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Functions
(
continued)
SMTP e-mail notification service
Introduction
This simple e-mail notification service is programmable. It enables a PLC application
to report an event when particular conditions occur. The PLC creates an e-mail
automatically and dynamically, to alert a defined recipient connected to the network
locally or remotely. The e-mail can contain variables, alarms and/or events.
Note
:
This service is available with the latest-version Ethernet communication modules for
Modicon Premium and Modicon Quantum PLCs, and the latest-version processors with Ethernet
port integrated in these same PLCs, used with Unity Pro software.
Amore comprehensive service, independent of the PLC application, is also available with the
FactoryCast HMI modules of Modicon Premium and Modicon Quantum PLCs (for modules with
active Web server, see page 5/25).
Use
A simple yet powerful mechanism is used: predefined message headers are linked
with the body of the e-mail, which is created dynamically using the latest information
from the PLC application.
The PLC application prepares the message when predetermined conditions occur.
Using a function block, one of 3 predefined headers is selected, and an e-mail
message with variable information and text (up to a maximum of 240 bytes) is
created and sent directly from the PLC.
Each of the three headers contains the following predefined items: e-mail recipient
list, sender's name and subject. This information is defined and updated by an
authorized administrator, using the configuration web pages.
Message creation and delivery
The PLC application selects the appropriate header. The system architect may
define the headers to indicate differing levels of importance. For example:
b
Header 1 could be “URGENT: problem reported by PLC 10”
b
Header 2 could be “ALARM: substation 10”
b
Header 3 could be “INFORMATION: message from water quality system”
Each of these headers has its own list of recipients, so that the correct person can be
informed quickly for each level of importance. The application can also insert
relevant information in the body of the message, such as the device, process or
location concerned.
The completed e-mail is then sent to an SMTP (
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
)
server
for distribution to the recipients (engineers, management, process owner, etc.).
Security
Optionally, each e-mail can be protected by an identifier and a password,
authenticated by the SMTP server. If, for additional security, the TCP port number of
the e-mail server has been changed from the default of 25, the port number can be
changed in the PLC e-mail configuration (via a secure Web page).
Configuration
An authorized administrator can easily configure this e-mail service via a Web page.
The items (recipient list, sender and subject) in each of the three headers can be
defined.
The e-mail server connection information, such as its IP address and security
management information, are also defined using Web pages.
Diagnostics
As for all other Ethernet services in Modicon Premium and Modicon Quantum PLCs,
the e-mail notification service has a diagnostics Web page displaying the service's
status in real time.
Remote monitoring
Diagnostic information is also available remotely from network controllers
conforming to the SNMP standard. The e-mail service information is included in the
publicly available Transparent Ready private MIB.
Functions
(
continued)
Modicon Premium automation
platform
0
Ethernet Modbus/TCP network
Ethernet Modbus/TCP communication services
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