EZEthernet/EZEtherPLUS FAQs
(Last Update: 09-Aug-2022, EZEthernet FAQ0033)

EZEthernet FAQ0001
04-Sep-2002
Q: Is it possible to connect EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS cards to PC NIC?
A: PC would have to act like an ECOM for this to work. Host has not created a driver to do this yet, but is making plans for one.


EZEthernet FAQ0002
05-Sep-2002
Q: Does the EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS card support TCP/IP or IPX?
A: Both.


EZEthernet FAQ0003
13-Sep-2002
Q: Can EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS be used on an EZ-S6C-K panel?
A: No, only on the -F panels.


EZEthernet FAQ0004
21-Oct-2002
Q: In EZ Touch v2.2 software crashes if a project is reloaded.
A: There is a bug in the EZ Touch software when Ethernet protocol is picked, that if the Panel-to-Node Config Name is 16 characters or greater, this could cause a crash. The EZETHER.DLL has been repaired. Repaired DLL file version is v1.01 and can be downloaded on Host's website.


EZEthernet FAQ0005 (similar to DirectSOFT FAQ0013; DSData FAQ0045; ECOM FAQ0024)
08-Feb-2008
Q: Using NetEdit the EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS is visible, but when using EZTouch software's Select Panel, it does not show up in the list.
A: NetEdit reports everything that responds to the broadcast (looking for modules), but the Select Panel button in EZTouch software filters out everything on the network that is not an EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter. It also uses IPX protocol whereas NetEdit can use both. Therefore, check the following:


EZEthernet FAQ0006
17-Mar-2011
Q: Getting various errors with EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter (e.g. no longer visible or disappears from the network).
A: Several temporary errors can be remedied by powering down the EZ Touch panel, removing the EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter (leaving it out for a few moments), then reinstalling and powering up. For more specific help, refer to the following specific errors and their solutions or work-arounds:


EZEthernet FAQ0007 (see also NetEdit FAQ0004; EBC FAQ0078; ECOM FAQ0025; EDRV FAQ0011; ERM FAQ0052)
27-Jan-2010
Q: Can retries and timeout values for NetEdit be adjusted to allow it to find Host Ethernet devices on much slower networks?
A: No, but we will probably include this ability in future releases of NetEdit (greater than v3.7). Currently NetEdit sends out a broadcast and waits 600 ms for devices to respond. If the devices take longer than this to respond they will be missing from his list. After the responses are gathered, NetEdit makes a list and then polls each device in the list one at a time to get detailed data, but waits only 250 ms for response from each device. If the device takes longer than this to respond some of its data may be missing. This is not a problem on a normal wired network, but can be a problem on a wireless network or across the Internet where responses can inadvertently be long and inconsistent. Also, since a broadcast is used, any device between NetEdit and the Host Ethernet modules that block broadcasts can prevent NetEdit from seeing anything.


EZEthernet FAQ0008 (see also ECOM FAQ0042; DirectSOFT FAQ0048; DL Plus FAQ0009; DNLoader FAQ0010; DSData FAQ0005; HA-TADP FAQ0002; Lookout Direct FAQ0014; NetEdit FAQ0005; SDK FAQ0020)
31-Jan-2008
Q: Why doesn't the ECOM use subnet mask or gateway address like the ECOM100?
A: Since the ECOM doesn't do "master"-type communications, it doesn't use the subnet mask or gateway address. Whatever talks to the ECOM will be using IPX or UDP/IP, and the ECOM simply swaps the destination and source addresses in the telegram and responds in this way, not "caring" about the subnet or gateway. However, the ECOM100 acts more like a conventional TCP/IP device. The ECOM100 has the capability to be a master and has a full-blown TCP stack inside. Thus, if it is to transmit to an IP address not on its subnet, it will, of course, transmit to its configured gateway address instead.


EZEthernet FAQ0009
11-Feb-2003
Q: How many PLCs can I connect to one EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter card?
A: Six (6) is considered the limit. Anything over six is considered a "crap shoot." It might work, or it might give you trouble.


EZEthernet FAQ0010 (see also CTRIO FAQ0045; DirectSOFT FAQ0132; DL Plus FAQ0010; DNLoader FAQ0011; DS Data FAQ0102; EBC FAQ0083; ECOM FAQ0084; EDRV FAQ0084; ERM FAQ0058; General FAQ0004; HA-TADP FAQ0008; Lookout Direct FAQ0015; NetEdit FAQ0037; PBC FAQ0014; PSCM FAQ0003; SDK FAQ0022; SERIO FAQ0004; WinPLC FAQ0038)
31-Dec-2009
Q: What is the export classification of your products (e.g. ECCN)
A: None of our products have an ECCN. Automation Direct sells our products and they export EAR99 NLR (No License Required). ECCN is Export Controlled Classification Number and none of our products are controlled.


EZEthernet FAQ0011 (see also EBC FAQ0015; HA-TADP FAQ0001; EDRIVE FAQ0001; ECOM FAQ0008; ERM FAQ0009; WinPLC FAQ0004)
07-Feb-2003
Q: Can the MAC address be changed?
A: The MAC address is burned into the ROM of the device and is set just before it leaves the factory. There is no logical way for any protocol to change this address. Host Engineering’s range for Ethernet MAC addresses is 00.E0.62.xx.xx.xx.

However, there was a bug with the old Ether32.EXE program that could change the MAC Address! If you use Ether32.EXE to update the booter using TCP/IP protocol (i.e. use the "/pi" option on the command line), then the MAC Address could be changed by accident!


EZEthernet FAQ0012
09-Jan-2003
Q: How can I configure the EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS over the Internet?
A: Follow instructions:

  1. The EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter must have a registered Internet (TCP/IP) address.
  2. Ping your EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter using a Command Prompt: (e.g. type:      ping <your EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS's TCP/IP Address>    and press <ENTER>).
  3. Note the average turnaround time.
  4. Select Panel in EZ Touch:

Now you should be able to configure the EZ Touch Panel from the Internet.


EZEthernet FAQ0013 (see also ECOM FAQ0099; EBC FAQ0085; EDRV FAQ0028)
19-May-2010
Q: Do Host Ethernet devices use full- or half-duplex communications?
A: Half-duplex, allowing alternating transmission in 2 directions, but not in both directions simultaneously.


EZEthernet FAQ0014 (see also ERM FAQ0014; EBC FAQ0023; ECOM FAQ0019; EDRIVE FAQ0005)
26-Mar-2003
Q: For my Ethernet network that would exceed 100 meters, is a standard hub considered a repeater so as to increase the permissible length?
A: Yes. The maximum distance per 10BaseT cable segment is 100 meters. Repeaters (e.g. hubs, bridges, etc.) extend the distance. Each cable segment attached to a repeater can be 100 meters. Thus, two repeaters can gain you a total of 300 meters distance.


EZEthernet FAQ0015
11-Sep-2003
Q: Can I update my EZ Ethernet card to an EZ EtherPLUS?
A: No. The EZ-EthernetPLUS is a completely different hardware platform.


EZEthernet FAQ0016 (deleted)


EZEthernet FAQ0017 (see also ECOM 0028; EBC FAQ0033, ERM FAQ0020, EDRV FAQ0007, DirectSOFT FAQ0181; DS Data FAQ0088; SDK FAQ0012; NetEdit FAQ0013)
20-Jul-2018
Q: What Ethernet protocols are used by your products?
A: Refer to chart below:

Product Ethernet Protocols
UDP/IP IPX TCP/IP Raw Ethernet Broadcast (1)
K-seq DirectNet ECOM (2) Koyo Backplane User Defined Data Proprietary (1) K-seq DirectNet ECOM (2) Proprietary (1) Modbus TCP Master Modbus TCP Slave Proprietary (1) Koyo Backplane
Hardware ECOM Y Y Y Y (3) Y (4)   Y Y Y         Y (5)
ECOM100 Y Y Y Y (3) Y (4)   Y Y Y   Y (6) Y   Y (5)
EBC           Y       Y        
EBC100           Y       Y   Y    
ERM           Y (7)       Y (7) (8)      
EDRV           Y       Y   Y (12)    
EZ Ethernet Y Y Y       Y Y Y          
EZ EtherPLUS Y Y Y       Y Y Y
Y      
WinPLC                         Y  
Software DirectSOFT Y Y Y       Y Y Y          
DS Data Y Y Y       Y Y Y          
Ethernet SDK Y (9) Y       Y Y (9) Y   Y        
NetEdit Y (10)         Y (11) Y (10)     Y (11)        

(1)  Not an industry standard. However, protocol is available for 3rd-party development upon request.
(2)  Not really a distinct protocol. This setting is used to intelligently pick K-sequence or DirectNet as needed by the hardware/software.
(3)  Used when doing ECOM-to-ECOM via RX/WX instructions with RX/WX Node Map configured in sending ECOM.
(4)  Used when doing ECOM-to-PC (Report-by-Exception) via RX/WX instructions (Address 90 only) with ECOM's dipswitch 7 set ON.
(5)  Used when doing ECOM-to-ECOM via RX/WX instructions without RX/WX Node Map configured in sending ECOM.
(6)  RX/WX Node Map must be configured in ECOM.
(7)  ERM can talk to one slave with UDP/IP and another with IPX simultaneously.
(8) 
No longer in planning (i.e. canceled).
(9)  Requires K-sequence protocol spec (request from Automation Direct)
(10)  Uses K-sequence to perform "Test CPU Access!" function.
(11)  Uses this protocol to perform "Show Base Contents..." function.
(12)  The older HA-EDRV2 cannot talk Modbus TCP.


EZEthernet FAQ0018 (see also Do-more FAQ0038; CTRIO FAQ0046; EBC FAQ0047; ECOM FAQ0036; EDRV FAQ0009; ERM FAQ0030; PBC FAQ0009; PSCM FAQ0001; WinPLC FAQ0018; NetEdit FAQ0014; MB-GATEWAY FAQ0003)
13-Dec-2017
Q: What software tool do I use to upgrade/downgrade my Host Engineering hardware?
A: Refer to the following:

Host Hardware Part Number Firmware/Booter Upgrade Tool
CTRIO
CTRIO2
H0-CTRIO
H4-CTRIO
H0-CTRIO2
CTRIO Workbench
H2-CTRIO
T1H-CTRIO
H2-CTRIO2

T1H-CTRIO2
CTRIO Workbench or
Do-more Designer
DM1
DM1E
BX-DM1-x
BX-DM1E-x
H2-DM1
H2-DM1E
T1H-DM1
T1H-DM1E
Do-more Designer
EBC
EBC100
H2-EBC
H4-EBC
T1H-EBC
T1H-EBC100
H2-EBC100
NetEdit3
ECOM
ECOM100
H0-ECOM
H2-ECOM
H4-ECOM
H0-ECOM100
H2-ECOM100
ECOMLT (POM)
BX-P-ECOMLT
EDRV
EDRV100
GS-EDRV
GS-EDRV100
ERM
ERM100
H2-ERM
H4-ERM
H2-ERM100
NetEdit3 or
ERM Workbench
EZ Ethernet EZ Ethernet
EZ EtherPLUS
EZ Touch
MB-GATEWAY MB-GATEWAY NetEdit3
PBC H2-PBC
PSCM
H0-PSCM
H2-PSCM
WinPLC WinPLC WinPLC Workbench

NOTE: All the firmware for the above products can be downloaded using NetEdit3's File --> Live Update... The firmware files are stored in c:\HAPTools\Images folder, or in the case of the Do-more PLCs, under the Images subfolder in the Do-more Designer's installation Bin folder.


EZEthernet FAQ0019
25-Mar-2004
Q: Can the EZ EtherPLUS card serve as a gateway between the PLC and a Modbus TCP/IP slave device?
A: No. Although the EZ EtherPLUS card is a Modbus TCP/IP master and can therefore talk to any Modbus TCP/IP slave, it is not a control device. The EZ Touch panel does not allow automatic control (scripting, or writing data automatically) and therefore cannot write data to the Modbus TCP/IP slave device without user intervention (i.e. pressing a button on the EZ Touch panel).


EZEthernet FAQ0020
06-Dec-2002
Q: Using NetEdit the EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS does not show up in the list.
A: NetEdit reports everything that responds to the broadcast (looking for modules). Therefore, check the following:


EZEthernet FAQ0021
20-Jan-2003
Q: My EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter locks up (stops responding).
A: This is more than likely caused by the adapter getting hit by broadcasts on the network. Any broadcast packet placed on the wire must be processed by the EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter; it cannot simply ignore it. Therefore if the network has broadcast packets then this increases the opportunity for a deadlock condition between the panel and the EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapter to occur simply because the adapter gets so busy trying to process them that it appears to lockup. The best thing to do is to isolate the EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS and its ECOM(s) from the broadcast traffic.
An isolated network is highly recommended!!!

But this problem has been fixed in:

EZ Ethernet firmware v1.3.4
EZ EtherPLUS firmware v2.0.10


EZEthernet FAQ0022
24-Mar-2003
Q: Can multiple EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS adapters be used on the same network as a DirectSOFT programming link to the same ECOM?
A: Yes, this will work. However EZ Ethernet/EtherPLUS performance will suffer considerably when you are online with DirectSOFT; particularly if monitoring data in DirectSOFT. Therefore if frequent used is needed for DirectSOFT is would be a much better idea to get a second ECOM and isolate the networks from each other.


EZEthernet FAQ0023
14-Mar-2003
Q: When I switch from IPX to UDP/IP protocol in the "PC to Panel Config" dialog, my panel doesn't show up in the list until I dismiss the dialog and reenter it.
A: This was a bug in the EZEther.DLL. Download at least firmware v1.3.3 from our website. (The latest .DLL is zipped up with the firmware in this file).


EZEthernet FAQ0024
11-May-2004
Q: Trying to download to the EZ Touch panel and getting, "Error opening HEIDevice."
A: The "HEIDevice" is actually the EZ Ethernet/EZ EtherPLUS card. Some things that cause this error are:


EZEthernet FAQ0025 (deleted)


EZEthernet FAQ0026 (see also NetEdit FAQ0012; DS Data FAQ0087; DirectSOFT FAQ0180; EBC FAQ0052; ECOM FAQ0040; EDRV FAQ0010; ERM FAQ0034)
27-Apr-2004
Q: Getting various errors when attempting to use NetEdit to see or establish a link to a Host Ethernet device.
A: Here are know errors and their suggested solutions:

CAUTION: You may want to consult your Network Administrator before doing any of the solutions below! He/she may not want you to change your PC's setup at all!


EZEthernet FAQ0027  (see also DirectSOFT FAQ0183; DS Data FAQ0093; EBC FAQ0057; ECOM FAQ0043; EDRIVE FAQ0012; ERM FAQ0037; NetEdit FAQ0017)
27-Sep-2010
Q: How can I install IPX protocol for my NIC?
A:  You can find instructions on how to do this for your particular operating system by going to Start --> Help & Support and searching for "Install NWLink." Below are the instructions from Microsoft for doing this on a WinXP PC. The instructions are similar for other operating systems (e.g. WinNT, Win98, WinME, Win2K).

To install NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol
(
1)  Open Network Connections:
       (a)  Click Start --> Settings --> Control Panel.
       (b)  Double-click Network Connections.
     NOTE:  You must be a member of the Administrators group to install protocols. Also, when IPX is installed it is installed for all your connections. If you don't want it installed for a certain connection, then right-click that connection, click Properties and, on either the General or Networking tab, clear the NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol check box.
(2)  Right-click a local area connection, then click Properties.
(3)  On the General tab, click Install.
(4)  In the Select Network Component Type dialog box, click Protocol, and then click Add.
(5)  In the Select Network Protocol dialog box, click NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol, and then click OK.

IMPORTANT: The IPX/SPX protocol is not available on WinXP 64-Bit Edition, WinVista or Win7.


EZEthernet FAQ0028 (see also EBC FAQ0059; ECOM FAQ0051; EDRIVE FAQ0013; ERM FAQ0040; NetEdit FAQ0022)
22-Sep-2005
Q: I inadvertently changed the IP address of my Host Engineering Ethernet device and now NetEdit cannot find it, nor can I ping it. How can I get it "back?"
A:  It can be changed using IPX protocol:

  1. If IPX protocol is not installed for your PC's NIC, then install it (see EZEthernet FAQ0027 above).
  2. Select IPX protocol in NetEdit3 and edit the IP address.

EZEthernet FAQ0029 (see also EBC FAQ0061; ECOM FAQ0052; EDRIVE FAQ0015; ERM FAQ0042; HA-TADP FAQ0005; WinPLC FAQ0028)
29-Sep-2005
Q: Do any of your Ethernet devices support the next generation of Internet (IPv6)?
A:  No; nor do we have any plans to implement it at this time.


EZEthernet FAQ0030 (see also EBC FAQ0069; ECOM FAQ0055; EDRIVE FAQ0018; ERM FAQ0044; HA-TADP FAQ0006; WinPLC FAQ0032)
15-Nov-2005
Q: What types of Ethernet framing do your Ethernet products support?
A: All our Ethernet products (ECOM, ECOM100, EBC, EBC100, EDRV, ERM, EZ Ethernet, EZ EtherPLUS, HA-TADP and WinPLC) all support the following types of Ethernet framing:


EZEthernet FAQ0031 (see also EBC FAQ0070; ECOM FAQ0061; EDRIVE FAQ0019; ERM FAQ0045; HA-TADP FAQ0007; WinPLC FAQ0033)
22-Feb-2005
Q: Are the Host Engineering Ethernet products compliant to AS ISO 15745?
A: No.


EZEthernet FAQ0032 (see also ECOM FAQ0114, EBC FAQ0086, EDRV FAQ0029, ERM FAQ0060, NetEdit FAQ0040)
11-Feb-2011
Q: What do the Ethernet Stats at the bottom of NetEdit specifically mean?
A:  These are stats that are reported up to the firmware from the hardware communication components. They are technically defined as:

Missed Fr - "Missed Frames" - A count of the packets missed due to overruns, unavailable buffers or a disabled receiver.
TX Coll
-
"Transmit Collisions" - A count of the packets which had a late collision while being received.
Lost Pkts
- "Lost Packets" - A count of the packets discarded because they were too long or too short.
Bad Pkts
- "Bad Packets" - A count of the packets which have bad CRCs (checksums).
Unknown
- A count of the packets which contain invalid symbols, extra bits or resulted in a receiver overrun condition.
TX Errors
- "Transmit Errors" - A count of the packets which could not be sent because the transmitter was unavailable for an extended period of time.


EZEthernet FAQ0033 (see also NetEdit FAQ0046, Do-more FAQ0055, EBC FAQ0097, ECOM FAQ0125, EDRV FAQ0035, ERM FAQ0070, MB-GATEWAY FAQ0006)
09-Aug-2022
Q:  Why do I not see my device in NetEdit3
? My device does not show up in the list.
A:  Try one or all of the following possible solutions: One (or more) of these solutions should cause your device to show up in NetEdit3's list after pressing the <Scan Network> button.