Duplicating devices

Configuring multiple devices at once is useful in cases where all devices in the range require a different set of proxy points, however, in cases where you have like devices, you might create a single device first, configure its proxy points and other components, and then duplicate it as many times as needed. You can change the device address of each duplicate to a unique number.
Prerequisites: You already added and configured device properties for a single device.
Each proxy point requires a unique address. Configuring a base address in a device provides a way to customize proxy point addresses in one step.
Perform the following steps:
  1. Right-click the device in the Nav tree and click Duplicate.
    The Name window opens.
  2. Define a name for the device and click OK.
    Each proxy point requires a unique address. Configuring a base address in a new device provides a way to customize proxy point addresses in one step.
  3. To locate the base address properties, double-click the new device node in the Nav tree and expand the base address properties (Input Register Base Address, Holding Register Base Address, Coil Status Base Address, and Input Status Base Address).

    All base address properties of a device default to hexadecimal zero (hex: 0). However, you can use them as an engineering method (along with multiple device objects) to quickly configure unique proxy point addresses. This works when a Modbus device has data partitioned into multiple areas with repeating address patterns. This way, the same device (and child proxy points) can be replicated, and the only address changes made in the base address.

  4. Select Hex or Decimal for the Address Format.
    In this application, you cannot use the option, Modbus for the base address and child proxy point addresses.
  5. Define the base Address.
    For example, if a device’s Holding Register Base Address is set to Decimal, and its Address is set to 100, each child Modbus proxy point that has a holding register Address Format of Decimal, and an Address of 13 is effectively addressed as Decimal, 113 (Absolute Address).
  6. When you are finished configuring properties, click Save.