Cannot Ping Series 90-30 Ethernet Card - IC693CMM321

Description

Cannot Ping Series 90-30 Ethernet Card - IC693CMM321

Trying to connect a 90-30 PLC to an Ethernet LAN using the CMM 321 Ethernet Interface Module. Unable to connect to the PLC from the LAN. All IP parameters (IP address, subnet mask and default gateway) on the CMM321 are right, but when trying to "ping" to the PLC, it does not answer. The STAT LED on the module is always on.

Resolution

What to look for:
With respect to the STAT LED - constant on is good, blinking indicates the module is waiting for new software, and off indicates an event has been recorded in the event log. Since the STAT LED is on (not blinking) the CMM321 thinks it has a good network connection (test frames were OK). The LAN LED should blink every time the CMM321 sends or receives a frame - watch this LED while pinging the module if the ping gets to the module at all the LAN LED should blink. Note the LAN LED will blink about once a minute as the module reconfirms its network connection by sending a test frame.

Possible reasons for a ping getting no response are:

• Having 2 Network Interface Cards (NICs) in the computer - depending on how they are configured for IP address and subnet mask the ping may be sent out the wrong NIC - in general each NIC must be configured for a different subnet so the driver can tell which card to send the ping.
• If a single NIC is in use watch out for dial up networking being active - dial up networking acts as a second NIC.
• If the computer's IP address is not in the same subnet as the PLCs the ping will be sent to the computer's configured gateway address - if the PLC is not on the other side of the gateway there will be no response.
• If the computer's IP address is in a different subnet from the PLCs and no gateway is configured in the computer then the ping won't be sent from the computer - computer will say the destination node is unreachable.
• The network point you are connected to may not be the correct LAN location. (the gateway and IP addresses assigned to the CMM321 are wrong)

IC693CMM321 Ethernet Module in Expansion Rack

Description

The 90-30 Ethernet module, IC693CMM321, can be placed in an expansion rack.

Resolution

There is a small reduction (10%) to the throughput of the module. Use of the module in a remote expansion rack is also possible but in that case the throughput is severely affected (80% reduction).

Troubleshooting Ethernet Communications with Station Manager Software Tool

Description

Station Manager software, which resides in the firmware of the PLC Ethernet Interface products listed below

• Series 90-30 PLC Ethernet Interface (IC693CMM321), both types.
• Series 90-30 PLC CPU364 with embedded Ethernet Interface (IC693CPU364)
• Series 90-30 PLC CPU374 with embedded Ethernet Interface (IC693CPU374)
• Series 90-70 PLC Ethernet Interface (Type 2) (IC697CMM742)

Resolution

The Ethernet Interface enables Series 90 PLCs to communicate with other Series 90 PLCs, with GE programming software, and with computer applications developed using GE Ethernet protocols, such as CIMPLICITY- HMI. Refer to GFK-1541, TCP/IP Ethernet Communications for the Series 90 PLC User's Manual for information on installing and programming the Ethernet Interface.

• Station Manager is a part of the communications software built into the Ethernet Interface.
• Station Manager executes as a background function to provide interactive supervisory access to the Ethernet Interface.
• Station Manager is available when the Ethernet Interface is in the Operational or Maintenance state. It is not available when running Power-Up Diagnostics or the Software Loader.

Station Manager Styles

This manual will refer to two different styles of Station Managers. The two styles have a similar interface, but details of the commands and output are different between the two styles.

Station Manager Styles    Style Products Supported

Style A                              IC693CMM321, IC693CPU364, IC697CMM742

Style B                              IC693CPU374

Station Manager Services

The Station Manager provides the following services

• An interactive set of commands for an operator to interrogate and control the Ethernet Interface.
• Access to observe and modify internal statistics, an exception log, and advanced user parameters.
• Password security for commands that change the Ethernet Interface parameters or states.
• The Station Manager allows you to monitor the operation of the local station (node) and the network. If a problem occurs at the local station or on the network, the Station Manager may be used to pinpoint the source of the problem through the various commands.

Serial Cable (IC693CBL316A) to be used to Connect Personal Computer to Station Manager Port.

Release History