EC-Inspector

EC-Inspector is an easy to use software application for Windows for analyzing and monitoring EtherCAT networks. The program can be used independently of the master controller and works with EtherCAT masters from many manufacturer (Beckhoff, Omron, Bosch-Rexroth, Lenze, acontis, etc.). EC-Inspector analyzes the complete data traffic between the master and the EtherCAT slaves via a TAP (Test Access Point) device inserted after the master.

Features

• Analyzing and Decoding the EtherCAT Protocol
• Utilizes the EtherCAT Network Information (ENI) file
• Monitoring of Process Data Variables
• Monitoring of Slave States
• Monitoring of Slave Error Counters (ESC registers 0x300 to 0x313)
• Graphical View of Network Topology
• Processing of Previously Captured and Saved Raw Network Traffic (Wireshark files)
• Take Snapshots to Save to Files

Advantages

• No integration with the existing master controller required
• No specific TAP device required, even a regular switch device may be used
• No impact (e.g. timing, load) on the existing network and application
• No changes to existing software required
• Very small engineering effort: simply use the existing ENI file
• Use the same tool to analyze machines operated by controllers from different manufacturers
• No installation of Windows Packet Capture Library & Driver (WinPcap / Npcap) required