Web-based Management 2:
Introduction

Valid from firmware 2025.0 and newer - for earlier firmware see the former Web-based Management 

The Web-based Management is the user interface on each PLCnext Technology device. Here you can access static and dynamic controller information and modify certain controller settings. You can access the Web-based Management via one of the Ethernet interfaces of your PLCnext Technology device. 

From firmware 2025.0 on, the Web‑based Management is rebuilt from the ground up and is now called "WBM 2".  Some pages have been moved to other places in the left-panel navigation, and some more pages were added for a more convenient user experience when handling PLCnext Control devices.

Show a comparison of the WBM/WBM 2 navigationShow a comparison of the WBM/WBM 2 navigation

Accessing the Web‑based Management

Note: Access to the specific pages in the WBM 2 depends on user roles and their rights - see WBM 2: Accessibility for details.

Connecting to the device

To establish a connection to WBM 2 on the device, proceed as follows (assuming that the https port 443 has not been blocked by a firewall rule):

• Connect the devices' hardware to your computer via one of the devices' Ethernet interfaces. 
• Make sure your computer and the device are in the same network.
• Open a web browser on your computer.
• In the browsers' address field, enter the URL https://<ip address> 
  (example: https://192.168.1.10 - check the default setting for your device in the respective hardware documentation).
  ↪ The WBM 2 login page opens.

Initial access: TLS certificate

For secure communication, the device's web server uses a self-signed TLS certificate automatically generated by the device. Before the device's web server can be accessed, you must authorize the TLS certificate in your web browser.

Note:

• The device generates the TLS certificate during the boot phase.
• The certificate uses the IP address of the Ethernet interface with PROFINET controller function.
• The certificate is used for all Ethernet interfaces of the device.
• Each IP address of the device must be authorized in the web browser before a PLCnext Engineer HMI application can be accessed via this address and therefore via the corresponding Ethernet interface.
• The certificate is regenerated after the device is reset to factory settings.

On the Certificate authentication WBM 2 page you can either select to use an existing IdentityStore or to use self-signed certificates.

• When using an existing IdentityStore the symbolic links are changed and refer now to the specified IdentityStore.
• When using self-signed certificates a self-signed certificate is generated at /opt/plcnext/Security/IdentityStore/HTTPS-self-signed/*.* and the symbolic links refer to that IdentityStore. 
• When creating a self-signed certificate via the Certificate authentication WBM 2 page, the /opt/plcnext/Security/IdentityStores/HTTPS-self-signed-Backup directory is not modified.

Logging in to the Web-based Management

The WBM 2 login page is displayed:

• if you're accessing the WBM 2 for the first time on this device.
• as long as the user authentication function in the WBM 2 is enabled.

If the user authentication has been disabled, logging in is no longer necessary to access the WBM 2. In this case, the WBM 2 start page is displayed immediately when accessing the WBM.

Initial access as an administrator

When you access WBM 2 for the first time, log in as the administrator. Tge 

• Enter the user name admin in the Username input field.
• Enter the administrator password in the Password input field.
• Click on the Login button.
  ↪ The WBM 2 start page opens.

Highly recommended: Use the administrator password for the initial login only!

Once you have logged in successfully as the administrator with the initial password, change that administrator password to prevent unauthorized administrator access (Setting a password). You'll be notified of this constantly after logging in to the WBM 2 until you do that.

Logging in with other user roles

If user authentication for accessing the WBM 2 is disabled, you don't need to log in.

If user authentication for accessing the WBM 2 is enabled, log in using your user credentials.

• Enter your user name in the Username input field.
• Enter your password in the Password input field.
• Click on the Login button.
  ↪ The WBM 2 start page opens.

Start page – areas and functions

Sources of help in the user interface  

Within the user interface

The WBM 2 pages are largely self-explanatory by means of tooltips at  icons and a short description in a panel on the right edge.

Additional descriptions to WBM 2 pages

If there's a lot to consider before setting up parameters, or if users should be aware of a complex concept behind some functions, for some functions the above means of help wouldn't suffice.

In that case, this Info Center provides additional explanations. As of now, these companion pages are:

 Those accompanying Info Center pages are also linked from the right-side panel in the regarding WBM 2 pages.