FINS

Set up the FINS protocol for ENLYZE.

This guide walks you through connecting data sources that communicate via the FINS protocol. FINS (Factory Interface Network Service) is Omron's proprietary protocol and is used by the classic SYSMAC families up to the modern Sysmac controllers. ENLYZE connects these controllers via FINS over Ethernet (TCP, default port 9600).

Prerequisite: knowledge of the memory areas

FINS addresses data through memory areas (e.g. D, CIO, W) rather than symbolic tags. To record the right variables, we therefore need the relevant memory addresses of the controller. There are two ways to obtain them:

• The machine manufacturer or controller programmer tells us the relevant memory addresses directly.

• We receive the controller's project file (CX-Programmer .cxp for Classic, CS1, CJ, and CP controllers; Sysmac Studio .smc2 for NJ and NX) and derive the memory areas from it.

Supported devices

FINS is supported by a wide range of Omron controllers. For a complete overview of the families and devices, along with the matching Target PLC setting, see the Omron page. Any FINS-capable device with an Ethernet interface can be connected, including:

• Omron CV / CVM1 (Target PLC: Classic)

• Omron CS1 (CS1G, CS1H, CS1D)

• Omron CJ1 (CJ1G, CJ1H, CJ1M) and CJ2 (CJ2H, CJ2M)

• Omron CP series with Ethernet (CP1L-EL / -EM, CP2E-N, CP1H with Ethernet option)

• Omron Sysmac NJ (connected via FINS through its Ethernet port)

We have successfully connected controllers via FINS up to and including the NJ series. The NX and NY families are likely connectable via FINS as well but have not yet been connected in the field. For all controllers from the CS1 (1999) onward, including NJ, NX, and NY, use the CS1 or newer setting.

Required information

Information	Comment
Name	Pick a descriptive name for your data source
Edge Device used for the connection	Printed on a sticker on each Edge Device. Follows the pattern adjective-scientist
Machine	Each data source is assigned to exactly one machine
Manufacturer	Omron
IP address	The IPv4 address of the controller. It must be reachable from the Edge Device
Port	Default: 9600 (FINS over Ethernet, TCP)
Target PLC	Generation of the Omron controller, e.g. CS1 or newer. → How to find the right target PLC type
Local address	FINS address of the Edge Device in NETWORK.NODE.UNIT form. → How to determine the local address
Remote address	FINS address of the controller in NETWORK.NODE.UNIT form. → How to determine the remote address

Understanding the connector details

Connecting via FINS requires three FINS-specific values in addition to the IP address and port: the Target PLC, the Local address, and the Remote address.

Connector details of an Omron data source in the ENLYZE Platform

Target PLC

Target PLC defines which Omron generation the data source uses. The selection determines how the connector addresses the controller's memory areas (e.g. D, CIO, W, H), since the FINS memory model differs between generations. Two options are available:

• Classic: Omron controllers introduced before the CS1 (1999), mainly the CV / CVM1 series.

• CS1 or newer (default): the CS1 and every later generation, i.e. CS1, CJ1, CJ2, the CP series, and the Sysmac families NJ, NX, and NY.

To find out which setting to choose for your device, see the device overview on the Omron page. When in doubt: anything from the CS1 (1999) onward uses CS1 or newer.

Local and remote address

FINS addresses every device through a three-part address in NETWORK.NODE.UNIT form (e.g. 1.240.0). The two fields describe the two endpoints of the communication:

• Local address: the FINS address the Edge Device uses to announce itself on the FINS network. This is how the controller "sees" the Edge Device.

• Remote address: the FINS address of the controller the Edge Device should communicate with.

The three parts of the address mean:

Part	Meaning
NETWORK	Address of the FINS network (0–127). In practice the value 0 has proven reliable and fits the vast majority of setups. In rare cases 1 is required, for example when additional modules are occupied on the rack.
NODE	Node address of the device on the network (1–254). With FINS over Ethernet, the node address often matches the last octet of the IP address (e.g. IP 192.168.0.220 → node 220). This is not mandatory, however, and does not apply to all controllers.
UNIT	Unit address within the device. The CPU is reached via 0. Communication modules have different unit numbers.

Example

Suppose the controller has the IP address 192.168.0.220:

• Remote address (controller): the node address matches the last octet of the IP, i.e. 220. With network 0 and unit 0 (CPU) this gives 0.220.0.

• Local address (Edge Device): the Edge Device interface in the controller's network has, in this example, the IP address 192.168.0.250. This yields node address 250, and with network 0 and unit 0 the local address 0.250.0. What matters is only that the node address is unique on the network.

Where do I find the values for the remote address? The node and unit address of the controller are stored in the configuration of the Ethernet module or the built-in Ethernet port (e.g. in CX-Programmer or Sysmac Studio, sometimes via rotary switches on the module). The node address is often set to match the last octet of the IP address. In setups without FINS routing, the network address is usually 0.

The local address of the Edge Device must be unique on the FINS network and must not collide with the node address of the controller or other devices. For controllers that use fixed IP-to-node tables, the Edge Device node must be entered there for communication to succeed.

1

Connect the data source to the network

If not already done, establish a network connection between the data source and the Edge Device. See Integration scenarios for the available options.

FINS over Ethernet uses two channels: the connection is established and controlled over TCP on port 9600 (control channel). The controller then delivers the actual data stream over a second UDP port (data channel). Both channels must be reachable between the Edge Device and the controller. When configuring firewalls, make sure not only the TCP port is open.

2

Create the data source

Open the ENLYZE Manufacturing Data Platform, select the machine you want to add the data source to, and click + Data source.

Enter the device details first.

Creating a data source in the ENLYZE Platform

3

Add connection details

To establish the connection and start recording data, enter the connection details.

Click Add connection details and enter the IP address, port, target PLC, local address, and remote address as described above. Then save the values.

Connection details of an Omron data source in the ENLYZE Platform

4

Add variables

FINS addresses data through memory areas (e.g. DM, CIO) rather than symbolic tags. Variables are therefore added manually by their FINS memory address. Have the relevant addresses from the PLC program ready.

No data is recorded until you select the variables to record. Follow our variable onboarding flow.

See also

• Tips & practical notes: notes on operating the FINS connector, e.g. how to find a controller with an unknown address.