Super n00b question - how to get started?

[coredumped]

Ok, be nice everyone, I'm very much new to this. I'm a software engineer but haven't worked much with PLCs. My question is, is it possible to plug in something like a DirectLogic D0-05AR into a computer with the USB cable and use studio to read its I/O? Ideally I'm looking to do it in studio or something similar.
Thanks for the help!

[plcnut]

Well, not exactly. But there are ways to do it via MODBUS over serial or Ethernet (google MODBUS).
Or you could look into the Ethernet SDK found in the left column here:
http://hosteng.com/

And the Ethernet SDK Forum here:
http://forum.hosteng.com/index.php/board,12.0.html

[coredumped]

Well, not exactly. But there are ways to do it via MODBUS over serial or Ethernet (google MODBUS).
Or you could look into the Ethernet SDK found in the left column here:
http://hosteng.com/

And the Ethernet SDK Forum here:
http://forum.hosteng.com/index.php/board,12.0.html

Thanks plcnut! So there's no way to do these things over USB (unless there's some sort of adapter)? I'll look in to MODBUS. thanks again.

[franji1]

So there's no way to do these things over USB (unless there's some sort of adapter)? I'll look in to MODBUS. thanks again.

ADC sells a USB to RS-232 Serial adapter/driver.  www.automationdirect.com/pn/USB-RS232 The web page links to a bunch of available Windows OS drivers from Win98 to Win7.

Oops, you'll also need one of these for the D shell RS-232 connector to RJ-12 on the 05 (it can be used with other DL CPUs) www.automationdirect.com/pn/D2-DSCBL

[coredumped]

So there's no way to do these things over USB (unless there's some sort of adapter)? I'll look in to MODBUS. thanks again.

ADC sells a USB to RS-232 Serial adapter/driver.  www.automationdirect.com/pn/USB-RS232 The web page links to a bunch of available Windows OS drivers from Win98 to Win7.

Oops, you'll also need one of these for the D shell RS-232 connector to RJ-12 on the 05 (it can be used with other DL CPUs) www.automationdirect.com/pn/D2-DSCBL

thanks franji1, but with these cables I still can't read the outputs on the device can I? That's what I'm really trying to accomplish, something simple like "output1=on" or "register2=543"

[franji1]

thanks franji1, but with these cables I still can't read the outputs on the device can I? That's what I'm really trying to accomplish, something simple like "output1=on" or "register2=543"

There are protocols previously mentioned where you can write software on your PC to go out COM9: (that's typical of some of these USB drivers) and query registers or write to outputs.

I would recommend Modbus, an industry standard, since that can be used on other PLC systems or even other "intelligent" devices (e.g. a valve that can be a Modbus Slave to your PC as Modbus Master).  DirectNET is only useful with AutomationDirect's DirectLogic PLCs (like the 05), but that is also an option.

Note that there are software libraries and source code out there already for Modbus Master (so you would only have to write your "application").  DirectNET you would need to write the Master protocol yourself (the spec is available on ADC's website), or purchase an OPC Server (OLE for Process Control e.g. KepDirect, that runs on Windows) or some other similar product.