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Configuring the Dual Ethernet Ports on Real-Time Controllers

Hardware: CompactRIO>>Controllers>>cRIO-9074

Problem:
I have a real-time controller, such as the cRIO-9074 or cFP-2220, with two Ethernet ports.  How do I configure the two ports, and what can I do with these two Ethernet ports?

Solution:
In order to use both Ethernet ports on a dual port controller, you must configure Ethernet Port 2 with a static IP address which resides in a different subnet than Ethernet port 1. For more information on subnets, see the Related Links section below.

Configure Port 1
First, configure Ethernet port 1 in the same manner you would configure a single Ethernet port on a LabVIEW Real-Time controller.

If Ethernet port 1 is already configured with an IP address, skip ahead to Configure Port 2.

Ethernet port 1 can be configured to use a DHCP server or with a static IP address. Follow the desired steps below.
Configure Port 1 for DHCP
  1. Connect the controller via Ethernet port 1 to the switch/hub with access to the DHCP server.
  2. Enable the IP Reset DIP switch on the controller.
  3. Reboot the controller by pressing RESET.
  4. Wait for the controller to reboot and disable the IP Reset DIP switch.
  5. Open Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
  6. Locate the controller under Remote Systems in MAX and select it.
  7. Select Obtain IP address from DHCP server in the IP Settings field. (see below).
  8. Click Apply.
  9. Click Yes to reboot the controller.


Configure Port 1 with a static IP Address
  1. Connect the controller via Ethernet port 1 to the switch/hub with access to the DHCP server.
  2. Enable the IP Reset DIP switch on the controller.
  3. Reboot the controller by pressing RESET.
  4. Wait for the controller to reboot and disable the IP Reset DIP switch.
  5. Open Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
  6. Locate the controller under Remote Systems in MAX and select it.
  7. Select Edit the IP Settings in the IP Settings field.
  8. Enter the desired IP address in the IP address field.
  9. Enter the desired subnet mask in the Subnet mask field.
  10. Click Apply.
  11. Click Yes to reboot the controller.

Configure Port 2
Ethernet port 2 must be configured with a static IP that does not reside in the subnet of Ethernet port 1.
  1. Connect the dual port controller via Ethernet port 1 to the network.
  2. Open Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
  3. Locate the controller under Remote Systems in MAX and select it.
  4. With the dual port controller selected, click on Advanced Ethernet Settings.
  5. Select the MAC address of the secondary port. The IP Address field is the IP address of Ethernet port 2. This IP address is static and must reside in a different subnet than the IP address of Ethernet port 1.
  6. Set the IP Address and click OK.

Using both Ethernet Ports
Ethernet port 1 is used for communication between the dual port controller and host PC. Therefore, Ethernet port 1 is used for configuring the controller in MAX as well as deploying applications to the controller from LabVIEW.

Ethernet port 2, configured with a static IP on a different subnet than Ethernet port 1, can be used to communicate with a private network. One example of this setup would be communicating with an additional LabVIEW Real-Time target that is configured with a static IP address. The private network must use static IP addresses on the same subnet as Ethernet port 2.

Ethernet port 2, is currently not supported to communicate outside its own subnet.  There is no capability of configuring the Default Gateway for Ethernet port 2 and therefore cannot connect to a large isolated intranet.

Communication using Shared Variables is only supported on one Ethernet port because the Shared Variable Engine is bound to one port.  Another form of communication such as TCP/IP must be used to transmit and receive data on the second port if the first port is using Shared Variables.  For more information read this Knowledgebase Article: Deploying Shared Variables to a Specific Network Card.

Refer to the Related Links section for more information, a tutorial, and an example program for getting started with dual Ethernet port controllers.



Related Links:
Developer Zone Tutorial: Getting Started with Dual Ethernet Port Real-Time Controllers- Developer Zone
KnowledgeBase 3WK9NH9A: Deploying Shared Variables to a Specific Network Card
KnowledgeBase 4CDENRCY: How to Network FieldPoint to a Host Computer with Ethernet
KnowledgeBase 3SC9P5IH: Setting Computers on the Same Subnet
KnowledgeBase 4NSFIBMT : Can a Real-Time Controller with Dual Ethernet Ports Communicate with a FieldPoint

 



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Report Date: 10/01/2007
Last Updated: 05/04/2009
Document ID: 4E0DGASK

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