Data Server Overview The Data Server option provides a mass data storage function to GE-Fanuc controls, along with high speed data transfer over Ethernet. The option consists of an option bit, some firmware, an Ethernet board, and a storage device. There are two choices of data storage device, Hard Disk Drive (HDD), with at least 3.2GB capacity, or FLASH ATA PCMCIA cards. The Ethernet board has an RJ45 type connector, which means that the Ethernet protocol used will be 10-Base-T. Files are stored on a remote PC on the same network, and are transferred to the CNC by the operator at the CNC. The operator can connect to one of three configured Server PC’s. The notes contained here are provided as a brief set of instructions. Full instructions on use of the Data Server can be found in the GE-Fanuc manual B-63354. Requirements of End-User The machine will be supplied with the Data Server option and hardware fitted. The Ethernet connection can be brought out to an RJ45 connector mounted on the machines electrical cabinet. The end-user must supply the appropriate hardware to make an Ethernet connection between the machine and a PC. This will consist of a PC with an Ethernet card, an Ethernet (10-Base-T) hub, and cables to connect the machine, and PC to the hub. All of this hardware is cheaply available from network suppliers. The PC should have an FTP Server function available, which is needed if the CNC is to be used as a client, i.e. file transfers are initiated from the CNC. FTP Server software is readily available over the Internet. One such example would be WFTPD from a company called Texas Imperial Software. The PC must have a fixed TCP/IP address, otherwise the CNC Data Server settings will need to be changed regularly. The illustration below shows a typical Data Server setup between two CNC’s and one PC acting as an FTP Server (HOST) Monday, March 23, 2009 FTP Server configuration The FTP Server will require an account to be setup, so the Data Server can login and retrieve data. This will require the following parameters • User Name • Password • Home Directory The Home Directory specified for the account, is where the part programs to be transferred to the machine are kept CNC configuration The CNC will be setup for Data Server use, but some local settings, specific to the end-user’s network will be required. A unique TCP/IP address is required for the CNC. Press the [SYSTEM] hard key, followed by the [+] softkey, until a softkey labelled ETHPRM appears. Pressing the [ETHPRM] softkey will make the following window appear. CNC INSTÄLLNING The MAC Address field is fixed, and will be unique to every Ethernet card. Enter the CNC’s TCP/IP Address where indicated. Set a Subnet mask as appropriate to the network in use. If the FTP Server is on a different network, then access will be via a router. Enter the router TCP/IP address, otherwise leave this field blank. Next you will need to configure an FTP Server to be used. Press the [PAGE DOWN] hardkey, until you see the screen overleaf. Note that there are three pages like this, accessed in turn by the [PAGE DOWN] hard key. The number before the text PORT NUMBER indicates which HOST (FTP Server) you are configuring for. Monday, March 23, 2009 DATA INSTÄLLNING Next to PORT NUMBER enter 21. This number is fixed, and is the same for all HOSTS (FTP Servers). The IP ADDRESS refers to the TCP/IP address of the HOST. Under USERNAME, PASSWORD, and LOGIN DIR enter the account details on the host. When the password is initially entered it is displayed as text. When you return to this page, it will be replaced with stars. The standard FANUC MDI keyboard does not have a colon, so instead the softkey labelled STRING to access this character. Making the above settings will require the machine to be powered down. Monday, March 23, 2009 Basic Data Server Operation Selecting Storage or FTP Mode Storage mode is where files are transferred from the HOST to the Data Server storage device (HDD or FLASH ATA Card). These programs are then run by subprogram call. FTP Mode allows programs to be drip-fed over the Ethernet. In most cases this would be undesirable, since Ethernet communications cannot guarantee a constant data transfer rate. To change the operation mode, press the [SYSTEM]followed by the continuation key, until a softkey labelled DS-MTN appears. Press this softkey. The window shown below should appear. FTP FÖR DIREKT ÖVERFÖRING Presing the (OPRT) softkey will present a series of softkeys allowing you to select Storage, or FTP mode. Press the appropriate softkey, and confirm your selection. Monday, March 23, 2009 Selecting a Host As indicated earlier the Data Server is capable of connecting to one of three HOST’s. To select a host, select EDIT mode, and press the [PROG] hard key. Press the continuation softkey until a softkey labelled DS-DIR appears. Press this. Of the new softkeys that appear, one will be labelled HOST. Press this to view the available HOST’s. The screen shown below will appear. Press the (OPRT) softkey, and select one of the HOST’s from the resulting softkeys. The screen above shows two HOST’s configured, and a third one not configured. Notice also that the account details can be different on each HOST. Monday, March 23, 2009 Viewing the available files on the HOST Select EDIT mode, and press the [PROG] hard key. Press the continuation softkey until a softkey labelled DS-DIR appears. Press this. A new row of softkeys will appear, one of which is labelled HOST. Pressing this key will access the HOST, and retrieve a directory of files available. Ensure that the HOST is available, i.e. is running an FTP Server, and the account details are correct. To select a HOST see the previous section. When the HOST softkey is pressed, the word SEARCH will flash just above the right hand set of softkeys whilst the data is retrieved. The following screen will appear. The listed files are shown with their File No., and Program Name. Monday, March 23, 2009 Viewing the files available on the Data Server Select EDIT mode, and press the [PROG] hard key. Press the continuation softkey until a softkey labelled DS-DIR appears. Press this. A new row of softkeys will appear, one of which is labelled HD-DIR. Pressing this key will access the storage device (HDD or ATA Card), and retrieve a directory of files available. When the HD-DIR softkey is pressed, the word SEARCH will flash just above the right hand set of softkeys whilst the data is retrieved. The following screen will appear. This screen differs slightly from the HOST screen, in that it shows the file sizes, and the Free Disk area. Monday, March 23, 2009 Transferring Files from the HOST to the Data Server To transfer a file from the HOST to the Data Server, select the HOST screen, as described above. Now press the (OPRT) softkey. A new row of softkeys appears as shown below. To retrieve a file called O0007, type O0007, and press the GET softkey. This will copy O0007 from the HOST, and save it on the HDD or FLASH ATA card. The word GET will flash during data transfer, just above the continuation softkey. To transfer a file of one name, and register it as a program with a different number follow this example. If the file name on the HOST is called PRG7.DAT, and you want to transfer this, and register it as O0007, then type the following PRG7.DAT,O0007 then press GET. The word GET will flash as before. Transferring files from the Data Server to the HOST To transfer a file from the Data Server back to the HOST, or even a different HOST for that matter, first select the HD-DIR page as described earlier. Now press the (OPRT) key. A new row of softkeys appears as shown below To transfer program O0007 to the host type in O0007, and press PUT. The word PUT will flash during data transfer, just above the continuation softkey. To transfer a program back to the HOST, but with a different filename follow this example. The program is registered as O0007, and needs to be saved on the HOST as PRG7.DAT, then type the following; O0007,PRG7.DAT then press PUT. The word PUT will flash as before. Monday, March 23, 2009 Transferring Files from the PC to the Data Server using FTP It is possible, by using the FTP function within DOS to transfer files to/from the Data Server from a PC networked with the control. First, an account must be set up on the control. This is done via the [SYSTEM] [ETHPRM] page, as shown below. FÖR ATT FÅ FTP TILL ATT FUNKA Entry of a LOGIN DIR is optional. This is effectively setting up the FTP Server component of Data Server. It is now possible, from DOS to run an ftp client by typing FTP. It may be necessary on some Windows installations to do this via the RUN option on the Windows Start Menu. The screen dump below shows a DOS screen running the FTP client. Monday, March 23, 2009 Connection to the control is made using the OPEN command, with the TCP/IP address of the control. You are required to login, which is prompted automatically as part of the OPEN command. The login name, and password, are as specified on the CNC Data Server screen. Now, using standard FTP commands you can interact with the control. The following is a brief list of some FTP commands that may be useful. DIR Show directory of files on Data Server PUT Used in conjunction with a file name, i.e PUT O0001, will copy the specified file from the current PC directory onto the Data Server GET As with PUT, except files are copied from the Data Server to the current PC directory. HELP Gives a list of available FTP Commands. Monday, March 23, 2009 Running a program stored on the Data Server To run a program stored on the Data Server, first set parameter 20 to 5. This is best done by pressing the [OFFSET SETTING] hard key, and selecting the SETTING softkey. Cursor down to where it says I/O channel, and enter 5. You will need to be in MDI to do this. There are two ways to run a program from the Data Server, either by sub-program call, or by DNC. For DNC operation, refer to the operator’s manual. Sub-program calls are made using M198, along with a P word. In order for M198 to work Parameter 3030 must be set to at least 3. To run the program as a sub-program, write a small part program like that given below. O0001 M198 P0007 M30 This program will either call a sub-program called O0007, or a program whose file no. is 7. This is determined by parameter 3404#2. If Parameter 3404#2 is set to 0, then the P word with M198 calls means file no., if it is set to 1, then the P word refers to a program no. Monday, March 23, 2009