Ethernet Communication

Presentation

The Panel Server uses dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 to manage Ethernet communication and to allow network hosts to communicate with Panel Server. The IP configuration can be:

IPv4
IPv4 and IPv6

The Panel Server supports the following protocols on Ethernet:

Modbus TCP/IP: Modbus TCP/IP is a protocol which provides client/server communication between devices over an Ethernet connection. Modbus TCP/IP is used to exchange data through the TCP port that has been configured (port 502 by default).
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS): HTTPS is a variant of the standard web transfer protocol (HTTP) that adds a layer of security on the data in transit through a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol connection. HTTPS enables encrypted communication and helps to secure connection between a remote user and the Panel Server.
Devices Profile for Web Services (DPWS): DPWS is a minimal set of implementation constraints that helps to enable secure web service messaging, discovery, description, and events on resource-constrained devices.
Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) Client: SFTP is a variant of the standard file transfer protocol (FTP) that uses secure shell encryption to provide a high level of security for file transfer.
Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP): RSTP is an advanced version of spanning tree protocol (STP), a link layer protocol executed within bridges or switches (Panel Server Universal and Advanced).

The number of Ethernet ports depends on the model:

The Entry model has one Ethernet port.
The Universal and Advanced models have two Ethernet ports. The Ethernet ports can be configured in one of the following modes:
- Switched mode:
  - Both Ethernet ports belong to the same network.
  - An Ethernet switch function is enabled.
  - RSTP can be configured and activated.
- Separated mode:
  - Both Ethernet ports are connected to separate local area networks (LAN).
  - Ports are isolated one from another, that is, neither router nor forwarding packets are enabled from TCP/IP standpoint.
  - Modbus routing can be enabled from port ETH1 to the devices discovered over ETH2 by enabling Modbus TCP/IP server service on ETH1.
  - Modbus routing can be enabled from port ETH2to the devices discovered over ETH1 by enabling Modbus TCP/IP server service on ETH2.
  Modbus TCP/IP server service can be enabled or disabled in the Panel Server webpages at Settings > Network communication > Services.

Availability

The Ethernet communication function is available on Panel Server Entry, Universal, and Advanced.

Single Ethernet Port Configuration (Entry Model)

The Panel Server Entry has only one Ethernet port. For the settings, refer to Setting the Parameters.

Switched Mode Configuration (Universal and Advanced Models)

In switched mode, both Ethernet ports (ETH1, ETH2) share the same settings. The Panel Server has one single unique IP address applied to both Ethernet ports. Devices connected to either Ethernet port belong to the same Ethernet network.

Using two ports simplifies wiring, for example:

One port can be connected to a switch in the local network.
One port can be used to connect a PC for configuration operations or to connect a data collection device locally with an Ethernet port.
Multiple Ethernet devices relying on the embedded hardware switch inside the Panel Server can be daisy-chained. Daisy-chaining allows devices located on either side of the Panel Server to communicate with each other as part of the same network.

NOTE: Ring topology is supported if RSTP is activated.

For more information and a diagram illustrating this architecture, refer to Switched Ethernet Network. For the settings, refer to Setting the Parameters.

Separated Mode Configuration (Universal and Advanced Models)

In separated mode, one IP network is assigned to each Panel Server Ethernet port and each IP network assigns an IP address to the Panel Server. The separated mode is used to segregate downstream Modbus TCP/IP devices connected to ETH2 port from upstream communication systems connected to ETH1 port. There are neither router nor forwarding packets at the network level. Only Modbus routing can be enabled.

The two Ethernet ports have different settings and function independently.

ETH1 port is used for data publishing (to a cloud application or a SCADA system).
Modbus service can be disabled if the upstream system is a cloud application or a web browser to access the Panel Server webpages. Modbus service needs to be enabled if the upstream system is a SCADA or a Building Management System using Modbus TCP/IP communication.
ETH2 port can be used for one of the following purposes:
- Data collection from downstream Modbus TCP/IP devices for publication on ETH1.
- Management by a SCADA system connected to ETH2 port and different from the SCADA system connected to ETH1.
Modbus service needs to be enabled on ETH1 in case of connection to a SCADA system. It is recommended to disable it in case of connection to a cloud application.

For more information and a diagram illustrating this architecture, refer to Separated Ethernet Network. For the settings, refer to Setting the Parameters.

Setting the Parameters

NOTICE
IMPAIRED NETWORK PERFORMANCE Only qualified personnel should modify the Ethernet settings. Perform such modifications only after you have read about and understood the Ethernet settings. Failure to follow these instructions can result in loss of network connectivity

The Ethernet communication function is set as follows:

With EcoStruxure Power Commission software
On the Panel Server webpages, at Settings > Network communication > Ethernet

Depending on the configuration (Ethernet switched mode, Ethernet separated mode, or Wi-Fi infrastructure), the Modbus service can be activated individually at Settings > Network communication > Services.

General Ethernet Settings (Entry Model)

Parameter	Description
ETH1 Ethernet port	Displays Active or Inactive depending on cable connection: Active indicates that an Ethernet cable is connected to the Panel Server Ethernet port. Inactive indicates that no Ethernet cable is connected.

Parameter

Description

ETH1 Ethernet port

Displays Active or Inactive depending on cable connection:

Active indicates that an Ethernet cable is connected to the Panel Server Ethernet port.
Inactive indicates that no Ethernet cable is connected.

General Ethernet Settings (Universal and Advanced Models)

The following table describes the settings available from the webpages.

Parameter	Description
Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)	Indicates if the RSTP protocol in enabled or disabled.
Ethernet mode	Used to select the Ethernet configuration mode: Select Separated to define 2 different IP addresses: one for each Panel Server Ethernet port. The separated mode is configured to segregate downstream Modbus TCP/IP devices connected to ETH2 port from upstream communication systems connected to ETH1 port. Select Switched (default setting) to define one single unique IP address applied to both Ethernet ports ETH1 and ETH2.
ETH1 Ethernet port	Displays Active or Inactive depending on cable connection: Active indicates that an Ethernet cable is connected to the Panel Server Ethernet port. Inactive indicates that no Ethernet cable is connected.
ETH2 Ethernet port	Displays Active or Inactive depending on cable connection: Active indicates that an Ethernet cable is connected to the Panel Server Ethernet port. Inactive indicates that no Ethernet cable is connected.

Port Settings

IP configuration settings are available as follows:

For Entry model : ETH1 port settings
For Universal and Advanced models:
- In the case of separated mode: ETH1 port settings and ETH2 port settings. The settings in the table below are duplicated for ETH2 port settings.
- In the case of switched mode: Switched port settings

Parameter	Description
Interface status	Displays Up or Down: Up: The interface is enabled and ready to send and receive data. Down: The interface is disabled and not ready to send and receive data.
MAC address	Displays the Media Access Control (MAC) address, a unique identifier for each Panel Server port. The MAC address is marked on the Panel Server front face.

Parameter

Description

Interface status

Displays Up or Down:

Up: The interface is enabled and ready to send and receive data.
Down: The interface is disabled and not ready to send and receive data.

MAC address

Displays the Media Access Control (MAC) address, a unique identifier for each Panel Server port.

The MAC address is marked on the Panel Server front face.

IPv6 Settings

The following table describes the settings available from the webpages.

Parameter	Description
IPv6 activation	Used to enable/disable the IPv6 configuration (enabled by default). NOTE: When IPv6 is activated in addition to IPv4 (always enabled), the ports will respond to upstream requests from an edge system on an IPv6 address. NOTE: When IPv6 activation is enabled, the parameters described below are displayed.
IPv6 link-local address	Displays the auto-generated link-local IPv6 address. NOTE: Displayed when the parameter IPv6 activation is enabled.
IPv6 assignment mode	Used to select the IPv6 assignment mode: Select Auto (default setting) to obtain IPv6 parameters automatically (DHCP or SLAAC). Select Static to enter the IPv6 address manually.
IPv6 address	Used to enter the static IP address of the Panel Server when the parameter IPv6 assignment mode is set to Static. You can enter a unique local address, or a global address. Displays the IP address automatically obtained when IPv6 assignment mode is set to Auto.
IPv6 prefix length	Used to enter the IPv6 address prefix length as an integer between 1 and 128 when the parameter IPv6 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the IPv6 address prefix length as an integer between 1 and 128 when the parameter IPv6 assignment mode is set to Auto.
IPv6 gateway	The parameter is displayed only for ETH1 port settings and Switched port settings. Used to enter manually the gateway (router) IP address when the parameter IPv6 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the IPv6 gateway address automatically obtained when IPv6 assignment mode is set to Auto.

NOTE: When IPv6 assignment mode is set to Auto, the parameters initially display No data at IPv6 address and IPv6 gateway, and 0 at IPv6 prefix length.
When the IPv6 address is generated, IPv6 gateway displays a gateway address if one is provided by the upstream gateway (usually a router). If no gateway address is provided by the upstream gateway, No data remains displayed at IPv6 gateway.

IPv4 Settings

The following table describes the settings available from the webpages.

Parameter	Description
IPv4 assignment mode	Used to select the IPv4 assignment mode: Select DHCP (default setting) to obtain IPv4 parameters automatically. Select Static to enter the IPv4 address manually.
IPv4 address	Used to enter the static IP address of the Panel Server when the parameter IPv4 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the IP address automatically obtained when IPv4 assignment mode is set to DHCP.
IPv4 netmask	Used to enter the Ethernet IP netmask address of your network when the parameter IPv4 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the IPv4 netmask automatically obtained when IPv4 assignment mode is set to DHCP.
IPv4 gateway assignment mode	The gateway configuration is the same as the IPv4 assignment mode setting and is not editable: DHCP (default setting) Static
IPv4 gateway	The parameter is displayed only for ETH1 port settings and Switched port settings. Used to enter manually the gateway (router) IP address when the parameter IPv4 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the gateway address automatically when IPv4 assignment mode is set to DHCP.