Assign IP-address or Profinet Name over Layer 2

General feedback
1

Hello,

Hereby I would like to do a feature request for the Ixon.

We have a lot of clients in various countries, and utilize the VPN-routers to remotely log in and check for issues.
From time to time we run into issues like a faulty frequency controller, or an HMI panel that no longer works. For the vast majority of instances we can send out pre-configured replacements from our main office.

However as often times is the case in automation, the response times need to be quicker. Sometimes clients can arrange their own replacement frequency drives, and we would like to configure them remotely.

Unfortunately, these frequency drives have not yet been configured, and thus communication over IP is not possible, as an IP-address has yet to be assigned to the drive (or screen).
Due to this we can’t remotely set up communication with the device until/unless the client configures the necessary communication parameters.

With alternative VPN-routers they have a feature which allows us to assign IP-addresses, subnet masks, gateways and Profinet names over layer 2 communication.
This is not done by forwarding the layer 2 packets, but by creating the layer 2 packets on the VPN-router and sending them to the remote device directly.
This saves our clients and us the headache of informing them how to configure the communication parameters on their Frequency Drives so we can handle the rest of the parameters.

If you have any questions with regards to this feature request, please let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them.

2

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your request. I see that you are already talking to my colleague via a Support case. He has already created the feature request for you.
Please note that Profinet traffic is possible over layer 2. See the following KB article (section VPN): IXON Support
If there is anything else we can do for you, please let us know.


Marc

3

To avoid any confusion, and to provide clear instructions, we’ve created a support article about how you can remotely find your device(s) using PROFINET and assign IP settings in TIA Portal and PRONETA: Find PROFINET devices and assign IP settings over VPN.

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