Abstract:

This document shows how to run the Sixnet I/O Tool Kit and IsaGRAF in various versions of Windows.  

Products:

Sixnet I/O Tool Kit 3.60.118 or above/ISaGRAF Workbench 3.47/SIXNET ISaGRAF Open 5.13

Use Case:

Windows 10 is most popularly run with 64-bit architecture. ISaGRAF 3.47 and 5.13 are not compatible with Windows 10 64-bit architecture because they have some 16-bit components. To run IsaGRAF on a Windows 10 64-bit System, virtualization software must be used to run a 32-bit version of windows.

The Sixnet ISaGRAF workbench is a Sixnet re-branded software package from Rockwell Automation. Sixnet only provides a software extension to add support for Sixnet devices and add Sixnet function blocks. Therefore, the compatibility Sixnet claim is based on the compatibility provided by Rockwell Automation.

The ISaGRAF workbench version 3.47 is not compatible with a 64-bit operating system. Where ISaGRAF compatibility is required with Windows with 64-bit architecture the Sixnet ISaGRAF workbench may be installed on a Windows 32-bit virtual machine.

Required Software:

Sixnet I/O Tool Kit 3.60.118 or above

Sixnet ISaGRAF Workbench 3.47

Sixnet ISaGRAF Workbench 5.13.022

Oracle VM VirtualBox 6.1.4 – www.virtuabox.org

Windows Virtual PC 6.1 build 7601 - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx

Windows Compatibility Matrix:

Below is a list of the compatibility matrix for IsaGRAF and Tool Kit

Software and Version	Tool Kit 3.60.118 or Newer	Sixnet ISaGRAF Work Bench 3.47	Sixnet ISaGRAF Workbench 5.13	Red Lion Workbench
Windows XP	X	X	X
Windows 7 32-bit	X	X	X
Windows 7 64-bit	X
Windows XP Virtualization on Windows 7 64-bit	X*	X	X
Windows 10 32-bit	X	X	X	X
Windows 10 64-bit	X			X
Windows 11				X
Windows 7 32-bit Virtualization on Windows 10 64-bit	X*	X	X
Windows 10 32-bit Virtualization on Windows 10 64-bit	X*	X	X

* Some functions in the tool kit, like firmware upgrades and direct serial port access are better handled in the host system.
NOTE: Administrator rights are required to install on any system.

Create the guest system (Virtual Machine Windows 10 32-bit)

Create a new Virtual Machine in VirtualBox using the Microsoft WindowàWindows 10 32-bit settings.

Assign the amount of RAM to the guest system to the Virtual information module. At least 4GB is recommended, but do not go beyond 50% of what is available on the host system. Allocating 100% of the host memory could result in unstable operation or data loss.

Assign the number of processors to the guest system. The more processors assigned the better the guest system will operate. Going beyond 50% of what is available on the host system could result in unstable operation or data loss.

Usually using the default NAT settings is the best option for easy Network configuration on the guest device. This setting will translate between multiple configured network cards.

Disable any serial ports on the guest machine. Linking serial ports installed on the host system to the guest system is unreliable. It is much better to directly install the USB to serial adapters directly on the guest system.

After the guest system is configured download the Windows 32-bit iso on Microsoft.com using the instructions found here (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10). When it is downloaded. Start the guest system and point to the windows iso file. Follow the steps to set-up windows.  

Configure the Host system Network (Windows 10 64-bit)

Two different network interface cards were used. One used for the Internet (DHCP) and the other for communication to the automation equipment (static IP address). These will be translated to the guest system by the virtualization software.

Install the Sixnet Tool Kit and ISaGRAF Software

Install ISaGRAF Open Workbench 5.13.022

Download the ISaGRAF Open Workbench 5.13.022 from the https://www.redlion.net/resources/software/sixnet-software/automation-devices-software-firmware onto the guest machine and run the install as administrator. Follow the install shield on-screen instructions. During the installation Windows will pop-up a warning. Please select “Install this driver software anyway.” This is an essential step for the ISaGRAF software to recognize the USB key.

Install Sixnet ISaGRAF Workbench 3.47

Download the Legacy ISaGRAF Workbench, Legacy Patch, and Legacy ISaRUN to the guest system. These should be installed in that order.

Start by running the Legacy IsaGRAF Workbench install as administrator. Unzip the install as shown below. Install and accept any features that the ISaGRAF install prompts.

During the installation, the Windows DDE message may pop-up. Please select close to clear this message.

Next, run the Legacy Patch as administrator. Click Run Anyway, when prompted with a Windows Protected your PC message. Follow the on-screen instructions to overwrite existing files.

Next Run the Legacy ISaRUN as administrator. When prompted with a Windows Protected your PC message select run anyway. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Install ISaGRAF Open Workbench 5.13.022

Download the Sixnet I/O Tool Kit from the https://www.redlion.net/resources/software/sixnet-software/automation-devices-software-firmware onto the guest machine. Install as administrator.

When prompted to install the driver select “Install this driver software anyway.”

Find the Sixnet I/O Tool Kit short and go to properties. In the compatibility tab select “Run this program as an administrator.”

Configure the Serial Connections in the host and guest systems

Install USB Serial adapter

As mentioned earlier hardware serial ports linked to the guest system are not recommended. Instead, a USB to serial adapter such as those with prolific chipset installed on the guest system is recommended. Once plugged into the host system they will be installed. Go to Control PanelàDevice Manager to uninstall the USB-to-Serial adapter from the host system.

To install the USB-to-Serial adapter on the guest system start the guest system and connect the USB Serial device to the guest system USB controller.  

The USB-to-Serial adapter can then be installed on the guest system. Go to Control PanelàDevice Manager to determine the COM number used.

Install the EtherTRAK-2 Serial adapter

To connect the E2 I/O Module as a USB serial device connect any E2 module to the host system. It will be installed as Dual Ethernet USB Serial Device. Go to Control PanelàDevice Manager and uninstall the device from the host system.   

Once uninstalled connect the E2 USB connection to the guest system USB controller it requires unplugging and re-plugging the E2 I/O module into the host system. Once installed the E2 serial connection will show up in the guest system Control PanelàDevice Manager as “Dual Ethernet USB Serial Device” and the COM number to be used in the Tool Kit is indicated.

Install the ISaGRAF USB license dongle

Uninstall the device on the host system and attach it to the guest system.

Disclaimer

It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. Red Lion makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. Red Lion is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. Red Lion standard product warranty applies.

Red Lion Technical Support

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