Chapter 1. Introduction8 PACSystems* RX7i & RX3i TCP/IP Ethernet Communications User Manual GFK-2224QStation Manager Access remote UDP Refer to the Station Manager Manual, GFK-2225J or laterfor supported commands.Ethernet Interface PortsThe PACSystems Ethernet interface use auto-sensing 10Base T / 100Base TX RJ-45 shielded twisted pairEthernet ports for connection to either a 10BaseT or 100BaseTX IEEE 802.3 network. The RX3i embeddedEthernet interface provides one such port; all other models provide two.The port automatically senses the speed (10Mbps or 100Mbps), duplex mode (half-duplex or full-duplex) andcable configuration (straight-through or crossover) attached to it with no intervention required.Ethernet MediaThe Ethernet Interface can operate directly on 10BaseT/100BaseTX media via its network ports.10BaseT: 10BaseT uses a twisted pair cable of up to 100 meters in length between each node and a switch, hub,or repeater. Typical switches, hubs, or repeaters support 6 to 12 nodes connected in a star wiring topology.100BaseTX: 100BaseTX uses a cable of up to 100 meters in length between each node and a switch, hub, orrepeater. The cable should be data grade Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) or shielded twisted pair (STP)cable. Two pairs of wire are used, one for transmission, and the other for collision detection and receive. Typicalswitches, hubs, or repeaters support 6 to 12 nodes connected in a star wiring topology.Station ManagerThe built-in Station Manager function of the Ethernet Interface provides on-line supervisory access to theEthernet Interface, through the Station Manager port or over the Ethernet cable. Station Manager servicesinclude:▪ An interactive set of commands for interrogating and controlling the station.▪ Unrestricted access to observe internal statistics, an exception log, and configuration parameters.▪ Password security for commands that change station parameters or operation.For remote Station Manager operation over the Ethernet network, the Ethernet interface uses IP addressing. APACSystems Ethernet Interface cannot send or receive remote Station Manager messages sent to a MACaddress.Refer to the PACSystems TCP/IP Ethernet Communications Station Manager Manual, GFK-2225 for completeinformation on the Station Manager.Firmware UpgradesPACSystems Ethernet interfaces receive their firmware upgrades indirectly from the RX3i CPU using theWinLoader software utility. WinLoader is supplied with any updates to the Ethernet Interface software. The userconnects WinLoader to the PLC CPU serial port and specifies the target module by its Rack/Slot location.For the CPU module, the embedded Ethernet interface firmware is upgraded along with the rest of the CPUfirmware. WinLoader seamlessly upgrades first the CPU firmware and then the embedded Ethernet firmwarewithout user intervention. Each Ethernet Interface module’s firmware must be explicitly upgraded by specifyingthe rack and slot location of the module to the WinLoader utility.Firmware upgrades for the CPE330 and CPE400 are performed over Ethernet using a web browser. This methodprovides enhanced security features. Instructions for the procedure are included in the corresponding upgradekit documentation. The WinLoader Utility will not work with the CPE330 or CPE400.
