Communicating to a ControlNet Network? Softing Has a Dongle for You

Before EtherNet/IP, Rockwell Automation devices used ControlNet networks to communicate with I/O and PLCs. This topology was advertised as a high-speed transmission of time-critical I/O communications and was a step above the legacy data highway. The ControlNet network was similar to EtherNet/IP, where RJ45 Ethernet infrastructure was used, and each device on the network required a unique node. 

To connect a laptop or PC to the ControlNet network, users require a 1784-PCC communication card or a 1784-U2CN, which is a USB adapter that connects to the ControlNet Network and your PC. Recently, Allen-Bradley discontinued this adapter, which Softing Industrial replaced with the new usbLink CN USB-to-ControlNet interface adapter.

The usbLink CN from Softing serves as a replacement for the discontinued Allen-Bradley 1784-U2CN. Image used courtesy of Softing Industrial

The usbLink CN

Softing is an international supplier of industrial networking solutions, IT/OT communication devices, and software. Softing is also a member of the Rockwell Technology Partner program, which ensures customers purchase components manufactured with Rockwell standards in mind. The usbLink CN replicates the 1784-U2CN with a USB 2.0 connection on one side and an RJ45 connector on the other side. The usbLink CN can be used just like the Allen-Bradley counterpart to view, configure, and troubleshoot ControlNet networks.

The usbLink CN features a USB 2.0 connection on one side and an RJ45 connector on the other so that users can view, configure, and troubleshoot ControlNet networks. Image used courtesy of Softing Industrial

Simple Functionality

To ensure ease of use, Softing has added rotary switches for quick node addressing and status LEDs to diagnose USB or ControlNet connectivity issues quickly. The usbLink CN also connects seamlessly with RSLinx and RSNetWorx software, which is used to visually see the devices on the network and configure them from a PC.

Rockwell Automation PLC commonly used with ControlNet networks. Image used courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Keeping Legacy Equipment Running

Today, we can connect to virtually any industrial network without any special dongles or adapters, a luxury that is lost on today’s controls engineers. Gone are the days of carrying around a backpack full of cables and adapters; now, all we need is one good Ethernet cable. If you are so lucky to have equipment at your facility or you have a customer request to upgrade existing equipment that still uses legacy communication protocols such as the ControlNet network, Softing’s usbLink CN adapter will be a necessary tool in your toolkit.