Micromod Micro-DCI: EP1000A E-Port - Manual (Page 13)

EP1000A E-Port Instruction Manual
Introduction 9
1.8 Micro-DCI Network Architecture
A Micro-DCI network is a named network of up to 32 instruments. Each Micro-DCI network in the plant
must have a unique name.
Each network is controlled by a Master Comm Services Node and an optional Backup Comm Services
Node. Each Micro-DCI network has a Network Type. The supported types are:
• Supervisor Card Networks: The network interface is a DataLink or MicroLink Supervisor card.
• COM Port networks: The network interface is a PC COM port.
• Local Networks: There is no physical network interface; the controllers are simulated inside
the PC.
• E-Port Networks: The network interface is a PC Ethernet connection to an E-Port.
Each E-Port unit is assigned to be part of a Micro-DCI E-Port-type network. Depending on the system
architecture, each Micro-DCI E-Port network can have up to 32 segments. Each segment will typically
have one E-port. (Redundant communication configurations may have two E-ports per segment.)
Figure 1-
6 through Figure 1-8 illustrate possible network architectures.
Figure 1-5. Connecting the E-Port Unit to the DataLink Network