---
title: AB CompactLogix Ethernet FreeTag
slug: bhdo/ab-compactlogix-ethernet-freetag
createdAt: 2022-05-26T20:56:06.000Z
---

Review the following information for setting up and configuring the AB CompactLogix Ethernet FreeTag driver. 

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**: We recommend this driver for CompactLogix and ControlLogix PLCs, as it provides the best stability over other compatible drivers. If you prefer speed over stability, you can use the [AB CompactLogix Ethernet Advanced](docId:-11XiZ2ij6VsJdxUauSXS). 
:::

# Belden Horizon Data Operations Compatible Series

| Compatibility parameter      | Compatible items                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Driver type**              | Ethernet                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Validated devices/series** | [CompactLogix](https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/products/hardware/allen-bradley/programmable-controllers/small-controllers/compactlogix-family.html)&#xD;<br />[ControlLogix](http://ab.rockwellautomation.com/) |
| **Replaces Gen 1 driver(s)** | AB CompactLogix (Gen1)<br />AB ControlLogix (Gen1)<br />Learn more about [Gen1 and Gen2 Driver Differences](docId\:xc0aPf3Zvs03mAC1z5ziL).                                                                               |

To set up and configure this device in Belden Horizon Data Operations, you will need to do the following:

- Step 1: Set up and Configure the PLC Device
- Step 2: Set up the PLC Device in Belden Horizon Data Operations DeviceHub
- Step 3: Configure the List of Registers

# Step 1: Set up and Configure the PLC Device

If the device is configured for Ethernet access, find its network parameters. Otherwise, follow the steps below.&#x20;

**To configure your device:**

1. Start the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application.
2. Select **File** > **Open**, then select your PLC project.
3. In **Controller Organizer**, right-click the device and select **Properties** from the popup menu.
   The Module Properties dialog box appears.
4. Select the **Port Configuration** tab.
5. Copy aside the IP address from the **IP address** field.

# Step 2: Set up the PLC Device in Belden Horizon Data Operations DeviceHub

Configure the following parameters when you [Connect a Device](docId\:T-cWPe0_Jsfw5-aoj8WPP) with this driver. Update default values to the specific setup of your device.&#x20;

| Parameter           | Value                                    |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Type**            | Allen-Bradley                            |
| **Driver**          | AB CompactLogix Ethernet FreeTag         |
| **Network Address** | The device address you defined in Step 1 |
| **Port**            | 44818                                    |
| **Slot**            | 0                                        |

# Step 3: Configure the List of Registers

Browse for tags to add to this FreeTag device. See [Add Tags](docId\:lgFx30uW0cmntR3KVMM4q) to learn more. Alternatively, when you [Add Tags](docId\:lgFx30uW0cmntR3KVMM4q), type the tag name in the **Name** field exactly as it is defined in the device (case-sensitive). You can find a list of tags by navigating to **Controller Organizer > Controller > Controller Tags** in Studio 5000 Logix Designer.

The following data types are supported:&#x20;

- `bool`
- `byte`
- `sint`
- `int`
- `dint`
- `real`
- `dword`
- `lint`
- `lreal`
- `string`

## Addressing Tips

- To access the bits of a `dint` tag, use the data type `bool` and append the bit address (`.0` to `.31`) to the name of the `dint` tag.
- To access the elements of a two- or three-dimensional array, use multiple square brackets instead of commas to separate the indices. For example, if the array in RSLogix 5000 has the name `MyArray` with the data type `dint[2,2,2]`, you can access the 0th index by entering `MyArray[0][0][0]` in Belden Horizon Data Operations.

Refer to the following tag parameters in Belden Horizon Data Operations.&#x20;

## Tag Parameters

- **Name**: Enter the case-sensitive register name exactly as it is defined in the PLC.&#x20;
- **Value Type**: Select a data type from the drop-down list.&#x20;
- **Polling Interval**: Enter a value in seconds. This determines how often the tag should poll the register for data.
- **Tag Name**: Enter a name for the tag.
- **Description** (Optional): Enter a description for the tag. &#x20;
- **Tag Formula**: Enter a formula for the tag to process the generated data. Two variables are permitted: `value` (current tag value) and `timestamp` (current tag UNIX time in milliseconds). The following math functions are available:
  - sin
  - cos
  - sqrt
  - tan
  - power
  - log
  - exp
- **Only Publish on Change of Value**: Select the checkbox to customize NATS messages to be published only when the *value&#x20;*&#x70;arameter changes from a previous value to a new one. *Change of Value* only applies to boolean, numeric (such as int or float), and simple string data types. It does not apply to complex types, such as JSON or array. Poll-once topics will not be affected by *Change of Value* settings. These topics will still only see a single message.
- **Meta Data**: Metadata summarizes basic information about data. This feature allows you to define key-value pair data for the device output payload later on. It can then be used to find, use, and reuse particular instances of data.&#x20;