Ethernet Communication
Presentation
The Panel Server supports the following applicative protocols on Ethernet:
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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 Entry model has one Ethernet port.
The Universal and Advanced models have two Ethernet ports. The Ethernet ports can be configured in two modes:
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Switched mode:
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Both Ethernet ports belong to the same network.
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An Ethernet switch function is enabled.
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RSTP can be configured and activated.
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Separated mode:
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Both Ethernet ports are connected to separate local area networks (LAN).
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Ports are isolated one from another, that is, neither router nor forwarding packets are enabled from TCP/IP standpoint.
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Modbus routing can be enabled from port ETH1 to ETH2 by enabling Modbus service on ETH1.
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Modbus routing can be enabled from port ETH2 to ETH1 by enabling Modbus service on ETH2.
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Availability
The Ethernet communication function is available on Panel Server Entry, Universal, and Advanced.
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:
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One port can be connected to a switch in the local network.
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One port can be used to connect a PC for configuration operations or to connect a data collection device locally with an Ethernet port.
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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.
The following diagram illustrates a daisy-chain architecture with Ethernet port configuration in switched mode. Both Ethernet ports are connected to each other using the Panel Server internal Ethernet switch. This enables devices located upstream or downstream from the Panel Server to communicate with each other as part of the same network.
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Panel Server
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Edge monitoring and supervision software (for example, EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert or EcoStruxure Power Operation) or EcoStruxure cloud services (for example, EcoStruxure Resource Advisor)
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Wired devices
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Wireless devices
IP communication area where ports ETH1 and ETH2 belong to the
same IP network.
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 is the port used for data publishing to a cloud application or a SCADA system. This port can be configured in DHCP client or static IPv4 address. 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 is the port used for data collection to connect downstream Modbus TCP/IP devices for either data collection to a cloud application connected to ETH1or management by a SCADA system connected to ETH1. This port can be configured in DHCP client or static IPv4 address. 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.
The following diagram illustrates an architecture with
Ethernet port configuration in separated mode.
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Panel Server
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Edge monitoring and supervision software like EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert or EcoStruxure Power Operation or EcoStruxure cloud services like EcoStruxure Asset Advisor and EcoStruxure Resource Advisor
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Wired devices
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Wireless devices
IP communication area accessible from ETH1 port
IP communication area accessible from ETH2 port
Setting the Parameters
| NOTICE |
|---|
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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 equipment damage.
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The Ethernet communication function is set as follows:
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With EcoStruxure Power Commission software
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On the Panel Server webpages, at
Ethernet Settings (Universal and Advanced Models)
The following table describes the settings and where they are available.
| Parameter | Description | EPC software | Webpages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet port configuration | Used to select the
Ethernet configuration mode:
|
✔ | ✔ |
IP Configuration Settings
IP configuration settings are available as follows:
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For Entry model : ETH1 port settings
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For Universal and Advanced models:
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In the case of separated mode: ETH1 port settings and ETH2 port settings
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In the case of switched mode: Switched port settings
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| Parameter | Description | EPC software | Webpages |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Interface status |
NOTE: Setting not editable.
|
✔ | ✔ |
|
MAC address |
The Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique identifier for each Panel Server port. The MAC address is marked on the Panel Server front face nose. NOTE: Setting not editable.
|
✔ | ✔ |
|
IPv6 activation |
Used to enable/disable the IPv6 configuration (enabled by default). @experts: validate the following
Note. Is the terminology correct?
NOTE: When both IPv4
and IPv6 are activated, the ports will respond to upstream requests
from an edge system on either IPv4 or IPv6 addresses.
|
– | ✔ |
|
IPv6 address |
Shows the IPv6 address. Setting not editable. NOTE: Displayed when the parameter IPv6 activation is enabled.
|
✔ | ✔ |
IPv4 Settings
The following table describes the settings and where they are available.
| Parameter | Description | EPC software | Webpages |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Assignment mode |
Used to select the IPv4 assignment mode:
|
✔ | ✔ |
|
IPv4 address |
Used to enter the static IP address of the Panel Server when the parameter Assignment mode is set to Static. |
✔ | ✔ |
|
Netmask |
Used to enter the Ethernet IP netmask address of your network when the parameter Assignment mode is set to Static. |
✔ | ✔ |
Gateway Settings
The following table describes the settings and where they are available.
| Parameter | Description | EPC software | Webpages |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Assignment mode |
The gateway configuration is the same as the IPv4 Configuration mode settings and not editable:
NOTE: The gateway embeds a DHCP client that receives the
IP configuration from the DHCP server.
|
✔ | ✔ |
|
Gateway |
Used to enter manually the gateway (router) IP address when the parameter is set to Static. |
✔ | ✔ |