Frequently asked questions 

See section Connecting a PLCnext Control with the PLCnext Store.

After resetting a PLCnext Control (e.g. firmware update, factory reset or inserting an SD card), a controller that was previously registered in the PLCnext Store may be shown as "Offline" in the PLCnext Store, even though the controller has a functioning internet connection. 

Check the following points to put your device back online.

PLCnext Store Service

• Open the WBM of your PLCnext Control with a browser (e.g.: https://192.168.1.10/wbm). 
• Open the PLCnext Store page (Configuration ­­→ PLCnext Store) and make sure that the PLCnext Store Service is enabled.
  
• Click the Apply button.

Reset device communication

Still not working? After a reset, the communication of your PLCnext Control is blocked. In this case, the registration state in the WBM on the PLCnext Store page says Pending. The device could not register itself in the PLCnext Store, yet. 

Proceed as follows to reactivate the communication:

• Log in to the PLCnext Store, using your PLCnext Store account credentials.
• Open your device list.
• Select the device you want to put online.
• Click the More button. 
• Chose Reset Device Communication.
  

This will automatically create a new security token for your device. This security token is automatically stored in the device and authenticates you as an authorized user. 

If your PLCnext Control has a connection problem, the PLCnext Store page shows corresponding information:

IP address and gateway

• Check if the device IP address is unique and in the same IP address range as the gateway (internet router).

You can set the IP addresses via the WBM or via PLCnext Engineer. 

 For more information on how to configure the IP address, refer to the topic Configuration - Network in the PLCnext Technology Info Center.

System time

If the system time of the PLCnext Control is invalid, the security certificates are also invalid.

• Check and set the system time of your PLCnext Control via PLCnext Engineer. 

 For more information on how to set the system time, refer to the topic System time in the PLCnext Technology Info Center.

• The overlay file system (upperdir) is deleted. This also deletes all apps. 
• Existing licenses on the controller are retained. The licenses can be checked with the WBM.
• The IP address and gateway of the controller is default 192.168.1.10.
• The PLCnext Store service is switched off: The service must be reactivated via the WBM.
• The device communication to the PLCnext Store is prevented. To reset the device communication, proceed as follows:

• Log in to the PLCnext Store, using your PLCnext Store account credentials.
• Open your device list.
• Select the device you want to put back online.
• Click the More button. 
• Chose Reset Device Communication.
  
  This will automatically create a new security token for your device. This security token is automatically stored in the device and authenticates you as an authorized user. 

See section Installing a license.

• Uninstall all apps from your controller.
• Deactivate all licenses from your controller.
  Note: The licenses are put back into your license pool.
• If the controller is empty, press the Remove device button.

If a PLCnext Control is added to the PLCnext Store, the controller is automatically (in the background) also registered in the Proficloud. The reason: Data exchange between the controller and the PLCnext Store is implemented via the Proficloud.
It is necessary to remove the Proficloud binding for the device move.
To remove the controller from your Proficloud account proceed as follows:

• Go to https://www.proficloud.net/ and log in.
• Click on My Appliances.
• Click on the UUID.
• Click on Release Ownership.

Now your PLCnext Control is unbound.

Currently, every app provider must contact Phoenix Contact during the registration process. After making contact, Phoenix Contact will evaluate the technical requirements for the implementation of an app. In principle, the provider themselves must ensure the quality of their app. Phoenix Contact provides a binding quality guideline that must be observed. Furthermore, Phoenix Contact uses an evaluation system consisting of 0 - 5 stars. The stars show the quality of the app and the app provider. In the medium term, there will be an option for an app provider to have their app certified by Phoenix Contact. 

• We offer a free trial (demo) license for every paid app.
• A trial app can only be installed directly on an online device.
• A trial license can only be used once per user.
• The trial license is valid for 10 days. The function of the app is not restricted.
• A trial license can not be stored in the license pool.
• A trial license remains on your device after expiration and can not be removed from it.
• After the trial license has expired, a full license can be installed parallel to this license.

How you integrate our licensing mechanism in your app depends on the software type from your app. Solutions and Libraries (IEC-61131) must include a license function block in the PLCnext Engineer project.

Wibu mechanisms are used to check the license.
In case your app is programmed in C++ you use the method GetLicenseStatus which is offered in the SDK 2019.6.

Currently, every app provider must contact Phoenix Contact during the registration process. After making contact, Phoenix Contact will evaluate the technical requirements for the implementation of an app. In principle, the provider themselves must ensure the quality of their app. Phoenix Contact provides a binding quality guideline that must be observed. Furthermore, Phoenix Contact uses an evaluation system consisting of 0 - 5 stars. The stars show the quality of the app and the app provider. In the medium term, there will be an option for an app provider to have their app certified by Phoenix Contact.