DO I have to add Ethernet driver for each new form?

[bachphi]

For each new form that I created, it seemed like I have to add E-net driver for it to work. Do I have to really do this?

[Archie]

Yes. Each form has to have it's own driver instance. The controls connect to the driver through the ComComponent property. In the designer, this property can only point to an control on the form in which the control exists.

[bachphi]

Thanks, Archie. If thats the case , TabControl is the better way to go, IMHO.

[Archie]

The downside of a tab control with a single driver instance is that all controls will be refreshed all the time even when hidden. This will give excess PLC communications and potentially slow the refresh rate.

In the code behind the default MainForm is a code snippet that pauses communications of a form when it is hidden and starts when it becomes visible. This is only possible because the separate driver instances can be paused independently.

There are really more advantages to doing a quick copy and paste of the driver instance onto each form.