Setting the Date and Time Programmatically on a FieldPoint [c]FP-20xx Network Module

By default, FieldPoint Ethernet Modules set their time programmatically using the Logos Time Server. This example shows how to use UDP through ethernet and the settime.dll (attached below) to programmatically set the time on a real-time FieldPoint network module.

**NOTE**: Before using this VI to set the data and time of the FP module, the module should be synchronized using a valid Logos Time Server at least once. After that, the VIs attached may be used to set the date/time to any desired value. This needs to be done from MAX or FieldPoint Explorer.

After this has been done, you must disable the Logos time server in order to prevent the Logos time server from setting the time over the programmatically set time.

To run this example:
1. Unzip the attached file below
2. Open the Time Client and Server.llb
3. Run the Set Date and Time (Client).vi on the FieldPoint RT module.
4. Run the Write Time to FP RT Module (Server).vi on the host computer.

Requirements

Filename: settime.zip

Software Requirements

Application Software: LabVIEW Full Development System 7.0
Language(s): LabVIEW

Hardware Requirements

Hardware Group: FieldPoint
Hardware Model: cFP-2020, FP-2010, FP-2000, cFP-2000, cFP-2010, FP-2015
Driver: NI-FieldPoint 4.0

Reader Comments | Submit a comment »

Use Standard NTP Protocols
It is absolutely mind boggeling that NI decided to make something so universal as syncronizing time this stupid and difficult! Are you serious?!? Why can't you just use standard NTP protocol? What is gained by using non- standard protocols that require your customers to go to extraordinary lengths in order to syncronize time on multiple systems? This is very poor design and causes me great pause in using your systems as a basis for our Manufacturing Execution System. You would be wise to fix this problem asap.
- tom.peterson@fmc-na.com - Sep 4, 2009