Crimson 3.x: Ethernet Download

06 Jun 2025

Industrial Automation Tech Note 06 - TNIA06

Abstract:

This document describes how to use Crimson 3 to configure/enable Ethernet download from the
front panel of compatible Red Lion products.

Products:

Red Lion Controls CR1000 Human Machine Interface (HMI), CR3000 HMI, Data Acquisition (DA10, DA30), Data Station Plus, G3 HMI, G3 Kadet HMI, Graphite® Controller, Graphite HMI, Modular Controller, and ProducTVity Station™

Use Case:

The default configuration state of the Ethernet port is “disabled” on the previously listed Red Lion
Products. Therefore, a device’s Ethernet port must be enabled before Ethernet downloads can
occur.

Required Software:

Crimson® 3.0 or 3.1

Introduction

By default, the Ethernet port found on compatible Red Lion devices is not enabled for downloading. Refer to the Crimson 3 System Menu or Crimson 3 System Console Technical Notes for information on enabling Ethernet download from the front panel of such units.

Crimson 3 Configuration

Crimson 3 must be configured to support Ethernet downloads. Refer to Figure 1 and perform the following:

1. Open Crimson 3.

2. Go to the Communication section.

3. From the Navigation Pane, click on Network; the Communications - Network popup appears.

4. Click the Ethernet 1 tab.

5. Set the Port Mode option to Manual Configuration.

6. Define/enter the IP address that will be assigned to the unit; 192.168.1.20 in this example

NOTE 1: Ensure the specified IP address is reachable by the computer you are using.
NOTE 2: Depending on the device being programmed, a cross-over cable to download over a direct connection may be required.

Fig_1.png

Figure 1.

7. Referring to Figure 2, click on the Download tab.

8. Set the IP Download option to Enabled; Unit Addressing can be set to Manual if you are changing the IP address or have specified the DHCP setting for Ethernet.

Fig_2.png

Figure 2.

9. If the IP address and download are not already enabled in the unit, download this configuration using the USB or RS232/RS485 connection.

10.Set the Link->Options to TCP/IP to have Crimson 3 use TCI/IP as the communications link to the unit; the Download Database via TCP/IP screen shown in Figure 3 is displayed.

Fig_3.png

Figure 3.

Other Considerations

When updating a device over Ethernet, it is important to check the build of Crimson 3 you are using by clicking Help->About on the menu bar. If the build of Crimson is different than the version indicated on the boot screen of the device, a compact flash memory card will be required to update the firmware prior to updating the configuration.

NOTE: A device can also be updated without a compact flash by connecting locally using USB or serial programming cables to update the firmware.