Create topology manually

Mar 27, 2026 | 532 words | 3 min reading time

Create new topology

1. Click in the function bar and then .

     A dialog with the following options appears:
   

   • SAVE: The existing topology is saved and a new, empty topology is opened.

   • DO NOT SAVE: Changes to the existing topology are not saved and a new topology is opened.

   • CANCEL: The dialog is closed without creating a new topology.

2. Select the desired option.

See also:

• Save topology

• Import topology

Add network modules

1. Click on Planning in the function bar.

2. Under Balluff project, click .

  The device catalog is displayed on the right-hand side of the screen.

3. Select the desired network modules.

4. Click Add network modules.

  The added network modules are available under Balluff project.

Add field devices

1. Click on Planning in the function bar.

  The network modules that have been added to the topology are displayed under Balluff project, see Add network modules.

2. Open a network module to display the available ports:

3. Click next to the port to which you want to connect a field device .

  The device catalog is displayed on the right-hand side of the screen.

4. Select the desired field device.
   

5. Click Add field device.

  The field device is added to the port of the network module.

You have selected a field device and assigned it to a port of a network module.

Search for devices in the device catalog

You can search for product names or parts thereof in the device catalog and filter the devices displayed accordingly.

1. Open the device catalog (either for network modules or field devices).

2. Enter a product name or part of the product name in the search field.

Search for “BOS”

  Only the devices that match the entered search criterion are displayed in the device catalog.

You have searched for a device in the device catalog and filtered the selection accordingly.

Importing device description files (IODD)

You can expand the device catalog by adding the device description files of new IO-Link devices. If you import the device description file of existing IO-Link devices, the device description file of these IO-Link devices is updated.

Note

The file format of the device description files is ZIP. A device description file or IODD (IO Device Description) contains information about the IO-Link device, for example information on identification, device parameters and diagnostic data.

1. Open the device catalog (either for network modules or field devices).

2. Click IMPORT DEVICE.

  The following dialog appears:

3. Drag the desired device description file within the dashed frame with the left mouse button pressed and release the mouse button to upload it. Alternatively, you can click inside the frame area to select the file in the file system.

  Click on Done. The device description file is imported into the device catalog. You have the option of importing additional device description files in this dialog.

4. Click Done.

  The device description file is added or updated.

Download device description file from the Internet

Note

The Balluff GmbH has no influence on the IODDfinder website. It is used at the user’s own responsibility. IODDfinder is a database with IO-Link device description files that can be downloaded.

Note

There must be an internet connection for the IODDfinder.

1. Open the IODDfinder website: https://io-link.com/community/services/ioddfinder.

  The IODDfinder website is called up.

IODD FINDER

Note

Click next to the IODDfinder window to cancel the operation.

3. You have the following options:

• Enter the desired search criterion, e.g. the manufacturer, the product type or the device ID.

  Matching hits are offered dynamically to your input below the input field for selection.

Search criterion: Ba

• Click the desired match from the list.

-or-

• Click *Next

  All available device description data will be displayed.

Note

Click the column headers to sort the columns in ascending and descending order.

4. You can filter the view using the filter bar:

Filters: Balluff GmbH

5. Click Download in the left column to download the desired device description file.

  The device description is available in your download folder. It can now be imported, see Importing device description files (IODD).