'Online Controllers' Editor (Project)
The following information refers to a specific, typical device type. Your screen may differ.
This help topic describes the 'Online Controllers' editor of the 'Project' PLANT node. This editor can be used for scanning the network for controllers and add a found controller (including its IP settings) to the project. The 'Online Controllers' editor also allows to write IP settings to the scanned controller.
This topic contains the following sections:
Toolbar of the editor
Click here to show the toolbar description
| Toolbar button | Context menu command | Description |
 | - | List box for selecting the LAN adapter of your computer. The network scan will be performed via the interface set here. |
 | - | Scans the network for connected controllers.
It is not necessary to manually establish a communication connection using the 'Connect' command (controller context menu in the PLANT) before the scan. This is done automatically by PLCnext Engineer. |
 | - | Stops the network scan.The button is only active while a scan is in progress. |
 | Add to Project | Adds the devices which are selected in the table to the PLCnext Engineer project.The table is updated on project side by the name and the communication settings read from the device(s). The 'Status' of the communication connection between PLCnext Engineer and the device is set accordingly. See table "Status Icons" below.The devices are added as nodes to the PLANT. If the 'Function' property is set for a device, it is displayed in the PLANT. If 'Function' is empty, 'Location' is shown (if set). |
 | Assign and Write Properties | Assigns a project device (device contained in the PLANT) to an online device (device discovered by a network scan) or vice versa.
To perform the assignment, select the table rows with the two devices (project and online device) you want to assign and click the button.The button is only active, if the selected devices have the same type. |
 | Unassign | Deletes the assignment between the project device and the online device. After deleting an assignment, a separate entry remains in the table for the project device and the online device.
Note
The command only deletes the assignment between the project and online device, the properties of the devices remain unchanged (see also the following command 'Unassign and Delete Properties'). |
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 | Unassign and Delete Properties | Deletes the assignment between the project device and the online device. In addition, the name of station is cleared to an empty string and the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway values are also deleted from the online device (observe the following note regarding Profinet devices). After removing an assignment, a separate entry remains in the table for the project device and the online device.
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 | Apply Project Device Settings To Online Device | Transfers the communication settings configured in the project device to the scanned device and applies them. |
 | Apply Online Device Settings to Project Device | Transfers the communication settings configured in the scanned device to the project device and applies them. |
 | Flashing | Makes LEDs at the device flashing and can be used for identifying connected devices in the control cabinet.For the AXC F 2152, for example, the LEDs "BF-D" and "BF-C" are flashing while the button remains pressed. |
 | - | Access to network device via the default web browser that is configured for your computer.PLCnext Engineer allows you to access the web-based management (WBM) interface of a device directly from this editor as well as from the Cockpit. The web-based management interface can be used to manage and configure the device from
anywhere in the network using a standard browser.
Note
WBM can only be called for a device which has a valid IP address assigned and which supports the web-based management. |
Further Info
For detailed information on the web-based management and the provided configuration and diagnostic functions, see the user manual of the device. In addition, the help topic "Security Settings of the Controller (via WBM)" provides information. |
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Properties in the table
| Column | Meaning |
| Name of station (Project) | Controller contained in the PLANT.By clicking the arrow icon  in the column header, the IP settings and further properties of the project device become visible:
- IP address
- Subnet mask
- Default gateway
- Type
- Revision
Note
While the controller is connected and available, its IP settings can be modified: Edit the corresponding field and the press <Enter> to confirm the modified data and to write the new setting to the device (shown on online side). |
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| Status | The status icons are described below. |
| Name of station (Online) | Controller that is detected in the connected network.By clicking the arrow icon in the column header, the IP settings and further properties of the online device become visible:
- IP address
- Subnet mask
- Default gateway
- Type
- Revision
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Status Icons
Click here to see the description of the Status icons
The following icons are shown in the 'Status' column of the device table in the 'Online Controllers' editor.
Note
When you position the mouse pointer over an icon, a tooltip shows further information about the current status. |
| Icon | Meaning |
 | Status 'OK'.The project device and the online device are identical. All comparison values of the project and online device match. |
 | Status 'Unassigned: Not in project'.The discovered device is not in the PLCnext Engineer project, i.e., not assigned to a project device. It is only available "online" (online device).To add the device to the project (PLANT), right-click the entry and select 'Add to project' from the context menu or click on the editor's toolbar. |
 | Status 'Unassigned: Not online'.The device is only contained in the PLCnext Engineer project. |
 | Status 'Warning'. (See the icon's tooltip for details.)The project device and the online device are not identical. At least one comparison value of the project and online device does not match. The status is indicated, for example, if the values of the project device and the online device have changed after the last network scan.Remedy: You can transfer the communication settings from the device into the project or vice versa:
or
Note
Project device settings that you modify in the 'Online Controllers'/'Online Devices' editor, such as the 'IP address', 'Subnet mask', 'Default gateway', etc. are immediately written to the online device by entering the value and confirming it with <Enter>. |
Note
If the device settings cannot be synchronized, a corresponding warning is shown in the MESSAGES window. |
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 | Status 'Error'.There is a critical error reported for the device. |
   | Status 'Conflicted'.Status symbols such as the 'OK' and 'Unassigned' statuses may have an exclamation mark overlay. An exclamation mark symbol is displayed on the status symbol if there is a conflict between devices listed in the device list (for example, several devices have the same IP address or the same name of station). |
 | Status 'Outdated'.The settings of the online device are possibly not up to date. This status is for example indicated if a new configuration file with different settings have been downloaded to the device after the last network scan. |
 | Status 'Pending'.A write/read operation, firmware update, etc. is currently in progress. The icon is also shown while an assignment is applied. |
 | Status 'Unknown'.Scanning is in progress and the comparison between project and online device is not yet completed. |
| Status 'Flashing'. After pressing the 'Flashing' button in the editor's toolbar, LEDs are flashing at the device for identification purposes. |