Understand and configure redirects

To configure redirects from Ethernet to another FP-I4C interface, you must open and configure a TCP port for each interface.

The wizard on the COM Interface page provides a simple way to configure redirects.

In the following example, the TOOL or COM port of the FP0R PLC is connected to COM1 RS232 of the FP-I4C unit. A PC is connected to one of the Ethernet interfaces of the FP-I4C unit. To establish a connection between the PC and the PLC via the FP-I4C unit, open port 9094 for COM1 RS232 and set the PLC station number.

1. Go to COM Interface and enable COM1 RS232.
2. Go to Port > Ports and restrictions and select Add new to add a new connection.
   To delete one or more entries from the list, click the individual check boxes and then Delete selection.
3. For Port, set the number of the port you want to open. In this example, enter 9094.

   Each port number must be unique. Do not use the following port numbers that are already in use: 21, 22, 53, 80, 443, 100, 3000, 8000, 8080, 8081. We recommend to use port numbers greater than 1025.

   If Transparent is set for the COM interface, only one TCP port can be redirected. All other redirections are ignored.

   Under Memory area restrictions and mapping, you can restrict access to certain address ranges for each opened port. If Transparent is set for the COM interface, all area restrictions and mappings are ignored.

4. Under COM interface, select the physical interface or the internal interface (INTERN) of the FP-I4C unit to receive the TCP packets.

   In this example, select RS232 to redirect the TCP packages from the Ethernet interface to the RS232 interface.

   The interface INTERN refers to the addressable internal memory areas of the FP-I4C unit which are accessible via Modbus/TCP or the script function.

5. Disable Allow FPWIN Pro if you do not want to permit remote monitoring and updating of PLC programs in Control FPWIN Pro7.

   If Modbus/TCP gateway is enabled, Allow FPWIN Pro is automatically disabled.

   If Transparent is set for the COM interface, this setting is ignored.

6. Enable Modbus/TCP gateway if you want to use the port as a Modbus/TCP server.

   If Transparent is set for the COM interface, this setting is ignored.

7. For Number of clients, set the number of clients (e.g. HMIs, PLCs, PCs) that can connect to the FP-I4C unit simultaneously.

   A maximum number of 16 clients can be set for each port. Do not set more clients than necessary to keep resource usage low.

8. Go to Permitted IP addresses and set the first and last address of the allowed range of IP addresses to access the port (e.g. 192.168.178.1 and 192.168.178.100).

   If 255.255.255.255 is set for either one, all addresses are allowed, regardless of the other setting.

9. For Timeout, set the timeout in seconds.
10. Save your configuration.

    When you have changed any settings, a Save button appears in the upper right corner of the screen. You can make changes on multiple pages and then save your settings.