Allen-Bradley Network Manager Software (Cat. No.
Important User Information Because of the variety of uses for the products described in this publication, those responsible for the application and use of this control equipment must satisfy themselves that all necessary steps have been taken to assure that each application and use meets all performance and safety requirements, including any applicable laws, regulations, codes and standards.
Table of Contents Bulletin 2708 Network Manager Software A–B Introduction Chapter 1 What is NM? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connections and Parameters Chapter 2 The Menus Chapter 3 Physical Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Workstation Master – COM1 Parameters . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents Bulletin 2708 Network Manager Software Overview of Capture Field Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Change Configuration / Menu Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Change Configuration / Site List Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Change Configuration / Modem Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Change Configuration / Save Changes . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents Bulletin 2708 Network Manager Software Advanced Topic Chapter 5 Customizing NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Files In Workstations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Downloading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Services / File / chain download . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Directory Of Workstations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter A–B 1 Introduction What is NM? NM is an acronym for Network Manager Software (Catalog No. 2708–NNM). The program runs on a PC compatible computer, and provides network management and data collection for a network of workstations. The latest version, NM V5.0, provides instant help, menu driven configuration files, file lookup services, a transport layer protocol, and program development aids. NM is highly configurable, allowing it to be used in a wide variety of applications.
Chapter 1 Introduction Installation (cont’d) If you want to take full advantage of the programming aids, NM must have access to both LXB.EXE (the A-B VBASIC compiler) and the Visual BASIC (VB) library directory. In order to find LXB, it should either be copied to the NM directory or you should add SET LXB = C: \ LIB \ or another valid pathname in your AUTOEXEC.BAT so that NM can find it. Also you may have to add: LIB = C: \ VB \ or the correct path to the QB45 library directory.
Chapter A–B 2 Connections and Parameters Physical Connections You only need to read this section if you have not connected the host PC to the master workstation. The master workstation’s COMl or COM2 port must be connected to an unused COM port of the host PC. For most PCs, this is an RS–232 port and requires a workstation with an RS–232 COM1 port (Catalog No. 2708–DH5B2L).
Chapter 2 Connections and Parameters Starting NM NM is executed by typing ‘NM’ at the DOS prompt. If the file NM. EXE is not in the current directory, it must be in a directory included in the last DOS PATH command. NM will immediately attempt to communicate with the master workstation. This is acceptable if the host communication parameters are set correctly, but if they are not then press to bypass the initial communications.
Chapter 2 Connections and Parameters Verifying Correct Operation From the Main Menu press /‘R’ to Reset the Network. Then press /‘N’ to see the Network Status. The column Status should show workstations coming on–line or already on–line. If this is not the case, verify that all the steps in the chapter have been done correctly.
Chapter A–B 3 The Menus The Main Menus Once NM. EXE is executed, NM will try to communicate with the Master workstation. If it is unsuccessful, the bottom of the screen will show the retry count. The key can be pressed to bypass the initial communications thus allowing the Main Menu to be displayed. The Main Menu should appear on the left half of the screen. It consists of the most commonly used functions and allows access to the other menus. The Main Menu should look something like the following.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) This is the menu hierarchy: 1.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) F1 – Help Pressing or from the Main Menu will replace the screen with the Help screen. The first page of Help briefly describes NM. The second page describes the layout of the Main Menu and Network Activity Statistics screen (the screen that you see when NM is first started). The third page is general information about using NM. Pressing again will cause the Help Index to be displayed. Using the arrow keys various subjects can be highlighted.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) F4 – Program Download The workstations do not have a program loaded when shipped from the factory. Without a program loaded, the workstations will not be very useful. The Program Download command will prompt the user for the name of the program to download. If no path is given, NM will expect to find the program in the ‘Program File Directory’ which is specified in the Supervisor Menu / Change Configuration / File/Data Capture / Directory/File Names menu.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) F7 – Supervisor Menu The Supervisor Menu is used to configure NM for a specific site and is used for occasional maintenance. The Supervisor Menu will look something like this: DH5 Network Manager V5.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) DH5 Network Manager V5.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) Begin a Loaded Program Programs that are loaded into a workstation that have terminated or been terminated can be restarted with this command. If you choose to start a program that resides in the workstation’s file memory, as opposed to the program currently in the program memory (the default program) you must enter the programs name and press . To start the program that is in the workstation’s program memory, simply press to this query.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) Use F10 when you are finished editing the form. The ‘Terminal number of the master/sub–master’ and the ‘Terminal number of this station’ are used by NM to address this station. All the units on the backbone (the master, the concentrators, the sub–masters, and the normal terminals which are connected to the master directly) will reflect the number of the Master workstation in the top query.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) The Supervisor Menu contains information about the network that is critical or may not be easily replaced. If this is the case, then adding a password to the Supervisor Menu may be desired. Just make sure that you have the password written down somewhere if you do not use the Supervisor Menu often. ‘The Name of this Program’ field is used by NM when it displays its name at the top of the screen.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) DH5 Network Manager V5.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) One of the fields disables the echo of the program download. Another option causes the time to be set in all the workstations every time NM is executed. NM can be setup to terminate execution after all the data has collected from the network. Some networks may have interconnections in the form of modems. For such systems, NM can activate modems and dial out to retrieve data over the phone lines. This mode is disabled by default.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) Change Configuration / File/Data Capture / Directory / File Names This menu tells NM the names of the default programs to download, the name of the editor being used, and the various file directories if other than the current directory. DH5 Network Manager V5.0 Mar 06, 1991 01:30:57 pm Directories and File Names Default A-B VBASIC file to download : DEFAULT.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) Programmers may wish to precede their data with a character that specifies the type of data. This character would be used by NM to determine which file to put this data in. An example would be a network in which two applications were occurring. Half the workstations do time and attendance and the other half are used for inventory control. All the data from both applications comes into the Master workstation and is sent to the host which is running NM.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) The next three entries can be toggled to YES/NO by pressing the space bar. The ‘Date/time stamp’ entry asks if you want each record stamped with the date and time. The ‘Decode record headings’ entry asks if you want the 10 digit header changed from the original form of 0101000200 to the format of 01–01. The last entry for this field asks if you will be using a network with the PCs.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) The character following the title in the ‘Entry Name’ is given a more bold appearance and is the key that invokes the command. The ‘Entry Function’ is a field that can be toggled by the . The DOS command name is useful if the command is a system type command performed at the DOS prompt. A prompt for parameters can be added which occurs when the command is activated. Change Configuration / Site List Editing Version 5.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) F8 – File Services Menu The File Services Menu is used for downloading programs, downloading chained programs, doing a directory of workstation file memory, editing programs, compiling A-B VBASIC programs and common DOS commands. The menu should appear as follows: DH5 Network Manager V5.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) File Services / File / Chain Download Data being downloaded to a workstation destined to reside in file memory as a file needs to be downloaded using this command. Specify the name of the file to be downloaded and number of the workstation that it is destined for. Any program that is to be CHAINED to later on must also be downloaded using this option.
Chapter 3 The Menus The Main Menus (cont’d) File Services / Compile a BASIC File This command will prompt the operator to enter the name of the A-B VBASIC program to be compiled. If any errors are encountered you will be given an option to view them. Otherwise, no messages are generated. This operation creates an A-B VBASIC file (.LXE) that can be downloaded to a workstation.
Chapter A–B 4 The Basics Getting NM to Recognize the Network NM is a program designed specifically for collecting data from and managing a network of DH5 Attended Workstations. One of the main concerns for data collection programs is recognizing when a problem has occurred in the network and being able to report it to the operator. For this reason, NM requires information about all the workstations in the network. Several things need to take place before NM can recognize a network.
Chapter 4 The Basics Getting NM to Recognize the Network (cont’d) Resetting The Network When NM resets the network, it simply sends a command to all the workstations in the network that have a roll in polling other workstations. This command causes these workstations to immediately update their list of online workstations and report it back to the host. Determining Network Status Network Status is readily available from the Network Status menu /‘N’.
Chapter 4 The Basics Getting NM to Recognize the Network (cont’d) Command Line Options At the DOS prompt, NM is started by typing ‘NM’. However there are some parameters that can added to the command which tell NM the name of the file to download to the network and also tell NM how to behave.
Chapter 4 The Basics Starting Up NM To start NM simply type NM at the DOS prompt and press enter. If this fails to start NM then type CD path, (where path is the path to the NM directory) and press enter, now type NM and press enter. Depending on the setup of NM the program should now show “Normal Polling in Progress” on the network status window located at the right half of the display.
Chapter 4 The Basics Starting Up NM (cont’d) After allowing NM to collect data for awhile and you would now like to manipulate the data retrieved, simply keep hitting until you are at the main menu then press /‘X’ to exit the program. If any data is remaining in the workstations it will be placed in a que for future transmission to NM. You can now manipulate the data retrieved in any way necessary. Another Way To Collect The Data When starting NM use the following syntax NM /X.
Chapter A–B 5 Advanced Topic Customizing NM NM is the workstation’s primary data collection tool. It was designed to be used in many different situations. Everything ranging from simple data collection to tasks that require data verification. Another feature designed into NM is the ability to be customized. This customization takes two forms. First of all, NM can be re–titled. And secondly, NM can be re–arranged to better fit the application.
Chapter 5 Advanced Topic Customizing NM (cont’d) The screen should appear similar to the following: DH5 Network Manager V5.0 Mar 06, 1991 01:14:17 pm Menu Entry Editing Form Entry name : Entry Function : Exit current menu Dos command name Prompt for parameters Default parameters Pause after execution : : : : No Menu : Main Menu The ‘Entry name’ field is the text that is displayed beside the in the Main Menu.
Chapter 5 Advanced Topic Customizing NM (cont’d) Files In Workstations Files in workstations are either data or CHAIN modules. Data can be pretty much anything, but CHAIN modules are A-B VBASIC programs in their LXE format. In either case, files can be downloaded by selecting the File Services / File/chain download command. NM will ask for the name of the file to download and the station number of the workstation to download. Workstations must abort their programs to be able to receive –files.
Chapter 5 Advanced Topic Customizing NM (cont’d) File Directory Of Workstations File Services / Directory listing To get a listing of the files that are in a particular workstation you choose the File Services option from the Main Menu /‘F’. Then choose the Directory listing option from the File Services menu /‘D’. You will then be prompted for either a filespec or a workstation number. If you in a filespec, such as c: \ lNM \*.
Chapter 5 Advanced Topic Customizing NM (cont’d) Downloading Chained Executables File Services / File/chain download By loading a compiled program (.LXE), in file memory this file can then be ‘CHAINed’ to as if it were a separate program, however there is no support for preserving variable values between CHAINing programs. Therefore any variable values that are to be maintained across a CHAIN must be saved in a file that can then be accessed by the CHAINed to program.
Chapter 5 Advanced Topic Customizing NM (cont’d) Editing A-B VBASIC Programs Supervisor Menu / Change Configuration / File Data Capture / Directory and File Names To make sure that NM has been configured to allow editing of files, go to the Directory and File Names menu. If the name of the editor is E (the default name), then type in the name of the file editor you’d like to use and press . Press twice then press /‘S’ to save the changes.
Rockwell Automation helps its customers receive a superior return on their investment by bringing together leading brands in industrial automation, creating a broad spectrum of easy-to-integrate products. These are supported by local technical resources available worldwide, a global network of system solutions providers, and the advanced technology resources of Rockwell. Worldwide representation.
Rockwell Automation helps its customers receive a superior return on their investment by bringing together leading brands in industrial automation, creating a broad spectrum of easy-to-integrate products. These are supported by local technical resources available worldwide, a global network of system solutions providers, and the advanced technology resources of Rockwell. Worldwide representation.
