Before you can start using your VPVision system there are some software preparations that you will have to fulfill first. In this chapter we will cover:
B3.1 Assign IP addresses
1. Introduction
VPVision is a web-based monitoring system, an Ethernet connection is therefore required to view the system from your PC. This chapter will elaborate on how to connect and set up your Ethernet connection with VPVision.
 | Be aware that the new version of VPVision has just released, for more information about VPVision 5.2 can be found in the user manual |
 | Contact your IT department to obtain a list of available IP addresses for the devices and physical connections to the factory Ethernet network. |
For communication between VPVision and the sensors, Both Modbus and analog signals can be used. However, in most factories, Ethernet is available throughout the entire plant. Using Ethernet I/O modules instead of the dedicated, or analog, cables will save time and money.
| When using Ethernet converters, make sure you request an IP address for every converter! |
Document your network settings properly on your configuration sheet, enclosed with the VPVision delivery (download an editable copy here).
| Be aware that the new version of VPVision has just released, for more information about VPVision 5.2 can be found in the user manual |
2. General Access to VPVision
It is important to first configure all IP addresses of the individual Modbus TCP modules, to make them visible within the VPVision system. We recommend doing this before taking the equipment into the factory, as for some Modbus TCP modules, you will need a laptop or PC running specific software.
Define your network:
When VPVision is integrated into an existing Ethernet network, you must get the list of valid IP addresses from the IT department. This may be something like 192.168.1.200 … 192.168.1.219 (a total of 20 IP addresses).
- Create a list for all the devices and assign a unique IP address to each device.
- Define the gateway address.
- Define the subnet mask.
- Define DNS.
- In order to send e-mails from VPVision: define the relay host.
3. Connecting for the first time to VPVision
- The default IP address of LAN port 1 is 192.168.1.253. We recommend keeping this default IP address, for maintenance and support access, and to use one of the other LAN ports for the permanent connection to the plant’s Ethernet network.
- Open the electrical cabinet and flip the mains circuit breaker in order to power up VPVision.
- Connect your PC to LAN PORT 1. Ensure your PC has a static IP address. The IP address of the PC has to be different than that of the VPVision main PC but within the same IP range! For more explanation about how to set a static IP address, we refer to chapter G7 Static IP-address
- Open a web browser, type in the IP address of VPVision into the search bar. The default IP address of port 1 (192.168.1.253) can be found in the configuration sheet, which is delivered with VPVision. You should see the startup screen. Now the system can be configured (see Configuration backend).
- Set a new static IP address for LAN 3 or LAN 4 as provided by the IT department. This LAN port will be used to connect VPVision to the company’s Ethernet network. Update the configuration sheet accordingly. Now you can try to approach VPVision via this port, for example by using another PC in the same network. Open a web browser and type in the newly assigned IP address. You should see the same configuration screen.
4. Remote access
VPVision can be viewed from any computer, tablet or smartphone as long as VPVision has access to the Internet. Internet access can be made by connecting one of the free LAN ports of VPVision to the Internet. External access can be securely set up with support from the company’s IT department, by requesting and setting up a secure VPN connection. See the VPN connection for more information. When an external 3G/4G VPN gateway is used, using this modem to connect to VPVision and all remote I/O modules is recommended. This can be useful for remote support in the future. VPInstruments VPN gateway has a built-in switch with 4 additional LAN ports, that can be used for this purpose.
 | When the company provides an existing VPN service, make sure that the IT department provides VPN access or remote support. If not possible it is strongly recommended to install a 3G/4G gateway. |
5. Assign an IP address for other devices
| For Ethernet communication, it is required that the same network is used for all the devices. |
When using Modbus TCP for communication, make sure that all devices are in the same network together with the VPVision main PC, and that each device has been assigned a unique and static IP address within the netmask.
- For instruments with an Ethernet output, like our VPFlowScope M, do not forget that the instrument itself also needs the proper network settings.
- For instruments connected via an analog/Modbus-to-Ethernet converter, make sure that the converter has the proper network settings.
Example network configuration:
- 192.168.1.1 VPVision main PC
- 192.168.1.2 Modbus converter with sensors building 1
- 192.168.1.3 Analog converter with sensors building 2
- 192.168.1.21 VPFlowScope M
- 192.168.1.41 PC
- 192.168.1.254 VPN 3G/4G router
- 192.168.1.XX Remote Modbus converter with a sensor in building 3
- 192.168.1.YY Remote Analog converter with a sensor in building 3
For proper documentation, don’t forget to update your configuration sheet with the new settings of all of the devices. To configure the network settings in each device, we refer to the user manual of the specific device. For devices from VPInstruments, the user manuals can be found below:
- VPFlowScope M: see chapter C7 Ethernet settings.
- Ethernet converter IP settings: see chapter L User manuals.
B3.2 Sensor configuration
1. Introduction
Some sensors require configuration before they are able to connect to VPVision. Read the sensor’s manual for more information.
In this subchapter, an explanation is given about the different types of sensors that can be used with VPVision and how the sensors have to be configured in order to match the settings and communication protocols of VPVision.
| For specific configurations follow the corresponding sensor manuals. |
2. Modbus devices.
A Modbus connected in a daisy chain needs a unique hardware address (in that daisy chain). Equally every Modbus sensor in the same daisy chain requires equal communication settings like baud rate, parity and stop bits in order for the daisy chain to communicate between the devices and VPVision.
For VPInstruments devices, please see the following chapters on how to set up the Modbus communication settings:
- For the VPFlowScope M see: chapter C5. RS485 (Modbus RTU) Settings
- For other VPInstruments devices see: chapter L user manuals
For Modbus to Ethernet converters, do not forget to set the network settings, as described above.
| For third-party devices, please check the corresponding user manual of the device for the correct hardware settings. |
3. Analog devices
Analog values have to be converted into real measurement values. This is done by using the zero and span parameters, where zero corresponds to 4 mA. and span corresponds to 20 mA. The zero and span can be calculated during the preparation stage of the installation and will have to be entered in VPVision during the configuration of the sensor. It is recommended to document all the analog sensors, with their corresponding zero and span values.
If you want to change the analog output of the device, this has to be changed first in the device itself after which it can be changed within VPVision.
For VPInstruments devices, please see the following chapters on how to set the analog communication settings:
- VPFlowScope M see chapter C6. Analog settings
- Analog to Ethernet converter see Chapter I user manuals I/O remote module.
For analog to Ethernet converters, do not forget to set the network settings, as described above.
B3.3 Next step
Now that we have set-up the communications and settings of VPVision. It is time for the installation of the physical hardware in the factory:
Next step: B4. Installation