The Link Menu displays the compatible GDS tags to which the parameter can be linked. At the top of the menu is a dropdown that acts as a filter limiting the choices available.
The first option, Generic, filters the list to include all 200 Generic tags.
The second option, EIP In, filters the list to include only items that can be accessed via the EIP input assembly.
The third option, EIP Out, filters the list to include only items that can be accessed via the EIP output assembly.
The fourth option, PROFINET In, filters the list to include only items that can be accessed via a PROFINET I/O input slot.
The fifth and final option, PROFINET Out, filters the list to include only items that can be accessed via a PROFINET I/O output slot.
The list displays icons representing which protocols can access the particular item.
The currently active protocol – the protocol that has been enabled on the selected device – is highlighted with a green rectangle as shown above.
If the parameter has already been linked at the time the Link Menu is shown, an additional Unlink button appears at the top:
Clicking the Unlink button will remove the existing link.
An icon representing the corresponding tool appears next to any GDS tags that have already been linked. Hovering the mouse over the icon shows information about the tool it represents.