[etherlab-users] Getting started with etherlabs etherCAT Master

[Steven Hartmann]

Hi Folks,

I¹m just getting started with Etherlabs and Ethercat in general.  I have
been reading everything I can find to try to get a handle on all of this.  I
am having a little trouble connecting the dots on the configuration stuff
and was hoping someone on the list could help me out.

Here are some things that I think I have found out:

* Ethercat slave configuration is generally described by xml files
* The ethercat program has an xml command which spews out the currently
scanned bus configuration.
* There seems to be no other xml support within the etherlab etherCAT master
stack other than the aforementioned spewing.  This includes the ethercat
program as well as the API.
* Slave vendors seem to have xml files for each device which seem to give
the same information as was gathered along with some other information.

If any of the above is incorrect, please let me know.

Where can I find a document which specifies the items I find in the XML
files and what they mean?   I went to the ethercat.org web site, but they
seem to hold all documentation hostage unless you are a member.  Is every
one who writes an application that has to communicate with an ethercat
device  required to join their club?  Do I have to learn a secret handshake?

All of the examples I have found seem to use the c data structure generation
feature that is also included.  I don¹t think that model will work well
within my system, which is why I am perusing the XML descriptions.

Thanks,

Steven
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