# Assigning Accessories to a Virtual Station

This menu is only valid for a controller that supports a handheld tool.

A controller may have several accessories connected through a CAN bus. Each accessory must have a unique address on the bus within the range 1-15. It is possible to assign several accessories to a virtual station.

An accessory must have an accessory configuration assigned to it, before it is possible to assign the accessory to the virtual station.

To view the current accessory assignment to a virtual station:

## Navigating to Virtual station configuration

1. In the Plant structure workspace select a controller .

2. Select the Virtual Station tab .
   The virtual station overview shows a list of virtual stations for the selected controller. The list is empty if no virtual stations have been created.

3. Double-click on a virtual station to open an existing configuration, or click Add to create a new virtual station configuration.

Accessories menu information
Function | Description
--- | ---
Check box | Selects an accessory configuration that can be unassigned from the virtual station.
Name | Name of the configuration assigned to the accessory.
Type | Type of accessory.
CAN node | The CAN address of the accessory.
Serial number | The serial number of the accessory.
Status | Can be either: Connected. Assigned but not connected.

The CAN node column shows the used addresses which can not be used when new accessories are connected. An assignment for a socket selector can include multiple addresses.

For socket selectors the order of the CAN nodes is important. The lowest position in the first socket selector is the first position in the assignment.

Accessory menu command buttons
Function | Description
--- | ---
Unassign | The selected accessory is unassigned from the virtual station. The accessory remains connected to the controller.
Choose | Adds a new accessory. The Accessories pop-up window opens.
Diagnose | Monitoring of I/O signal behavior and possibility to force signals to a desired state between controller internal logic and the accessory.

Relevant Information

- Pushing Configurations to a Controller

In this Section

- Adding an Accessory to a Virtual Station