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PLCnext Starter Kit / AXC F 2152 Initial Setup

Before you can really get started with the PLCnext starter kit or even just the AXC F 2152, there are a few things that need to be initialized or updated.

In the video, we will look at updating the firmware from 1.0.0 to 1.1.0.23. Your PLCnext may come with a later version but the process will be the same.

I will also show how to set the date and time and use "root" to set the time zone in order to allow certificates to be used with OPC UA for example.

You will need the PLC password from the front of the unit.Image118_45574571e64bbe5d52280e27086ea3c4d42f2070.jpg

If you're starting with a default configured PLCnext 2152 then you will navigate to 192.168.1.10 with your browser.

2018-09-17_16-32-41_59d1ab8e8e7342dbbe2e167b5f4353fd24170088.pngGo to Easy Configuration:

2018-09-17_16-28-16_8ec4cc0a9fce6c5ca8d1a6b0772e0584855ea662.pngLogin with "admin" and the password from the front of your PLC (Assuming you have not changed it).

2018-09-17_16-30-15_354529a190ad30901dda9b86734b46447763e8c0.pngYou can clearly see your current firmware version in the top right corner, this is from after the upgrade but the location is the same, mine was at 1.0.0 prior to the upgrade.

I closely followed the update guide from Phoenix Contact.

In my case, I was updating to a later version of the firmware. When you're done you should see the new version in the top right of the Easy Configuration screen.

Here is a quick summary of the process I followed:

(My firmware was updated from 1.0.0.250 to 1.1.0.23. 3 versions newer.)

Downloaded the firmware from Phoenix Contact.

Expanded the zip file and then run the EXE, it will expand into (in my case) “C:\Users\Public\Documents\PC WORX\Projects\ axcf2152-image-base-bundle-axcf2152.raucb”, there are a couple of additional files showing release notes and a datasheet on the AXC_F_2152.

Transfer the file “axcf2152-image-base-bundle-axcf2152.raucb” to the “/opt/plcnext” admin home folder. I used winscp for this.

From the command line and home folder, run:

admin@axcf2152:~$ sudo update-axcf2152

 You should see output like the following:

We trust you have received the usual lecture from the local System

Administrator. It usually boils down to these three things:

 

    #1) Respect the privacy of others.

    #2) Think before you type.

    #3) With great power comes great responsibility.

 

Password:

Stopping service plcnext

plcnext stopped

trying to contact rauc service

rauc-Message: installing /opt/plcnext/axcf2152-image-base-bundle-axcf2152.raucb: installing

installing `/opt/plcnext/axcf2152-image-base-bundle-axcf2152.raucb` succeeded

to update: /dev/mmcblk0p3

05.09.18 20:47:08.341 update-axcf2152            INFO - Updated from 1.0.0.250 to 1.1.0.23

 

Broadcast message from root@axcf2152 (pts/0) (Wed Sep  5 20:47:08 2018):

 

The system is going down for reboot NOW!

When it comes to secure services that use certificates etc, the date and time needs to be aligned between servers and clients, later we will be needing this for my OPC UA Demo so lets get the date, time and time zone right, the PLC has a real-time clock with battery backup (Super Cap) but it still may not be set correctly for your location.

To set the time zone will require the root user (so we have to give it a password). Make it a strong password if you're using this PLC in a production environment or as your company policy dictates. First, enable the root user so we can set the time zone.

admin@axcf2152:~$ sudo passwd root
Password:
Changing password for root
Enter the new password (minimum of 5 characters)
Please use a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers.
New password:	
Re-enter new password:
passwd: password changed. 

Now we can change the time zone. In my case to EST5EDT.

su
root@axcf2152:/opt/plcnext/# unlink /etc/localtime
root@axcf2152:/opt/plcnext/# ln -s /usr/share/zoneinfo/EST5EDT /etc/localtime
exit

And now the Date Time:

admin@axcf2152:~$ sudo date -s "05 SEP 2018 16:52:00" 

Adjusting for your location of course.

Useful Links

The AXC F 2152 starter kit includes the following:

  • PLCnext Control AXC F 2152
  • Supply voltage switch module
  • Digital input (8) and output (8) module
  • Analog input (2) and output (2) module,
  • Potentiometer module
  • 8 Switch module to stimulate the Digital Inputs
  • 1-year PROFICLOUD license
  • 24V 1A universal power supply unit with country-specific adapter plugs
  • CAT5 patch cable
  • Getting Started Documentation.

I would like to thank RS Components and Phoenix Contact for providing me with this starter kit for review at no cost.

With a background in Industrial Electronics, Solutions Architecture and programming, I now spend my time working on my YouTube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/thebreadboardca ) where I create educational videos showing how to use various devices including Test and measurement, Home and industrial Automation, Components and other fun things I am sent to review or include in projects. I will also create many projects to showcase the use of these items
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