Extend ControlLogix Connectivity

The server enables users to expand their existing control systems to incorporate more advanced supervisory HMI or production and performance management functions with minimal impact to existing operations, says the vendor. Version 3.0 extends the ability to connect to ControlLogix and other Logix-family PLCs by fully utilizing Allen-Bradley’s ControlLogix gateway functionality. The ABCIP DA Server removes the dependencies on RSLinx middleware for connectivity to Allen-Bradley PLCs. The Server operates normally with scan-based message handling and manages unsolicited messages. Once a PLC has determined that a critical condition exists, it can generate a message and immediately send it to the DA Server without a prior request. The ABCIP DA Server 3.0 uses the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) standard to communicate with all of the Allen-Bradley Logix families.