Hi everyone, Currently I have a computer application (in C #) which communicates with PLCs via modbus … but modbus is starting to be too slow for our application. I thought maybe be able to use PLCnext controls to manage the exchanges with the computer, is that possible? I see that it is possible to integrate C # and then send it to the controller, but would this solution allow communication with software on a computer itself also programmed in C #? I just discovered PLCnext so I am trying to understand if this solution can answer my problem, and replace Modbus with a faster solution to communicate with my application on my computer. Thank you!
Hello raphy,
I thought maybe be able to use PLCnext controls to manage the exchanges with the computer, is that possible?
Yes, this is possible.
I see that it is possible to integrate C # and then send it to the controller, but would this solution allow communication with software on a computer itself also programmed in C #?
No, unfortunately the C# programming feature on the controller does not make it any easier to communicate with the PLC from an external C# application. Custom-built applications running on a PC currently have a number of options for communicating with the controller, including:
* Fieldbus protocols like Profinet, Modbus or Ethernet/IP.
* OPC UA (the PC would need to implement an OPC UA client).
* REST API calls (the PC would need to implement a REST client).
* Java API (for PC applications written in Java)
* MQTT
* Your own custom-written service running on the PLC, e.g. in a Docker container, that somehow transfers data to the PC.
The solution you choose will depend on a number of factors, including the required data transfer rate. Hope this helps. ~ Martin.
Thank you very much Martin, Your answer is really complete, I understand the solution better now. Thank you.