Runtime Operations

This topic covers the operation of the OpenPLC runtime through the web interface, including program upload, monitoring, configuration, and user management.

Access OpenPLC Web Interface

After installation and system reboot, access the OpenPLC HMI through a web browser:

  1. Determine the IP address of the VisionFive 2 or VisionFive 2 Lite board

    .

  2. Navigate to port 8080: http://<visohFive2-IP>:8080.

  3. Log in with the default credentials:
    • Username: openplc
    • Password: openplc

Start Runtime

The Dashboard menu displays information about OpenPLC status, active program, and runtime logs.

To start the OpenPLC runtime:

  1. Navigate to the Dashboard menu.

  2. Click the Start PLC button.

  3. Monitor the Runtime Log field for runtime status information and any error messages.
    Figure 1. Dashboard

Upload a Program

Upload a new program or revert an existing program using the Programs menu.

To upload a new program:
  1. Click View to choose a new program:
    Figure 2. Uploading a New Program

  2. Select an .st file for the new program and click Open.

  3. Click Upload Program, complete the information, and click Upload Program
    Figure 3. Example Program Information
    Result: After the successful compilation, the compilation log is printed, and information that "Compilation finished successfully!" is displayed.
    Figure 4. Compiling Program

  4. Navigate to the Go to Dashboard menu and click Start PLC to run the uploaded program.

Connect Modbus Slave Devices

OpenPLC Runtime can run on VisionFive 2 or VisionFive 2 Lite as a Modbus master to communicate with external slave devices via Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU protocols so as to achieve PLC I/O expansion.

Monitor I/O Points

The Monitoring menu provides real-time visualization of all I/O points defined in the ladder diagram program.
Figure 5. View I/O Point Status
Table 1. I/0 Point Columns
Column Description
Point Name Variable name from the program
Type BOOL for digital input an output, UNIT for analog output
Location IEC 61131-3-standard address
Forced Whether the I/O point is forced to a desired value
Value Current value. TRUE/FALSE for digital, numerical for analog.

Configure Hardware Layer

OpenPLC controls inputs and outputs through a hardware layer, which is platform-specific code that interfaces with GPIO and peripheral hardware.
Figure 6. Hardware Layer
For VisionFive 2 and VisionFive 2 Lite, the appropriate hardware layer is automatically selected during installation. To verify or modify:
  1. Navigate to the Settings menu.
  2. Locate the Hardware Layer option.
  3. Confirm that the selected hardware layer matches the target platform.
  4. If changes are needed, select the correct hardware layer from the available options and save.

User Management and Settings

The Users menu allows administrators to add, modify, or remove user accounts.

The Settings menu provides options to modify server and runtime behavior