Firmware Com'X 200 Version 1.3.5

[JamesJeanette]

New Com'X 200 Version 1.3.5 firmware.

Com’X 200 firmware upgrade adds WiFi Infrastructure, Modbus TCP server for embedded digital and analog inputs, Web Certificate management

The Com’X 200 firmware v1.3.5 adds new functionality to the energy server’s primary role of data collection and publication. The Wi-Fi Infrastructure feature allows the Com’X to be connected to the customer’s Wi-Fi network for configuration, data
collection, and publishing.

*) For permanent use, the Wi-Fi USB key must be installed outside the panel for EMC reason. Schneider Electric provides accessories to externalize your Wi-Fi USB key from the cabinet.

** Important Note **

To upgrade to Com'X 200 Version 1.3.5, you must first have Version 1.1.20 installed.  See instructions below.

Updates:

• Gateway Feature for Inputs: Gateway enables software such as Power Monitoring Expert to read data from downstream input devices.

• Wi-Fi Infrastructure feature: Connect to your internal Wi-Fi network.

SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) Support: Version 1.3 allows the user to connect the Com’X 200 to a SNTP server for date/time setting.

Additional Product Improvements and Language Support (please see the updated User Manual or full release notes for more information)

Com'X 200 1.3.5 User Manual can be found here:

http://shoppingkiosk.schneider-electric.com/doc_info.aspx?DocRef=DOCA0036EN&isdvd=False&df=3&gid=247...

[sesa77557]

Ciao James!

Thank for this release, anyhow I would like to know something more about the note you have written:"*) For permanent use, the Wi-Fi USB key must be installed outside the panel for EMC reason. Schneider Electric provides accessories to externalize your Wi-Fi USB key from the cabinet.

Could you please give us some more details/example?

So which is the advantage to have the onboard WiFi USB key?

Thanks to give us more info about

Best Regards,

Roberto

[JamesAZZO]

James,

Can you just confirm when Modbus Gateway will be available over 3G and WiFi? (Might be this release we were waiting for...)

Thanks as always!

James

[sesa44646]

Hey Jamie, what is the mechanism for PME to read data from downstream devices - is it a CSV import?

[ram_kaushik]

Thanks, Jamie!

So just to be absolutely clear - this release now addresses the existing gap - i.e.PME can now read all connected meters plus connected I/O - correct? See anything stopping us from using this as a WAGES aggregator for on-premise PME/PSE applications?

Secondly, I would recommend you look at the older ComX threads to add updates to clarify the situation today. Will avoid confusion.

[JamesJeanette]

Hi Roberto.

We recommend to use the extension USB cable with the Com'X 200 to allow for the installation of the WiFi dongle outside of the panel.

We will be offering a 2M and 4M reference soon, but until then, we recommend the following:

1 meter cable from Magelis Accessories is :

Name : USB extension cable

Commercial ref : XBTZGUSB

I hope this helps.

[JamesJeanette]

Not yet on the CSV import.  That will come in Version 1.4 scheduled for March.

This release allows the Com'X 200 to gateway to both Modbus Serial devices, and to the connected I/O (new).

James

[JamesJeanette]

Hi James.

This does not address 3G/WiFi gateway.  Here are the WiFi settings for this update:

[JamesJeanette]

Thanks for the question Ram.

I have not yet announced the formal release of this update hoping that I would first get some questions from the SEC Good job!

This release allows the ability to gateway to Modbus Serial devices and to the connected I/O.  As I understand, there are no issues to use the Com'X as a WAGES aggregator for these applications.

- Jef - Please reconfirm my understanding.  

[JamesAZZO]

So in real terms then, this WiFi is for configuration only?

When will Gateway through WiFI and/or 3G be considered?

Thanks.

[JamesJeanette]

There are three purposes for the WiFi.  These include setup and configuration as you mention, but also new in 1.3.5 you can now also use WiFi for data collection and publishing.

See this table for more information:

[EvonneYin]

Hi James,

It is good to have this feature (gateway to downstream connected I/O) enabled for COM'x200.

Referring to the question by Vince, could you please explain a little more detail on how PME would read data from downstream devices if it is not as CSV import?

It would be beneficial if we could have a summary of current Com'X200 capabilities and a list of features that will come soon.

Cheers

Evonne

[Anonymous user]

Everything is correct.

May be a small precision about Wifi and "Modbus gateway" features :

Any Modbus-TCP request, addressed to the IP address of the Com'X 200 Wi-Fi interface, is translated as modbus-RTU request on the Com'X 200 serial port.

By that way, if there is a Modbus-RTU (RS485) slave connected to the RS485 port of the Com'X 200, this slave can be seen as a Modbus-TCP server at the IP address of the Com'X 200 Wifi interface.

We have also added technical features in the version 1.3.5 :

• Increase GPRS modem stability (in case of GPRS disturbance, the retries are more intelligent)
• Network diagnostic tool : This button launches an automatic script that tests all the network interfaces and display the technical results.
• Technical log export : this button creates a zip file that contains all the configuration and logs of the Com'X 200). The result of this feature is for technical support only, This will help the technical support in case of issue.

Regards

Jef

[sesa77557]

Hi Jeff,

thanks for the clarification. Could you please explain better your sentence:

     Any Modbus-TCP request, addressed to the IP address of the Com'X 200 Wi-Fi interface, is translated as modbus-RTU request on the Com'X 200 serial port.

     By that way, if there is a Modbus-RTU (RS485) slave connected to the RS485 port of the Com'X 200, this slave can be seen as a Modbus-TCP server at the IP address of the Com'X 200 Wifi interface.

It seems that this is a kind of "gateway function" over WiFi?

Thanks to give me more details about.

Roberto

[JamesAZZO]

So can it be a Gateway over WiFi or not? The above is describing the functionality of such. 

[sesa77557]

Hi James,

this info is completely new and it was not clearIy explained to us and it can become difficult to promote this feature.

In all the presentations, documents, etc... it was always told that the WiFi key could be inserted inside the dedicated slot of Com'X200 for permanent use, see the instruction sheets we have sent with the key sold up to now:

So this point described on page 51 of the new user manual can become a real issue:

Many Customer told us that it was extremely helpful to have integrated inside the case of Com'X200 both WiFi key and GPRS or 3G Dongle.

If we tell to Customers to add another component (a cable that Customers have to pay to Schneider Electric, and to work in fixing it inside the panel - not easy with all the cablings) we will obtain a negative impact (and low performances in marketing penetration of this solution)

> Have you already made some cabling tests with this cable?

> Are you 100% sure that it is mandatory to install externally this WiFi USB key? Which are the potential issues that we will have placing the key inside?

> What about the actual GPRS modem or the future 3G Modem? I wish that they can remain fixed inside the Com'X200 box (with no issues) - I aask you this because as far as I know also 3G and GPRS modem produce EMC disturbances...

Thanks to clarify,

Best Regards,

Roberto

[Anonymous user]

About the external USB extension cable :

If you don't use the Com'X200 inside a closed metal enclosure, you can

leave all the wireless antenna in this enclosure

==> You can leave the GPRS modem and its small antenna inside the Com'X 200

==> You can leave the wifi USB modem inside the Com'X 200

If you use the Com'X200 inside a closed metal enclosure, you can not let

any wireless antenna in this enclosure because :

The transmission will be affected (strongly attenuated)

There is a risk to increases the volt field level with a value higher than

10V/m and some devices may be disturbed (eg some devices can trip !).

==> It is highly recommended  to use an external GPRS antenna and to place

this antenna vertically on the top of the enclosure

==> It is highly recommended to use the USB extension cable and to place

the Wi-Fi USB dongle on the top of the enclosure

[JamesAZZO]

Based on this, this is how Modbus Gateway works - and if Data Collection is Modbus Gateway (vs Data Publishing is FTP) then the answer is yes. - your comment is really confusing me.

[sesa77557]

Jeff, James,

We need official clar informations about these topics otherwise we risk to create confusion.

As you know 95% of the installations in Europe (at least in Italy) will use metal switchboards like Prisma or Okken.

In this type of panel, is it mandatory to use:

--> USB extension cable to place externally the wiFI USB key? (written inside the last user manual)

--> Esternal GPRS/3G antenna to be fixed externally? (NOT written inside the last user manual)

We need a clear answer: YES or NOT? --> please do not consider the "signal attenuation" aspects but only the disturbs that can affects other devices...

If it is not mandatory, which kind of issues could happen on other electrical devices inside the panel?

Speaking about a different enclosure (not metallic) - like Kaedra or others - are there the same issues?

Thanks to clarify these important topics

Roberto

[Anonymous user]

Yes Roberto

This is a "modbus gateway" function over Wi-FI

I prefer to not use the words "gateway function" because there is a risk

that people consider the Com'X as an "IP router".

The Com'X 200 is not an "IP router" (there is no packet routed between

Ethernet and Wi-Fi interface).

Regards

[Anonymous user]

James

The Com'X 200 can works either :

A) as a transparent modbus gateway

     In that case the application must poll the variables using modbus request, the Com'X 200 will not store anything

     (If the application reads modbus registers in the slave 255, it can access to the Com'X 200 DI and AI)

B) or as a data acquisition + publication

     In that case the Com'X reads cyclically (eg each 10 min) the variables in the devices using modbus request,

     It stores temporary those data in a buffer,

     and it publishes (eg each hour) the full content of the buffer using an FTP (or SMTP, or HTTPS) client.

     The data are sent as a CSV file. (there is also a new publishing mode using DSP platform for future offers such as FIO)

     the buffer is erased after a successful publication

The permanent Wi-Fi mode can be used in all those architectures.

If you can send me a drawing of your system architeture, we can exchange on it

Regards

[JamesAZZO]

- Can you confirm "A" above is valid connect through WiFi? I'm getting conflicting stories.

[Anonymous user]

Yes it works !

Regards

Jef

[ram_kaushik]

Folks, a suggestion. Can we make a simple FAQ for this product with a marketing pre-sales mindset? I am thoroughly muddled on what will work and how to apply this product with other software. I had started an FAQ document back in April 2014 that I can post as a starting point if we can have others contribute (wiki style). OK?

[sesa77557]

Ciao Jef/James

I have received the same question from One Customer.

He wants to have a clear feedback (YES or NOT) to the same questions I have made here under.

Could you please help me?

[arjanbijker]

sad to see 3g gateway is still not considered.

today i had a customer ask me, and again i am disappointed.

[JamesJeanette]

Hi Arjan.

3G is coming this year.  Do you foresee any impact to your business if we remove the GPRS option, and substitute 3G in it's place?

James

[arjanbijker]

Hi James

3G replacing GPRS is excellent.

But gateway functionality over 3G is even better, and needed.

[JamesJeanette]

Arjan/James...just a FYI.

I learned that with the "Firewall Management" feature in the Com'X 510...you can in fact use the GPRS (future 3G) as a gateway.

James

[JamesAZZO]

James,

So am I right in saying that the Com'X 200 will not have this function?? If so that's definitely against what we were led to believe even of recently.

If that's the case we just lost 400 sales to a utility....

Cheers,

James

[JamesJeanette]

Hi James...

No...not saying can't be done on Com'X 200.  Just pointing out Firewall Settings feature on Com'X 510. 

Just to be clear...for your utility...you are looking for gateway through GPRS, or through WiFi?  I recall your primary interest seemed to be over WiFi.

James

[JamesAZZO]

Seeing this thread is about the 200 this assumption was made. Thanks. Please confirm.

The WiFi function is still not clear either, but yes, this was a main question for another customer installing in switchboards just outside and apart from their buildings to save trenching.

Cheers,

James

[sesa77557]

Ciao Jef/James

We are receiving the same questions from different Customers.

We need a clear feedback (YES or NOT) to the same questions I have made here under.

Could you please help me?

James Jeanette

jef Maubert