The ability to access DTMs in a different subnet via the DTM browser

[Trinxs1]

Some sites use a central engineering work station (EWS) that resides in a subnet different to the PAC and distributed devices.  In EcoStruxure Control Expert (ECE) it is not possible to connect to DIO DTMs which reside in a different subnet to that of the host EWS, even though the EWS can access these via routers.

Please modify the ECE DTM browser to allow connection to DTMs in any subnet, provide a warning that it is the responsibility of the user to ensure connectivity via routers.  An option may be to have a setting that can be activated to allow this to happen.

Raised by David Campbell - NZ on behalf of his customers.

[JerryBartlemay]

I wholeheartedly agree.  Especially on the NOC0321 module that supports multiple subnets.  It may not be devices on the control network subnet to which the IO scanner needs to connect.  This would make the design task simpler when managing different subnets.

[AndersBGJansson]

Great idea!

It is not uncommon for sites to have multiple subnets, one for motion drives, one for STBs etc and this would greatly add to serviceability from a remote connection, it would increase our ability to support the customer!

[Trinxs1]

Part of this request has been included in Control Expert V15.3 which is about to be released 9th March 2023.

I.e. we can now support management of devices using the BMENOC0301 and BMENOC0311 which reside in a different subnet.  ECE V15.3 allows the configuration of Modbus TCPIP AND Ethernet IP devices which have IP addresses which are in a different subnet to the NOC module.

Support is planned to enable a connection from a PC running Control Expert V16.0 (or later) to a PLC residing in a different subnet.