Setting up the network connection

Network Setup

All relevant components (robobrain®, Human Machine Interface (HMI), and robot) communicate via network (Local Area Network, LAN). The robobrain® is delivered with the IP address 192.168.0.5 on port 1 and DHCP on port 2 by default. This may have to be adapted to the network structure. The shared network allows the user to open the network-based HMI on a web-browser to monitor and parameterize the system. The figure shows the network structure and the logical connections between the individual devices.

If you do not know which IP address was assigned by the DHCP server for the robobrain®, you can look it up on the system. In order to do this, you only need to connect a monitor to the graphic card. The IP information is then displayed on the monitor. To access the HMI, the displayed IP must be called up from any computer in the Internet browser.

Step 1: Hardware connection of the components

Connect the components according to the figure above. For example use the Ethernet port 1 from the robobrain®. Regarding the camera, it is important that the robobrain.eye is connected to an USB 3.0 port of the robobrain®.

The components (robobrain®, HMI device, and robot) can either be integrated into an existing network or connected with a dedicated network (e.g., via a network switch). It is also possible to connect the robobrain® directly to the display device via an Ethernet cable. This setup allows the configuration of the robobrain® without adding the display device to the network with other devices like robots and grippers. To enable this connection it must be ensured that both, the robobrain® and the display device have different static IP addresses in the same address space. Consult your network administrator for the optimal solution for your network infrastructure.

Step 2: Setting up the network configuration of the respective devices

To change the network configuration of a robobrain® its HMI is used. Therefore, a display device with a web browser (e.g., laptop, tablet) must be connected to the robobrain® via network. Then it is possible to access the HMI by entering the robobrain®’s IP address into the browser of the display device.

The IP address of the device, with which you want to open the user interface or HMI must be in the same IP address range as the robobrain® system.

If the robobrain® is still in its factory state the IP address is 192.168.0.5 (Ethernet port 1). In order to access the HMI the display device must be able to reach this IP address. The full network configuration of Ethernet port 1 is:

Standard IP:	192	168	0	5
Subnet Mask	255	255	255	0
Gateway	192	168	1	1
DNS 1	192	168	1	1
DNS 2	8	8	8	8

If the robobrain® is integrated into an existing infrastructure, it must be ensured that the IP 192.168.0.5 is not yet assigned. This may lead to conflicts and may cause the robobrain® to not be reachable anymore. Consult your network administrator for guidance.

Step 3: Change network configuration of robobrain®

After connecting a display device to the robobrain® and accessing the HMI it is possible to change the network configuration under Options->System->Network Connection:

Accessing the network connection from the starting page

You have the option to enter the IP address manually or use DHCP.

Before applying any changes to the network configuration, ensure that the new configuration is correct. It is also a good practice to write down the new network configuration or take a screenshot before applying the changes. After applying the changes to the network configuration, the robobrain® can only be reached through this configuration. Any error in the configuration might result in the robobrain® not being reachable anymore. At the moment there is no way to reset a robobrain®’s network configuration without its HMI.

A convenient option for the network configuration is to keep the setup for Ethernet port 1 at its factory state. This port can now be used for maintenance by directly connecting a display device. Ethernet port 2 is then used to connect the robobrain® to the network containing the other relevant devices and change the configuration of port 2 accordingly. Adding a display device to this network is optional since port 1 can be connected to a display device for configuration and maintenance.

Network Connection of the robobrain®