Supported hardware and firmware
Cloud Logging via Modbus TCP/IP is supported on the IXrouter2 in firmware 2.2 and up, and on the IXrouter3 in firmware 3.0 and up. Please upgrade your firmware if you are running an older version.Activate Cloud Logging
Please first activate Cloud Logging (or start the 30 day free trial) if you haven't already.The first step in Cloud Logging is setting up a data source. This is done by selecting a communication protocol and defining the variables. This article shows you how to do this for communication via Modbus TCP/IP.
- Select a communication protocol
- Add variables (new, import)
- Test variables
- Manage variables (export, duplicate, remove)
Select a communication protocol
You first have to select a communication protocol. This is the protocol that the IXrouter will use to communicate with the target (i.e. PLC).
- Go to [Devices] in the main menu
, select the concerning device
, open its [Services] tab
, and press [Add service]
.
- Name the target
(i.e. PLC1), enter the target's IP address
, and press [Next]
.
- Select your service type: [Data source]
.
- Select the communication protocol "Modbus"
. The port number, slave number, and byte order will automatically be filled based on the selected protocol (port 502, slave 1 and byte order CDAB). You can manually edit these if needed. Press [Add]
.
Add variables
Once you've added a Data Source and selected a communication protocol, you can start adding variables. This is done in the configurator tool, specifically designed to quickly add, duplicate, import, export, and remove variables.
- Go to [Devices] in the main menu
, select the concerning device
, open its [Services] tab
, and edit
the target's services
.
- Select [Data source]
and press [Open configurator]
.
- To add a variable press [Add variable]
.
Tip!
It is advisable to add variables in small batches and test the variables periodically to verify the entries.You can choose to:
Manually add new variables
When you press [Add new variable], you'll see the window that is depicted below.
Modbus explained - number vs address
A Modbus number translates to a function code with an address, and vice versa. Depending on your program you will know one of the two notations. Use the following example table for help with translating between the two.
"Number" notation | "Address" notation | |
---|---|---|
Number | Function code | Address |
000011 | 1 - Coil | 10 |
100381 | 2 - Discrete input | 380 |
400093 | 3 - Holding register | 92 |
300135 | 4 - Input register | 134 |
- Enter the variable's name, type, full address, additional information, and press [Add]. The image below contains explanatory text for each text field.
Duplicate
You can easily duplicate
Temporary disconnect
After this next step, the config push, the device will temporarily disconnect to reconfigure its network settings and will automatically reconnect. This may take a minute.- Finally, press [Push changes]
in the config tab to complete the setup.
Next step
Import variables from a file (or device)
You can easily and effortlessly copy variables from one device to another by exporting the concerning variables (view the "Manage variables" part of this article) and then importing them in your new device. Alternatively, you can manually prepare your variables in the required CSV format to load them all at once into your configurator. The CSV file structure is explained in our "Import variables: CSV file structure"-article.
When you press [Import from CSV-file], you'll see a browse window.
- Select a CSV file to import and press [Open].
- When the file has been read, press [Add] to add all variables to your data source.
Temporary disconnect
After this next step, the config push, the device will temporarily disconnect to reconfigure its network settings and will automatically reconnect. This may take a minute.- Finally, press [Push changes]
in the config tab to complete the setup.
Next step
Test variables
The test utility is used to check if all the added variables are set correctly. It shows the status of every variable and displays the variables' latest values if everything is configured correctly. If not, it'll show an error message.
Required firmware version
Support for the test utility was added on the IXrouter2 in firmware 2.11, and on the IXrouter3 in firmware 3.7. Consider upgrading your firmware if you are running an older version.- In the configurator press [Run test]
.
A connection will now be set up to stream the data directly to your computer, using:
Port | Transport protocol | Application protocol |
---|---|---|
443 | TCP | WebSocket |
When the connection is set up and all variables are set correctly, it should look like this:
Unexpected result?
If the test utility shows unexpected values, please check if the addresses and data types of all variables are entered correctly.
If you get no data at all, please also check that the above listed port and protocols are not being blocked by your computer's or company's firewall.
TIP: You can use (free) software like Modbus Poll or modpoll to test your PLC and verify your configuration.Next step
Now that you've tested the variables, you can view our "Configure data tags" guide to start logging.Manage variables
You can view all defined variables in a list view or table view
. Multiple variables can be selected by pressing the
icon on the left, or you can select all by pressing [∙∙∙]. These can then be removed
, duplicated
, or exported to a CSV file
.