How to configure Ethernet POWERLINK on X20CP0842 CPU with X20BC0083 in Automation Studio v6.1.1.14

[Nishit (Nishit Trivedi)]

Need Help

Hello B&R Team,

I am working with the following B&R hardware and need guidance on configuring the Ethernet POWERLINK protocol:

• CPU: X20CP0842

• Bus Controller: X20BC0083

• Software: Automation Studio v6.1.1.14

Requirement

I need to configure Ethernet POWERLINK communication using the above setup. The intention is to understand:

• How to properly enable and configure POWERLINK in Automation Studio

• Where to define Managing Node (MN) / Controlled Node (CN) roles

• How to correctly configure the X20BC0083 Bus Controller for POWERLINK

• Any mandatory settings in Hardware Configuration or Physical View

• Common errors like “Mode CN is not valid if the interface is in Controlled Node”

• Any step‑by‑step guidance, screenshots, or documentation references would be greatly appreciated.

[valerio.manenti]

Hi @Nishit ,
Welcome to the community!

@Nishit

X20CP0842

Are you sure about that CPU? is it maybe X20CP0482? If yes which bus base do you have?

For example if you have X20CP0482 with bus base X20BB52:
Create a new project and follow all steps:

1. Select CPU:

2. If you don’t have installed the Automation Runtime for X20CP0482 you’ll get the error

3. In that case close the wizard

4. Install the latest Automation Runtime available for your CPU: from the menu Tools > Upgrades…select Automation Runtime

5. It’s possible during the installation the sequence is stuck, so press “Cancel Installation”

6. Go to our website and download the AR 6.6.3 for your X20CP0482. Click on Download and then follow these steps:

7. Back to Automation Studio, Tools > Upgrades…Local

8. File → New Project…

After that you should see your CPU on the Physical View

9. Add bus controller X20BC0083

Now you should see your bus coupler connected with the CPU

10. Powerlink configuration on X20CP0482

11. Powerlink configuration of X20BC0083

Done easy!

Ciao
Valerio

[Nishit (Nishit Trivedi)]

Hello,

First of all, thank you for sharing the screenshots and configuration steps.

We are using an X20CP0482 CPU with Bus Base X20BB67, and the project is developed in Automation Studio v6.1.1.14. We have configured the system as per the steps and screenshots you provided.

However, we would like to understand how to confirm whether Ethernet POWERLINK is properly configured and running on the controller. Could you please guide us on the following points:

1. How can we verify in Automation Studio that the Ethernet interface is configured correctly for POWERLINK (MN/CN mode) and that the POWERLINK stack is running?

2. Which diagnostics or status indicators should we check to confirm that POWERLINK communication is active?

Additionally, we need to capture and analyze Ethernet POWERLINK (EPL) communication using Wireshark.
Could you please share the correct procedure for:

• Capturing POWERLINK traffic in Wireshark

• Applying the appropriate filters to monitor and analyze EPL protocol data

Your guidance on these points would be very helpful.

[valerio.manenti]

Hi @Nishit ,

Few notes:

1. Powerlink node number on X20BC0083
   In the prj we didn’t change the default number = 1

so you have to configure the same number with 2 switches:

2. Status LED:

3. X20BC0083 I/O mapping, you can monitor the diagnostics variable below (as first step ModuleOk has to be = 1)

Powerlink diagnostics variable for powerlink interface on your CPU

4. Regarding Wireshark please check this very helpful post: Diagnosis of POWERLINK networks using Wireshark

Ciao
Valerio

[Nishit (Nishit Trivedi)]

Hi @valerio.manenti

Sub: Clarification Required on Ethernet POWERLINK ASnd / Asynchronous Communication and Object Parameters

Thank you for sharing the configuration screenshots and guidance.

Based on your inputs, we have verified the following:

• The Ethernet POWERLINK status is now showing as configured and operational.

• We successfully captured POWERLINK traffic using Wireshark.

• The traffic capture was done via Ethernet port 2 of the X20BC0083 module.

• Now, We wanted to specifically observed traffic on UDP port 3819, how it is enabling (Help me this)

However, we need clarification on a few open points related to asynchronous communication and object visibility:

1. ASnd / Asynchronous Communication Channel
   In our current Automation Studio setup 4.12.6.106 and 6.1.1.14, we do not see any option to:

   • Enable Asynchronous Communication Mode

   • Configure ASnd channel parameters

   • Enable or configure ASnd (Asynchronous Send) objects

   Kindly clarify:

   • Is ASnd/asynchronous communication automatically handled by the POWERLINK stack in this configuration?

   • Or does it require specific hardware support, firmware version, or additional configuration in Automation Studio?

   • Are there any prerequisites (e.g., MN role, interface mode, or PLK settings) for ASnd visibility?

2. Object Dictionary / Object Parameters Not Visible
   Additionally, we do not see any POWERLINK object parameters or object dictionary entries related to ASnd or asynchronous communication.

Looking forward to your clarification on above point

[valerio.manenti]

Hi @Nishit ,
more than happy to help you but I ask you to create 2 new posts for 2 different questions (UDP and Powerlink object dictionary); we would like to have a post for one question.
The initial request was “How to configure Ethernet POWERLINK on X20CP0842 CPU with X20BC0083 in Automation Studio v6.1.1.14” and as you has reported your CPU is communicating with the bus coupler so I’m going to mark as solution one of my comment and waiting for the others.
Thanks
Ciao
Valerio