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Network Setup
Here are two of the many methods for connecting a NetLinc to the TotalVu PC.
General Network
This method uses the facility network as the medium for connecting the NetLinc to the TotalVu
PC.
Using the facility network provides these benefits: (1) A NetLinc may be connected to any
network switch available within the plant as long as it is on the same
subnet
as the TotalVu PC.
(2) The TotalVu PC's network card does not need to be configured with a static IP. The PC can
automatically get its IP address by DHCP. This IP address must be determined and copied into
the TotalVu configuration.
Drawbacks include: (1) Because the IP address must be reserved to prevent another device from
using it, you must acquire the address from a network administrator. (2) Using a larger network
provides more chances for configuration problems, IP address conflicts, and possible data
restrictions due to router or firewall configuration.
Setup
1. Connect the TotalVu PC to the network.
2. Connect the NetLinc to the network.
3. Ask the Network Admin for an IP address for the NetLinc.
Crossover Direct
This method physically connects the NetLinc to the PC by connecting one end of a network
cable to the NetLinc and the other end to the PC. If multiple NetLincs are desired, an
Ethernet
switch
(not a router) may be used to combine multiple scanners on one network cable connection
to the PC.
The crossover direct method provides these benefits: (1) Because the network is private from
scanner to PC, the IP address does not need to be reserved by a Network Administrator. (2)
Variations in plant networks have no effect on the configuration. (3) Because the connection is
point-to-point, fewer packets will be lost and the connection is more reliable. (4) The IP address
of the PC is known ahead of time, which allows the system to be preconfigured.
Drawbacks include: (1) A direct connection requires a dedicated Ethernet card on the PC, which
usually means multiple Ethernet interfaces. This can cause confusion among users, who may
switch the Ethernet cables for the plant network and NetLinc. (2) Long cables could be needed,
depending on distance to the NetLinc. (3) The TotalVu PC needs custom configuration on the
dedicated network card.
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