ProSoft Technology PS-QS-1x10-0781 - Manual (Page 6)

FieldServer Configuration Manual Page 6 of 90
FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web: www.fieldserver.com
Tel: (408) 262-2299 Fax: (408) 262-2269 Toll Free: (888) 509-1970 email: [email protected]
1 FIELDSERVER CONCEPTS
1.1 Introduction
The FieldServer functions as a gateway enabling different devices utilizing different protocols to interface with
each other. The FieldServer solves communication and protocol conversion problems and improves response
times in distributed data acquisition and control systems. The extensive driver library available from FieldServer
Technologies provides a wide range of interoperability solutions. For a current list of available drivers visit our
website at
www.fieldserver.com .
The FieldServer also acts as an Ethernet gateway, enabling new and legacy PLCs, RTUs and SCADA devices to link to
Ethernet for plant-wide communications.
Depending on the model, the FieldServer is equipped with combinations of Serial, Ethernet and L ON W ORKS
®1
ports
as well as various Fieldbus ports. The internal poll-block caching capability insures that data from Server devices is
immediately available to the Client devices when needed. Data can be cached from slower devices or remote units
for immediate access by the Client device. See Section 8 for details.
The Hot Standby option for the FieldServer is available when dual redundancy is required. See section 10 for
details.
1.2 Application
Today’s plants are integrated, intelligent facilities requiring multiple mechanical and electrical systems to be
controlled from a central processor. Many of these devices are not part of the central automation system, but that
system still needs data input from these devices.
Through its powerful protocol conversion capability the FieldServer allows system designers and managers to
connect unique instrumentation and sensor devices onto common protocol systems and into the plant Ethernet
backbone. Due to its internal poll-block caching, multiple protocol capability and high port count
2
, the FieldServer
improves data and machine update time compared to conventional HMI packages using multiple drivers and port
expanders.
The FieldServer is designed to enable devices within a facility to communicate with each other or to a central
control station via Serial, Arcnet, Ethernet or other communication busses. Two-way communication is easily
available between the various process and control systems.
1.3 Terminology
1.3.1 Nodes 3
The devices communicating with the FieldServer may be referred to as “Stations”, “Nodes”, “RTU’s”, “DCS’s”,
“Workstations”, “SCADA Systems”, “MMI’s”, “Field Devices”, etc. To prevent confusion these devices are always
referred to as Nodes in this manual.
Similarly, “Device Address”, “Station Address”, “Station ID” is always referred to as “Node ID” in this manual.
1 L ON W ORKS
® is a trademark of Echelon Corporation registered in the United States and other countries.
2 Except for FS-X20
3 Nodes may have the same Node_ID value, so long as they are connected to different ports.