# Network monitoring

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/network-monitoring/9100>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [September 25, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/network-monitoring/9100 "2014-09-25T17:49:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![moltra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@moltra](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/moltra)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/network-monitoring/9100/1 "2014-09-25T17:49:03Z")

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I have a Ethernet/IP networks that is daisy chained from one control panel to the next through simple switches. There is 10 Cabinets total, with 6 simple switches. The network has 1 ControlLogix, 5 compactlogixs, 7 remote I/Os, 6 panelviews.

I am looking for a way, I can use ignition to monitor for communications faults or when a device cannot be reached. I am looking to get enough data so that I can convince the Plant Manager that I need to run everything to a managed switch.

Has anyone ever done anything like this?

I have thought about creating a bit that is energized all the time the PLC is in the run condition, and then somehow use this in Ignition to track network disconnects.

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**Author:** ![JordanCClark](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/jordancclark/32/83362_2.png) [@JordanCClark](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/JordanCClark)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/network-monitoring/9100/2 "2014-09-25T19:08:39Z")

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Instead of a “always-on” bit consider a “heartbeat” bit that turns on and off at a specified rate. Then set up a delayed alarm in ignition (really, two alarms, one for if it’s on too long, one for off too long)

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**Author:** ![diat150](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@diat150](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/diat150)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/network-monitoring/9100/3 "2014-09-25T21:07:19Z")

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I usually monitor a timer that is set to reset itself. You can then use an expression to compare the tags .lastchange property and the current time and trigger an alarm from there.