter | Default IP Address | Default Subnet Mask | Default SSID | Default Password |
| Ethernet 1 | 192.168.5.212 | 255.255.255.0 | N/a | N/a |
| Ethernet 2 | 192.168.6.212 | 255.255.255.0 | N/a | N/a |
| Access Point (applicable to only CONNECT-W) | 192.168.7.212 | 255.255.255.0 | Desoutter_1 | mydesoutter_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.