Using hilscher gateway to allow profibus to labview via ethernet

[Pmurray]

Could I use a gateway such as this hilscher to communicate between labview and a profibus network (consisting of several S7 315 PLCS) over the ethernet. I want labview to offer some basic control on the profibus network such as start a program cycle on one of the PLCs. Also to be able to read information such as actuator position counters etc. Could I use the TCP/IP features in labview to allow such communication. If I can recieve signals to labview this way. Will it be possible to build a VI to interperate the signals and also send commands that can be interperated by the profibus network. Is there any libraries in Labview dedicated for such communication. I'm new to most of this technology so appologies for asking the obvious.

Any help is graciously appreciated.

Peter. 

[Jochen · Accepted solution]

I'm not familiar with Hilscher Profibus gateways but I'm pretty sure that they provide an OPC-server that can be accessed through LabVIEW DataSocket functions or for much better performance through LabVIEW DSC. There is also a chance that Hilscher provides a DLL-based API or even LabVIEW vis, but you should check with Hilscher.

From my own experience I would recommend using a Comsoft FNL gateway. Comsoft is very experienced with LabVIEW and they provide a fast and reliable VI-interface for all of their Profibus interfaces.
I don't want to bash the Hilscher products, but as (in contrast to Comsoft products) I don't have any experience with their products, I can't give a competent answer about their APIs.

Best regards,

Jochen Klier
National Instruments