'Online Parameters' Editor (PLCnext)

The following information refers to a specific, typical device type. Your screen may differ.

This help topic describes the 'Online Parameters' editor of the 'PLCnext' PLANT node. This is a firmware editor for device-specific settings. The contained parameters are defined in the device description file. The editor allows to read parameter values from and write values to the device.

Precondition for using the editor is that you are connected to the controller and logged-on with a suitable user role. It is not necessary to switch to debug mode.

On the left side on the 'Online Parameters' page, several editor categories can be selected. These are described below in detail.

This topic contains the following sections:

Toolbar of the editor

Toolbar button Description

Reads the values from the device and displays them.

Writes the values entered in the editor to the device and applies them.

Reboots the controller. The operation corresponds to a Power Off/On operation. The loaded application (code and network configuration) is deleted from the RAM. The controller reboots with the settings stored last and loads the boot project stored in the Flash Memory, if available.
The command is also available in the Cockpit.

Toolbar button	Description
	Reads the values from the device and displays them.
	Writes the values entered in the editor to the device and applies them.
	Reboots the controller. The operation corresponds to a Power Off/On operation. The loaded application (code and network configuration) is deleted from the RAM. The controller reboots with the settings stored last and loads the boot project stored in the Flash Memory, if available. The command is also available in the Cockpit.

'Identity'

Column Meaning

Function Function description appropriate to the Profinet specification. The parameter is still available after a firmware update.
The 'Function' text is shown in the device node name (preceding the type) in the PLANT.
Max. string length: 32 characters

Location Installation location of a device appropriate to the Profinet specification. The parameter is still available after a firmware update.
If no 'Function' is specified, the 'Location' text is visible in the tree.
Max. string length: 32 characters

Column	Meaning
Function	Function description appropriate to the Profinet specification. The parameter is still available after a firmware update. The 'Function' text is shown in the device node name (preceding the type) in the PLANT. Max. string length: 32 characters
Location	Installation location of a device appropriate to the Profinet specification. The parameter is still available after a firmware update. If no 'Function' is specified, the 'Location' text is visible in the tree. Max. string length: 32 characters

'LAN'

Parameter Meaning

IP address IP address of the controller.
This field is only visible if 'IP assignment' is set to 'static' (see last table row).
Format: aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd where each value must contain decimal numbers between 0...255
The value is stored permanently. When the value is read then the last written value is returned.

Subnet mask This field is only visible if 'IP assignment' is set to 'static' (see last table row).
The subnet mask consists of a series of bits that determine the network portion of an IP address and thus also define the remaining host portion. The mask consists of a sequence of 1-bits followed by a sequence of 0-bits. The number of 1-bits indicates how many bits of the IP address belong to the network part. The number of 0-bits indicates how many bits of the IP address are used for host addressing.
Format: aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd where each value must contain decimal numbers between 0...255

Gateway This field is only visible if 'IP assignment' is set to 'static' (see last table row).
In an IP network, devices can only communicate directly (without a router) within the same subnet. To be able to communicate with a device in another subnet, a router must be available and known. The gateway address set here identifies this router.
Format: aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd where each value must contain decimal numbers between 0...255

DNS name server(s) In this field you can enter a list of a maximum of 3 DNS name servers, separated by a space.

IP assignment Specifies the type of IP address assignment:

DHCP: If the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is selected, the IP settings of the controller are assigned automatically.

static: IP address, subnet mask and gateway of the controller are static and have to defined in the project.

Parameter	Meaning
IP address	IP address of the controller. This field is only visible if 'IP assignment' is set to 'static' (see last table row). Format: aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd where each value must contain decimal numbers between 0...255 The value is stored permanently. When the value is read then the last written value is returned.
Subnet mask	This field is only visible if 'IP assignment' is set to 'static' (see last table row). The subnet mask consists of a series of bits that determine the network portion of an IP address and thus also define the remaining host portion. The mask consists of a sequence of 1-bits followed by a sequence of 0-bits. The number of 1-bits indicates how many bits of the IP address belong to the network part. The number of 0-bits indicates how many bits of the IP address are used for host addressing. Format: aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd where each value must contain decimal numbers between 0...255
Gateway	This field is only visible if 'IP assignment' is set to 'static' (see last table row). In an IP network, devices can only communicate directly (without a router) within the same subnet. To be able to communicate with a device in another subnet, a router must be available and known. The gateway address set here identifies this router. Format: aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd where each value must contain decimal numbers between 0...255
DNS name server(s)	In this field you can enter a list of a maximum of 3 DNS name servers, separated by a space.
IP assignment	Specifies the type of IP address assignment: DHCP: If the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is selected, the IP settings of the controller are assigned automatically. static: IP address, subnet mask and gateway of the controller are static and have to defined in the project.

'NTP'

Allows to enter up to 3 NTP servers (separated by spaces) in the input field. Reboot the controller for the changes to become effective.

(Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a networking protocol for clock synchronization between systems via packed-switched, variable-latency data networks. The current protocol version 4 is specified here: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc5905.)

'Device behavior'

Input required

'Real time clock'

Displays or (after editing) sets the real-time clock on the controller. Enter the following formats:

Date: YYYY-MM-DD
Time: HH:MM:SS

What do you want to do?

Set the Controller IP Address

Read/Write Controller Parameters

Set the Real-time Clock on the Controller

Device Configuration/Parameterization