How to Connect to Acromag Ethernet I/O Devices – 8500815

Getting Connected to Acromag Ethernet I/O Devices

These instructions summarize the basic steps you will have to take in order to initially connect an Acromag Ethernet I/O product to your Personal Computer (PC) or laptop.

To connect an Ethernet device to your PC, consult with your network administrator. Either temporarily change the TCP/IP configuration of your existing network adapter (see TCP/IP Properties of Network Configuration in Windows); or create a separate private network using a second network adapter installed in your PC (recommended). The necessary steps to accomplish this will vary with your operating system, but are outlined below for Windows® based computers.

NOTE: You must have a PC with at least one Network Interface Card (NIC) installed.

• IP Address 128.1.1.100 is the default factory IP address setting of all Acromag Ethernet I/O devices. It is also the address that Acromag devices assume when placed in their default communication mode.
• You must set the IP address of your network interface to an address of 128.1.1.x, where x is any integer from 1 to 254, except 100, in order to initially communicate with Acromag Ethernet I/O products.

If your PC is already connected to a network, it’s preferable to install a second Network Interface Card (NIC). If you connect to your own network via a wireless connection, then you probably have an unused NIC connection on your PC. You can use that to connect to the Acromag product. Either scenario will allow you to maintain uninterrupted connection with your own network; while creating a separate private network for communicating directly with your Acromag Ethernet product. If you only have one NIC installed and no wireless adapter; then you’ll temporarily lose connection with your own network when changing the IP address of your adapter, to an address within the default address domain of the Acromag device.

Why can’t you initially connect the Acromag product directly to your own network?

Every Ethernet network device (including the NIC installed in your PC) must have its own unique IP address. This is to differentiate itself from the other devices on the network. The IP address not only identifies the device on the network; it also determines which other devices may communicate with it. Acromag Ethernet devices have a default IP address setting; defining an address domain that is likely outside of your own. This will prevent you from simply connecting our device to your network to begin communicating with it. However, once you establish initial communication, you can change the units IP address setting to a value compatible with your network.

Acromag devices use a default IP address of 128.1.1.100 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. This setting is also used for Acromag devices sent to their default communication mode. These settings define a Class C sub network address for the device; and only IP addresses with a prefix of “128.1.1” and a suffix from 1 to 254, except 100, can communicate with it. After establishing initial communication with an Acromag device, it’s easy to change its IP address setting to something compatible with your network.

 

Download PDF for complete instructions.

 

Learn more: What is Ethernet/IP?