Networks and HotConnect groups

The EtherCAT master always has a Main network under it, that contains all the manda- tory slaves in the EtherCAT network.Each slave with more than 2 ports can also have up to 2 sub-networks, so more complex and non-linear topologies of the EtherCAT network can be created; in this case they will be shown under each slave.However a number of groups of optional slaves can be also created: they are called HotConnect groups, because each group could not be present at startup and then connected (or disconnected) later from the network:to add them, right-click on the ”EtherCAT” node of the master, and then ”Add HotConnect group”.Please also note that each HotConnect group will need a separate SyncUnit, and if DC is used the ”sync master” must be in the main network.To add an EtherCAT slave under a Network or a HotConnect group, right-click on it and choose ”Add”, or click on it and then drag&drop the slave from the ”Catalog” bar.If the ”Catalog” bar is not visible, you can show it by choosing ”View / Tool windows / Catalog” command; all the slaves that are compatible with the type of the selected network will be shown in the catalog.The ”Catalog” bar will shown only the LAST version of each slave device; to show also ALL older versions, use right-click and ”Add”, and then enable ”Show all versions”. By clicking on the EtherCAT node in Resources tab, the Master settings window will be opened. Here you can configure all the settings of the EtherCAT master.