Is it possible to change the firmware in a Modicon CEV 300 10 Modbus to Ethernet bridge to convert it into just a serial tunneling device?

Currently, my CEV module has v1.6 firmware. Since the CEV 300 10 looks a lot like Lantronix's CoBox-DR1-IAP, I tried TFTPing the standard serial tunneling firmware, but TFTP failed with 'Firmware version not supported'. Any suggestions, or am I better off just buying a new serial
tunneling box?

 

It is a support issue. Modicon does not want CEV's out there with non-CEV firmware so the CEV firmware actively prevents you from loading "CoBox" firmware. There is no simple 'field trick' to covercome this as the CEV v1.6 literally tests the image coming down to verify it is an
approved Modicon-coded image. So yes, you'll need to buy other units.

While this is a pain/$$$-cost for you, I hope you can see Modicon's side of this. If you could reflash the CEV, then 2 years from now when another engineer is in charge of your system and calls Modicon to ask why this odd non-Modbus link is no longer working, Modicon tech support
will be completely baffled & cannot help. This won't be good for either your company or Modicon.

There is no shortage of "other units". You already know about the Lantronix units; my firm (http://www.digi.com) also makes many device servers of various sizes and prices suitabable for serial tunnels thru ENet.

best regards
- LynnL www.digi.com, Snr Prin Engineer
for email address see: http://www.iatips.com/contact.html

 

It is a support issue. Modicon does not want CEV's out there with non-CEV firmware so the CEV firmware actively prevents you from loading "CoBox" firmware. There is no simple 'field trick' to covercome this as the CEV v1.6 literally tests the image coming down to verify it is an approved Modicon-coded image. So yes, you'll need to buy other units.

While this is a pain/$$$-cost for you, I hope you can see Modicon's side of this. If you could reflash the CEV, then 2 years from now when another engineer is in charge of your system and calls Modicon to ask why this odd non-Modbus link is no longer working, Modicon tech support will be completely baffled & cannot help. This won't be good for either your company or Modicon.

There is no shortage of "other units". You already know about the Lantronix units; my firm (www.digi.com) also makes many device servers of various sizes and prices suitabable for serial tunnels thru ENet.

best regards - LynnL www.digi.com, Snr Prin Engineer for email address see: http://www.iatips.com/contact.html

 

If you only request for Modbus RTU/ASCII to Modbus TCP, then I also recomment Moxa NPort 6110. You can visit them at

http://www.moxa.com/product/Serial_Device_Servers/Modbus/NPort_6110.htm

Wish this information will help.