Ethernet Configuration Overview; Autoconfiguration - GE VersaMax PLC User Manual

6.1 Ethernet Configuration Overview

82 GFK-1503E
For public disclosure
The Ethernet configuration for CPU module IC200CPUE05 includes:
• Configuring the characteristics of the Ethernet interface. This is part of the CPU
configuration.
• Configuring Ethernet Global Data. This is reached via the rack operations
configuration.
• (Optional, not required for most systems). Configuring advanced parameters. This
requires creating a separate ASCII parameter file that is stored to the PLC with the
hardware configuration.
• (Optional, not required for most systems). Setting up Port 1 for Local Station
Manager operation. This is part of the basic CPU configuration as described in
chapter 5. Note that Local Station Manager parameters are configured independently
of the Port 1 parameters.
After the configuration is completed and stored to the PLC, it is maintained in memory by
the PLC CPU. The configuration may be saved into and retrieved from Flash memory,
which provides nearly permanent backup of the configuration data across loss of power
and battery backup. Every time CPUE05 is powered up or has its configuration changed
or cleared, it delivers the Ethernet configuration data back to the Ethernet interface.
The Ethernet interface portion of CPUE05 saves its configuration data in battery-backed
memory. If the CPU battery backup is lost and the configuration has not been saved to
Flash, the Ethernet interface loses its backup configuration data. If that happens, after
powerup the Ethernet interface operates with its factory default settings until it is
reconfigured. This default operation includes reverting to an IP address of 0.0.0.0.
Because the backup Ethernet configuration data is actually stored by the Ethernet
interface portion of CPUE05, it is not affected by a PLC Clear Configuration operation.
When the PLC Configuration is cleared, the CPU operates in Autoconfiguration mode, as
described below.

6.1.1 Autoconfiguration

If the PLC CPU has not had a configuration stored from the programmer, it automatically
creates its own configuration at powerup. To create the Autoconfiguration, the CPU reads
configuration data from each module and from the Ethernet interface. This includes an
Advanced User Parameter file for the Ethernet interface. When an Autoconfiguration is
present in the PLC CPU, it is possible to edit some of the Ethernet configuration
parameters from the Station Manager. This changes the parameters that are stored in the
Ethernet interface itself. If the PLC is power-cycled or cleared, the edited configuration
will be retrieved by the CPU from the Ethernet interface.
VersaMax PLC User Manual