Simulation program, simulation device, simulation system, and simulation method

Abstract

The simulation program causes a computer to function as: a configuration information acquisition unit (101) that acquires configuration information indicating the configuration of a virtual PLC system that simulates the operation of the PLC system, the configuration information being generated on the basis of an operation by a user; a construction unit (102) that constructs the virtual PLC system on the basis of the configuration information; an allocation unit (103) that allocates an IP address of the computer and a port number of a port that is not used in the computer to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information; a designation request reception unit (107) that receives, from the engineering tool (300), a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information; and a connection information response unit (108) that responds, to the engineering tool (300), connection information including the port number and the IP address assigned to the virtual PLC related to the specification request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a simulation program, a simulation device, a simulation system and a simulation method. Background Art

[0002] In the FA (Factory Automation) system, when building a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) system, simulation is performed to confirm the action of the PLC program executed by the PLC. In the simulation, a virtual PLC that simulates the action of the actual PLC is built on the computer, and the PLC program is written to the virtual PLC from the engineering design tool, so that the virtual PLC executes the PLC program.

[0003] Sometimes, multiple virtual PLCs are constructed on one computer to which one IP address is assigned. In this case, various technologies have been proposed to connect to each of the multiple virtual PLCs using one IP address from an engineering design tool. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for using multiple port numbers for one IP address and assigning them to virtual PLCs in a manner that the port numbers are not repeated.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-067036 Summary of the invention

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned technology, the user who performs the simulation needs to manage the correspondence information between the virtual PLC and the IP address and port number. Moreover, when connecting to a specific virtual PLC from an engineering design tool, the user needs to specify the IP address and port number associated with the virtual PLC. In order to reduce the burden of affairs in such simulation, it is possible to easily connect to the virtual PLC.

[0006] The present invention is proposed in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a simulation program, a simulation device, a simulation system and a simulation method that can be easily connected to a virtual PLC.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the simulation program of the present invention enables the computer to act as the following unit

[0008] Meta works:

[0009] a configuration information acquisition unit that acquires configuration information indicating a configuration of a virtual PLC system that simulates an operation of the PLC system;

[0010] A construction unit, which constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information;

[0011] an allocating unit that allocates the IP address of the computer and the port number of the port not used in the computer to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information;

[0012] a designation request receiving unit that receives, from an engineering design tool, a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information; and

[0013] A connection information response unit responds to the engineering design tool with connection information including an IP address and a port number assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designated request.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a simulation program, a simulation device, a simulation system, and a simulation method that can be easily connected to a virtual PLC. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a simulation system according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the simulation device involved in the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the structural information involved in Implementation Example 1.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a connection information table according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the construction process involved in Implementation Example 1.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the control process involved in the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a simulation system according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of a simulation device according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing the structural information involved in Implementation Example 2.

[0026] Fig.11This is a diagram showing a connection information table according to the second embodiment.

[0027] Fig.12 This is a diagram showing a simulation system according to the third embodiment.

[0028] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of a simulation device according to the third embodiment.

[0029] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing a connection information table according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] (Implementation Method 1)

[0031] The simulation system according to the first embodiment is a system that performs simulation of a PLC program in a virtual PLC system including one or more virtual PLCs.

[0032] exist Figure 1 The simulation system 1 of this embodiment is shown. The simulation system 1 includes a simulation device 100 and a simulation management client device 200. The simulation device 100 is connected to the simulation management client device 200 and the engineering design tool 300 via a network cable (not shown) or wirelessly so as to be communicable.

[0033] The simulation device 100 constructs a virtual PLC system and simulates the operation of the PLC system. The simulation device 100 has a simulation management unit 1001, which exchanges information with the simulation management client device 200 to construct the virtual PLC system. In addition, the simulation management unit 1001 manages information related to the virtual PLC.

[0034] In addition, the simulation device 100 receives an operation for a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system from the engineering design tool 300. For example, the simulation device 100 receives an operation to write a PLC program to be executed in the virtual PLC from the engineering design tool 300. Then, the simulation device 100 executes the written PLC program in the virtual PLC.

[0035] The simulation management client device 200 receives the operation from the user and causes the simulation device 100 to construct the virtual PLC system. In the simulation management client device 200, for example, dedicated software for setting the structure of the virtual PLC system is installed, and the user sets the structure of the virtual PLC system using the dedicated software. Alternatively, the user sets the structure of the virtual PLC system using the web browser of the simulation management client device 200.

[0036] The engineering tool 300 creates a PLC program executed in the virtual PLC system based on user operations. Furthermore, the engineering tool 300 connects to a virtual PLC of the virtual PLC system constructed in the simulation device 100 based on user operations and writes the PLC program to the connected virtual PLC.

[0037] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the simulation device 100 is implemented by the information processing device 500 - 1 , and the simulation management client device 200 and the engineering design tool 300 are implemented by the information processing device 500 - 2 .

[0038] Figure 1 The information processing devices 500-1, 500-2 and the information processing device 500-3 described later each have Figure 2 The hardware structure of the information processing device 500 is shown in FIG.

[0039] The information processing device 500 includes: a processor 11 that performs various processes; a main storage unit 12 that is used as a work area of ​​the processor 11; an auxiliary storage unit 13 that stores various data used for the processes of the processor 11; a communication unit 14 that is used to communicate with external devices; an input unit 15 that obtains input information; and an output unit 16 that displays various information. The main storage unit 12, the auxiliary storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, the input unit 15, and the output unit 16 are all connected to the processor 11 via a bus 17.

[0040] The processor 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and implements various functions of the information processing device 500 by executing programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 .

[0041] The main storage unit 12 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory). A program is loaded from the auxiliary storage unit 13 into the main storage unit 12. The main storage unit 12 is used as a work area for the processor 11.

[0042] The auxiliary storage unit 13 includes a nonvolatile memory represented by an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). In addition to the program, the auxiliary storage unit 13 also stores various data used in the processing of the processor 11. The auxiliary storage unit 13 supplies the data used by the processor 11 to the processor 11 according to the instruction of the processor 11, and stores the data supplied from the processor 11.

[0043] The communication unit 14 includes a network interface circuit for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 14 receives a signal from an external device and outputs data indicated by the signal to the processor 11. In addition, the communication unit 14 transmits a signal indicating data output from the processor 11 to an external device.

[0044] The input unit 15 includes input devices such as input keys and a pointing device. The input unit 15 acquires information input by a user of the information processing device 500 and notifies the processor 11 of the acquired information.

[0045] The output unit 16 includes output devices such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and speakers. The output unit 16 may also be a touch screen integrated with a pointing device, wherein the pointing device constitutes the input unit 15. The output unit 16 presents various information to the user according to the instructions of the processor 11.

[0046] exist Figure 3 The functional configurations of the simulation device 100 and the simulation management client device 200 according to the present embodiment are shown.

[0047] The simulation device 100 functionally includes: a structure information acquisition unit 101, which acquires structure information from the simulation management client device 200; a construction unit 102, which constructs a virtual PLC system based on the structure information; an allocation unit 103, which allocates an IP address and a port number to a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system; a storage unit 104, which stores connection information including the IP address and the port number allocated to the virtual PLC; an acquisition request receiving unit 105, which receives an acquisition request for structure information from the engineering design tool 300; a structure information response unit 106, which responds the structure information to the engineering design tool 300; a designation request receiving unit 107, which receives a designation request for designating a virtual PLC from the engineering design tool 300; a connection information response unit 108, which responds the connection information of the virtual PLC involved in the designation request to the engineering design tool 300; and a simulation unit 109, which enables the constructed virtual PLC system to simulate the action. The configuration information acquisition unit 101 , the construction unit 102 , the allocation unit 103 , the storage unit 104 , the acquisition request reception unit 105 , the configuration information response unit 106 , the designation request reception unit 107 , and the connection information response unit 108 are functions of the simulation management unit 1001 .

[0048] The simulation management client device 200 includes a configuration information generating unit 201 for generating configuration information.

[0049] The configuration information acquisition unit 101 acquires configuration information indicating the configuration of a virtual PLC system simulating the operation of the PLC system. The configuration information acquisition unit 101 is implemented by the processor 11 and the communication unit 14. The configuration information acquisition unit 101 is an example of configuration information acquisition means.

[0050] The configuration information is information indicating the configuration of the virtual PLC system, and is, for example, information indicating the configuration of units included in the virtual PLC system, the network configuration, and the like.

[0051] For example, the user creates a Figure 4 The structure information 610 is information indicating the structure of the virtual PLC system 410 including the first virtual PLC 401 and the second virtual PLC 402. When the simulation management client device 200 transmits the structure information 610 to the simulation device 100, the structure information acquisition unit 101 acquires the structure information 610.

[0052] The construction unit 102 constructs the virtual PLC system based on the configuration information. The construction unit 102 is implemented by the processor 11. The construction unit 102 is an example of a construction unit.

[0053] For example, the construction unit 102 is based on the structure information 610, such as Figure 1 As shown, in the simulation device 100 , a virtual PLC system 410 including a first virtual PLC 401 and a second virtual PLC 402 is constructed.

[0054] The allocator 103 allocates the IP address of the information processing device 500-1 that implements the simulation device 100 that constructs the virtual PLC system and the port number of the port not used by the information processing device 500-1 to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information. The allocator 103 is implemented by the processor 11. The allocator 103 is an example of an allocating unit.

[0055] For example, the IP address of the information processing device 500-1 is "192.168.1.3", and the port numbers of the unused ports in the information processing device 500-1 are "50001" to "50100". In this case, the allocation unit 103 allocates the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50001" to the first virtual PLC 401, and allocates the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50002" to the second virtual PLC 402. In addition, as a method for allocating port numbers to the virtual PLCs included in the virtual PLC system, any method may be used as long as it is a method for allocating non-overlapping port numbers to the unused ports.

[0056] When the IP address and the port number are allocated to the virtual PLC, the allocation unit 103 stores the identification information of the virtual PLC and the connection information for identifying the virtual PLC in the storage unit 104 in association with each other.

[0057] The connection information is information for connecting from the engineering tool 300 to the virtual PLC, and in the present embodiment, is information including an IP address and a port number.

[0058] The identification information and connection information of the virtual PLC are stored in the storage unit 104 . The storage unit 104 is implemented by the auxiliary storage unit 13 .

[0059] exist Figure 5 2 shows an example of identification information and connection information of a virtual PLC stored in the storage unit 104. Figure 5 The virtual PLC identification information for identifying the virtual PLC is registered in association with the connection information including the IP address and port number assigned to the virtual PLC in the connection information table. Hereinafter, the identification information of the first virtual PLC 401 and the second virtual PLC 402 are set to "401" and "402". Figure 5 The record of the first row of the connection information table indicates that the IP address “192.168.1.3” and the port number “50001” are allocated to the first virtual PLC 401 indicated by the virtual PLC identification information “401”.

[0060] The acquisition request receiving unit 105 receives an acquisition request for configuration information from the engineering tool 300. The acquisition request receiving unit 105 is implemented by the processor 11 and the communication unit 14. The acquisition request receiving unit 105 is an example of an acquisition request receiving means.

[0061] For example, if a user using the engineering design tool 300 uses the engineering design tool 300 to perform an operation for obtaining structural information of a virtual PLC system constructed in the simulation device 100, the engineering design tool 300 sends a request for obtaining the structural information to the simulation device 100, and the acquisition request receiving unit 105 receives the request for obtaining the structural information from the engineering design tool 300.

[0062] The configuration information response unit 106 responds to the engineering tool 300 with the configuration information related to the acquisition request. The configuration information response unit 106 is implemented by the processor 11 and the communication unit 14. The configuration information response unit 106 is an example of a configuration information response unit.

[0063] For example, the configuration information response unit 106 responds the configuration information 610 of the virtual PLC system 410 to the engineering tool 300. The engineering tool 300, having obtained the configuration information 610, displays the configuration information 610 on the screen of the information processing device 500-2. Figure 4 The structural information 610 is displayed.

[0064] The designation request receiving unit 107 receives a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information from the engineering tool 300. The designation request receiving unit 107 is implemented by the processor 11 and the communication unit 14. The designation request receiving unit 107 is an example of a designation request receiving means.

[0065] For example, if the user performs an operation to specify the first virtual PLC 401 in the structural information 610 displayed on the screen of the information processing device 500-2, the engineering design tool 300 sends a designation request to specify the first virtual PLC 401 to the simulation device 100, and the designation request receiving unit 107 receives the designation request to specify the first virtual PLC 401 from the engineering design tool 300.

[0066] The connection information response unit 108 responds the connection information including the IP address and port number assigned to the virtual PLC related to the designation request to the engineering tool 300. The connection information response unit 108 is implemented by the processor 11 and the communication unit 14. The connection information response unit 108 is an example of a connection information response unit.

[0067] For example, the connection information response unit 108 refers to the Figure 5 The connection information table of the first virtual PLC 401 is used to respond to the engineering tool 300 with the connection information including the IP address “192.168.1.3” and the port number “50001” assigned to the first virtual PLC 401 .

[0068] The simulation unit 109 simulates the operation of the actual PLC by making the virtual PLC of the constructed virtual PLC system. For example, the simulation unit 109 simulates the operation of the virtual PLC of the virtual PLC system by making the virtual PLC of the virtual PLC system wait for the connection from the engineering design tool 300 through the assigned IP address and port number. In addition, the simulation unit 109 simulates the operation of the virtual PLC by receiving the connection request including the IP address and port number assigned to the virtual PLC from the engineering design tool 300 and connecting the virtual PLC to the engineering design tool 300 to which the IP address and port number involved in the connection request are assigned. The simulation unit 109 is implemented by the processor 11 and the communication unit 14. In addition, the simulation unit 109 is an example of a simulation unit.

[0069] For example, the simulation unit 109 makes the first virtual PLC 401 wait for connection from the engineering tool 300 through the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50001", and makes the second virtual PLC 402 wait for connection from the engineering tool 300 through the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50002". Furthermore, if the simulation unit 109 receives a connection request including, for example, the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50001" from the engineering tool 300, the simulation unit 109 performs simulation in such a manner that the first virtual PLC 401 assigned with the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50001" is connected to the engineering tool 300.

[0070] Once the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system is connected to the engineering tool 300 , the subsequent exchange between the virtual PLC and the engineering tool 300 is performed without passing through the simulation management unit 1001 .

[0071] Figure 3 The configuration information generation unit 201 generates configuration information indicating the configuration of the virtual PLC system based on the user's operation. The configuration information generation unit 201 is implemented by the processor 11 and the input unit 15. The configuration information generation unit 201 is an example of a configuration information generation means.

[0072] For example, the configuration information generation unit 201 provides a graphical user interface for creating configuration information of a virtual PLC system, and generates a configuration information based on the user's operation. Figure 4 Then, the structure information generation unit 201 sends the generated structure information 610 to the simulation device 100.

[0073] Next, use Figure 6 The flowchart of FIG. 1 illustrates the construction process executed by the simulation device 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 6 The construction process is, for example, a process that is executed when the structure information acquisition unit 101 acquires the structure information.

[0074] The construction unit 102 constructs a virtual PLC system based on the configuration information acquired by the configuration information acquisition unit 101 (step S101 ).

[0075] For example, if the structure information acquisition unit 101 acquires Figure 4 The construction unit 102 constructs the virtual PLC system 410 including the first virtual PLC 401 and the second virtual PLC 402 in the simulation device 100 based on the construction information 610 .

[0076] The allocating unit 103 allocates the IP address of the information processing device 500 - 1 that realizes the simulation device 100 and the port number of the port not used in the information processing device 500 - 1 to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information (step S102 ).

[0077] For example, the allocating unit 103 allocates the IP address “192.168.1.3” and the port number “50001” to the first virtual PLC 401 included in the virtual PLC system 410 , and allocates the IP address “192.168.1.3” and the port number “50002” to the second virtual PLC 402 .

[0078] The simulation unit 109 makes the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system constructed by the construction unit 102 wait for a connection from the engineering tool 300 using the IP address and the port number allocated by the allocation unit 103 (step S103 ).

[0079] For example, the simulation unit 109 performs simulation by making the first virtual PLC 401 wait for connection from the engineering tool 300 through the IP address “192.168.1.3” and the port number “50001”, and making the second virtual PLC 402 wait for connection from the engineering tool 300 through the IP address “192.168.1.3” and the port number “50002”.

[0080] Next, use Figure 7 The flowchart of FIG. 1 illustrates the control process executed by the simulation device 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 7 The control processing is, for example, processing that is executed when the virtual PLC system is constructed by the construction unit 102 based on the configuration information.

[0081] The acquisition request receiving unit 105 determines whether a request for obtaining structure information is received from the engineering tool 300 (step S201). If the acquisition request receiving unit 105 determines that a request for obtaining structure information is received from the engineering tool 300 (step S201; YES), the structure information responding unit 106 responds the structure information related to the acquisition request to the engineering tool 300 (step S202). On the other hand, if the acquisition request receiving unit 105 determines that a request for obtaining structure information is not received from the engineering tool 300 (step S201; NO), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0082] For example, if the acquisition request receiving unit 105 determines that the acquisition request for configuration information is received from the engineering tool 300, the configuration information responding unit 106 responds the configuration information 610 of the virtual PLC system 410 to the engineering tool 300. On the other hand, if the acquisition request receiving unit 105 determines that the acquisition request for configuration information is not received from the engineering tool 300, the process proceeds to step S203.

[0083] The designated request receiving unit 107 determines whether a designated request for a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the designated structure information is received from the engineering design tool 300 (step S203). If the designated request receiving unit 107 determines that a designated request for a designated virtual PLC is received (step S203; YES), the connection information responding unit 108 responds to the engineering design tool 300 with connection information including an IP address and a port number assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designated request (step S204). On the other hand, if the designated request receiving unit 107 determines that a designated request for a designated virtual PLC is not received (step S203; NO), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0084] For example, if the acquisition request receiving unit 105 determines that a designation request designating the first virtual PLC 401 is received from the engineering tool 300, the connection information responding unit 108 refers to the virtual PLC stored in the storage unit 104. Figure 5 The connection information table of the first virtual PLC 401 is used to respond to the engineering tool 300 with the connection information including the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50001" assigned to the first virtual PLC 401. On the other hand, if the acquisition request receiving unit 105 determines that the designation request for designating a virtual PLC is not received from the engineering tool 300, the process proceeds to step S205.

[0085] The simulation unit 109 determines whether a connection request including the IP address and port number assigned to the virtual PLC is received from the engineering design tool 300 (step S205). If the simulation unit 109 determines that a connection request including the IP address and port number assigned to the virtual PLC is received (step S205; YES), the simulation is performed in such a way that the virtual PLC to which the IP address and port number involved in the connection request are assigned is connected to the engineering design tool 300 (step S206). On the other hand, if the simulation unit 109 determines that a connection request including the IP address and port number assigned to the virtual PLC is not received (step S205; NO), the process returns to step S201.

[0086] For example, if the simulation unit 109 determines that a connection request including the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50001" is received from the engineering tool 300, the simulation is performed so that the first virtual PLC 401 is connected to the engineering tool 300. On the other hand, if the simulation unit 109 determines that a connection request including the IP address and the port number assigned to the virtual PLC is not received from the engineering tool 300, the process returns to step S201.

[0087] According to the present embodiment, the simulation device allocates the IP address and the port number of the unused port to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system. Furthermore, if the simulation device receives a connection request to a specific virtual PLC from the engineering design tool, the IP address and port number of the virtual PLC involved in the connection request are responded to the engineering design tool, and the engineering design tool can use the responded IP address and port number to connect to the specific virtual PLC. Thus, the user does not need to manage the corresponding information between the virtual PLC and the IP address and port number, or specify the IP address and port number of the virtual PLC intended to be connected, and can easily connect to the virtual PLC. Therefore, the burden of the transaction in the simulation can be reduced.

[0088] In addition, according to the present embodiment, in an information processing device to which one IP address is assigned or an information processing device to which a number of IP addresses less than the number of virtual PLCs are assigned, it is possible to connect to each of the plurality of virtual PLCs from an engineering design tool. Thus, even if the number of IP addresses assigned to the information processing device is less than the number of PLCs included in the PLC system intended to perform simulation, it is possible to simulate the PLC system.

[0089] (Implementation Method 2)

[0090] The simulation system according to the second embodiment realizes the simulation device by a plurality of information processing devices, and performs distributed simulation by constructing virtual PLCs included in the virtual PLC system on the plurality of information processing devices.

[0091] exist Figure 8The simulation system 1 of the present embodiment is shown. The simulation system 1 includes a plurality of simulation devices 100-1, 100-2 and a simulation management client device 200. The simulation devices 100-1 and 100-2 are connected to each other in a communicative manner via a network cable or wirelessly not shown. In addition, the simulation devices 100-1 and 100-2 are each connected to the simulation management client device 200 and the engineering design tool 300 in a communicative manner via a network cable or wirelessly not shown. The simulation devices 100-1 and 100-2 are each implemented by an information processing device 500-1 and 500-3, and the simulation management client device 200 and the engineering design tool 300 are implemented by the information processing device 500-2.

[0092] exist Fig. 9 The functional configurations of the simulation devices 100 - 1 and 100 - 2 and the simulation management client device 200 according to the present embodiment are shown.

[0093] In addition to the components of Embodiment 1, the simulation devices 100-1 and 100-2 have a setting unit 110 that sets the management mode or the slave mode in the simulation device. The setting unit 110 is a function of the simulation management units 1001-1 and 1001-2. Next, the functions of the components of the simulation devices 100-1 and 100-2 that are different from those of Embodiment 1 are described.

[0094] The setting unit 110 sets the simulation device to a management mode or a slave mode, wherein the management mode is to construct a virtual PLC in a different simulation device according to an instruction from the simulation device, and the slave mode is to construct a virtual PLC according to an instruction from a different simulation device. The setting unit 110 is implemented by the processor 11 and the communication unit 14. In addition, the setting unit 110 is an example of a setting unit.

[0095] For example, the simulation management client device 200 receives the following operation from the user: set the simulation device 100-1 of the information processing device 500-1 to the management mode, and set the simulation device 100-2 of the information processing device 500-3 to the slave mode. The simulation management client device 200 sends a setting request to set to the management mode to the simulation device 100-1 of the information processing device 500-1, and the setting unit 110 of the simulation device 100-1 sets the simulation device 100-1 to the management mode. In addition, the simulation management client device 200 sends a setting request to set to the slave mode to the simulation device 100-2 of the information processing device 500-3, and the setting unit 110 of the simulation device 100-2 sets the simulation device 100-2 to the slave mode.

[0096] The simulation device 100-1 set to the management mode executes the functions of the configuration information acquisition unit 101, the construction unit 102, the allocation unit 103, the storage unit 104, the acquisition request receiving unit 105, the configuration information response unit 106, the designation request receiving unit 107, the connection information response unit 108, and the simulation unit 109 in addition to the setting unit 110. In addition, the simulation device 100-2 set to the slave mode executes the functions of the construction unit 102, the allocation unit 103, and the simulation unit 109 in addition to the setting unit 110.

[0097] The configuration information acquisition unit 101 of the simulation device 100 - 1 acquires configuration information.

[0098] For example, the configuration information acquisition unit 101 acquires the configuration information from the simulation management client device 200. Fig.10 The structure information 620 is information indicating the structure of the virtual PLC system 420 including the first virtual PLC 401, the second virtual PLC 402, the third virtual PLC 403, and the fourth virtual PLC 404. The structure information 620 includes information 621 and 622 indicating which virtual PLC in the virtual PLC system 420 is executed by which of the simulation devices in the management mode and the slave mode.

[0099] The construction unit 102 of the simulation device 100 - 1 causes the simulation device 100 - 2 set to the slave mode to construct at least one of the virtual PLCs included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information acquired by the configuration information acquisition unit 101 .

[0100] For example, the construction unit 102 of the simulation device 100-1 constructs the first virtual PLC 401 and the second virtual PLC 402 on the simulation device 100-1 in the management mode based on the configuration information 620. In addition, the construction unit 102 of the simulation device 100-1 sends an instruction to construct the third virtual PLC 403 and the fourth virtual PLC 404 on the simulation device 100-2 in the slave mode based on the configuration information 620.

[0101] The allocating unit 103 of the simulation device 100-1 allocates the IP address of the simulation device 100-1 set in the management mode and the port number of the port not used in the simulation device 100-1 set in the management mode to the virtual PLC constructed in the simulation device 100-1 set in the management mode.

[0102] For example, the allocation unit 103 of the simulation device 100 - 1 allocates the IP address “192.168.1.3” and the port number “50001” to the first virtual PLC 401 , and allocates the IP address “192.168.1.3” and the port number “50002” to the second virtual PLC 402 .

[0103] The construction unit 102 of the simulation device 100 - 2 constructs at least one of the virtual PLCs of the virtual PLC system in accordance with an instruction from the simulation device 100 - 1 set to the management mode.

[0104] For example, the construction unit 102 of the simulation device 100 - 2 constructs the third virtual PLC 403 and the fourth virtual PLC 404 on the simulation device 100 - 2 in the slave mode.

[0105] The allocator 103 of the simulation device 100 - 2 allocates the IP address of the simulation device 100 - 2 set in the slave mode and the port number of the port not used in the simulation device 100 - 2 set in the slave mode to the virtual PLC constructed in the simulation device 100 - 2 set in the slave mode.

[0106] For example, the IP address of the information processing device 500-3 is "192.168.1.4", and the port numbers of the unused ports in the information processing device 500-3 are "50001" to "50100". The allocation unit 103 of the simulation device 100-2 allocates the IP address "192.168.1.4" and the port number "50001" to the third virtual PLC 403, and allocates the IP address "192.168.1.4" and the port number "50002" to the fourth virtual PLC 404.

[0107] The allocation unit 103 of the simulation device 100 - 1 acquires information on the IP address and port number allocated to the virtual PLC constructed in the simulation device 100 - 2 set in the slave mode.

[0108] For example, the allocation unit 103 of the simulation device 100-1 obtains information on the IP address "192.168.1.4" and the port number "50001" allocated to the third virtual PLC 403 and the IP address "192.168.1.4" and the port number "50002" allocated to the fourth virtual PLC 404. Then, the allocation unit 103 of the simulation device 100-1 stores the identification information and connection information of the virtual PLCs of the third virtual PLC 403 and the fourth virtual PLC 404 in the storage unit 104 of the simulation device 100-1.

[0109] exist Fig.11 An example of identification information and connection information of virtual PLCs stored in the storage unit 104 of the simulation device 100-1 is shown. In the following, the identification information of the virtual PLCs of the third virtual PLC 403 and the fourth virtual PLC 404 is set to "403" and "404". Fig.11The identification information and connection information of the virtual PLCs of the first virtual PLC 401, the second virtual PLC 402, the third virtual PLC 403, and the fourth virtual PLC 404 are registered in association with each other in the connection information table.

[0110] Then, the simulation unit 109 of the simulation device 100-1 makes the first virtual PLC 401 wait for the connection from the engineering design tool 300 through the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50001", and makes the second virtual PLC 402 wait for the connection from the engineering design tool 300 through the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50002". In addition, the simulation unit 109 of the simulation device 100-2 makes the third virtual PLC 403 wait for the connection from the engineering design tool 300 through the IP address "192.168.1.4" and the port number "50001", and makes the fourth virtual PLC 404 wait for the connection from the engineering design tool 300 through the IP address "192.168.1.4" and the port number "50002".

[0111] The acquisition request receiving unit 105 of the simulation device 100 - 1 receives the acquisition request for the configuration information from the engineering tool 300 , and the configuration information responding unit 106 of the simulation device 100 - 1 responds to the engineering tool 300 with the configuration information related to the acquisition request.

[0112] For example, when the acquisition request receiving unit 105 of the simulation device 100-1 receives a request to acquire configuration information from the engineering tool 300, the configuration information responding unit 106 of the simulation device 100-1 responds the configuration information 620 of the virtual PLC system 420 to the engineering tool 300. The engineering tool 300 that has acquired the configuration information 620 displays the configuration information 620 on the screen of the information processing device 500-2. Fig.10 The structural information 620 is displayed.

[0113] The designation request receiving unit 107 of the simulation device 100 - 1 receives, from the engineering tool 300 , a designation request for designating a virtual PLC constructed in the simulation device 100 - 2 among virtual PLCs included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information.

[0114] For example, if the user performs an operation to specify the third virtual PLC 403 in the structural information 620 displayed on the screen of the information processing device 500-2, the engineering design tool 300 sends a designation request to specify the third virtual PLC 403 to the simulation device 100-1, and the designation request receiving unit 107 of the simulation device 100-1 receives the designation request to specify the third virtual PLC403 from the engineering design tool 300.

[0115] The connection information response unit 108 of the simulation device 100 - 1 responds to the engineering tool 300 with connection information including the IP address and port number assigned to the virtual PLC constructed in the simulation device 100 - 2 related to the designation request.

[0116] For example, the connection information response unit 108 of the simulation device 100-1 refers to the connection information stored in the storage unit 104. Fig.11 The connection information table of the third virtual PLC 403 responds to the engineering tool 300 with the connection information including the IP address “192.168.1.4” and the port number “50001” assigned to the third virtual PLC 403 .

[0117] Moreover, if the simulation unit 109 of the simulation device 100-2 receives a connection request including, for example, an IP address "192.168.1.4" and a port number "50001" from the engineering design tool 300, simulation is performed in such a way that the third virtual PLC 403 assigned with the IP address "192.168.1.4" and the port number "50001" is connected to the engineering design tool 300.

[0118] Next, the construction process and the control process executed by the simulation devices 100 - 1 and 100 - 2 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0119] The simulation device 100-1 in management mode performs Figure 6 On the other hand, the slave mode simulation device 100-2 performs the same process as Figure 6 The same processing as step S102 and step S103 is performed, but the processing is different from step S101. The construction unit 102 of the simulation device 100-2 constructs the virtual PLC system according to the instruction from the simulation device 100-1 in the management mode. After that, the simulation device 100-2 performs the processing of step S102 and step S103.

[0120] In addition, the simulation device 100-1 in the management mode performs Figure 7 On the other hand, the slave mode simulation device 100-2 only performs Figure 7 Processing of steps S205 and S206.

[0121] According to this embodiment, regarding a virtual PLC system constructed in a plurality of simulation devices, a user does not need to manage the correspondence information between the virtual PLC and the IP address and port number, or specify the IP address and port number of the virtual PLC to be connected, and can easily connect to the virtual PLC. Therefore, the burden of transactions in the simulation can be reduced.

[0122] (Implementation method 3)

[0123] The simulation system according to the third embodiment allocates target identification information for identifying a target of a processing request to a virtual PLC instead of an IP address and a port number.

[0124] exist Fig.12 The simulation system 1 of the present embodiment is shown. The simulation system 1 of the present embodiment has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, but the engineering design tool 300 is connected to the virtual PLC in the virtual PLC system 410 via the simulation management unit 1001. In addition, the engineering design tool 300 is connected to the simulation device 100 using the IP address of the information processing device 500-1 that realizes the simulation device 100 and a predetermined port number. For example, the engineering design tool 300 is connected to the simulation device 100 using the IP address "192.168.1.3" and the port number "50003".

[0125] exist Fig.13 The functional configurations of the simulation device 100 and the simulation management client device 200 according to the present embodiment are shown.

[0126] The simulation device 100 has a processing request receiving unit 111 in addition to the various units of the first embodiment. The processing request receiving unit 111 receives a processing request for the virtual PLC from the engineering design tool 300. The processing request receiving unit 111 is a function of the simulation management unit 1001. The functions different from those of the first embodiment are described below. In addition, the configuration information acquisition unit 101 of the present embodiment acquires Figure 4 The structural information 610.

[0127] The dispatching unit 103 dispatches target identification information for identifying a target of a processing request for requesting a process to a virtual PLC to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information. The target identification information is used to identify a target of a processing request for requesting a process to the virtual PLC.

[0128] The processing request is a request sent from the engineering tool 300 to the simulation device 100, and specifies the content of the processing to be executed in the virtual PLC. The target identification information is information for identifying the target of the processing request, and the target is any virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system.

[0129] For example, the allocating unit 103 allocates the target identification information “aaa” to the first virtual PLC 401 , and allocates the target identification information “bbb” to the second virtual PLC 402 .

[0130] After allocating the target identification information to the virtual PLC, the allocating unit 103 stores the target identification information in the storage unit 104 as connection information.

[0131] exist Fig.14 2 shows an example of identification information and connection information of a virtual PLC stored in the storage unit 104. Fig.14 In the connection information table, identification information of the virtual PLC for identifying the virtual PLC and connection information, which is target identification information allocated to the virtual PLC, are registered in association with each other. Fig.14 The record of the first row of the connection information table indicates that the target identification information “aaa” is allocated to the first virtual PLC 401 indicated by the virtual PLC identification information “401”.

[0132] The connection information response unit 108 responds to the engineering tool 300 with connection information which is target identification information assigned to the virtual PLC related to the designation request.

[0133] For example, if an operation to designate the first virtual PLC 401 is performed in the configuration information 610 displayed on the screen of the information processing device 500-2, the engineering tool 300 sends a designation request to designate the first virtual PLC 401 to the simulation device 100, and the designation request receiving unit 107 receives the designation request to designate the first virtual PLC 401 from the engineering tool 300. Then, the connection information response unit 108 refers to the virtual PLC 401 stored in the storage unit 104. Fig.14 The connection information table of the first virtual PLC 401 is used to respond to the engineering tool 300 with the connection information including the target identification information “aaa” assigned to the first virtual PLC 401 .

[0134] When the engineering tool 300 transmits a processing request to the virtual PLC to request processing, the processing request includes target identification information assigned to the virtual PLC requesting processing.

[0135] The processing request receiving unit 111 receives a processing request including target identification information related to the connection request responded by the connection information responding unit 108 from the engineering design tool 300, and sends the processing request to the virtual PLC to which the target identification information related to the processing request is assigned. The processing request receiving unit 111 is implemented by the processor 11 and the communication unit 14. In addition, the processing request receiving unit 111 is an example of a processing request receiving unit.

[0136] For example, when the processing request receiving unit 111 receives the processing request A including the target identification information "aaa" from the engineering tool 300, it refers to Fig.14 The connection information table determines the first virtual PLC 401 associated with the target identification information as the target of the processing request A, and sends the processing request A to the first virtual PLC 401.

[0137] Then, the simulation unit 109 performs simulation so that the virtual PLC to which the target identification information related to the processing request is assigned executes the processing indicated by the processing request.

[0138] For example, the simulation unit 109 performs simulation so that the first virtual PLC 401 executes the process indicated by the process request A. In addition, the method of transmitting the process request from the process request receiving unit 111 to the simulation unit 109 may adopt any method.

[0139] Next, the construction process and the control process executed by the simulation device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0140] The simulation device 100 performs Figure 6 The same processing as step S101 and step S103 is performed, but the processing is different from step S102. After the processing of step S101, the allocation unit 103 of the simulation device 100 allocates the target identification information to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information. Thereafter, the simulation device 100 performs the processing of step S103.

[0141] In addition, the simulation device 100 only performs Figure 7 The processing request receiving unit 111 of the simulation device 100 determines whether a connection request including target identification information is received from the engineering design tool 300. If the processing request receiving unit 111 determines that a processing request including target identification information is received, the processing request is sent to the virtual PLC to which the target identification information involved in the processing request is assigned.

[0142] In the information processing device that implements the simulation device, when various services are running, these services use the ports of the information processing device. Therefore, depending on the running status of the service, it is sometimes impossible to ensure the port assigned to the virtual PLC of the virtual PLC system. However, according to this embodiment, target identification information for identifying the target is assigned to the virtual PLC, and the engineering design tool can use the target identification information to connect to a specific virtual PLC. In this embodiment, only one port number is used, so even if the number of unused ports in the information processing device is less than the number of virtual PLCs and cannot be ensured by the number of virtual PLCs, the simulation of the virtual PLC system can be performed.

[0143] (Variation Example)

[0144] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and applications are possible when implementing the present invention.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the simulation management client device 200 is implemented in an information processing device different from the simulation device 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The simulation device 100 and the simulation management client device 200 may also be implemented by the same information processing device.

[0146] In addition, in the above embodiment, the simulation management client device 200 is implemented in the same information processing device as the engineering design tool 300, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The simulation management client device 200 and the engineering design tool 300 may also be implemented in different information processing devices.

[0147] In the second embodiment, the simulation device is implemented by two information processing devices, but it is not limited to this, and can also be implemented by more than or equal to 3 information processing devices. In this case, one of the multiple information processing devices is set to the management mode, and the other information processing devices are set to the slave mode.

[0148] Furthermore, by applying an operation program that defines the operation of the simulation device 100 according to the above-described embodiment to an existing personal computer or information terminal device, the personal computer or information terminal device can also function as the simulation device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0149] Such a program may be distributed in any manner, and may be distributed by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a memory card, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0150] The present invention can be set to various embodiments and variations without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is not represented by the embodiments, but by the claims. Moreover, various variations applied within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the disclosure equivalent thereto are deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0151] Industrial Applicability

[0152] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a simulation program, a simulation device, a simulation system, and a simulation method that can be easily connected to a virtual PLC.

[0153] Description of the label

[0154] 1 simulation system, 11 processor, 12 main storage unit, 13 auxiliary storage unit, 14 communication unit, 15 input unit, 16 output unit, 17 bus, 100, 100-1, 100-2 simulation device, 101 structure information acquisition unit, 102 construction unit, 103 allocation unit, 104 storage unit, 105 acquisition request receiving unit, 106 structure information response unit, 107 designation request receiving unit, 108 connection information response unit, 109 simulation unit, 110 setting unit, 111 processing request receiving unit Department, 200 simulation management client device, 201 structure information generating unit, 300 engineering design tool, 401 first virtual PLC, 402 second virtual PLC, 403 third virtual PLC, 404 fourth virtual PLC, 410, 420 virtual PLC system, 500, 500-1, 500-2, 500-3 information processing device, 610, 620 structure information, 621, 622 information, 1001, 1001-1, 1001-2 simulation management department.

Claims

1. A simulation program that causes a computer to function as the following unit: a configuration information acquisition unit that acquires configuration information indicating a configuration of a virtual PLC system that simulates an operation of the PLC system; A construction unit, which constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information; an allocating unit that allocates the IP address of the computer and the port number of the port not used in the computer to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information; a designation request receiving unit that receives, from an engineering design tool, a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information; and A connection information response unit responds to the engineering design tool with connection information including an IP address and a port number assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designated request.

2. The simulation program according to claim 1, which causes the computer to function as a simulation unit. The simulation unit receives a connection request including an IP address and a port number assigned to the virtual PLC from the engineering tool, and performs simulation in such a way that the virtual PLC assigned the IP address and the port number involved in the connection request is connected to the engineering tool.

3. The simulation program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computer functions as a setting unit. The setting unit sets the computer to a management mode or a slave mode, wherein the management mode causes a computer different from the computer to construct the virtual PLC according to an instruction from the computer, and the slave mode causes the virtual PLC to be constructed according to an instruction from the different computer. If the computer is set to the management mode, Then the structure information acquisition unit acquires the structure information, The construction unit causes the different computer set to the slave mode to construct at least any one of the virtual PLCs included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information acquired by the configuration information acquisition unit, The allocation unit allocates the IP address of the computer set in the management mode and the port number of the port not used in the computer set in the management mode to the virtual PLC constructed in the computer set in the management mode, The allocation unit obtains information on an IP address and a port number allocated to a virtual PLC constructed in the different computer set in the slave mode, The designation request receiving unit receives, from the engineering tool, a designation request for designating a virtual PLC constructed in the different computer among the virtual PLCs included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information, The connection information response unit responds to the engineering design tool with connection information including an IP address and a port number assigned to the virtual PLC constructed in the different computer involved in the designated request, If the computer is set to the slave mode, the construction unit constructs at least any one of the virtual PLCs of the virtual PLC system according to the instruction from the different computer set to the management mode, The allocation unit allocates the IP address of the computer set in the slave mode and the port number of the port not used in the computer set in the slave mode to the virtual PLC constructed in the computer set in the slave mode.

4. A simulation program that causes a computer to function as the following unit: a configuration information acquisition unit that acquires configuration information indicating a configuration of a virtual PLC system that simulates an operation of the PLC system; A construction unit, which constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information; an allocating unit that allocates target identification information to a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information, the target identification information being used to identify a target of a processing request requesting processing for the virtual PLC; a designation request receiving unit, which receives, from an engineering design tool, a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the structure information; as well as A connection information response unit is configured to respond to the engineering design tool with target identification information, namely, connection information, assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designated request.

5. The simulation program according to claim 4, which causes the computer to function as the following unit: a processing request receiving unit that receives a processing request including target identification information related to the connection request responded to by the connection information responding unit from the engineering design tool, and sends the processing request to the virtual PLC to which the target identification information related to the processing request is assigned; and The simulation unit simulates a process indicated by the processing request in such a manner that a virtual PLC to which the target identification information related to the processing request is assigned executes the process indicated by the processing request.

6. The simulation program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which causes the computer to function as the following unit: an acquisition request receiving unit that receives an acquisition request for the structural information from the engineering design tool; and a structure information response unit, which responds to the engineering design tool with the structure information related to the acquisition request, The engineering tool receives a selection of a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information responded by the configuration information response unit, and sends a designation request for designating the virtual PLC related to the received selection.

7. A simulation device comprising: a configuration information acquisition unit that acquires configuration information indicating a configuration of a virtual PLC system that simulates an operation of the PLC system; A construction unit, which constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information; an allocating unit that allocates an IP address of an information processing device and a port number of an unused port in the information processing device to a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the structure information, wherein the information processing device implements a simulation device for constructing the virtual PLC system; a designation request receiving unit that receives, from an engineering design tool, a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information; and A connection information response unit responds to the engineering design tool with connection information including an IP address and a port number assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designated request.

8. A simulation device comprising: a configuration information acquisition unit that acquires configuration information indicating a configuration of a virtual PLC system that simulates an operation of the PLC system; A construction unit, which constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information; an allocating unit that allocates target identification information to a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information, the target identification information being used to identify a target of a processing request requesting processing for the virtual PLC; a designation request receiving unit, which receives, from an engineering design tool, a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the structure information; as well as A connection information response unit is configured to respond to the engineering design tool with target identification information, namely, connection information, assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designated request.

9. A simulation system comprising: a structure information generating unit that generates structure information based on a user's operation, the structure information indicating a structure of a virtual PLC system that simulates an operation of the PLC system; a structure information acquisition unit, which acquires the structure information; A construction unit, which constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information; an allocating unit that allocates an IP address of an information processing device and a port number of an unused port in the information processing device to a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the structure information, wherein the information processing device implements a simulation device for constructing the virtual PLC system; a designation request receiving unit that receives, from an engineering design tool, a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information; and A connection information response unit responds to the engineering design tool with connection information including an IP address and a port number assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designated request.

10. A simulation system comprising: a structure information generating unit that generates structure information based on a user's operation, the structure information indicating a structure of a virtual PLC system that simulates an operation of the PLC system; a structure information acquisition unit, which acquires the structure information; A construction unit, which constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information; an allocating unit that allocates target identification information to a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information, the target identification information being used to identify a target of a processing request requesting processing for the virtual PLC; a designation request receiving unit, which receives, from an engineering design tool, a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the structure information; as well as A connection information response unit is configured to respond to the engineering design tool with target identification information, namely, connection information, assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designated request.

11. A simulation method, wherein: The structure information acquisition unit acquires structure information indicating the structure of a virtual PLC system simulating the operation of the PLC system. The construction unit constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information. The allocating unit allocates an IP address of an information processing device and a port number of an unused port in the information processing device to a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the structure information, wherein the information processing device implements a simulation device for constructing the virtual PLC system, The designation request receiving unit receives a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information from an engineering design tool. The connection information response unit responds to the engineering tool with connection information including an IP address and a port number assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designation request.

12. A simulation method, wherein: The structure information acquisition unit acquires structure information indicating the structure of a virtual PLC system simulating the operation of the PLC system. The construction unit constructs the virtual PLC system based on the structure information. The allocating unit allocates target identification information to the virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information, the target identification information being used to identify a target of a processing request requesting processing for the virtual PLC, The designation request receiving unit receives a designation request for designating a virtual PLC included in the virtual PLC system indicated by the configuration information from an engineering design tool. The connection information response unit responds to the engineering design tool with connection information, which is target identification information assigned to the virtual PLC involved in the designation request.

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