The X20 hub is a device that can be used universally in standard Ethernet networks or POWERLINK networks. It is suitable for 100 Mbit/s (Fast Ethernet) networks. The bus modules expanded to the left allow connection of up to 2 hub expansion modules in addition to the hub base module. This means that a single base device provides up to 6 hub interfaces.

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The POWERLINK TCP/IP gateway enables the exchange of all types of application data (HMI, diagnostics, parameter data, etc.) between a POWERLINK V2 network and a TCP/IP network. It functions like a layer 2 switch, with the exception that cyclic POWERLINK packets are not routed to the ETH port. With respect to the functionality of layer 2 switches, it should be mentioned that the gateway uses the store-and-forward principle. Gateway functionality doesn’t need to be configured separately. When the gateway receives a frame, it saves the MAC address of the sender and the corresponding interface in the source address table (SAT). If the destination address is found in the SAT, the gateway routes the frame to the corresponding interface. Frames with a broadcast or multicast address are always routed to all interfaces. When IP packets are received at the “ETH” port that are larger than the MTU configured for POWERLINK, they are fragmented, if permitted.”ETH” port: Interface for TCP/IP network”PLK” port: Interface for POWERLINK networkI/O modules cannot be operated with the X20HB8815. POWERLINK V1 is not supported.POWERLINK is a standard protocol for Fast Ethernet equipped with hard real-time characteristics. The POWERLINK Standardization Group (EPSG, see www.ethernet-powerlink.org) ensures its openness and continual development.The bus modules expanded to the left allow connection of up to 2 hub expansion modules in addition to the gateway. This means that a basic device provides up to 2 POWERLINK ports.

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POWERLINK has proven itself in the field for years and rarely has problems during commissioning and production. Nonetheless, it is still possible for communication disturbances to occur due to damaged or poor quality cables. If an error occurs, localizing and correcting it is usually very easy thanks to the heterogeneous structure of this flat network type (all data is always visible throughout the network). What’s problematic are errors that occur sporadically. This is where tools such as Omnipeek or Wireshark come in.These tools (or more likely the standard PC technology being used) reach their limits, however, when dealing with machines that have short network cycles. Either not all frames can be recorded, or some telegrams are lost altogether. In these cases, what’s needed is a special hardware tool that can work very quickly, record and save every bit of traffic and then pass it on to a laptop.This module provides different operating modes. For example, it can work passively on the network, in which case the real-time behavior remains unchanged. The device listens in and selectively takes in data when certain defined trigger conditions are met. It can read all of the data, mark it with a timestamp, store it temporarily and ultimately pass it on to a PC. The data is then analyzed in the familiar PC environment.

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