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Connecting your Real-Time Target Node to your Network

Owned by Sylvain Ménard
Last updated: Sept 18, 2024
4 min read

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Note that we use the words Ethernet, network and LAN are used as synonyms.

We used the term “switch” but, depending on your facility network set up, it can take the form of a router (combining a network switch) or a network port on the wall connected to a switch.

The simulator communicates with your Windows PC (aka the host computer) via TCP/IP (communication protocols).

The simulator can be connected to your host computer using three possible configurations:

  • LAN Connection: In this configuration, the host computer communicates with the OPAL-RT simulator through a Local Area Network (LAN).

    • This connection allows the host computer to have access to more than one real time simulator connected to the LAN. Also, multiple host computers running RT-LAB can access a simulator through this configuration.

    • This is the easiest and fastest method, since it does not require any special configuration of the network adapter.

      image-20240710-185317.png

  • Network switch connection: The simulator target and the host computer can be connected to the same physical network switch, which in turn does not need to be connected to a LAN.

    image-20240710-185513.png

  • Direct connection through an Ethernet interface: Users can directly connect the host computer and the simulator through an Ethernet adapter.

Local Area Network (LAN) and Network Switch Connection

When possible, the local area network (LAN) connection and the network switch connections are easiest methods to use, since they do not require any particular configuration of the network adapter.
As long as the host Ethernet adapter is configured to obtain an IP address automatically, it will be capable of detecting a simulator connected to the same switch/LAN.

Note: Switches installed in racks provided by OPAL-RT are usually unmanaged switches. In other words, they are not capable of automatically assigning IP addresses.

For both these configurations, use the Ethernet cable found in the box to connect your OPAL-RT simulator’s Ethernet port to a network switch port.
Warning: Do not use just any Ethernet port, as they are not all connected or configured. Check your System Description Document or online instructions for HIL2GO bundles to use the correct one.
Typically, on the target, this is the first network port on the left, although your System Description Document or online instructions for HIL2GO bundles, will confirm this.
The Ethernet port location may differ for other simulator models, the above instructions still apply.

The network switch in turn is linked to the host computer or the LAN where the intended host is connected

 

 

 

Important Information about LAN or Network Switch Connection

If you want to use your simulator in a network environment (LAN or network switch connection), the following requirements must be met:

  • The Windows host computer is able to ping an IP address of the simulator.

  • The simulator is able to ping an IP address of the Windows host computer.

In order to do so:

  • the Windows host computer and the target are either in the same subnet
    or

  • Both systems are configured with a default gateway that allows them to communicate together.

Reconfiguring the Simulator’s IP Address (Optional)

If you are familiar with Linux distributions, you may connect a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the simulator in order to set the appropriate configuration for your network.

At delivery, your simulator has a default IP address configured by OPAL-RT. This IP address is written on a sticker located in the front of the simulator.

  • For custom systems, the default IP address is also in the System Description Document within the Simulator General Overview section in a binder and as a PDF file on your CD/DVD (SystemDescription [Customer Name]_[Project Number].pdf)

  • For HIL2GO bundles, the default IP address is also written on a sticker in the HIL2GO bundle data card entitled “Meet your HIL2GO Bundle.”

This is the procedure to reconfigure the IP address of the simulator using RT-LAB on your Windows host computer. It supposes that the Windows host computer is in the same subnet as the
simulator (which has a static IP address and the preconfigured subnet mask of 255.255.255.0).

  • Ask your IT department if you can add a static IP address component on the network, to which your Windows host computer will be able to communicate. They will most likely give you a range of IP addresses that the simulator can use.

  • Follow the direct connection procedure in order to establish a temporary connection between the Windows host computer and the target.

  • The IP address of the simulator will need to be changed to an address given by your IT department.
    To do so, please follow these steps:

    • In RT-LAB, double-click the target to open the Target Editor.

    • In the Overview tab, you will see the actual IP address.

    • Change the IP address to the one from your IT department.

    • The system will ask you if you would like to change the IP address. Click Change.

  • Disconnect the simulator from your Windows host computer.

  • Connect both the simulator and your Windows host computer to the network.

  • Return to the original network configuration for your Windows host computer.

  • Remove the target you previously added in RT-LAB (right-click it and click Delete, then OK).

  • Add the target with the new IP address configuration using the Discovering targets method again.

Direct Connection

The host computer and the OPAL-RT target can be linked directly through their Ethernet adapters.

Use the Ethernet cable found in the box to connect the simulator from its Ethernet port to your computer’s LAN port.

Please click the link below to view the direct connection procedure.

In order to establish communication, you must now modify the IP address of your host computer so that it is in the same subnetwork as the simulator.

  • Click the network icon in your Windows icon tray. The icon looks different if you are using a cabled network (top icon) or a Wi-Fi network (bottom) icon.

  • Click on Network & Internet Settings.

  • Click on Change adapter options.

  • Right-click on the selected Ethernet adapter you are using and click Properties. In this example, it's a wired network named “Local Network”.

  • Double-click on the line named “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” to open the Properties window.

  • Select “Use the following IP address.”

  • Here, we will assign an IP address to your host, so it will be able to detect your simulator.

    • The first three sections of the IP address to be entered must match those of your real time simulator.
      The IP address of your simulator is written on a label in front of the simulator, and in your System Description Document (except for HIL2GO bundles).

    • For example, if the IP address of the OPAL-RT simulator is 192.168.12.17, then the first three sections of the host IP address must be 192.168.12.XXX.

      For the last section, XXX is a number ranging from 0 to 255. In this example, the number must be different from 17 since this address is used by the simulator in this example.

    • The subnet mask should read “255.255.255.0,” its default IP address.

    • Click OK. The host computer is now configured to directly communicate to the RT-LAB software through the Ethernet adapter.

Add Your Target in RT-LAB on your Windows PC Host

Using the Discover Targets Command to Add a Target

In the RT-LAB’s Project Explorer, double-click “Double-click to discover targets…” to discover available simulators on your network.

After a short time, the following window should appear and show your simulator.

Edit the name of your simulator as you wish.

Click Finish.

Your simulator is now available in the RT-LAB interface.

Adding a Target Manually

In the Project Explorer, right-click on Targets then select New > New Target to create a new target.

Name your target and enter its IP address.

Click the Ping button to ensure that the target can be detected by RT-LAB.

 

If pinging the target was successful, click Finish and your target will appear in the Project Explorer.

Other Resources

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