Product Description of ProSoft MVI71-DFNT
May 16, 2026

Product Description of ProSoft MVI71-DFNT

MVI71-DFNT (EtherNet/IP Client/Server Communication Module) is a single-slot EtherNet/IP communication module specially designed by ProSoft for the Rockwell PLC-5 platform. It supports 10/100 Mbps adaptive Ethernet and has both client/server dual functions. It provides explicit messaging communication and DF1 protocol penetration services. It is an industrial-grade standard solution for the PLC-5 system to access industrial Ethernet, achieve remote programming and interconnection between different networks.

Description

Product Description of ProSoft MVI71-DFNT

MVI71-DFNT (EtherNet/IP Client/Server Communication Module) is a single-slot EtherNet/IP communication module specially designed by ProSoft for the Rockwell PLC-5 platform. It supports 10/100 Mbps adaptive Ethernet and has both client/server functions. It provides explicit messaging communication and DF1 protocol penetration services. It is an industrial-grade standard solution for PLC-5 systems to access industrial Ethernet, achieve remote programming and inter-network interconnection. 

I. Model Analysis

MVI71: PLC-5 1771 Platform-specific Series

DFNT: DF1 over Ethernet / EtherNet/IP (Client / Server)

Core Positioning: EtherNet/IP Client / Server, 10/100 Mbps, Single Port Fully Isolated, 20 Servers, 100 Commands, DF1 Penetration, Single Slot, Zero PLC Load

II. Core Hardware Specifications

Compatible Platforms

PLC-5: Full series PLC-5/11, /12, /15, /20, /25, /30, /40, /40L, /60, /80, /80E

1771 Backplane, Single Slot Installation

Support for Local / Remote Rack

Backplane Power Consumption: Maximum 800mA @ 5.1VDC

Ethernet Interface

Ports: 1 RJ45, 10/100 Mbps Auto-Sensing

Electrical Isolation: 1500Vrms Optical Isolation (Between Backplane and Bus)

Protocols: EtherNet/IP (CIP), TCP/IP, UDP/IP

Communication Mode: Client (Active) + Server (Passive) Dual Mode

Configuration Port (CFG)

1 RS-232, DB-9M, Hardware Handshake

Used for Module Configuration, Debugging, Firmware Upgrade

Data Buffer: 5000 Bytes Bidirectional Shared Database

Client Function

Initiate Read / Write Commands to Remote EtherNet/IP Devices Actively

Support 100 User-defined Commands

Command Queue, Timeout, Retry, Error Handling

Server Function

Support 20 Concurrent Server Connections

Respond to Read / Write Requests from Remote Master Station

DF1 Penetration Service (Pass-Thru)

Ethernet → PLC-5 Channel 0 Penetration

Remote Programming, Uploading / Downloading Programs, Online Monitoring, Fault Diagnosis

LED Status: OK, BP, LINK, ACT, CFG, ERR Status Indicators

Operating Environment

Temperature: 0°C ~ +60°C

Storage: -40°C ~ +85°C

Humidity: 5% ~ 95% (No Condensation)

Certifications: CE, UL, cURus, RoHS

III. Core Functions and Performance

1. EtherNet/IP Client / Server (Core Advantage)

Client Mode (Active Communication)

Active Polling: PLC-5 as the master station, reading and writing remote EtherNet/IP devices

100 Command List: Supports Batch, Periodic, Triggered Command Execution

Data Mapping: Remote Device Data Directly Mapped to PLC-5 File Registers

No PLC Load: Commands are Independently Processed by Modules

Server Mode (Passive Response)

20 Concurrent Servers: Respond to Requests from Multiple Master Stations Simultaneously

Standard CIP Explicit Information: Compatible with Third-Party EtherNet/IP Masters (PLC, HMI, SCADA)

Data Security: Configurable Read/Write Permissions, Address Range

High Performance Ethernet

10/100 Mbps Auto-Sensing: High-Speed Data Exchange

Full Electrical Isolation: Anti-interference, Lightning Protection, Elimination of Ground Potential Difference

TCP/UDP Dual Protocol: Reliable Transmission and High-Speed Broadcasting

2. DF1 Penetration (Remote Programming) - Unique Function

Ethernet → PLC-5 Channel 0 Penetration

No Need for Local Serial Port, Remote Ethernet Programming, Debugging, Diagnosis Support for RSLogix 5 software: Uploading/downloading programs, online monitoring, forced I/O, fault troubleshooting

Wide area network / Internet remote maintenance, saving travel expenses and improving efficiency

Penetrating server

Independent of data communication, not affecting the control program

Support for password protection, secure remote access

3. Deep integration with PLC-5 system

PLC-5 memory mapping

5000-word shared database: Direct mapping of PLC-5 files

BTR/BTW block transmission: Efficient data interaction

Status, commands, data, errors all mapped to PLC tags

Configuration tool

ProSoft Configuration Builder (PCB): Visual configuration

Text configuration file (DFNT.CFG): Command editing, network parameters ProSoft Technology Inc

Online diagnosis: Status monitoring, message capture, event logs, error tracking

4. Industrial-grade reliability

Full isolation design

1500Vrms isolation: Protecting PLC and field devices

Powerful diagnostics

Module status, link status, command status, server connection real-time monitoring

Detailed error codes, event logs, communication statistics

Automatic reconnection in case of disconnection, command retry, fault isolation

Independent operation

Zero PLC CPU load, not affecting scan cycle

Module failure does not affect PLC host

Four. Core features and advantages

1. Professional EtherNet/IP communication

Client + Server dual mode: Fully network-compatible

10/100 Mbps, 1500V isolation: High-speed, safe, stable

100 commands / 20 servers: Large capacity, high concurrency

Explicit information (Explicit Messaging): Compatible with all standard EtherNet/IP devices

2. Exclusive DF1 penetration

Remote Ethernet programming: Revolutionary feature for PLC-5 remote maintenance

Program uploading/downloading, online monitoring, fault diagnosis: Full-function remote support

Secure password protection: Industrial-grade remote access security

3. Optimized for PLC-5

1771 single slot: Saving space, compatible with all PLC-5

BTR/BTW efficient transmission: Native data interaction for PLC-5

5000-word database: Meeting large data volume applications

Zero PLC load: Not affecting control system performance

4. Easy to use, reliable

PCB visual configuration: Quick deployment

AOI / Sample program: No need for low-level protocol programming

Industrial-grade wide temperature range, shock resistance, no fan: Long-term stability

3-year warranty, global technical support: Investment guarantee

Five. Typical application scenarios

PLC-5 Ethernet upgrade: Old PLC-5 systems connected to EtherNet/IP

Remote programming maintenance: Wide area network / Internet remote debugging of PLC-5

Inter-network connection: PLC-5 ↔ ControlLogix/CompactLogix EtherNet/IP communication

SCADA/HMI connection: PLC-5 connected to Ethernet SCADA/HMI system

Multi-PLC networking: PLC-5 and third-party EtherNet/IP PLC data interaction

Device integration: PLC-5 connects to EtherNet/IP drives, instruments, remote I/O

Old factory renovation: Protecting PLC-5 investment, upgrading industrial Ethernet

Six. Summary MVI71-DFNT is the flagship solution for EtherNet/IP communication on the PLC-5 platform. With client/server dual mode, 10/100 Mbps high speed, 1500V full isolation, 100 user commands, 20 concurrent servers, exclusive DF1 remote programming penetration, 5000-word large-capacity database, zero PLC load, industrial-grade reliability as its core advantages, it is specifically designed for PLC-5 Ethernet upgrade, remote programming maintenance, interconnection of heterogeneous networks, SCADA integration, and old factory renovation. It is a high-performance, highly reliable, one-stop industrial-grade standard module for Rockwell PLC-5 to access industrial Ethernet and achieve remote control and system integration.


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