Allen-Bradley DF1 Driver Main
OPC Server DriverManufacturing Industry

TOP Server Rockwell (AB) DF1 Serial OPC Driver

High-Performance Connectivity for PLC5/SLC500/MicroLogix Compliant Controllers

4.9(87 reviews)

Available in Driver Suites

This driver is included in the following TOP Server driver suites:

100 Channels

Up to 100 communication channels supported.

256 Devices

Devices per channel for scalable deployments.

COM Ports

Wide serial port range for flexible setups.

Multi Protocols

Supports DF1, DH Plus, DH 485, and more.

Product Overview

The Rockwell Allen-Bradley DF1 driver works in conjunction with TOP Server to provide data exchange between OPC UA, OPC DA, SuiteLink and DDE clients and Allen-Bradley PLC-5, SLC, and MicroLogix devices using the Allen-Bradley DF1 protocol, including classic KF2 and KF3 interfaces, the 1784-U2DHP DH+ converter, Ethernet Encapsulation & more. Full device, protocol & network details are found on this page.

This driver supports complex function blocks in the MicroLogix 1200/1500 PLCs, Full Duplex mode, and Half Duplex and Radio modem operation for wide area radio modem links for all PLC types.

This driver does not require a Rockwell Automation RSLinx license.

Allen-Bradley DF1 Serial — This driver is available in the following TOP Server driver suites: TOP Server Allen-Bradley Suite, TOP Server Manufacturing Suite.

Why Choose This Driver?

Proven benefits that help you deploy faster and operate more reliably

No RSLinx Required

Direct connectivity without Rockwell RSLinx license

All File Types

Supports all PLC5 and SLC file types and data types

Optimized Performance

User-definable block sizes and configurable delays

Multi-Threaded

Simultaneous communication with multiple PLCs

"The DF1 driver's support for both Full and Half Duplex modes has been perfect for our mixed PLC environment. We're running PLC-5 and MicroLogix controllers without any issues."

Robert Martinez

Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Operations

Key Features & Benefits

Everything you need for reliable industrial connectivity

Capacity

Supports up to 100 channels and 256 devices per channel.

Serial Configuration

COM port range, from 1 to 256 enables flexible serial communication setups.

Tag Configuration

Automatic tag database generation using CSV import allows rapid configuration.

Reliability

Advanced error handling helps maintain data integrity during operations.

Modem Features

Includes modem support with automatic dial configuration and multiple phone number management.

Connectivity

Ethernet encapsulation support enables integration across network types.

Technical Specifications

MicroLogix Support

Supports MicroLogix 1000, 1100, 1200, 1400, and 1500 controllers.

PLC 5 Support

Compatible with PLC5 series including 5 slash 10, 15, 20, 20E, 25, 30, 40, 40E, 60, 80, and 80E.

SLC Support

Supports SLC5 slash 03, 04, and 05 controllers.

Interface Modules

Includes support for KF2 and KF3 modules, along with the 1784 U2DHP DF1 to DH Plus converter.

DF1 Protocols

Supports Allen Bradley DF1 full duplex, half duplex, and radio modem configurations for point to point and multi drop communication.

Serial Networks

Supports RS 232 point to point and RS 422 and 485 multi drop serial communication.

Industrial Networks

Supports DH Plus via KF2 or USB converter, and DH 485 via KF3 module.

Encapsulation

Supports Ethernet encapsulated serial communication for extended connectivity.

Supported Devices

  • MicroLogix Support
  • PLC 5 Support
  • SLC Support
  • DF1 Protocols
  • Includes support for KF2 and KF3 modules, along with the 1784 U2DHP DF1 to DH Plus converter.

Note: For a complete list see the AB Suite Supported Devices page and driver help file.

Standard AB DF1 Features Include

  • CompatibilityOpen address range support ensures compatibility with PLC 5, SLC 5 slash 05, and MicroLogix controllers.
  • AddressingArray addressing is supported, allowing efficient access to grouped data.
  • File TypesSupports all file types, including output, input, integer, and others as detailed in the driver help file.
  • Data TypesSupports data types such as float, long word, and BCD, depending on file type. MicroLogix and SLC models also support float access to integer files.
  • Error HandlingConfigurable error checking is available using CRC or BCC methods to ensure data integrity.
  • Tag ConfigurationTag configuration supports dynamic tag creation directly from client applications.

Supported Protocols / Networks

  • Allen-Bradley DF1 Full-DuplexPoint-to-point RS-232 serial connectivity
  • Allen-Bradley DF1 Half-DuplexRS-422/485 multi-drop connectivity
  • Radio ModemPoint-to-point or multi-drop via serial radio modem
  • DH+ via KF2 / 1784-U2DHPDF1 to DH+ converter support
  • DH-485 via KF3DF1 to DH-485 converter support
  • Ethernet Encapsulated SerialSerial over IP for remote connectivity

Customer Reviews

Customer ratings

4.9 out of 5

87 global ratings

5 star
75%
4 star
15%
3 star
7%
2 star
2%
1 star
1%
John M.
Excellent reliability and performance

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023

Verified Purchase

We've been using this driver for over 6 months in our oil & gas operations and it has been rock solid. The connectivity is stable, data accuracy is excellent, and the support team has been very responsive when we had questions during setup. Highly recommended for industrial applications.

Sarah K.
Easy setup and great documentation

Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2023

Verified Purchase

As a systems integrator, I appreciate how straightforward the setup process was. The documentation is comprehensive and the driver performed exactly as expected. Integration with our SCADA system was seamless.

Mike R.
Good product, minor config challenges

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2023

Verified Purchase

Overall very satisfied with the driver. Had some initial configuration questions but support walked me through it. Once configured, it's been running smoothly for 3 months without issues. Would give 5 stars if the initial setup was more intuitive.

Get Started Now

The demo is the full product once licensed. Once a client application connects to TOP Server, the runtime will operate for 2 hours at a time. At the end of the 2 hour demo period, the demo timer must be reset by restarting the TOP Server runtime service.

Connect with Us

1-888-665-3678 (US & Canada Toll-Free)+1-704-849-2773 (Global)License Activation