BASEstartm Classic DAS
for Allen-Bradley
INTERCHANGEtm Software
Installation and User's Guide


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3.2.3 Upload and Download Functions

The upload function transfers the contents of a device's memory to an OpenVMS file. The download function transfers the contents of an OpenVMS file to a device's memory. Upload and download functions are only supported for the EI Network Interface version of the DAS. Only PLC-5 processors (not including the PLC-5/250) may be uploaded or downloaded.

Table 3-7 describes how to access the upload and download functions through the BASEstar Classic interfaces.

Table 3-7 Upload and Download Interface Access
Interface Function Name
CLI UPLOAD
  DOWNLOAD
API ILAN$UPLOAD_FILE
  ILAN$UPLOAD_FILE_A
  ILAN$DOWNLOAD_FILE
  ILAN$DOWNLOAD_FILE_A
Menu DCM Devices Files Upload
  DCM Devices Files Download

Example 3-8 shows the CLI commands to upload and download files.

Example 3-8 UPLOAD and DOWNLOAD Input

DCM> UPLOAD device_name filename /QUALIFIER="RUNNING"
DCM> DOWNLOAD device_name filename /QUALIFIER="CLEAR"

In the first command, the BASEstar Classic device device_name is being uploaded to file filename. The "RUNNING" qualifier allows the PLC to be uploaded while it is in RUN or REMOTE RUN mode. In the second command, the file filename is to be downloaded to device_name. The CLEAR qualifier is used to clear the faulted PLC, allowing the download to proceed.

The DAS for AB INTERCHANGE software uses the Allen-Bradley INTERCHANGE Software for OpenVMS DTL_DOWNLOAD and DTL_UPLOAD services to perform these functions. Consequently, the DAS for AB INTERCHANGE software upload and download functions have the same functional limitations.

Note that communication failures between the BASEstar Classic system and a device being uploaded or downloaded may leave a device in an state that prevents further access from the DAS for AB INTERCHANGE software. If such an error occurs, refer to the appropriate Allen-Bradley documentation for that device for trouble shooting assistance.

3.2.3.1 DTL_DOWNLOAD

For downloading, the OpenVMS file must have been created from the BASEstar Classic upload function or imported using the DCM_DTL$IMPORT_6200 utility. DCM_DTL$IMPORT_6200 creates a BASEstar Classic downloadable file from files generated from an Allen-Bradley's 6200 PLC-5 Programming Software environment or a INTERCHANGE Software for OpenVMS utility program.

The default behavior of the DAS for AB INTERCHANGE software download allows download providing all of the following conditions are met:

Table 3-8 describes the qualifiers used to modify the default download behavior.

Table 3-8 Download Qualifiers
Qualifier Default Description
[NO]REMOTE NOREMOTE Enables download if the PLC is in REMOTE PROGRAM mode. The default is that the PLC must be in program mode.
[NO]CHANGE_MODE NOCHANGE_MODE Changes the mode of PLC from remote run or remote test to remote program before starting download.

The default behavior does not change the mode at the beginning of the download, nor does it reset the mode to remote run or remote test after completing the download. The REMOTE qualifier must also be used with CHANGE_MODE to enable downloading in REMOTE PROGRAM mode.

[NO]CLEAR NOCLEAR Clears major faults on download if the PLC is faulted. The default is not to clear major faults.
[NO]MATCH MATCH Download only if the PLC type, revision and series are an exact match. The default is not to download if the revision and series do not match.
The default values of these qualifiers may be modified through setting the BASEstar Classic parameter ILAN$_DTL_DWNL_FLAGS.

Warning

Devices can control complex and perhaps dangerous industrial processes. Do not use the /CHANGE_MODE qualifier until you take the required safety precautions and put required operating restrictions into effect. Refer to the device manufacturer's documentation for specific safety precautions.

3.2.3.2 DTL_UPLOAD

The default behavior of the upload function for DAS for AB INTERCHANGE software is to allow an upload to occur if the target PLC is not running and is not faulted. This behavior may be modified by using the upload qualifiers described in Table 3-9.

Table 3-9 Upload Qualifiers
Qualifier Default Description
[NO]RUNNING NORUNNING Enables upload if the processor is in run mode. Note that the data table values may be changing.
[NO]FAULT NOFAULT Enables upload when PLC has a major fault. Note archive files created from faulted PLC may be downloaded but not compared.
To modify the default values of these qualifiers, use the BASEstar Classic parameter ILAN$_DTL_UPL_FLAGS.


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