2.4.5. Connection of the Ethernet switch
2.4.5. Connection of the Ethernet switch
An Ethernet switch or router is needed to connect the robot controller, Pick-it equipment, and the UDP2TCP converter. A brief definition of an Ethernet switch and a router is shown in Table 5-2.
Table 2-5 Definition of an Ethernet switch and router
Switch | Equipment that connects Ethernet systems and is capable of sending and receiving variable between systems connected within a small sized network in general |
Router | Equipment that works as a switch and is capable of sending and receiving long-distance variable with an external network |
As equipment technology has progressed, the functional boundary between network equipment is blurred, and the terms are mixed. As a result, the definition of the equipment is not clear. You can think that the sharers generally used by people are similar to the routers in their functions. You can also think that a switch can be used alone to build a small private network that has no connection with an external network or can be connected to the router to expand the port when the ports of the router are not sufficient. For a more detailed description, refer to the descriptions for specialized networks.
Robots, Pick-it equipment, and UDP2TCP converters can communicate when they are connected to a switch or router socket through an Ethernet cable. Please note that when using a switch or router, do not connect to an external Internet. Instead, use it only for a local network. If you look at the figure of the router’s ports, there is a separate port for connecting to an external network (Internet). Do not connect the robot, Pick-it equipment, or the UDP2TCP converter to this port.
When it comes to the method of connecting the robot controller, Pick-it equipment, and the UDP2TCP converter to the switch, connect them to any of the empty ports of the Ethernet switch through an Ethernet cable in any order, and supply the power. Then, the operation will be initiated immediately. Refer to Figure 2-1.