ProSoft Technology MVI56 Series Modules MVI56-101M

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

ProSoft Technology MVI56 Series Technical Notes

The ProSoft Technology MVI56 series represents one of the most widely deployed communication module platforms in global heavy industry. Designed to slot directly into the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix backplane, MVI56 modules provide protocol bridging, serial communication, and network connectivity for ControlLogix-based control systems. These modules are installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power facilities, offshore platforms, LNG terminals, water treatment plants, and continuous process manufacturing environments where protocol interoperability between legacy field devices and modern PLC infrastructure is a non-negotiable operational requirement.

The MVI56 platform operates within the ControlLogix chassis (1756 series) and communicates with the ControlLogix processor via the backplane using a proprietary data transfer mechanism. Each module occupies one slot and is powered directly from the chassis backplane. The series covers an extensive range of industrial protocols including Modbus RTU/ASCII, DNP3, IEC 60870-5-101/104, PROFIBUS DP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, MMS/GOOSE, and numerous vendor-specific protocols.

The Evolution of MVI56 Architecture

The MVI56 product line was introduced in the early 2000s as ProSoft Technology's response to the growing need for protocol translation within the ControlLogix ecosystem. The first-generation modules used RS-232/RS-485 serial ports and supported point-to-point Modbus RTU communication. These early units — including the MVI56-MCM and MVI56-MNET — established the foundational architecture: a dedicated onboard processor, dual-port memory shared with the ControlLogix backplane, and a configurable ladder logic interface via ProSoft Configuration Builder (PCB).

The second generation introduced Ethernet-capable variants (MVI56E series), adding an onboard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port for remote configuration, diagnostics via ProSoft Discovery Service (PDS), and support for MQTT and IIoT-adjacent protocols. The MVI56E modules are backward-compatible with MVI56 chassis configurations but require updated Add-On Instructions (AOIs) and RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000 project files.

As the ControlLogix platform itself evolved from the original 1756-L1 through the current 1756-L8x series, MVI56 firmware was updated to maintain compatibility. However, several early MVI56 models — including the MVI56-101M — are now in end-of-life or limited-support status. Replacement pathways typically route through the MVI56E series or the newer PLX51 platform, which supports cloud connectivity and edge computing functions not available in the original MVI56 architecture.

MVI56 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly sourced models within the ProSoft Technology MVI56 series. Models are classified by primary function.

Serial Communication Modules

MVI56-101M: IEC 60870-5-101 Master serial communication module for SCADA integration.
MVI56-101S: IEC 60870-5-101 Slave serial module; responds to master SCADA polling.
MVI56-MCM: Multi-protocol serial master/slave; supports Modbus RTU and ASCII simultaneously.
MVI56-MNET: Modbus TCP/IP client/server module with onboard Ethernet port.
MVI56-MNETR: Modbus TCP/IP with redundancy support for fault-tolerant architectures.
MVI56-PDPMV1: PROFIBUS DP-V1 master module; supports acyclic data exchange and GSD file configuration.
MVI56-PDPS: PROFIBUS DP slave module; integrates ControlLogix as a DP slave device.
MVI56-DNP: DNP3 master/slave serial module for utility SCADA and substation automation.
MVI56-DNPNET: DNP3 over Ethernet (TCP/UDP); supports Level 2 and Level 3 DNP3 subsets.
MVI56-GSC: Generic serial communication module; configurable ASCII/RTU for non-standard protocols.

Ethernet & Network Communication Modules

MVI56E-MNET: Enhanced Modbus TCP/IP module with ProSoft Discovery Service and remote diagnostics.
MVI56E-101M: Enhanced IEC 60870-5-101 Master with Ethernet configuration port.
MVI56E-PDPMV1: Enhanced PROFIBUS DP-V1 master with onboard Ethernet for PCB remote access.
MVI56-104M: IEC 60870-5-104 Master module; TCP/IP-based telecontrol for power utility SCADA.
MVI56-104S: IEC 60870-5-104 Slave module; ControlLogix acts as an IEC 104 controlled station.
MVI56-MBTCP: Modbus TCP client/server with extended register mapping and floating-point support.
MVI56-DFCM: DF1 communication module; bridges ControlLogix to legacy SLC/PLC-5 DF1 networks.

Quality Control for the MVI56 Range

MVI56 modules present specific test challenges due to their dual-port memory architecture and backplane communication dependency. Standard bench power-up testing is insufficient to validate module functionality. DriveKNMS employs a ControlLogix test chassis equipped with a 1756-L73 processor running a dedicated diagnostic ladder logic program to verify each MVI56 module's backplane data exchange, onboard processor operation, and serial/Ethernet port integrity.