To access I/O Device Editor, go to Tools > I/O Device Editor, or click on the Open I/O Device Editor… on the toolbar to open it as well. To create a new device, click on the + icon; this will open the Add New I/O Device screen. Users will be able to select the Connection Type of ethernet or serial for that specific device. Users will also be able to select the Device Type, which will open a dropdown of specific devices that Canvas supports connecting to. Once selected, the I/O Device will be created with default settings.

Ethernet devices are used when the connection to another device is via an Ethernet connection. Users will need to input the IP of the device they are connecting to, the Ethernet Type, and also the Port. Depending on the selected protocol, users can also select the PLC Type as well. Users will also be able to select the String Encoding and the String Encoding Method. Users are also able to change specific settings such as the Timeout time and the Retry Count. Users will also be able to change the name of the Device and the Protocol of the device as well. Users are able to use a different protocol to suit the use case of a specific project; the available protocols are listed below.

Canvas supports Allen-Bradleys Ethernet/IP as a way to connect with other devices that support this protocol. Users will be able to select an Allen Bradley PLC Type, the Message Type, and also, if the Message Type allows, a toggle to Use Multiple Service.

CIMON PLC (HMI Protocol) is the default protocol for Canvas. This protocol is the basic HMI protocol to connect with other CIMON devices. Users can select the CIMON PLC Type that they are working with. There are no additional options for any of the CIMON PLCs; the settings will remain the same across all CIMON PLCs.

Canvas supports Fatek FBS as a way to connect with other devices that support this protocol. This protocol will work in conjunction with any Fatek PLCs. There are no specific settings that this option will bring up if selected.

Canvas supports LSIS FEnet as a way to connect with other devices that support this protocol. Users will be able to select an LSIS PLC Type within the settings to better suit specific configurations.

Canvas supports Mitsubishi MELSEC Ethernet as a way to connect with other devices that support this protocol. Users will be able to select a Mitsubishi PLC Type within the settings to better suit specific configurations. Users will also be able to select a Frame Type for the MELSEC as well.

Canvas supports Modbus TCP as a way to connect with other devices that support this protocol. Users will be able to Swap 16 for Integers, Strings, Float32 and Float64, Swap 32 for Integer, Float32, and Float64, and Swap 64 for Integer and Float64. Users will also have to set the Unit Identifier for Modbus TCP to correctly identify the device it is trying to connect to.

Canvas supports ODVA EtherNet/IP as a way to connect with other devices that support this protocol. Users using this method will be able to set the Message Type for how the message should function when connected to another device that supports ODVA EtherNet/IP.

Canvas supports OPC UA Client as a way to connect to other devices that support this protocol. Users can Enable Encryption and enhance security for their OPC UA Client. Users will also be able to manage specific Security Policies, and also change the Authentication Method.

Canvas supports Omron FINS as a way to connect to other devices that support this protocol. Users will need to set up Fins in order to use it. Users will need to specify the ID of the Source Node, Source Network, Destination Network, Destination Node, and Destination Unit in order to have Omron FINS set up properly.

Canvas supports Proface GPEthernet as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. Users will be able to Swap 16 for Integers and Strings and also Swap 32 for Integers.

Canvas supports Siemens S7 as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. Users will be able to set up the Slot Number and Rack Number of the S7. This will need to be correct in order for it to grab information from the correct device.

Serial Devices are used when a connection to another device is made via a serial cable. Users will need to input the Serial Port of the device they are connecting to, the Comm Type, and also the Baudrate. Users can also select the String Encoding and the String Encoding Method. Users are also able to change specific settings such as the Timeout time and the Retry Count. Users will also be able to change the name of the Device and the Protocol of the device as well.

This is the default protocol for Canvas. Users will be able to choose any of the CIMON PLCs under PLC Type. No additional settings will appear after any of the CIMON PLCs are selected.

Canvas supports LSIS Cnet as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. Users will be able to choose any of the LSIS Cnet PLCs under PLC Type. No additional settings will appear under either of the PLC Type options.

Canvas supports Mitsubishi MELSEC Serial as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. Users will be able to choose any of the Mitsubishi PLCs under PLC Type. Users will also need to select the Frame Type for the PLC as well.

Canvas supports Modbus RTU as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. There are no additional settings that will appear on the selection of this protocol.

Canvas supports Omron Hostlink as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. There are no additional settings that will appear on the selection of this protocol.

Canvas supports Panasonic FP7 as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. There are no additional settings that will appear on the selection of this protocol.

Canvas supports Yokogawa FA-M3 as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. There are no additional settings that will appear on the selection of this protocol.

The Certificate Editor is used to create and edit certificate files, which can be used to encrypt and authorize any connection to the project. Users can use this feature to add more security and encryption to their projects so that no unauthorized access can happen. Users will be able to use their own Private Key and Certificate for their project.

To access the Data Server Editor, go to Tools > Data Server Editor or click on the Open Data Server Editor… on the toolbar to open it as well. To create a new device, click on the + icon; this will open the Add New Server Device screen. Users will be able to select the Connection Type of ethernet or serial for that specific device. Users will also be able to select the Device Type, which will open a dropdown of specific devices that Canvas supports connecting to. Once selected, the Data Server will be created with default settings.

Ethernet devices are used when the connection to another device is via an Ethernet connection. Users will need to input the Port of the device they are connecting to in order for it to successfully connect. For Modbus TCP, users will need to enter the Unit ID via Modbus for it to successfully connect, and also the String Encoding and String Encoding Method.

Canvas supports MQTT JSON Publisher as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. Users will have to change MQTT settings such as Broker Address, Port, Client ID, Use SSL, and many other options. Users will have options to change the Running Mode and Payload Info as well to communicate with the device.

Canvas supports Modbus TCP as a way to connect to devices that support this protocol. Users will have to input the Unit ID, the String Encoding and the String Encoding Method for this protocol.

Canvas supports OPC UA Server as a way to connect to other devices that support this protocol. Users can Enable Encryption and change security for their OPC UA Server. Users will also be able to manage specific Security Policies, and also change the Authentication Method. Users will also be able to change the Tag Layout as well within the configuration.

Serial Devices are used when a connection to another device is made via a serial cable. Users will need to input the Serial Port of the device they are connecting to, the Comm Type, and also the Baudrate. Users can also select the PLC Type, the String Encoding, and the String Encoding Method. Users will also be able to change the name of the Device and the Protocol of the device as well. For Modbus TCP, users will need to enter the Unit ID via Modbus for it to successfully connect, and also the String Encoding and String Encoding Method as well. Modbus RTU is currently the only protocol available for Serial Devices on Data Server Editor.

Device tags are used to connect tags with the server. Any tags listed within the Device Tag tab will be hosted by the created server. Within the tab, addresses and other properties for each tag can be configured. Each protocol will have different settings for the Device Tag screen.