Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

Really should be called Sending Modbus inside Ethernet using TCP/IP TCP/IP Protocols are not used by themselves but,

Usually Included within Ethernet HTTP and

other Protocols

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Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

TCP/IP Route and Guarantee Delivery of the

Packets.

The TCP and IP protocols act as though it was just

another Ethernet Packet.

The Modbus Packet just goes along for the Ride.

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Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

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Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

Once the Modbus packet is placed inside the

Ethernet frame, it is sent over the Ethernet bus as a standard CSMA/CD Packet.

The PC and the RTUs think and act as if the

system was a Master / Slave.

The Ethernet system effectively becomes a

common carrier for the Modbus Packet.

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Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

Analogy
The Ethernet packet can be thought of a flatbed truck with the Modbus packet as the load and TCP/IP as the navigation and guaranteed delivery system.

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Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

Problems

The Timing of Ethernet is not Guaranteed. CSMA/CD can not Prioritize Traffic Ethernet can Crash.

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Problems With Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

The Timing of Ethernet is not Guaranteed.

This means that if exact or defined timing is

required for the process that is being controlled

The system may have timing problems The system may not be reliable The system may not work at all
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Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

Because a CSMA/CD system can not prioritize traffic

Processes that depend on the communications

system to operate may not happen when needed.

Other traffic may delay transfer of needed data. Alarms may be delayed

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Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

Ethernet can Crash.

If traffic gets too high the Ethernet system can

get become overloaded and fail.

This can happen if multiple alarm happen at the

same time.

It also can be caused by an unrelated user

loading down the system.

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Sending Modbus Under TCP/IP

Troubleshooting

Verify setup of TCP/IP Check timing with a Diagnostic software package Check collision levels Check traffic levels

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