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What is Bridge Mode?

Bridge Mode allows a device to function as a network switch, forwarding traffic between LAN ports without modifying packet data. This creates a seamless connection between devices, enabling communication as if they were on the…

What is a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)?

A virtual local area network (VLAN) segments a physical network into smaller, isolated networks. It can help improve security and performance on a network. Layer 2 switches may create and segment VLANs but cannot route…

What is a Layer 3 Network Switch?

A layer 3 network switch operates at the Network Layer of the OSI model. Click here for more information about the OSI Model. Layer 3 network switches forward data based on IP addresses. Unlike layer 2 network…

What is a Layer 2 Network Switch?

A layer 2 network switch operates at the Data Link Layer of the OSI model. Click here for more information about the OSI Model. Layer 2 network switches forward data based on MAC addresses. They…

What is a Client?

In a Server-Client topology, a client is a device or application that requests and utilizes services or resources provided by a server. The client initiates communication with the server, sending requests for data, processing, or…

What is an APIPA or Local-Link Address?

An APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) or Link-Local Address is a self-assigned IP address automatically generated by a device when it cannot obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. These addresses are in the…

Define User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a communications protocol that is primarily used for establishing low-latency and loss-tolerating connections between applications on the internet. It speeds up transmissions by enabling the transfer of data before an…

Cannot view Webscreen on HMC.

Try PINGing the device from the PC that you are trying to view the webscreen from. If the PING is not successful, check the physical connection, then confirm that the Ethernet parameters are set correctly on…

Define Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A virtual private network (VPN) extends a private network across a public network and enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to…

Define Virtual Network Computing (VNC)

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a graphical desktop sharing system that uses the Remote Frame Buffer protocol (RFB) to remotely control another computer. It transmits the keyboard and mouse events from one computer to another,…

Define Internet

The Internet is the global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of private, public, academic, business, and…

Define Ethernet

Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in 1983 as IEEE 802.3, and…

Define EtherNet/IP

EtherNet/IP is an industrial network protocol that adapts the Common Industrial Protocol to standard Ethernet. EtherNet/IP is one of the leading industrial protocols in the United States and is widely used in a range of…

Define Wide Area Network (WAN)

Wide area network (WAN) is a telecommunications network or computer network that extends over a large geographical distance/place. Wide area networks are often established with leased telecommunication circuits, connecting multiple smaller networks like local area…

What is Pass-Through Mode?

The Pass-Through Mode allows communications from the PC to the PLC, through the HMI. This can eliminate the need to disconnect the PLC from the HMI when it is necessary to configure the HMI or…

What is EasyWatch?

EasyWatch allows users to monitor HMI and PLC address values via Ethernet from their PC, as well as invoke Macros for debugging, remote monitoring, and control. For example, after creating a Numeric Input Object in…

Define Modbus TCP / IP

Modbus TCP/IP (also Modbus-TCP) is simply the Modbus RTU protocol with a TCP interface that runs on Ethernet. The Modbus messaging structure is the application protocol that defines the rules for organizing and interpreting the…

Define Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is technology for radio wireless local area networking of devices based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance, which restricts the use of the term Wi-Fi Certified to…

Define Local Area Network (LAN)?

A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building.

What is CANbus?

Originally developed for use as an in-vehicle network in passenger cars, nowadays Controller Area Network (CAN) is used in many other industries. This includes applications in any kind of transportation system (rail vehicle, aircraft, marine,…

Define Media Access Control Address (MAC)?

A media access control address (MAC address) of a device is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC) for communications at the data link layer of a network segment. MAC addresses are…

What is my HMI’s IP Address?

It is important to understand IP addressing when connecting devices together over Ethernet. Whether you are connecting a Maple Systems HMI or cMT to a PLC to communicate over Ethernet, or connecting your PC to…

What are the benefits of CAN? CANbus?

Integrating CANbus communication offers several advantages for industrial automation industries: Speed: CAN data transfer speeds far outperform traditional analog wiring since multiple messages can be sent simultaneously to all connected devices, sensors or actuators. Flexibility:…

Can my HMI be used as a Modbus Gateway?

Maple Systems cMT and HMI products can bridge the gap between your SCADA system and field devices. Using the HMI’s Modbus RTU/TCP Slave protocol, the Modbus Gateway provides a mechanism to connect the Modbus RTU/TCP…