The Tool Bar is divided into four areas as shown in the following diagram.
Tool Bar for Network Protocols in Master or RTU Simulation Mode
Tool Bar for Network Protocols is Monitor Mode
Some areas may change based on current mode and protocol settings. Examples above appear for:
Master simulation mode for a serial protocol, and
Master simulation mode for a network protocol, and
Player
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Monitor mode for a network protocol
Player Buttons
Player Buttons are used to start and stop communication.
ICON Name In Exchange Mode In Task Mode transmission of messages for the current task. In Monitor or RTU Simulation mode, simply Starts
Send Once Transmits the selected (highlighted) exchange once
Transmits messages associated with the current task once Stop Stops communication Stops communication (need
icon) Resume N/A Resumes communication
Time Line
The Time Line contains a real-time presentation of communication traffic showing data and carrier signals in both directions (master requests and device responses)
Capture File Control
A capture file records communication line traffic over a period of time. A capture file contains message information obtained while enabled.
ICON Name Description
Start Starts file capture
Stop Stops file capture (should use an enabled icon) File
Selection
Used to specify and enable a specific capture file. The ICON contains the name of the currently active (most recently selected) file, Capture1 in this example
Information recorded to the active capture file can be viewed by selecting File and View Capture or selecting the file selection icon
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The default condition for storing messages to the Capture File is to store all messages processed while capturing is enabled. However, it is possible to store only messages that meet a certain criteria. This is done by using the Message Query facility to define one or more message filters and have the filters applied as a condition for storing in the capture file.
See the section “Message Query Builder and Message Query” for the procedure to define a query. To have a specific query used to filter captured messages, select “Tools >
Properties > Display tab” and, in the Query Filters” section, select the desired query (filter).
Communication Port Selection
This section can show one of two sets of ICONs. The first is shown when a serial protocol is selected. The second is show for network protocols.
Serial Protocol Ports, Master and RTU Simulation
The serial protocol set allows entry of two COM ports. One COM port, identified as “To RTU”, communicates to the RTU (IED or PLC). In Master Simulation mode, it is the only port used. The other COM port, identified as “To Master”, communicates to the master. In RTU Simulation mode, it is the only port used. Both ports are used in Line Monitoring mode. Messages from the RTU should be received on the “To RTU” port and messages from the master on the “To Master” port1.
ICON Name Description
COM ports Pull-down lists allow for COM port selection Direction Switches the “To RTU” and “To Master” ports
Network Protocol Ports, Master and RTU Simulation
The network protocol set allows entry of the target IP address and includes some limited control over connection processing. It appears as:
ICON Name Description Target
Node The data entry in the middle of the network protocol ICON area allows entry of a target device, either as an
1 When monitoring communication for a protocol with direction information in the message, such as DNP3, the ASE2000 interprets messages correctly regardless of which port is “to RTU” and which is “To Master”
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IP address or a node name. This field should be entered if the ASE2000 is to initiate a connection, most
typically done when acting as a master. This field can be left blank when the ASE2000 is accepting a connection, or when operating in monitor mode Browse Enables a network browser and selection of a network
node by name
Connect Normally, a TCP/IP connection is automatically made when master mode communication starts and closed when communication complete. Selecting this target will establish the connection immediately which will remain until explicitly closed. This is useful for IEC 60870-5-104 protocol
Network Protocol, Monitoring Mode
ICON Name Description
Filter Nodes
In monitor mode, all detected traffic for the selected protocol is displayed. In networks with multiple connections, it may be desirable to display traffic only for a particular device.
An IP addresses entered into the left of the two entry fields shown identifies the master in a remote/master connection. The right field identifies the remote. The ASE2000 will only process communication for the address or addresses entered. Entry also identifies IP address is for the master and which for the remote. This information is contained in communication messages for some protocols such as DNP3, but not for others such as Modbus
Browse Enables a network browser and selection of a network node by name
Query Control
The ASE2000 allows definition and activation of queries to search the contents of the current communication buffer or communication information loaded from a capture file.
The query is defined using a query definition screen and, when complete, an XPath string is created and applied to the communications buffer. Query ICONS are shown below.
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More detail is provided in the Message Query Builder section of this document.