What is the default IP address of the HSE/H1 Linking Device?

[ctkramm]

I am evaluating an NI FBUS-HSE/H1 Linking Device. I am using a PC (not a DHCP server) to communicate to the FBUS-HSE/H1 but the PC cannot detect the device. When not assigned an IP address by a DHCP server, does the FBUS-HSE/H1 have a default IP address? If so, what is it? If not, is there a simple work-around?

Chris

[fieldbus]

Hi Chris,

I strongly suggest you setup a DHCP server between your PC and the HSE/H1 linking device, NI linking device can only obtain an IP address via DHCP server.

Another way is that you can find a DHCP capable software running in your PC, then your PC can function as DHCP server and assign a valid IP address to the linking device. I have ever used the "DHCP Server" of VicomSoft to work with NI HSE/H1 linking device properly, but this software is not free.

-- Sean Gao 

[fieldbus]

Hi Chris,

I strongly suggest you setup a DHCP server between your PC and the HSE/H1 linking device, NI linking device can only obtain an IP address via DHCP server.

Another way is that you can find a DHCP capable software running in your PC, then your PC can function as DHCP server and assign a valid IP address to the linking device. I have ever used the "DHCP Server" of VicomSoft to work with NI HSE/H1 linking device properly, but this software is not free.

-- Sean Gao 

[ctkramm]

Thanks, your suggestion worked. I used a free-ware version of a DHCP client and successfully linked to the FBUS-HSE/H1.

My next step is to determine what software I need to control a Fieldbus network. Since I'm not actually installing a Fieldbus network, only setting up a system for the purpose of evaluating and demonstrating some Fieldbus components, I do not want to spend more than I have to on additional software. What minimal-cost options exist?

Chris

[FF-EUC]

Hi Chris / Sean,
I assume that you mean you got a freebee DHCP "server" & not "client", as most PCs are clients.
Any chance you could direct me to the "freebee" as I have tried a few free ones for this problem but
have had no luck.
Currently I am using an old ADSL modem that has a DHCP server, but it means another box stuck
on the network.

I am also hoping that NI will allow future versions of the LD to boot with a "default" address as most
other LDs now do (something like 10.0.0.1-254 range would be nice).
Sean - is this on the wish list for a future S/W upgrade. Just about everyone that has tried to get
one of these LDs running has come up against this "non-standard" arrangement.

Allen
allen@fieldbus.org.au

[ctkramm]

Allen,

I used a free DHCP from http://perso.wanadoo.fr/philippe.jounin/tftpd32.html. Near the botttom of the page you will find the tftpd32.284.zip file. Let me know if it works. Another solution is to manually assign an IP address to the HSE/H1. I used the ARP command in Windows Command Prompt to assign an IP to the HSE/H1 and then used the PING command to verify the connection and connect to the device. Since I had already installed and set up the DHCP software, I cannot be completely sure which solution worked. It may have been a combination of the two.

Good Luck

Chris

[fieldbus]

Hi Allen,

I agree with you, we'd better provide a good solution for HSE/H1 LD customers to avoid such inconvenience. I have submitted this request to our future feature plans; however, it is a firmware project, which will not be included in the coming NI-FBUS 3.2 software.

Anyway, I will try to push it and work out some better solutions on this problem.

Thanks,

-- Sean

[tgb-beck]

As of 12/27/06 it seems that NI has still not implemented a static IP address option for HSE/H1.  I would

think that some customers would demand this option, since an industrial Ethernet network is not

the same as a corporate IT network. 

Our SMAR FF SYSCON has a static IP option.  

The "solution" of using a 3rd party DHCP server package to assign the IP address is a sad commentary on the quality

of this product.  Could you imagine if customers had to download some freeware device driver to talk to a NI PXI rack ?

NI would be playing second fiddle to HP VEE if that were the case !