# Adding Controllers

Controllers connected to ToolsTalk 2 may be visible in the Plant structure .

The plant structure view is empty if no controllers are connected to ToolsTalk 2, or if user rights do not allow access to folders or controllers.

ToolsControl is added to ToolsTalk2 through the ToolsControl portal.

1. Select Plant structure and then right-click anywhere in the upper area of the controller list. Alternatively, select System administration, then in the Controller software & data management tab right-click in the left-side menu workspace area. Choose Add new controller. The Connect controller dialog window opens.

2. Enter the IP address, or the DNS name of the controller. The IP address of the ToolsTalk 2 server will be pre-populated.

3. Select Connect and select Close once the Controller online message is displayed.

## Connection Status

- If you enter the IP address of an already connected controller in the Connect controller window, the message Controller already connected and online is displayed.

- The message Waiting for controller to come online is displayed while the connection is being established.

- The message Controller online is displayed when the connection to the controller is established.

- The message ToolsTalk failed to connect to controller. Please verify IP address/DNS name is displayed if the connection failed.

A controller can also be connected to the ToolsTalk 2 application via the web GUI or controller GUI.

This procedure is described in the controller specific documentation.