Setup: EPICS#

This section outlines how to integrate a PandABox with EPICS using the PandABlocks-ioc a Python-based soft IOC. The IOC dynamically generates EPICS PVs at runtime by querying the PandABox, enabling control and monitoring of its FPGA functional blocks.

Setup the IP of PandABox#

To configure the IP address of the PandABox, create a text file named panda-config.txt with the following content. The IP address, gateway, and DNS entries in panda-config.txt should be updated to reflect the desired network settings for the PandABox.


# This file contains configuration settings. In this file network and other
# settings can be adjusted.

# If ADDRESS and NETMASK are not both specified DHCP will be used instead.
# The ADDRESS field can be set to a four part dotted IP address followed by a
# network mask specification thus:

ADDRESS = 10.68.50.131
NETMASK = 255.255.255.0

# If the ADDRESS field has been set then the GATEWAY and DNS fields should be
# set:

GATEWAY = 10.68.50.1
DNS = 10.65.2.25 10.65.2.26

# Optionally the DNS search domain can be set:
#
# DNS_SEARCH = diamond.ac.uk

# The NTP server or servers can be specified here:

NTP = time1.nsls2.bnl.gov time2.nsls2.bnl.gov time3.nsls2.bnl.gov

# The machine hostname can be specified here:

HOSTNAME = xf07bm-panda1.nsls2.bnl.local

# To skip loading any zpackages at startup, either for testing or as an
# override to recover from a faulty zpkg install:
#
# NO_ZPKG

If a USB drive containing the panda-config.txt file is plugged into the rear USB port of the PandABox during boot, the device will use the settings in that file to configure its network.

To make this configuration permanent, connect the PandABox to the INST network using the Ethernet port on the front panel. Then, navigate to PandA’s web interface using the IP address or DNS name specified in panda-config.txt

From the Home page, go to ADMIN → Show Network Configuration. Verify that the displayed information matches your panda-config.txt, then click REPLACE NETWORK CONFIGURATION. Once operation complete is displayed, the default network configuration has been overwritten.

Installation of the PandABlocks-ioc Packages#

Both pip and Docker can be used to install the PandABlocks-ioc packages.

Using pip:

pip install pandablocks-ioc

Using Docker:

docker run ghcr.io/pandablocks/PandABlocks-ioc:latest

Run the IOC#

Following command is used to run the IOC:

python -m pandablocks-ioc softioc <pandabox host> <pv prefix> --screens-dir=<directory to output bobfiles> --clear-bobfiles

Replace <pandabox_host> with the hostname or IP address of your PandABox, and <pv_prefix> with the desired prefix for your EPICS PVs. The --screens-dir option specifies the directory where the Phoebus .bob files will be generated and --clear-bobfiles clears old .bob files before generation.

Additional resources are available at the links below:

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