Cisco's Industrial devices in the S5000

[mikhailov.ivan]

Hello colleagues! Have a question tonight.  As far as you know there are 2 industrial vendors who work on Cisco IOS: Cisco and Rockwell (Allen Breadly) , the major difference is colour schema. Imagine a project state  situation (which I actually got) when you design the whole IP core part and some guys from automotive design their part based on Eth\IP(CIP) and they are going to use the Rockwell's sollutions. You say that you will install the DNA center and will be able to "contorl" automotive's part as well if  you chose Cisco's IE series. And here is the problem starts. PLC's guys say that they will install rockwell switches only becouse they will be "seen" in their Studio 5000 software. We don't actually know what the "seen" means  from telecom point of view , I only undestand that the CIP's Exp.messages will get the nodes (which is the same for the Cisco). And in this case we won't be able to add it into the DNAc as an Extended node for instance. (I got it worked only as a simple generic SNMP dev.) In the other way around, they can't add Cisco's labled devices into the S5000. I couldn't find any exact answers why it goes on. Found only some old tread https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/cisco-switch-ie-2000-and-rockwell-automation-software/td-p/3332657  where the guy didn't get the answer too. When I asked acc manager and BU they recomended to download a EDS file and upload it somehow into the s5000 , I gave it to a PLC's guy and he said that it didn't help. For me it looks like 2 parthner companies can't negotiate with each other and it looks like a circus show. Cisco loses the money (because RockWell's devices are ordered instead) and I loose my nerves. If anyone knows wtf , I'll appreciate it.

I think I will go to the Reddit if I don't get the aswer here

[Albert Mitchell]

you are correct in there are only minor differences between Rockwell Automation (RA) Sratix and Cisco IE switches.  from the outside they only appear to differ by the color of the faceplate.

however, the Stratix switches do integrate easier into the Rockwell's industrail Automation management SW such as Studio 5000. 

For the Cisco IE, the EDS file can be downloaded and installed, but its not the same experience.  It is possible to load the IE Switches  into S5000 and Logix.  but requires more work.

the next problem is 'control' over the Stratix switches.    if they are 'integrated' into S5000, then its not a good idea to also try to manage them in Cat Center.  two separate systems (Cat Center and S5000) trying to manage the same asset will inevitably lead to conflict.  Even if the IE switches could be 'installed into' S5000, the same conflict would arise.

Can the automotive team do their process without integrating either STratix or IE into S5000?   if the answer to this is No, then i would not recommend trying to also manage them with Cat Center.  

thoughts?

[mikhailov.ivan]

thanks mate! Appriciate it! Regarding the "control" question , yes obviously having 2 points of truth is not a good idea definetly. And it's more administrative question.  How I see it: if a switch has been added into S5000 - It can be either fully controlled by s5000 and DNAc does RO assurance only or s5000 controls the IOS partially in RW mode (like only volumes relatived with CIP\QoS) and all others volumes are controled by DNAc (especially if it's DNA ext.Node mode).

Do you have any possible detail guides for both cases : How to add an IE series into s5000 and how to add stratix into DNAc as Ext.Node ?

The argument from automotive guys for the AB switches was like "we press couple of buttons in s5000 and everything just works", but with Cisco's IE even adding the EDS file didn't help and I suppose that they didn't know how to configure.  I don't know to be honest what they exactly do in s5000, for me it looks like a DNAc but for automotive. I asked them the same question if we installed the IE series , configured it via DNAc but you won't be able to "see" in in s5000, would it be ok ? They answered "nope".

I undestand that all that s5000 can do with switches in term of Eth\IP\CIP safety it QoS policy only and even though they need to change it dynamically their amount of traffic is less than 100meg , sounds like doesn't make any sence.

[Albert Mitchell]

1. Stratix products are not supported as Extended Nodes.  only Cisco IE can be Extended Nodes.
2. i have a document to add an Cisco IE to RSLogix.  its old, and is based on older version of RSLogix.  At best its a guide on one way to possibly do install IE.   its a multi-step process that requires teh manual entry of data and knowledge of how teh Cisco IE is powered on, how many ports it has, ....    Im trying not to oversell it.  At best it will provide some insight into what's required.  but will not translate directly to S5000.   based on what you've stated so far, you're likely to get lots of push back if you insist on Cisco IE, and this doc is all you have.  its not available to public.  we'll have to figure a way to share it if you still want to pursue.
   
   1.   Do not Cisco IE install guide for Studio 5000.   Add On Profiles for Cisco IE do not exist.  if these are required by S5000, then your stuck there.
3. Stratix switch integration into AB tools is easy on purpose. 
4. Stratix switches can be managed by Cat Center.  even if the model Stratix you want is not supported (yet). you can always use SNMP MIB to manage as 3rd party network device.

[mikhailov.ivan]

1) Pity, can't explain it considering that the patform and os are the same. (maybe only DLR ring support is the difference)

2)Could you share what you have anyway ? It looks loke a secret knowledge  which no one else have, lol.

3)Yes and it's the main reason why automotive teams make decision to order it and in this case Cisco and Rockwell share the money , only cisco could get all though.

4)yep, that's what we got. But in't the SAME IOS! Looks like a easy to solve problem, but somebody doesn't want to focus on it.

ok, it is what it is, thanks!