DDE, or Dynamic Data Exchange, is a protocol for communication between Windows programs. There are several DDE servers that support SIXNET I/O:
SIXMAP DDE Servers
A SIXMAP DDE Server allows any Windows application with DDE support to access I/O registers in the Control Room IOmap. Once a SIXMAP DDE server is running, all I/O registers in the IOmap Dynamic Link Library (DLL) are available to any DDE-compatible program.
Two SIXMAP DDE servers are available. The Standard DDE server is compatible with Windows programs that support DDE. The Wonderware Fast DDE server provides fast DDE with Wonderware and other applications that support Wonderware fast DDE.
Starting a SIXMAP DDE Server
By default, the standard SIXMAP DDE server is automatically started when an IOmap is loaded. No action is required by the user. To start the Wonderware fast DDE server instead, select this server from within the DDE setup window in IOmap. (This window is accessible from the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit.) The selected server will be started automatically when the IOmap is loaded.
Kepware DDE Servers
There are two DDE servers from Kepware Products that allow any Windows application with DDE support to access I/O registers in SIXNET stations and I/O modules. Once a Kepware Products DDE server is running, all I/O registers in the station(s) and/or I/O module(s) are available to any DDE-compatible program. All levels of the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit have a tag name exporting feature for both of the Kepware Products servers.
KEPServer
The KEPServer is provided on the SIXNET CD and is licensed for use with SIXNET I/O only. This DDE / OPC Server responds to DDE and OPC commands and sends the appropriate Modbus RTU protocol commands over Ethernet and serial ports to SIXNET stations and I/O modules. (Note that any serial port used for the KEPServer must be configured for Modbus RTU Slave mode. SIXNET communications will not be possible until the station or I/O module’s serial port is reset for SIXNET Universal protocol mode.) The KEPServer supports a large number of SIXNET stations and I/O modules.
KepServerEx
The KepServerEx is provided on the SIXNET CD and is licensed for use with up to 32 SIXNET I/O or two SIXNET stations only. A license for a fully functional KepServerEx for SIXNET I/O may be purchased from Kepware Products.
This DDE / OPC Server responds to DDE and OPC commands and sends the appropriate SIXNET Universal protocol commands over Ethernet and serial ports to SIXNET stations and I/O modules. Because this server uses SIXNET Universal protocol for serial communication, you can run SIXNET utilities without having to reconfigure the serial port.
Starting a Kepware Products Server Automatically
Each Kepware Products DDE server has a runtime command so it may be started automatically when the Windows operating system loads. The command line arguments are documented in the help system for each server.
Disclaimer
It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. Red Lion makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. Red Lion is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. Red Lion standard product warranty applies.
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