Issue
The Modbus IP X Driver can operate in 2 modes Client & Server, can it poll multiple servers in "Client mode", or serve to multiple clients in "Server mode"?
Environment
Modbus TCP/IP X Driver
XDriver IP X-Driver, X Driver, Client Server
Cause
Clarification required on the functionality of Modbus IP interfaces.
Resolution
A Continuum controller can only support 1 IP level X Driver.
The Modbus IP X Driver can be configured in Client or Server mode but not both (that would require 2 Controllers)
- In Server mode the Modbus IP X Driver can serve data out to multiple clients on the same network.
- In Client mode the Continuum Modbus IP X Driver can co-exist with another IP Modbus client on the same network/ device. It can also poll multiple servers.
- When polling a 3rd party Modbus IP Server that can also be polled from a second Modbus IP Client, you will need to determine from the supplier if it supports multiple simultaneous sessions.
In both Client and Server configurations the number of different sockets (different IP addresses it can talk to) is dependent on the controller used.
- A bCX1 has a total of 128 IP sockets, but a number of these are used by the regular workstation comms, others can be used for add on options like SNMP alarming, so I would not recommend on communicating with more than around 80 different devices from 1 controller.
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Currently the NCII only has around 30 available sockets (although this is planned to be increased in a future firmware revision).