An EtherCAT Network Information (ENI) file describes the configured network. This includes all the SubDevices, network topology, initialization commands for each SubDevice, etc. The EtherCAT Editor generates an EtherCAT Network Information (ENI) file. When the EtherCAT configuration is downloaded to the RMC EtherCAT MainDevice, this ENI file is included in the download. The RMC MainDevice uses the ENI file to initialize and operate the network.
The ENI file contents are defined by the EtherCAT specification. The EtherCAT Editor includes other information that is specific to the RMC and is not part of the EtherCAT ENI file, such as the EtherCAT I/O Mapping on the Process Data tab. This data is also downloaded and stored in the controller.
The ENI file is normally not visible to the user. In most situations, there is no need for the user to be concerned with the ENI file.
Exporting the ENI File
The ENI file can be exported as a .xml file. The exported ENI is useful for:
Troubleshooting.
Importing the ENI file to another project. See Importing SubDevices from an ENI file below.
To export the ENI file:
On the EtherCAT menu, select Export ENI.
Enter a file name, browse to the desired location, then click Save.
Importing SubDevices from an ENI File (Not Preferred)
This is one method of transferring data between projects. However, this method is not preferred. Importing an ENI file to the EtherCAT Editor will remove all the existing SubDevices and replace them with all the SubDevices in the ENI file, including their configurations. It will not include the MainDevice settings and RMCTools-specific settings such as I/O Mapping.
The methods are of transferring data between projects are:
Copy and Paste the EtherCAT node in the Project View (Preferred)
This method will include all the EtherCAT settings, which includes the EtherCAT configuration file (from which the ENI is generated) and all the RMCTools-specific configuration.
This method is accessible in the Project View by right-clicking EtherCAT.
Export and Import EtherCAT Configuration
This method will include the EtherCAT configuration file (from which the ENI is generated) but will not include all the RMCTools-specific configuration.
This method is accessible on the EtherCAT menu, or in the Project View by right-clicking EtherCAT.
Export and Import ENI File (Not Preferred)
This method will include only the ENI file. It will not include the EtherCAT configuration file and RMCTools-specific configuration.
To import SubDevices from an ENI File:
On the EtherCAT menu, select Import SubDevices from ENI.
Browse to the ENI file, then click Open.
All the existing SubDevices will be removed and will be replaced with the SubDevices defined in the ENI file.
See Also
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