Connecting the same Modicon TSX 57 Premium PLC to 2 PC's via TCP/IP

[bhavnagr]

dera sir i am from india used plc  sela

tsx modicon premimum

1 set sela

working

[triniguy]

Hi All,

How can we connect the same Modicon TSX 57 Premium PLC to TWO (2) PC's on the ethernet network running PL7 PRO  
software and the same PLC Program? Although both PC's have different IP addresses, we keep getting the error message " ..the PLC is already reserved by another entity".

Thanks for all your help.

Anthony

[unclebump]

Only one computer can be online and running with the plc making programming changes. You can never have two devices attached at one time to do programming. The second computer can read plc data with an opc server or an hmi program, but not do programming.

We use MASS Autosave from MDT software to sync/deliver our plc programs to multiple computers.

[triniguy]

Thanks for your reply. No programming is involved as we just want both PC's to read AND control the program via PL7 Pro. Can't this be done via PL7 Pro alone? 

Thanks!

[unclebump]

I guess you need to define control with pl7 pro better, I'm not following your intent. I think of pl7 pro as only programming software. There is some hmi type features, but we don't use it that way, and I would think you need to be connected to the plc to use it. If you mean to program, from two different locations, you will have issues with keeping the file synced between the two computers. You need to have the exact file to go online with the plc. Otherwise you have to download each time to get connected, and you might loose labels when you do that.

[triniguy]

We use PL7 Pro as both the HMI and programming tool. The HMI aspect is primarly used to monitor tank levels, control (on/off) pumps, blowers, turn actuators/valves etc.  The current PC is connected to the PLC via the Ethernet network..XIP drivers

[unclebump]

I would say probably not, since the HMI feature is inside the pl7 program. I think you would need to be online from two different places, and I don't think that will work. You could use the labview DSC application/opc server program or a magelis hmi unit to read plc data and act like an hmi unit. Could you put some sort of pcanywhere or vnc server software on the 2nd computer?? Then use that to take over the 1st computer and access pl7 remotely?

[triniguy]

I guess we may have to work with one PC/HMI as both PC's were suposed to be at the same location in the Process Control Room. The second machine was supposed to act like the backup in case the primary unit breaks down. Since both machine cannot access the PLC simultaenously, then the backup will be powered off until needed. Not ideal, but workable... Thanks!

[unclebump]

You still  have to deal with the backup of the plc program. If the hard drive dies on the first computer, and the second one has been powered down for months. Where will the current plc file be located??

[triniguy]

When the backup machine connects to the PLC, it simply reads all the current status of tank height levels, valve and actuator status etc. and continues the operations. Nothing that can be considered "mission critical" like manufacturing operations. It is a water utility company and when the SCADA goes down, everything can be operated the hard way...MANUAL