Local connection
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⟩ Local connection

Local connection

The Local Connection mode lets you access the
Interactive Access
 features by connecting to a Runtime on the same LAN, without logging onto the
FactoryTalk® Remote Access™
 Manager
 nor accessing Internet.
In this way, you can access a device where the Runtime software is installed with a VNC (Virtual Network Computing) functionality besides additional features. Indeed, it allows you to access the device automation network through a local VPN connection during both the machinery development and commissioning phases, while remaining connected to the IT network.
The Local Connection mode is supported by: Windows OS Runtime,
OptixPanel™
,
OptixEdge™
,
Stratix® 4300
, Embedded Edge Compute module.
NOTE: To establish a Local Connection, follow the procedures below and access System Manager as required.
To learn more about System Manager, download this user manual:
You can also set up any other connection type from the connections available in the
Interactive Access
Connection
 section.
NOTE: See Interactive Access for further information on this subject.

Manage local devices information

Once you have set up your devices, you can later manage the device information by using the following settings:
  • Remember password
    : Save your password. The newly saved password overwrites the old device password.
  • Manage local devices
    : Select this option to add or delete a device, edit any existing device information or view a list of the saved devices and their related details, such as the devices name and IP address/host name.
    If you add a new device, complete the device name, IP address/host name and password.
NOTE:
Any entered IP address/host name is saved upon device connection.
In the Local Connection pane, if you check
Target device
 before completing the device information, only the IP adress/host name is saved. To save the device name, enter the device name in the related field before checking
Remember password
.
WARNING: Do not click on the password masked by bullet characters to avoid it being cleared.

Local connection through Windows Runtime

To establish a Local Connection, proceed as follows:
  1. Start Windows Runtime.
  2. In the Windows Runtime pane, select the
    Local
     tab and flag the
    Enable local connection
     entry.
  3. Set a password to allow for later connection from your local device.
  4. Access the
    FactoryTalk Remote Access Tools Local Connection
     from your local device.
    NOTE: The
    FactoryTalk Remote Access Tools Local Connection
     is automatically installed onto your device, when the
    FactoryTalk® Remote Access™
     Tools are installed. See Tools to learn more about how to download the Tools.
    .
  5. A dialog box opens up. Enter the IP address or the device name and the password previously set in the
    Target device
     and
    Password
     fields of the dialog box.
  6. You will be prompted to accept a certificate to establish a temporary o permanent secure connection.
  7. The
    Interactive Access
     window opens up.

Local connection through
Stratix® 4300
 Routers, OptixEdge™ and OptixPanel™

To establish a Local Connection, proceed as follows:
  1. Access the System Manager and select
    FT Remote Access
     from the main menu on the left.
  2. In the
    Local Connection
     section, flag the
    Enabled
     entry.
  3. In the same section, set a password to allow for later connection from your local device. Click on the
    Apply
     button.
  4. Access the
    FactoryTalk Remote Access Tools Local Connection
     from your local device.
    NOTE: The
    FactoryTalk Remote Access Tools Local Connection
     is automatically installed onto your device, when the
    FactoryTalk® Remote Access™
     Tools are installed. See Tools to learn more about how to download the Tools.
    .
  5. A dialog box opens up. Enter the IP address or the device name and the password previously set in the
    Target device
     and
    Password
     fields of the dialog box.
  6. You will be prompted to accept a certificate to establish a temporary o permanent secure connection.
  7. The
    Interactive Access
     window opens up.

Ensure connectivity despite IP address changes

The Local Connection Tool may encounter issues establishing a connection with a device if the device IP address changes after it has been registered. This can disrupt communication and lead to connectivity problems.
However, by saving the device host name instead of its IP address, you can mitigate this issue. If you save the device hostname, the Local Connection Tool can query the DNS server to resolve the hostname to its current IP address. This dynamic resolution ensures that the tool can always find the device, even if its IP address changes.
This approach leverages the DNS server ability to translate hostnames into their corresponding IP addresses, maintaining a stable connection regardless of any IP address changes.
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