Can I use Wireshark to capture data over Ethernet between a CAT engine and an Allen-Bradley PLC? asked 13 Oct '11, 12:34  mgriffin2 |
2 Answers:
I've no idea what you mean by a 'CAT engine', but there's two forms of 'communication' with a PLC. On the data acquisition side where the PLC acquires the data from the I/O sensors Wireshark won't help as these are usually analog signals, and even where they are digital they are usually some form of serial protocol. On the data reporting side, the PLC can communicate with other equipment, such as an HMI or SCADA system, and where this communication takes place over a medium that Wireshark can capture on, such as Ethernet, then this communication can be captured. You will somehow need to allow the Wireshark capturing device access to the Ethernet link. Whether Wireshark can then dissect the communication depends on the protocol in use by the PLC and the other equipment. answered 14 Oct '11, 00:16  grahamb ♦ |
If you post the information on the device that's sending the data to the PLC we might be able to tell you which protocol it would use. Best bet would to just download and try it, though. OPC would be a likely protocol, not sure if Wireshark can decode. answered 14 Oct '11, 10:42  San Juan Vet The CAT will use a M5X protocol. I think WireShark is probably fitted for different issues, but I just wantd to check out all of my options. (14 Oct '11, 12:08) mgriffin2 |
Ok, thank you so much! A CAT engine is a Caterpillar engine. I'm trying to avoid using expensive equipment to read my data over ehternet between the Caterpillar and PLC.
I'm not sure if you'll be able to see anything useful over that link, as that's likely to be the data acquisition side, i.e. the PLC is for some form of engine management.