Rockwell Studio/RSLogix 5000
Agent Requirements
Below are the Agent system requirements to configure a Copia Agent for the backup of Rockwell Logix Designer projects:
You will need a licensed copy of Rockwell Studio 5000 Logix Designer or RSLogix 5000 (see supported versions) that is capable of backing up the entire Project from a Device, which typically equates to Service Edition, Standard Edition, or higher. Refer to the Rockwell documentation to ensure that the version installed is adequate for this purpose, based on your local usage requirements.
If there are many versions of a Project that will be managed by the Agent, each version should be installed.
NOTE: A Professional Edition license is required if using FactoryTalk Linx. See FactoryTalk Linx Configuration for more information.
In addition, any additional vendor software must be licensed and installed on PC running the Copia Agent. (i.e. EDS files, Add-on's etc.)
Copia recommends starting RSLinx as a service from the RSLinx Classic Launch Control Panel:
The Agent should be tested to confirm that it can backup the PLC using the vendor software.
Please refer to the Rockwell documentation regarding port requirements for communication requirements for RSLinx Classic.
Studio 5000 must be configured to use the appropriate communication software for the devices the Agent will back up. You can set this by opening Studio 5000 Logix Designer or RSLogix 5000 on the Agent machine, and (without any project open) choose the correct version, based on the menu options shown.
Copia only supports the use of RSLinx Classic on the Agent. FactoryTalk Linx communication software is not supported. If using FactoryTalk Linx, you must recreate your Drivers in RSLinx in order to perform automated backups with the Copia DeviceLink Agent.
New Project Configuration
To configure a project for Rockwell Logix Designer, you will need to already have a repository created with the Rockwell .acd file.
Click either of the Add a Project buttons in the Projects tab.
The Add a new project configuration dialog will appear which allows you to fully configure the project, devices and job for the project.
This is a multi-step process with each section explained in detail. At any time, you can edit the prior section of this workflow.
Define the Project
To get started, we will first select the Project Type from the list provided, and then select an Agent. If you have not already created an Agent, you can create and assign an Agent at a later time. See more about this in the Agents section of the documentation.
When complete, press Save and Continue.
You will now select the Project Path, which is the location (Repository/Branch) where the project file is stored.
You will only be allowed to select the appropriate filetype or folder that is allowed for the Project Type. In some cases, a project is required to perform a backup, in other cases, the backup can create the initial backup into an empty project folder.
Once selected, press Save and Continue to proceed.
The Project Details section allows you to set the Project name and add a description if desired.
Define the Device(s)
The Device Setup section is for defining the device information (PLC, network, authentication, etc.) that is in your Project. If you have pre-created devices, you can add existing devices, otherwise you can Add a Device as shown.
We support systems configured with RSLinx Classic and FactoryTalk Linx. It is recommended that you configure the device in Copia setup to match the communication software setup in Studio 5000 Logix Designer IDE.
Fill in all required fields and any additional fields that are applicable. For the "Device Name" field, it is suggested to use the same name as the Project.
DeviceLink requires configuration of the Communication Path in both the agent and the web application.
This on-agent configuration has to be performed for every device you wish to back up. You will need to use the Linx software to browse down to each device.
RSLinx Classic Configuration
First, you must use the RSLinx Classic utility on the agent to browse down to the slot associated with each device you wish to back up.
This can be done via the "Who Active" dialog inside Studio 5000 (pictured below) or the RSLinx Classic application.
Once you browse down to the device in the Linx browser, you should be able to view the full device Communication Path.
{Redacted_Driver_Name}/10.23.37.6/PointBus/0This path must be entered in the Communication Path field in the web application. You must use the fully qualified communication path including the communication bus (e.g. Backplane, PointBus, CompactBus, etc.). This is typically in the form of: drivername\ipaddress\commbus\slotno. Note that the name of the communication bus is case-sensitive. For example:
AB-ETHIP-1\192.168.1.21\Backplane\0AB-ETHIP-1\192.168.1.21\CompactBus\0AB-ETHIP-1\192.168.1.21\PointBus\0
The DeviceLink Agent using RSLinx Classic is unable to back up devices that have a Communication Path that routes through another parent device, such as a PLC backplane. Example of such a Comm Path: PLC_1\192.168.1.1\Backplane\2\A\192.168.1.3\CompactBus\0
If you wish to back up a device that is networked in this configuration, you will need to adjust your network layout and Comm Path so the RSLinx path does not route through a parent device.
Ensuring Correct Communication Software
Studio 5000 must be configured to use RSLinx as the communication software for the devices the Agent will back up. You can set this by opening Studio 5000 Logix Designer on the Agent machine (without any project open).
To confirm the correct communication software:
Open Studio 5000
Navigate to Communications → Select Communication Software → RSLinx
This ensures the Agent can detect the PLC communication path and perform backups successfully.
Example shown below:
Web UI
If you have configured your agent to use RSLinx Classic as recommended, you will enter the full communication path here. Select "RSLinx Classic" communication software radio button and finally press Save Device when complete.
Define the Job(s)
Creating Jobs is similar for all vendor types, and is described in the Creating Jobs section. It is recommended to review that section while completing a job configuration, and press Save to save the job. You can create more than one job for a device if desired.
Submit the Configuration
Once complete, press "Submit Project Setup" at the bottom of the form to create the Project, Device(s) and Job(s).
FactoryTalk Linx Configuration
Device Agent supports backing up PLC projects set up with FactoryTalk Linx as the communication software. The Copia Agent internally utilizes Rockwell's Logix Designer SDK, hence Studio 5000 Logix Designer with version 31 and above with a valid Professional Edition License is required. Logix Designer SDK gets installed by default, but you should still ensure that the SDK checkbox is selected if required during installation. Failure to use a valid license will fail the backup with "no valid license is found" once the trial period expires.
On the Agent system, you must install Studio 5000 IDE as mentioned above and use the FactoryTalk Linx Network Browser utility with the associated device setup you wish to backup.
In the FactoryTalk Linx Network Browser application, browse to the location where the device is set up as seen in the example below:
This path must be entered in the Communication Path field in the web application. You must use the fully qualified communication path including the communication bus (e.g. Backplane, PointBus, CompactBus, Routed Subnet etc.). The following example formats are supported:
AB_ETH-1\10.41.2.208AB_ETH-1\10.41.2.208\A2\10.41.4.209AB_ETH-1\10.41.2.208\A2\10.41.4.209\PointBus\0
Ensuring Correct Communication Software
Studio 5000 must be configured to use FactoryTalk Linx as the communication software for the devices the Agent will back up. You can set this by opening Studio 5000 Logix Designer on the Agent machine (without any project open).
To confirm the correct communication software:
Open Studio 5000
Navigate to Communications → Select Communication Software → FactoryTalk Linx
This ensures the Agent can detect the PLC communication path and perform backups successfully.
Example shown below:
Web UI
Configure the project as given in the project setup above. When configuring the Device, enter the appropriate Communication Path and select FactoryTalk Linx from the radio button as seen in the image below:
Proceed with the Job Setup as see below:
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