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General Failure When Communicating With Remote Device Error When Accessing a FieldPoint Controller from MAX

Hardware: FieldPoint>>Controllers/Network Modules>>FP-2000, FieldPoint>>Controllers/Network Modules>>FP-2010, FieldPoint>>Controllers/Network Modules>>FP-2015, Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers>>cFP-2000, Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers>>cFP-2010, Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers>>cFP-2020, Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers>>cFP-2100, Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers>>cFP-2120, Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers>>cFP-2110, FieldPoint>>Controllers/Network Modules>>FP-1600, FieldPoint>>Controllers/Network Modules>>FP-1601

Problem:
When using a FieldPoint ethernet controller directly connected to a PC using a cross-over cable or hub, I can see the controller in Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) Remote Systems branch as a normal device, but I get the error General failure when communicating with the remote device when trying to access the module (such as expanding the software tab). What causes this error message and how can I fix it?

Solution:
This problem can occur when:

• Moving the module from a working configuration on a large LAN to a direct PC connection or smaller LAN.
  
• The module is previously configured with a static IP address on a different subnet.
  
• The module is attached to a PC on a private LAN with no router through a switch/hub or a cross-over cable
  

This error usually results from the module not being present on the same subnet as the PC and no TCP/IP routes being available to communicate with the device. MAX remembers that the FieldPoint module was there, but fails when it tries to access it. This is most likely to happen on small networks with no router, or with a FieldPoint module with incorrect IP settings. The best solution is to reconfigure your FieldPoint module to be on the same subnet as your host machine.

For more details on configuring the IP address of a FieldPoint module, see the FieldPoint help located under Start»Programs»National Instruments»FieldPoint»Configuring FieldPoint in MAX(See Option #4).

You can confirm this problem by attempting to ping the device.

1. Open up a command prompt.
   • Go to Start » Run, type in cmd, press Enter
2. Type ping 10.0.0.1, replacing 10.0.0.1 with the IP address of your FieldPoint module.
   
3. If you receive a Reply from 10.0.0.1: Destination net unreachable. or similar message, then there isn't a TCP/IP route available to access the controller.
   

Related Links:
Developer Zone Tutorial: Troubleshooting Communication Problems with the FieldPoint Ethernet Network Modules
KnowledgeBase 2RHCS8M5: How Do I Change the IP Address of a RT Series Controller (FieldPoint, cRIO, etc) that is not on the Local Subnet?
KnowledgeBase 3KE9A27U: FP-1601 Module Not Found in Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX)

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Report Date: 09/27/2005
Last Updated: 05/07/2008
Document ID: 3PQG65J8

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