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FREE Tools (we've used) from other sources:
Ethernet protocol analyzer: www.ethereal.com
Ethereal is an extremely useful tool for working with Ethernet, whether Modbus or SNMP. This packet sniffer captures data on your PC's Ethernet port and displays a tree structured breakdown of each packet. Ethereal understands and decodes Modbus, SNMP, and virtually every protocol available on Ethernet.
Free Modbus tester for serial RTU: www.modbus.pl
The above packages are free indefinitely. A 30-day free trial of a MIB Browser is listed below.
BACnet Tools Available for Sale
We are authorized resellers for the BACbeat BACnet Evaluation/Analysis Tool, and BACtrace MS/TP Protocol Analyzer from PolarSoft. Click here for screen shots and ordering info.
Serial Port Adapters
RS485 to RS232 converter: Most PC's and laptops don't come with an RS-485 port, so testing Modbus RTU devices is a bit challenging. We've had good luck with the XP485-9E available from Integrity Instruments at www.rs-485.com. This converter has a PIC micro inside and does a nice job of auto-enabling the RS485 transmitter. TX control creates a Modbus timing problem with some dumb dongles.
No COM port on your PC. That's always a challenge, but we have managed to find one type of USB to serial adapter that does work even with the tight requirements of BACnet and Modbus.
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This combo is ugly, but if you want to get from USB to RS-485, this is the only thing we've tried that works. There are a number of USB to RS-485 devices out there which "work" as long as your definition of working does not include BACnet. |
Miscellaneous Network Tools We Bought
(and would buy again - but we don't sell these)
Trap receiver for testing SNMP traps from i.CanDoIt or Babel Buster SP: www.ncomtech.com
An inexpensive DHCP server we use regularly: www.vicomsoft.com A demo version is available.
Modbus Scanner & Simulator we use for testing (ModScan, ModSim): www.win-tech.com
(iReasoning MIB Browser)
Reasonably priced SNMP MIB Browser & utilities: www.ireasoning.com. Download FREE 30-day trial of professional edition. We have tested this with Control Solutions' MIBs and products.
Engineer's Edition Tool Set (www.solarwinds.net) has about everything you could possibly ask for when it comes to network (Ethernet, Internet) diagnostic tools. This is for the beyond-novice user.
Note: If you need a TFTP server, you can get a free one at www.solarwinds.net.
Reference Links
Modbus protocol specification: www.modbus-ida.org
You will find an assortment of Modbus technical reference material at this site, plus links to an assortment of third party software tools and Freeware for creating your own Modbus application.
SNMP protocol specification: There is no one document that defines SNMP. It exists as a set of numerous "RFCs" available at many sites including this useful and user friendly site:
http://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/cs/Services/rfc/index.html.
You are really better off going to the book store and getting a book on SNMP. But if you insist on really getting your hands dirty, you can also start following links at www.iana.org.