Siemens SIMATIC IPC BX-39A

The SIMATIC IPC BX-39A is a maintenance-free embedded IPC with versatile configuration. Supporting the Intel CPU technology of the 11th generation, it provides machine, plant and control cabinet builders with a high-performance, compact PC platform for use at machine or process level, or in the industrial environment. It can be used in building automation systems or in public facilities.

For more information refer to the information materials provided by the manufacturer:

• Product page
• User manual

Device specifications

The table below contains the key specifications of the specific hardware model that has been certified for Nerve usage. Use the article number listed here when ordering the device from the manufacturer only. Note that other device variants are not supported as Nerve Devices.

If required, contact sales@tttech-industrial.com for help with ordering Nerve Devices.

Setting up the device for Nerve usage

Follow the instructions below to set up the hardware, install the Nerve software and make the node ready for use in the Management System. Note that the materials provided by the device manufacturer are also required to continue.

Requirements for the instructions below:

Refer to the user manual of the manufacturer to set up the hardware. Connect a keyboard and a monitor to the device and make sure that the device is ready to be powered on. Also, prepare a USB drive in case the BIOS version of the device needs to be updated.

BIOS update

To avoid possible issues and complications, the BIOS version on the SIMATIC IPC BX-39A needs to be V29.01.03 or later. Refer to the user manual of the manufacturer for information on how to update the BIOS version.

Required BIOS settings for Nerve

Certain BIOS settings need to be changed to ensure the desired performance of the Nerve system.

1. Power on the device.
2. Press Esc while the device is booting to enter the BIOS menu.

3. Change the following settings:

   Path	Setting
   Advanced > CPU Configuration > Intel (VMX) Virtualization Technology	Enabled
   Advanced > CPU Configuration > Active Processor Cores	All
   Advanced > Power & Performance > CPU - Power Management Control > Power & Performance Scenario	Stable Performance
   Advanced > Power & Performance > CPU - Power Management Control > Intel (R) SpeedStep(tm)	Disabled
   Advanced > Power & Performance > CPU - Power Management Control > Intel (R) Speed Shift Technology	Disabled
   Advanced > Power & Performance > CPU - Power Management Control	HDC Control> Disabled
   Advanced > Power & Performance > CPU - Power Management Control > C states	Disabled
   Advanced > System Agent (SA) Configuration > VT-d	Enabled
   Advanced > PCH-FW Configuration > Manageability Features State	Disabled
   Boot > Add Boot Options	Auto
   Boot > USB Boot	Enabled

4. Save the changes and exit BIOS.

Accessing the Local UI

After the image installation, the device can be powered on after setup for product license activation. For that, a connection to the Local UI needs to be established.

1. Connect a workstation to port X1 P1.

2. Configure the network adapter of the workstation. The IP address has to be in the range from 172.20.2.5 to 172.20.2.254 with a 255.255.255.0 subnet mask.

   Note

   Do not use 172.20.2.27 for the network adapter IP address. This IP address is used internally by the Nerve system.

3. Open a browser window or tab.

4. Enter http://172.20.2.1:3333/ to access the Local UI.

At first, only the required elements to activate the Nerve product license are shown in the Local UI. The full extent of the Local UI is unlocked after product license activation and requires a login. For first time log in use the credentials from the customer profile.

Activating the Nerve license

After logging in to the Local UI, the product license can be activated so that Nerve can be used on the device. Make sure that the Local UI can be accessed as described above. License activation can be done either online or offline.

• Online activation
  When the node has internet access, the node will automatically connect to the licensing server. This is the most straightforward way of activating licenses.

• Offline activation
  In case of the node not having internet access, the license can be activated with a file-based method. However, note that a workstation with an internet connection is required for connecting to the licensing server in order to upload and download files. This might be the way to activate the license if the Management System is hosted on premise.

Refer to License activation in the user guide for more information.

Registering the device in the Management System

With the license activated, the node needs to be configured for use in the Management System through the Local UI. Afterwards the node needs to be registered in the Management System.

1. Make sure that the Local UI can be accessed as described above.
2. Follow this link to connect to the Local UI: http://172.20.2.1:3333/

3. Log in with the credentials from the customer profile.

   

4. Refer to Node configuration for information on how to configure the device for use in the Management System.

5. Refer to Adding a node for information on how to register the node in the Management System.

Additional device specific information

The following information below is device specific information for use with Nerve.

Physical ports and network interfaces

The table offers a quick overview of the network interfaces that can be reached through the physical ports of the SIMATIC IPC BX-39A.

For more information on node internal networking, refer to Node internal networking.