twosixtyseven
Member
I have a new job programming PLCs and HMIs after being away from them for ~7 years. I am trying to establish a test setup with an old AB ControlLogix 5561 that was lying around. I have tried every trick I remember in the book, but I just can't seem to connect!
I am physically connected directly to this PLC via an RS-232 cable, and directly via an Ethernet cable.
A) I am able to see the processor, backplane, and other cards in RSLinx Classic via when connecting direct to it via RS-232 to RS-232->USB adapter. However, when I try to go online, upload, or download to the PLC in RSLogix 5000, the application seems to time out ("Connecting to controller..." for about a minute, followed by "Failed to connect to controller. Can't communicate with RSLinx." - which is a strange message to get).
B) I can ping the PLC (via 1756-ENBT rev A). We're on the same subnet. A gateway is not present when I'm connected to it (since I'm directly connected), but I don't think it matters as the PLC is setup with a static IP. I have tried the Ethernet driver (which I admit I forgot how to use exactly) and the Ethernet/IP driver, and it browses forever.
Desperate questions/suspicions that I can't/haven't verified:
1) Do I need a 'null modem'?
2) Are some sort of ports being blocked?
3) Are all of the various bits of software and hardware's firmware revisions compatible/up to date?
4) I'm on the grace period for RSLogix 5000 right now - does this reduce functionality in any way?
5) Could any sort of PLC fault be causing this?
Why can't I connect? What else can I try? This seems like it should be simple, have I overlooked something? Please help, my confidence in this new job will be at rock bottom soon.
I am physically connected directly to this PLC via an RS-232 cable, and directly via an Ethernet cable.
A) I am able to see the processor, backplane, and other cards in RSLinx Classic via when connecting direct to it via RS-232 to RS-232->USB adapter. However, when I try to go online, upload, or download to the PLC in RSLogix 5000, the application seems to time out ("Connecting to controller..." for about a minute, followed by "Failed to connect to controller. Can't communicate with RSLinx." - which is a strange message to get).
B) I can ping the PLC (via 1756-ENBT rev A). We're on the same subnet. A gateway is not present when I'm connected to it (since I'm directly connected), but I don't think it matters as the PLC is setup with a static IP. I have tried the Ethernet driver (which I admit I forgot how to use exactly) and the Ethernet/IP driver, and it browses forever.
Desperate questions/suspicions that I can't/haven't verified:
1) Do I need a 'null modem'?
2) Are some sort of ports being blocked?
3) Are all of the various bits of software and hardware's firmware revisions compatible/up to date?
4) I'm on the grace period for RSLogix 5000 right now - does this reduce functionality in any way?
5) Could any sort of PLC fault be causing this?
Why can't I connect? What else can I try? This seems like it should be simple, have I overlooked something? Please help, my confidence in this new job will be at rock bottom soon.