| Posted: Friday Apr 2nd, 2010 04:07 pm |
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1st Post |
juwi_uk
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I am developing a Modbus Plugin for the ComfortClient spurred on by support from Ingo.
By developing as a plugin we keep a lot of the code outside of the ComfortClient enabling them to be developed in parallel and as an option for people that want to use.
The Architecture is:
(1) Plugin ("ModbusManager") to allow the plugin to be used within the ComfortClient (if found) and also within it's own external console ("ModbusConsole").
(2) Main Modbus polling agent is over TCP/IP and runs as a WIndows Service.
(3) The Service communicates with the ModbusConsole and ComfortClient via Microsoft Message Queues (MSMQ, which you should all have from Windows 2000 onwards). Currently I'm using "Private" queues which means that the Service and Clients need to run on the same machine, but MSMQ is very powerfull and i can open up for distributed architecture if there was interest.
(4) Up to 5 Modbus Gateways, each with up to 255 Slaves, each Gateway having an unlimited number of Register Mappings (decodes).
(5) Modbus Register values received by the client will be displayable on floorplan objects, in this release as Label Objects. In the next release I'll introduce gauges based on a great freeware dials & gauges class that Ingo has found.
(6) Map the Modbus Registers to Comfort Counters and pass the values back to Comfort when the ComfortClient is running.
Here is a montage of touchpoints and features:
Attachment: Montage.png (Downloaded 115 times)
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| Posted: Friday Apr 2nd, 2010 05:17 pm |
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2nd Post |
Ingo
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Great work so far Julian, I can't wait for the complete Modbus module to be released. If things keep going the way they are then you will have created a complete Home Security and Power Managment user interface.
Ingo
PS. Sorry for hijacking your release code, I'm always in the market for new features...
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| Posted: Saturday Apr 3rd, 2010 02:56 am |
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3rd Post |
ident
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Interesting. What are some of the Modbus devices that can work with the plug in over TCP/IP?
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| Posted: Saturday Apr 3rd, 2010 08:16 am |
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Ingo
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We tested both a NetBiter and EGX-100 Modbus gateway connected to a PM9C Power meter. And yes, it's Modbus/TCP only.
Ingo
Last edited on Saturday Apr 3rd, 2010 08:17 am by Ingo
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| Posted: Saturday Apr 3rd, 2010 08:54 am |
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5th Post |
juwi_uk
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Personally I dont have any Modbus kit and I've been polling (every second) across the Internet to Ingo's kit; works really well (fast) so far.
I guess if anyone in the community has other Modbus kit and wants to try on the alpha code so far (for compatibility with their devices) then we'd be pleased to hear from them. I certainly want to try and make sure it supports configuration for as wide a set of devices as possible if I can.
They'll just need to install MSMQ, install the modbus service (as a windows service) and test connectivity via the small ModbusManager applet.
If you're interested let me know.
Julian
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 17th, 2010 07:26 am |
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6th Post |
juwi_uk
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Hi Everyone,
I'm pleased to post the first version of the Modbus Plugin for the ComfortClient builds 1.21.1.85 or later.
The idea for this came from Ingo and he's been sneeking in more feature requests as I've gathered development momentum on this.  This plugin is "his baby"!
To use this plugin you will need to:
- Be using ComfortClient builds 1.21.1.85 or later
- Copy the Plugin files to a PluginsModbus folder in the folder where the ComfortClient.exe file is located.
- Install Microsoft Message Queues (MSMQ) feature for Windows (turn on in Programs & Features in Control Panel). Available since Windows 2000 Professional so you should all have with XP, Vista, Win7 versions etc.
- Install the Modbus polling service in this distribution. I've provided CMD (batch) files to do this but you may need to modify each to set the full path to where you've installed the plugin. Also remember to run these files as "administrator" (Right click and run as Administrator").
- The Plugin should now be visible in the ComfortClient menus. Also you can run the separate Modbus Console to configure and manage the polling service.
Version 1.0.1.11 – (16 July 2010)
Architecture:
- Microsoft .NET 3.5 console application developed under Visual Studio 2008
Tested against Comfort version:
- Comfort II Ultra: Firmware – 5.199, File System – 34
- UCM05: Firmware – 5.212
New Features
- First release
- Modules included in Plugin:
- ModbusService – Modbus Gateway Polling Agent
- ModbusConsole - Standalone Modbus Plugin “Mini-Consoleâ€
- ModbusPlugin – Common Plugin providing core features set to ComfortClient and Modbus Console
- ServiceControl – Starts/stops/queries service running status (used by other modules)
- Fully integrated with ComfortClient Menu’s but only visible when the plugin is installed
- Modbus Mapped values available on Floorplan objects; Labels and Gauges.
For download links visit:
http://www.comfortforums.com/forum65/1948.html
I've updated the screenshots in this thread to show a montage of features and touchpoints for this plugin.
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 17th, 2010 07:52 pm |
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7th Post |
juwi_uk
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Hi everyone,
I've created an installer today for the ComfortClient Modbus Plugin; usable for both for new installs and upgrades.
You can find this installer (MSI in zip file) at:
http://www.comfortforums.com/forum65/1948.html
In addition to installing the applications and the Windows service, it also places an entry in Windows Programs and Features (Add/Remove Programs) and also a ComfortClient folder in the Start Menu Folder.
There is one rule; ensure that you install this to the Modbus folder under Plugins. If you install the main ComfortClient to {Comfort Client InstallPath} then make sure you install this plugin to {Comfort Client InstallPath}PluginsModbus. Picking the installation defaults in both installers will do this for you but you are free to choose other folders as long as the above installion rule is observed.
Note that this installer DOES NOT install the prerequisite Microsoft Message Queues (MSMQ); you'll need to install this feature manually via Vista/Win 7 Programs & Features (or Add/Remove Programs in XP).
I'll enhance it further over subsequent releases.
Julian
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| Posted: Wednesday Dec 22nd, 2010 01:27 pm |
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8th Post |
juwi_uk
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Hi Everyone,
I'm pleased to announce a new maintenance release for the Modbus plugin (v1.0.2.5) for ComfortClient 2.1.1.47 or later.
Download links are in the usual area.
http://www.comfortforums.com/forum65/1948.html
Fixes (from 1.0.2.4) include:
- Snap window now can be resized in ModbusConsole.
- Help can now be accessed from ModbusManager.
- Spelling corrections.
- Updated Help file.
Regards
Julian
Last edited on Wednesday Dec 22nd, 2010 01:33 pm by juwi_uk
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| Posted: Sunday Sep 23rd, 2012 03:25 pm |
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9th Post |
juwi_uk
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Hi Everyone,
I small maintenance release (3.1.2.1) for the Modbus Plugin.
Download links are in the usual area.
http://www.comfortforums.com/forum65/1948.html
Fixes in 3.1.2.1 include:
Service Log Files were not being aged out (deleted). They are now subject to the MaxLogFileAge setting in ModbusManager.
Regards
Julian
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