The Babel Buster SPX is more than a protocol translator. It is a self-contained server that collects and distributes data according to the rules you create. As a serial to Ethernet adapter, the SPX will autonomously poll multiple Modbus RTU devices and store the data for later forwarding via Modbus TCP, and vice versa. The SPX is also an SNMP to Modbus gateway that can poll SNMP devices and make SNMP data accessible to Modbus, or vice versa. The SPX includes Modbus RTU master or slave (user selectable), Modbus TCP client and server, and SNMP client and server. Virtual device register re-mapping is also supported which allows emulating another device. The Babel Buster SPX is functionally equivalent to the BB2-6010 but with different packaging.

Babel Buster SPX SNMP to Modbus Gateway Functionality

Feature Highlights
• Connect Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP Devices to SNMP
• Connect SNMP Devices to Modbus Network
• Modbus RTU RS-485 Master or Slave
• Modbus TCP Client and Server
• SNMP v2c client and server
• SNMP Get/Set access to all data points
• SNMP trap generation, user programmable criteria
• Configured via internal web server
• FCC, CE Mark
• Software Included, No Drivers to Buy

Babel Buster SPX SNMP to Modbus Gateway

Babel Buster SPX Modbus to SNMP Gateway

This model is now out of stock and out of production. We have newer gateways that offer higher performance than the SPX, and have all of the same capabilities as the SPX plus some new features - at the same price. Depending upon which feature set is most applicable for you, you will want MX-61-V2C, MX-61-V3 or MX-61-SP.

Babel Buster SPX is a Modbus to Modbus and a Modbus to SNMP Gateway. The SPX is more than a protocol translator. It is a self contained server that collects and distributes data according to the rules you create. The most common use of the SPX is to map Modbus RTU and/or Modbus TCP devices to SNMP. The SNMP manager can use SNMP Get to retrieve contents of any mapped Modbus register. In addition, the SPX uses threshold rule templates to continuously monitor Modbus data and generate SNMP Traps upon sensing of “alarm” conditions.

Babel Buster SPX is an SNMP Agent (server), but also includes an SNMP Client. This means the SPX can query other SNMP devices and make their data available to Modbus or rule processing to generate traps not originally provided by the other SNMP equipment.

The primary applications for Babel Buster SPX are serial to Ethernet conversion for Modbus devices, and SNMP access to serial or Ethernet Modbus devices. As a Modbus to Modbus gateway, the SPX will map multiple RTU devices to a single Modbus TCP server map. It can also map multiple Modbus TCP devices to a single RTU slave map. The SPX can also do Modbus TCP to Modbus TCP register re-mapping to retrofit equipment to a legacy Modbus register map. The Modbus RTU port can be configured as master or slave. The Modbus TCP port can operate as both client and server (master and slave) concurrently.

The SPX includes its own internal web server that provides a web based user interface for configuring the SPX. Configuration is done using simple templates, and each web page has an online help section at the bottom.

Screen shot from Babel Buster SPX Modbus to SNMP Gateway

Click on the link below to view a demo copy of the entire Web UI in the Babel Buster SPX.

 SPX Demo Web

 

Babel Buster SPX Features

• Modbus RTU RS-485 Master or Slave
• Modbus TCP Client and Server
• Modbus TCP over Ethernet 10/100BaseT
• SNMP get/set access to all data points
• SNMP trap generation, user programmable criteria
• 1000 16-bit registers (300 useable for SNMP)
• 500 32-bit floating point registers (100 useable for SNMP)
• Supports Modbus “coils”, input registers, holding registers
• Single/double, signed/unsigned, and IEEE 754
• Modbus register mapping configured via web interface
• Modbus register scaling (x10, x100, x0.1, x0.01, etc.)
• Modbus (master) polling interval configurable per point
• User defined “virtual device” register map
• Supports user HTML “wrapper”
• Configure via web pages
• Flash file system with XML configuration files
• Online help
• Password protection for web log-on and ftp
• Field upgradeable firmware upload via ftp
• DHCP or static IP address
• Hardened EIA-485 transceiver for Modbus RTU
• Powered by 10-30VDC or 24VAC 50/60 Hz
• Power Consumption: 0.3A @ 24VDC
• Pluggable screw terminal block for power & RTU network
• Operating temperature -20°C to +75°C
• Humidity 5% to 90% non-condensing
• FCC Class A, CE Mark

Babel Buster SPX Video Library

Watch these videos for an introduction to configuring the gateway. It's easier than reading!

Please note: These videos illustrate screens found in the BB2-6010. The SPX and BB2-6010 are functionally identical, with the only difference in hardware being the packaging, and the only difference in firmware being the name and graphics. Therefore these videos apply to BB2-6010, SPX, and SP.

Introduction to the Babel Buster SPX Modbus Gateway

Configuring Babel Buster SPX SNMP Client

Configuring Babel Buster SPX SNMP Server (Agent)

CSV to XML Conversion Tool

Babel Buster Configuration Builder

You would normally use the web pages found in the gateway itself to configure the gateway. But you may be able to take a shortcut if you have a long list of registers already in CSV file format.

The Babel Buster Configuration Builder is used to facilitate building of configuration files (aka "profiles") for Babel Buster network gateways by converting XML files to CSV files and vice versa. This simplifies the process of creating or changing a large number of entries because you can use any standard spread sheet program to manipulate the content of one or more CSV files, and then convert that into an XML configuration file that can be loaded into the gateway. If the gateway will be reading a long list of Modbus registers, for example, you can sometimes just copy a list of registers from another source, paste into a simple text file, and import that into the spread sheet program. Then add a header line to label the content, add a handful of additional columns, and you quickly have most of a complete configuration. Very often, the only thing that changes from one line to the next is the register number. The other entries can be quickly made by entering once and using the spread sheet program's "fill down".

The Babel Buster Configuration Builder simplifies the process of making global changes to a large number of gateway register or object "maps". The gateway “converts” protocols by querying devices on one network with one protocol, and then saving that data internally so that it may be accessed on another network using a different protocol. The designation of what should be queried is referred to as a “map” in the gateway. In most applications, most or all maps are “read” maps, meaning the gateway will read data from some other device. A “write” map will write data to that device. Most often the gateway will actively read data from a device and passively wait for another device on the alternate network to query the gateway to obtain that data. But it is also possible to configure the gateway with two sets of maps, one to actively read device A using protocol A, and then actively write that data to device B using protocol B. The process can also be reversed, and can be done concurrently. You may both read and write data on one network while writing and reading data on the other network.

What to Expect from the Conversion Tool

The point of this configuration builder is to simplify the process of entering long lists of registers or objects. Where most of the parameters are the same for many maps, using a spread sheet program's "fill down" makes the process fast and easy.

There are situations where creating a CSV file for configuring some aspect of the gateway is actually going to create more work than simply using the web UI or PC based software to directly configure that aspect. Configuring the Modbus RTU port baud rate is one such example. There is only one setting. A CSV file would create more work rather than less, as intended. Therefore, the configuration builder only supports CSV import/export for those aspects of gateway configuration that involve long lists of largely replicated parameters. There are a very limited number of list type entries that are not supported in part because they are seldom used, and in part because very little of the list is replicated from one entry to the next. The BACnet Broadcast Distribution Table is one such example.

Do note, however, that if you have already done a lot of configuration, have saved that to an XML file, and want to add a list from a CSV file, you can do that. Refer to the section in the user guide that talks about modifying an existing configuration.

Get the Tool Now!

This tool is free and available for download now. Unzip and run the bb-builder-setup.exe file. Open the program, and click the help icon (blue question mark in upper left corner) to access the user guide. The very first section tells you how to get started.

Download the Babel Buster Configuration Builder here.


CSV to XML Conversion Tool

Configuration Service

Need even more help with your network gateway configuration task? We can do the configuration for you, or at least give you a big head start. We are working on building a library of configuration files for commonly used devices. If yours isn't already in the library, we will add it. To get started, open a support ticket and attach a copy (typically a .pdf document) of whatever documentation you have for your device. In addition, provide a list of the registers or objects you want to read or write. Of course, you can also start by asking if we already have that device in our library. If you have a proprietary application that you do not want included in our library, you can hire us at a very reasonable rate to do custom, proprietary configuration work for you, too.

Our most extensive technical support is provided by the same engineering staff that developed the products. Your personal attention from this staff is available via the support ticket system.

No user/password is required to open a new ticket. Once you open a ticket, you will immediately receive an email with your ticket number. Your ticket number becomes your login to review your ticket(s) later. Click the Support Ticket icon anywhere you see it. (If you do not get an email with your ticket number, within minutes, check your junk folder, spam settings, etc, and try again if necessary.)

 Open a Ticket