TOP Server I/O Servers Improve Again
New Suites for GE and Modbus protocol add more value, new GE Drivers expand product reach

Charlotte, NC January 2, 2002: Software Toolbox today announced more upgrades to their TOP Server I/O server product line, continuing to build the value that the TOP Server product brings to users seeking to integrate information from the shop floor throughout the enterprise.

Today's upgrades include:

• New drivers for GE Fanuc users
   
• GE CCM Protocol - For GE Series Six users, CCM protocol is the choice for serial communications - this driver provides connectivity for these legacy PLCs. The GE Series 90 PLCs also optionally can use CCM protocol, although SNP/SNPX are the preferred serial connections on newer Series 90 PLCs.
   
• GE Fanuc Focas1 Ethernet - This new driver provides TCP/IP Ethernet connections to GE Fanuc CNC models 15i,16i,18i, 21i, and Power Mate i for reading/writing of the PMC data area of the i series of controllers. 
   
• New Bundled offerings
   
• GE Fanuc Suite - With the purchase of a single item, users obtain a license to use GE SNP, SNPX, CCM, Ethernet, and Ethernet Global Data drivers on a single PC. 
   
• Modbus Suite - With the purchase of this item, users obtain a license to use Modbus RTU Master, Modbus RTU Slave, Modbus ASCII Master, Modbus Plus, and Modbus TCP/IP Ethernet drivers on a single PC.
   
• Enhancements to existing products
• Modbus RTU Driver
• Added capabilities to swap byte order within words, further enhancing the flexibility of the driver -- this driver already supported word order swapping in 32-bit data types - now byte order within words may be swapped on a device by device level
   
• Force use of Modbus Function Code 6 on single word writes -- some 3rd party modbus devices do not support a multiple item register write -- by selecting this option, compatibility with these devices is provided.
   
• All Ethernet Drivers
• Improved handling of multiple NIC cards
   
• Modbus Plus Driver
• Support for data slave paths - you can now make this driver appear as a slave device on Modbus Plus networks on a device by device basis.
• Improved options for running single or multiple data paths on the Modbus Plus network.