Q: I just bought a new PC and discovered that it has a smaller PCI slot that the 1784-PKTx card doesn't support.  Can you help me out?

A: DataLink can provide an external, palm-sized, USB DL3500 controller to solve that problem. Our products are: DL3500-DH+/DF1 and DL3500-DH-485/DF1.

Q: How do I interface a legacy PLC-5 / SLC 5/04 on DH+ to AB’s Ethernet/IP or Ethernet TCP/IP?

A:Our DL4500-EDH+ will allow RSlinx & RSLogix to access DH+ via Ethernet TCP/IP.

A:Our DL7000-ETH/DH+ will allow RSlinx & RSLogix to access DH+ via AB’s Ethernet/IP.

Q: Why would I go with your DL7000-ETH/DH+ (Ethernet/IP gateway to DH+) instead of upgrading all my AB Equipment (ie. PLC5s) to Ethernet/IP?

A: Cost. You only need one DL7000-ETH/DH+ per DH+. You don't have to upgrade each PLC5 processor on DH+ to a PLC5E . This can save significant money if you have a big DH+ Network. This functionality allows RSLinx/RSLogix on Ethernet/IP have access to all the nodes on your DH+.

Q: How can I interface newer AB PLCs to DH+ (Data Highway Plus)?

A: Our DL3500- DH+ / DF1 will interface via Channel 0 (DF1) Micrologix, Compactlogix, Controllogix, and SLC 5/05 to DH+.

Q: Why would I buy a DataLink DL3500- DH+ / DF1 instead of an Allen-Bradley 1770-KF2?

A: Some of the advantages of the DataLink DL3500- DH+ / DF1 include:
Value: 33% less expensive than comparable Allen-Bradley products. 
High Speed: Communicate serially and over DH+ at speeds up to 230.4 Kbaud
Features: the most compact, portable, light (2.2lbs) free-standing gateway available.

Q: What applications are DataLinks used in?

A: DataLink applications include PLC programming, MMIs, SCADA. DataLinks have also been used in many modem applications for remote PLC programming. DataLink products have been proven and tested with most popular industrial software packages.

Q: Will DataLink products work with Allen-Bradley SLCs as well as PLC5s?

A: Yes, the DataLink is transparent to most DF1 commands and can communicate with any device on DH+ including PCs, MMIs, PLC2s, PLC3s, PLC5s, SLC5/04s, etc.

Q: Can a DataLink in Remote I/O mode control A-B RIO racks?

A: The DataLink is an adapter (slave) and looks like an I/O rack to a PLC scanner. The DataLink is designed to allow a computer or MMI to communicate with RIO, but not to control it.

Q: I have a unique application requiring connectivity to Allen-Bradley networks. Do you support custom solutions?

A: If one of DataLink's existing products does not meet your needs, we will work with you to design, develop, test, and support a new custom solution. Our engineers have become experts at developing interface solutions for many companies including Siemens and Toshiba. Call us to discuss your application at no obligation.

Q: Where can I get an A-B DF1 protocol driver to interface to the DataLink?

A: Most commercial PLC programming and MMI software already have the necessary DF1 driver included with the product, or available as an option. Please contact DataLink for information.

Q: Where can I find technical details on A-B DF1 protocol?

A: In A-B Publication 1770-6.5.16 Data Highway / Data Highway Plus / DH485 Communication Protocol and Command Set.

Q: What type of cabling is required for your products?

A: All products include a 3-pin Euro/Phoenix connector but the standard "Blue Hose" is required to connect to DH+/RIO. DataLink can provide the 6 ft cables and adaptors that connect Datalink products to a 9 pin or 25 pin serial port (PC).