[foxboro] Modbus/TCP via AW70 Modbus TCP/IP IOGATE

List,
        Since there seems to be a lot of discussion about ModBus going
around, I am curious to know if anyone on the list is currently using the 
AW70 Modbus TCP/IP IOGATE Software Fox Part # Q0301FU   approx price
$2,875USD in lieu of the Integrator/GW 30's?

        We currently have five Modicon Gateways spread throughout our plant
using RTU RS-485 multidrop, and although they have served our purpose they
are limited in horsepower and all of the drops connected to a single GW30
MUST have the same communication parameter setup ie Baud etc.  For each
instance we have to buy the GW30 hardware/software and then worry about
232-485 converters and the cabling to the GW30.  
        The AW70 Modbus TCP/IP IOGATE Software looks like it could replace
all of our GW30's and pull the Modbus data through the 2nd ethernet port of
an AW-70 that is connected to the site PC LAN and also connected to the
Foxboro nodebus via the primary ethernet port.  I can then tap into the
RS-485 drops with a 485-Modbus/TCP converter approx. $250USD each and hang
all of the Modbus devices on the site PC LAN.  Some advantages of the
Modbus/TCP IOGATE is that it can pull both floating point and count info, it
will run in a processor that can handle a lot more FoxBlocks, and it doesn't
require seperate/dedicated wiring path from the Modbus device all the way
back to the GW30.  Unlike OPC, Modbus/TCP can provide bi-directional
communication.  If I use the site PC LAN to pull the Modbus Data I will have
to insure that each Modbus RTU is unique per the site.  Our modbus
applications are oriented to supervisory control and do not require high
speed communication, but I believe that the future of Modbus/TCP and the
IOGATE link to Fox IA via ethernet will be much better suited than the
existing GW30 solution.
        As a side note, Foxboro says that they will have a Modbus FBM that
will be able to ride on the CP-60 fieldbus by late 2002 or early 2003.  I am
not sure of the details but suspect that it will be an interface port for
RS-485 serial connection to Modbus slaves, with ECB's and scan blocks
running in the CP-60.  Any info from someone using Modbus/TCP via AW70
Modbus TCP/IP IOGATE would be appreciated.

Tom VandeWater
Control Systems Developer/Analyst
Dow Corning Corp.
Carrollton, KY


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