Learning about SoftLogix

SoftLogix 5800 controllers enable you to create a PC-based Logix controller rack. By using the SoftLogix application, you can create a virtual rack that houses your virtual controllers and virtual communication modules. SoftLogix is another component of Rockwell Automation's Integrated Architecture (as discussed in Chapter 1 , The History of Rockwell Automation Technologies) and can interface with the other Logix controllers, communication modules, and I/O modules. By taking advantage of the computing power of modern PCs, SoftLogix controllers are capable of processing larger volumes of data at a higher speed than even the most powerful Logix controller.

Furthermore, SoftLogix controllers support the 1784-SIM (I/O simulator) modules, which emulate the real-world I/O modules for debugging, operator training, acceptance testing, and simulation. Studio 5000 allows you to build custom C++-based Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs), called external routines, that can be executed by the SoftLogix. External routines allow you to take control of all the aspects of Windows-based PCs and perform resource-intensive program execution.

In the next section, we will review the three SoftLogix processors that are available.