A Gateway driver is an essential component in a network that facilitate access to host networks for various applications running on remote computers. The ControlLogix Gateway Driver for Windows XP/NT/2000 allows this remote connectivity to applications part of the Allen- Bradley networks through LANs. This driver allows computers to access Data Highway Plus networks remotely, via a ControlLogix gateway.

If your gateway driver fails, you will not be able to connect to the network and as such, you will lose connectivity.

The ControlLogix Gateway Driver - a remote system - is able to communicate over Ethernet networks to the ControlLogix driver containing a specific type of module. This module then represents a gateway to a Data Highway computer network.

Various network solutions exist under the aegis of Allen- Bradley, most notably the Ethernet and the Data Highway Plus (DH+). The communications protocols of these networks mostly involve PCCC, and other similar protocols. These protocols incorporate different communication speeds and variable number of nodes. The Ethernet incorporates a communication protocol that is similar to the widely used TCP/IP protocol along with embedded Data Highway PCCC communication bits embedded in the PDU bits. The ControlLogix Gateway Driver offers remote access for third party applications - operating on client nodes - over the Ethernet to a chassis with DH+ module and from there on to different DH+ nodes.

The ControlLogix Gateway Driver supports all of the DH+ features, and it is highly efficient native API is a perfect fit for Windows XP/2000/NT. Supporting complete and effective communication channels to the client node, the ControlLogix Gateway Driver allows the working of all DH+ devices on the server. There is a similar 6001- F1E interface that is also provided, for older applications.

Adaptability and availability of some features of the driver depends on the configuration and type of the destination device. Remote access to DH networks like the PLC -5s and the SLC- 500s is possible via the ControlLogix Gateway Driver, which results in a direct connection that allows computers to access remote information, as if it were in direct connection with that network.

The ControlLogix Gateway Driver works as a remote client node despite a physical adapter card interface. This Gateway Driver incorporates logical devices, rather than physical devices. Configuration of the ControlLogix Gateway Driver is quite similar to the configuration of DHX Driver. However, while the latter uses physical host adapters, like the 1748- KTX card, the former uses logical reference points on the server node.

First time configuration for the Gateway Driver is not a very cumbersome process; you need to remember however, that for every Data Highway Plus communication line in the ControlLogix chassis that you will use, there must be a corresponding ControlLogix Gateway Driver for the same. If not, the configuration is likely to fail.

Make sure to run the DHX Driver Configuration editor after the installation of the driver is completed, otherwise, the Gateway Driver will not be properly configured, becoming ineffective. Half-installed faulty drivers can have a knock on effect and disrupt the performance of other hardware devices.

Windows XP/2000/NT is configured with the Microsoft Performance Monitor diagnostic tools. The applications under the Performance Monitor allow us to monitor the performance information of the ControlLogix Gateway Driver, which the latter supports. Even multiple Gateway Driver device configurations can be analyzed using the Performance Monitor.

You should only interfere with your driver settings - and certainly only update altogether - when your network specifically requires you to do so.