EtherCAT Devices Backup

The Backup operation discovers all the devices on the EtherCAT ***EtherCAT is an open, high-performance Ethernet-based fieldbus system. The development goal of EtherCAT was to apply Ethernet to automation applications which require short data update times (also called cycle times) with low communication jitter (for synchronization purposes) and low hardware costs network and stores the topology information, AKD/AKD2G firmware files, and AKD/AKD2G parameters to the controller’s local storage.

Controller	Local Storage
AKD PDMM or PCMM	SD Memory Card (see SD Card Support for more information)

Before starting a backup of the EtherCAT Devices, you will need:

• The AKD or AKD2G firmware files package. This package is included in the KAS software installation directory (\Program Files (x86)\Kollmorgen\Kollmorgen Automation Suite\Astrolabe\DrivesFW) or is available for download from the Kollmorgen website. You will be prompted with the expected file.
• An SD memory card must be in the SD slot if you are using an AKD PDMM or PCMM.
• All the EtherCAT network devices must be connected to the AKD PDMM or PCMM, and configured as necessary for machine operation.
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  • Make sure the devices are in the order as expected. The topology information is stored in the backup and is used to check for identical topology during a restore function. The device order is not important, e.g. an AKD can be anywhere in the EtherCAT topology, but for restore to occur, the devices must be in the same order as when backed up.

• A PLC "Programmable Logic Controller" A Programmable Logic Controller, PLC, or Programmable Controller is a digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. Used to synchronize the flow of inputs from (physical) sensors and events with the flow of outputs to actuators and events application downloaded to the AKD PDMM / PCMM, containing the EtherCAT device map.
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  • The PLC application cannot be running and the IDE "Integrated development environment" An integrated development environment is a type of computer software that assists computer programmers in developing software. IDEs normally consist of a source code editor, a compiler and/or interpreter, build-automation tools, and a debugger must not be in Online Configuration Mode. Please stop your PLC application or disable Online Configuration Mode before a Backup or Restore.

Modular EtherCAT

The following steps should be taken to backup EtherCAT devices when the modular EtherCAT feature (see Modular EtherCAT Concept for more information) is used to remove devices to create a machine variant.

1. Run the KAS application which sets up the correct EtherCAT topology for the machine variant.
2. Stop the KAS application.
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   • Do not power cycle or reboot the controller between steps 2 and 3.
3. Backup the EtherCAT devices (see Backup Steps).

Backup Steps

1. From the web server home page, click on the Backup & Restore tab:
2. Under the Backup tab, press the Backup EtherCAT Devices button.

   The web server will ask you to choose one or more firmware package files and suggest the filename that matches the firmware version on your drives. Selecting the firmware package files is a one-time event. The controller will remember your selection and will not ask you again for future backups.
   

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   • AKD series drives have a firmware package file specific to their firmware version. AKD2G has a different firmware package file specific to its firmware version.
3. Press the Continue Backup EtherCAT Devices button. It will take a couple of minutes or longer, depending on the number of AKD and/or AKD2Gs in the system.
   

When the backup is complete, the web server will indicate whether the backup was successful.

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• After the backup is complete, it is a good idea to export the backup to an off-site location for safe keeping. See Import / Export Backup from Webserver.