Modbus Exception Codes

If a Modbus request is not successful, an error message will be shown within the System Logs of the NETx Server. This error message has the following structure:

Modbus Error from Device: <device name> Error Code: <error code> Exception: <exception code>

<device name> corresponds to the device name that it is responding with a Modbus Exception.

<error code> corresponding to the Modbus function code that was used within the unsuccessful Modbus request. The following function codes are possible.

Error code	Name
1	Read coils
2	Read discrete inputs
3	Read holding registers
4	Read input registers
5	Write single coil
6	Write single register
15	Write multiple coils
16	Write multiple registers

<exception code> provides more details about the reason of the Modbus error. The following exception codes are possible (the information was taken from the Modbus Specification 1.1b3):

Exception code	Name	Description
1	Illegal function	The function code received in the query is not an allowable action for the server. This may be because the function code is only applicable to newer devices, and was not implemented in the unit selected. It could also indicate that the server is in the wrong state to process a request of this type, for example because it is unconfigured and is being asked to return register values.
2	Illegal data address	The data address received in the query is not an allowable address for the server. More specifically, the combination of reference number and transfer length is invalid. For a controller with 100 registers, the PDU addresses the first register as 0, and the last one as 99. If a request is submitted with a starting register address of 96 and a quantity of registers of 4, then this request will successfully operate (address-wise at least) on registers 96, 97, 98, 99. If a request is submitted with a starting register address of 96 and a quantity of registers of 5, then this request will fail with Exception Code 0x02 “Illegal Data Address” since it attempts to operate on registers 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100, and there is no register with address 100.
3	Illegal data value	A value contained in the query data field is not an allowable value for server. This indicates a fault in the structure of the remainder of a complex request, such as that the implied length is incorrect. It specifically does NOT mean that a data item submitted for storage in a register has a value outside the expectation of the application program, since the MODBUS protocol is unaware of the significance of any particular value of any particular register.
4	Server device failure	An unrecoverable error occurred while the server was attempting to perform the requested action.
5	Acknowledge	Specialized use in conjunction with programming commands. The server has accepted the request and is processing it, but a long duration of time will be required to do so. This response is returned to prevent a timeout error from occurring in the client. The client can next issue a Poll Program Complete message to determine if processing is completed.
6	Server device busy	Specialized use in conjunction with programming commands. The server is engaged in processing a long–duration program command. The client should retransmit the message later when the server is free.
8	Memory parity error	Specialized use in conjunction with function codes 20 and 21 and reference type 6, to indicate that the extended file area failed to pass a consistency check. The server attempted to read record file, but detected a parity error in the memory. The client can retry the request, but service may be required on the server device.
10	Gateway path unavailable	Specialized use in conjunction with gateways, indicates that the gateway was unable to allocate an internal communication path from the input port to the output port for processing the request. Usually means that the gateway is misconfigured or overloaded.
11	Gateway target device failed to respond	Specialized use in conjunction with gateways, indicates that no response was obtained from the target device. Usually means that the device is not present on the network.

Article applies to the following products:

NETx BMS Platform
NETx Multi Protocol Server
NETx BMS Server 2.0