TCP/IP configuration

The following applies only to a CompactFlash (flash-based) JACE-NXT:

If a flash-based unit with EWF disabled for drive C (recommended for initial commissioning), new networks settings will become effective when the JACE-NXT is rebooted at the end of the Commissioning Wizard. Following all commissioning configuration, you should then re-enable the EWF overlay for drive C, and then reboot.
If a flash-based unit with EWF already enabled for drive C, before making changes you should first choose to commit the EWF overlay for drive C. However, do not issue the reboot command from the EWF menu. Instead, the reboot performed by saving the TCP/IP configuration (from this platform view) will cause the new changes to be written to flash memory.

For related details, see Notes on EWF (Enhanced Write Filter) in Windows XPE.In either case, note that simply turning off power to the JACE-NXT after making networking changes will not persist those changes to permanent flash memory.

Figure 16. TCP/IP Configuration dialog

IPv6-related properties on the IPv6 Settings tab of a JACE-NXT are read-only (this applies to any Win32 host). Adjustments, if necessary, must be made directly from the Windows OS interface, that is the Control Panel. For related details, see “TCP/IP configuration” in the NiagaraAX Platform Guide.

To configure TCP/IP settings

The Undo Changes button resets all settings (both Interfaces) back to the original pre-wizard values.

At the TCP/IP Configuration step (Figure 16) in the Commissioning Wizard, do the following:

Click the “Interface 1” control to review its TCP/IP settings, which include the temporary factory-shipped IP address.
Assign the JACE a unique IP address for the network you are installing it on. No other device on the network should use the same IP address. Include the appropriate subnet mask used by the LAN.

Alternatively, if the network supports DHCP, you can enable it (click DHCP Enabled). In this case, the IP Address and Subnet Mask fields become read only.
In general (for stability), static IP addressing is recommended over DHCP.Do not enable DHCP unless you are certain that the network has DHCP servers! Otherwise, the JACE may become unreachable over the network.
Review, and if needed adjust other TCP/IP settings, which (in usual order of importance) include:
- IPv4 Gateway — The IP address for the device that forwards packets to other networks or subnets.
- DNS Domain Name — Enter the name of network domain, or if not applicable, leave blank.
- DNSv4 Servers — Click the add button for a field to enter the IPv4 address of one or more DNS servers.
- Hostname — Default may be “localhost,” or enter another name you want to use for this host.
- Hosts File — Click control to expand edit field. Format is a standard TCP/IP hosts file, where each line associates a particular IP address with a known host name. Each entry should be on an individual line. The IP address should be placed in the first column, followed by the corresponding host name. The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one space.
  1. To add a line, click at the end of the last line and press Enter.
  2. Type in the required data on the new line.
    
    To return to see all TCP/IP settings, click the control to contract the edit field when done.
Click the Next button to go to the next step.
An “Interface 2” is also available, for configuring its (separate) TCP/IP settings. By default, this port is configured for DHCP. Although DHCP is supported in the TCP/IP configuration of both ports, typically static IP addresses are used, for stability.Intended usage of Interface 2 (Ethernet 2 on the JACE-NXT) is for:
- Isolating a “driver’s” Ethernet traffic from the primary (LAN1) interface, OR
- In some cases, LAN2 may be set up with a standard, fixed, IP address that is used only by a company’s service technician, when on site. This allows access to the JACE without disconnecting it from the customer’s network, and without connecting the technician’s service PC to the customer’s network (which might go against local IT security policies).
In general, it is recommended that you check with Systems Engineering before engineering a JACE-NXT solution dependent on the secondary (Ethernet 2) port, and otherwise leave it at default values.