Assign a static IP to click plus PLC
easily. You know the drill. Another
project, another piece of hardware. This
time it was a click plus PLC. We had
previously assembled the hardware using
the Automation Direct website to ensure
that all of the components were
accounted for. Before it could
orchestrate a single solenoid or read an
encoder pulse, it needed an identity on
the network. Without a proper IP
address, it was just a rather expensive
paper weight. So, I prepped my battle
station. The laptop was open. The
familiar click PLC software was already
loaded and a hot mug of coffee was at
hand. Let's get this done. Detailed
information contained in this video can
be found at acccca.ca.
A link has been put in the description
below. If you haven't watched the other
videos yet, links in the description
below will direct you to video one.
There will also be links to the
remaining videos in this series.
The IP configuration protocol, a
practical guide.
Step one, initial linkup.
First order of business, a direct shot.
I ran a standard Ethernet cable straight
from my router to the Click Plus PLC.
Port one of the Click PLC defaults to
DHCP. Dynamic host configuration
protocol. Automates the assignment of IP
addresses and other network
configuration parameters to devices on
the network. It's the simplest way to
establish that initial communication,
especially with a factory default
device.
Step two, discovery and access.
Fired up the Click Plus programming
software. The startup window
automatically displays.
The software feels intuitive. It knows
that when I start this software, we will
do one of three things. Start a new
project, open an existing project, or
connect to the PLC. Select connect to
PLC. The connect toclick PLC window will
be displayed. This displays the PLC name
that we assigned previously. The
software automatically initiated a
network scan. Within seconds, the PLC's
default IP address, typically in the 192
168.1x range, such as 192.168.1.26,
populated the list. Confirmation of
physical connectivity achieved. We also
see the firmware and physical MAC
address of the controller. IP addresses
come in different classes.
The standard default class is C.
The subnet mask is an essential setting
on the network. All devices must have
the same mask setting to communicate.
Let's make sure we write this down to
ensure that the class and subnet mask
for our static fixed IP address will
work. Select connect to establish
communication with our click plus PLC.
Select read the project from the PLC
from the connect dialogue window.
Select. Okay.
We can see that we are connected to the
PLC along the bottom status bar of the
Click PLC programming software. We are
currently in run mode and our previously
created quick sample program is running.
[Music]
Step three, assigning a static IP. The
network identity.
Now for the main part, establishing a
static IP address, relying on DHCP in an
industrial control environment is asking
for trouble down the line. Network
administrators can sometimes use
reserved IP addresses based on the MAC
address of the device. I like to set
this to a static IP address anyway. On
the default home tab, select compport
setup under the CPU icon. This
communication port setup window gives me
the entire list of communication
options. Select port one setup. This is
the Ethernet port with which we are
currently communicating as indicated on
the bottom status line of the click PLC
programming software. The compport setup
details window is now displayed. Wow,
this is very easy.
Under the port, I can select any of the
communication ports to set up. Let's
enter the network parameters for port 1
IP address. I punched in 192.1168.1130.
This was chosen to fit neatly within the
existing plant network's designated
subnet for automation devices avoiding
any potential conflicts. Subnet mask
standard 255.255.255.0.
This defines the local network segment.
Gateway IP address 192 to 16811.
This is the network's router or layer 3
switch allowing the PLC to communicate
beyond its immediate subnet if
necessary, EEG, to an HMI on a different
segment or a Scattera server.
DNS server address 8.8.8.8.
This domain name server address will
translate names into IP addresses. An
example is accustomation.ca.
Alternative DNS server address 8.8
8.4.4. This can improve browsing speed
and enhance security. I double check the
entries. Looks solid. Select okay.
Step four, committing the configuration.
With the network parameters confirmed, I
clicked write project on the home tab.
The software initiated the transfer,
writing the new IP configuration
directly to the PLC's nonvolatile
memory. The software automatically
recognizes that we need to save the
program under the same name we used last
time. Select save.
The select network settings window will
now be displayed as we have changed the
settings. We can verify these settings
again and then select use project file
settings.
The right project into PLC window will
be displayed. Select okay. We are
executing a runtime edit. This means
that the PLC continues to run the
program while the new program is being
loaded. It then starts executing the new
loaded program. This is done without
pausing the PLC scan. Select proceed
runtime edit.
A transfer completed will appear in the
output window. Good. If you are enjoying
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Since changing the network settings that
we were already using for communication,
the software will error and return an
offline status.
A warning message will be displayed
indicating that the programming session
to the PLC was disconnected. We can
choose to work offline or select
reconnect.
Select reconnect.
Step five, verifying connectivity.
Our connect to click PLC window will be
displayed again. Wow, this programming
software is very intuitive.
We can see our new set IP address.
Select connect
in the click software. I return to
setup.com port setup.
This time instead of port one, I
selected the WLAN setup. The wireless
local area network ports are displayed
in the compport setup details window.
Select the enable wireless LAN option.
This allows us to enter the static IP
address of 192.168.1.230.
Now I quickly enter the SSID name of a
Wi-Fi network that will enable devices
to connect to it along with the
password.
[Music]
Once again, we save and then transfer
the program to the Click Plus PLC. Our
WLAN light on the Click Plus CPU comes
to life.
We are currently connected through port
one. I select the disconnect option on
the home tab. Selecting yes when asked
if I want to disconnect from the PLC now
shows our bottom line status as offline.
Selecting connect again will bring up
the connect to click PLC. This time we
can now see our two options for
connection.
Select our Wi-Fi option and then select
connect. Our bottom status line will
show our new connection. Success. The
PLC was now officially an integrated
component of the network ready for
programming and operational deployment.
This foundational step, while seemingly
simple, is absolutely critical.
Get the IP right and the rest of the
integration flows smoothly. Get it wrong
and you'll be troubleshooting network
issues before you even write your first
rung of logic. Onto the next phase.
Learn more about how to design, build,
and program your own click PLC system
with confidence by clicking here. Click
here to see how you can learn PLC
programming using the machine simulator
by Nerkch. This will provide machine
scenes that you can program.
[Music]