Toolkit and Bridges.

If I have two networks, a Bridge and Units on both networks, can I configure the units on both networks with a PCI through the bridge or does the PCI have to be moved and connected to network with the units to be configured.

Or use plan B two PCIs one on each side of the bridge.


tks

dave

 

The recommended method is to leave your PC Interface connected to the same network always and program all units on all networks from there.

 

Newman
So with the PCI conected on the "Local" network to program the "Adjacent" network units I should be able to "Open the Adjacent" network and see the units ???.

If not then must have the bridge configured wrong, see pic
dave

 

That's quite clever. To get it set up that way you need to get a few different things wrong. Let's fix it up.

Firstly, I suggest you read the help section in Toolkit about multi-network programming. It covers everything you need to know about setting up a multi-network site.

In simple terms your PCI/CNI is connected to the local network and any other network is considered to be a remote network. Each network needs to have an address (254 and 253 in your case) and the unit address of the near side of a bridge needs to match the network address of the network on the far side of the bridge.

In your case, call the network the CNI is connected to 'local' and call the other network 'remote' (backwards to what you have presently).

In the topology diagram you'll see that the symbol representing the network bridge has a 254 on one side of the diagonal slash and there is no number on the other side. This tells you that the unit address of that half of the bridge is not correctly assigned and messages won't find their way back to the local network properly. You need to set the unit address of the remote network (which you have labelled 'local') to 253. A 253 should then appear in the network topology view of the network bridge, indicating that the unit address is correct.

Once you've got that sorted you'll be able to open and program the units on both networks without touching your CNI.

 

Newman,
When the network bridge is configured, the Near side bridge has a unit address the same value as the far side network address and the Far side bridge has the same value as the near side network (Local). So Local should be 253 and Remote should be 254.
So if correct if should look like pic 1.
Next made a new project- Basic - and added a second network (Remote - 253), then added a Bridge (near type) to the Local Network and I end up with - pic 2.

Now as there are 2 networks and 2 bridge types, so have tried all 4 combinations and no luck.
Even the Example project in Toolkit shows it like mine

tks
dave

 

This is where you are going wrong. You're trying to add a second network to your project and subsequently link that network to your first network.

Try this workflow:

• Create new project
• Click Yes to add new network to the project
• Create a Serial network and call it Local
• Click Add Network button
• Call network Remote
• Select network type as Bridge - Wired
• Select Transit Network as Local
• Tick the Add Bridge box
• Click OK to the subsequent dialogues

Doing it this way will automatically add the network bridge to the two networks and correctly assign the unit addresses to match the network addresses.

In the end, your topology should look like this:

 

Newman
Works as advertised - added to my long list of drinks I owe you.
Can I suggest your instructions be added to the Toolkit Help file.

only worked the first time

dave

 

Update this is what happened on second try;
Maybe this means some thing to you.

dave

 

It's not clear from your post whether you're trying to:
- re-do the same process on a blank project (a repeat performance)
- add another network that links back to the local network
- add a third network that is linked to the second

If you're just deleting the second network and then trying to re-add it you'll need to delete the bridge off the local network first.

If you're doing one of the other two options you need to get your transit network selected correctly.

Which of the following pictures represents what you're trying to do?

 

Newman
Trying to do as per your instructions ie
* Create new project
* Click Yes to add new network to the project
* Create a Serial network and call it Local
* Click Add Network button
* Call network Remote
* Select network type as Bridge - Wired
* Select Transit Network as Local
* Tick the Add Bridge box
* Click OK to the subsequent dialogues

Pic one
Two networks and 1 bridge

It's not clear from your post whether you're trying to:
- re-do the same process on a blank project (a repeat performance)
yes

- add another network that links back to the local network
no

- add a third network that is linked to the second
no


dave

 

Newman
Maybe this will be easier if you can attach a Toolkit file that I can use - the example one in Toolkit has the same bridge error.

Call the project "AAAAA" - 2 networks (any names) and 1 bridge.

I can handle the rest


You sure we not chasing a Toolkik bug ??
The Example, Training and projects that I have not looked at for years - but are working all show the Bridge connections wrong.

tks



dave

 

The example project looks like the attached image for me, which seems fine. Do you tick the box when installing Toolkit to install the example projects? There have been a couple errors in the example project that have been corrected over the years of Toolkit's development.

No, I don't think so. It worked for you the first time. I suspect that your project had left-overs from the first time you attempted this.

You've been able to do it once, so I'm sure you can do it again.

 

Newman
Uninstalled Toolkit then went and deleted the example file in the tag folder, re installed Toolkit clicking the add examples bit.
The example project still shows wrong, detail of attached


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Hot TIP
Just tried on windows XP and works every time
It does NOT work on Windows 7 - BUG

When i transfer the project file (working on XP) to Windows 7 it does not display correctly.
Just Tried first project on XP, deleted bridge and reset up and all correct.




dave

 

Logged as issue #20059

 

Newman,
I do not mind testing Toolkit on the current version of Windows for you, but can can you tell me if I configure the Bridges in Windows 7 will it work LIVE ???


tks
dave

 

If you have the correct addresses programmed into your network bridges it will work.