How to Network FieldPoint to a Host Computer with Ethernet - KnowledgeBase - Support

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How to Network FieldPoint to a Host Computer with Ethernet

Primary Software: Driver Software>>NI-FieldPoint
Primary Software Version: 5.0.1
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: Utility Software>>Measurement & Automation Explorer
Hardware: Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers, FieldPoint>>Controllers/Network Modules

Problem:
I have connected my FieldPoint or Compact FieldPoint controller or network module, but it does not appear in Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX). How do I network my FieldPoint hardware to my host computer?

Solution:
Configuring an Isolated Network Segment (Static IP)
Configuring an Exposed Network Segment (DHCP)
Troubleshooting Tips

There are two main types of network configurations:

Configuration 1: Isolated Network

There is no DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to assign IP addresses.

Direct connection between FieldPoint unit and host computer using a crossover cable.
Indirect connection between FieldPoint unit and host computer with a hub or switch in the center. Typical straight-through Ethernet cables are used here.

In an isolated network, a static IP must be assigned that matches the subnet of the computer attempting to communicate with the [c]FP-2xxx.

To set the IP address of your host computer in Windows XP:

Go to Start»Control Panel»Network Connections.
Right-click on the Local Area Connection associated FieldPoint connection, and select Properties.
In the Local Area Connection Properties window, Scroll down to click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click on the Properties button.
Select Use the following IP address and enter an IP address and Subnet mask. Leave the other fields blank, and click OK.
In this example the subnet is 192.168.1.0. For more details on how to calculate a subnet, refer to KB 3SC9P5IH.

To set the FieldPoint unit to the same subnet:

Set the FieldPoint unit into a state that will broadcast it to any subnet so that it can appear in Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX).
- For FieldPoint and Compact FieldPoint Real-Time controllers, set the Reset IP and Safe Mode DIP switches to on.
  
  Compact FieldPoint Controller (7 = Safe Mode, 8 = Reset IP)
  
  FieldPoint Controller FP-20xx
- For Network Modules such as the cFP-180x and FP-160x, only use the corresponding reset IP dip switch
  
  Compact FieldPoint Ethernet Module cFP-180x
  
  FieldPoint Network Ethernet Module FP-160x
Either push the RESET button on the FieldPoint unit, or cycle power.
Open Measurement and Automation Explorer by going to Start » Program Files » National Instruments » Measurement and Automation.
Expand Remote Systems. The FieldPoint unit should appear as 0.0.0.0.
Click on the unit in remote systems, and select the Network Settings tab in the bottom center.
Select Edit the IP Settings under IP Settings, and type in the IP address and Subnet mask.
Turn off the DIP switches that were turned on, and cycle power again.
The FieldPoint unit should now appear as the specified name in remote systems. Pressing the F5 key may be necessary to refresh remote systems.

Configuration 2: Exposed Network

There is a DHCP server.
The FieldPoint unit and host computer connect to a network access point, such as a router, on the same network with a standard straight-through Ethernet cable.

In an exposed network, the DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses to both the host computer and the FieldPoint unit. Follow the steps of Configuration 1, with the following exceptions:

In the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window, select Obtain an IP Address Automatically. This most likely is already selected if this network port was previously used for an internet connection.
In step 6 of the FieldPoint section, just select Obtain an IP Address from DHCP server and continue with step 7.

Troubleshooting Tips

Unable to see target in MAX.
- The FieldPoint driver must be installed. The FieldPoint driver is located online, and in the Device Driver CD distribution.
- Make sure that your computer's firewall or anti-virus software is not blocking communication, as KnowledgeBase 37ME9PSF describes in more detail. KnowledgeBase 2GD9CL6Q reviews which ports should be open for National Instruments applications.
- There is a known issue with MAX version 4.2.0 where unconfigured devices do not show up in remote systems. To determine which version of MAX you have, navigate to Help»About.
  
  KnowledgeBase 47IC8SCW contains a patch for MAX.
- If the host computer has multiple network cards, use the primary one, as KnowledgeBase 42I77BXJ covers.
Intermittent Loss of Communication.
- Most often this is caused by a duplicate IP address. When a FieldPoint unit is assigned a static IP address in an exposed network, the DHCP server may have assigned or will assign the same IP address to another device. To confirm that it is a duplicate IP address, disconnect the FieldPoint unit, and attempt to ping it's IP address. A reply indicates that the IP address already exists.
- Extreme temperatures.
- Firmware incompatibility. Developer Zone Tutorial: Upgrading FieldPoint Firmware shows how to upgrade firmware on the FP-100x and FP-160x. For Real-Time controllers, there is an Update BIOS button in Add/Remove software in Remote Systems.
- Insufficient power.
Find Devices is grayed out with Real-Time controllers.
- Ensure that an IP address has properly been assigned, and that the FieldPoint unit has both DIP switches IP Reset and Safe Mode are turned off. See KnowledgeBase 3OMEC5MY for more details.
Error 56, Error 59, and other TCP errors.

If the FieldPoint is on an isolated segment, ensure that the Gateway and DNS Server fields are clear. FieldPoint may be timing out while looking up a DNS Server or Gateway that does not exist. See KnowledgeBase 3YTEBIJ8 for more details.
The FieldPoint could have a conflicting IP address. See KnowledgeBase 3VQ66M8T for more details.
Verify that the you IP settings have been implemented. Go to Start»Run, and type in cmd to bring up a command terminal. Then type in ipconfig and check to see if the IP address on your host PC is what you expect. Some Windows operating systems may need to reboot to make changes effective.
Check for any firewalls, anti-virus, or any other software capable of blocking ports. Refer to KnowledgeBase 2GD9CL6Q to find which ports are used by National Instruments software.
If there is more than one Ethernet card, make sure that the one connected to the FieldPoint is primary, and that the subnets for each device are unique.

Report Date: 08/14/2007
Last Updated: 03/19/2008
Document ID: 4CDENRCY

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