Industrial Network ID Commissioning Through Ordered Static Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for associating network identifiers with industrial automation devices are error-prone and require significant human capital and computing resources, especially in large systems, where manual assignment of network addresses is tedious and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for autonomously generating and assigning static network identifiers to devices during the commissioning process, allowing devices to maintain reliable communication by storing the assigned IP address locally and switching to a static assignment mode, reducing the need for repeated IP address requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual assignment of network addresses is used, then flexibility in device configuration is maintained, but error rate increases and human capital requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing devices to automatically obtain and configure their own network addresses through the commissioning server, eliminating the need for manual assignment and reducing human error in the configuration process
Solution Approach 2:
The commissioning server pre-generates and stores network addresses in an ordered list before devices connect to the network, allowing devices to be configured automatically upon connection without requiring manual intervention during the commissioning phase
2Productivity
If manual construction of network identifier tables is used, then customization of device information is possible, but time consumption increases and error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes (physically visiting each device to obtain information and manually constructing tables) with automated electronic processes where the commissioning server automatically discovers devices, retrieves their identifiers, and populates the network configuration table electronically
Solution Approach 2:
The commissioning server acts as an intermediary between devices and the network configuration system, automatically collecting device information and managing the ordered list of network addresses, thereby eliminating the need for manual information gathering and table construction
3Ease of operation
If DHCP protocol is used for dynamic IP assignment, then automatic address allocation is achieved, but network identifier stability decreases and communication reliability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-assigning static network addresses from the ordered list to specific devices during the commissioning phase, ensuring that each device receives a stable, predetermined address before connecting to the network, thereby avoiding the address changes associated with DHCP
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the network commissioning process into two phases: an initial automatic phase where devices receive addresses from the ordered list, and a subsequent static phase where devices operate with fixed addresses, combining the benefits of automatic allocation with address stability
Data Source
AI summary
To facilitate the commissioning of network identifiers (network IDs), an ordered list comprising network ID's associated with devices of an industrial automation process may be generated and stored. Based at least on the ordered list, a network ID may be identified. A prompt may be generated and displayed, the prompt comprising a notification to power-off one or more devices. Another prompt may be generated and displayed, the prompt comprising a notification to power-on a single device of the industrial automation process. In response to receiving a network-identifier request from the single device, a device identifier may be identified for the single device and stored in a list. A response comprising the network ID and a command to change the assignment mode of the device is autonomously generated and transmitted to the single device, which subsequently stores the network ID changes its mode.