Navigation & Interface

This page explains how to navigate Modbux and understand its interface.

Home Screen

The home screen is your starting point and appears when you first launch Modbux:

Three Main Modes

Server Mode (Left button)

• Create and configure virtual Modbus servers
• Simulate Modbus devices for testing
• See Server Overview

Split Mode (Middle button)

• Opens a separate window for server mode
• Main window becomes client mode
• Perfect for testing client-server communication locally
• Both windows operate independently

Client Mode (Right button)

• Connect to Modbus devices
• Read and write registers
• Monitor and test devices
• See Client Overview

Connection Indicator

When you're in Client mode and have an active connection, you'll see an orange indicator dot on the Client button when you return to the home screen.

Bottom Bar

• Left: Ploxc logo (link to GitHub organization)
• Right: Version number and GitHub link

Switching Modes

Home Button

In both Client and Server modes, you'll find a Home button in the top-left corner:

• Click it to return to the home screen
• Your current session is preserved (connections, configurations)
• You can switch between modes without losing your work

Note: The home button is only available in single-window mode. In split mode, there is no home button - close the server window to return to the home screen.

Client Mode Interface

When in Client mode, the interface contains:

Top Section (Control Bar):

• Home button (in single-window mode)
• Register configuration panel (address, length, register type)
• Connection configuration panel (TCP/RTU settings)

Main Section:

• Multiple register type containers (Holding Registers, Input Registers, Coils, Discrete Inputs)
• Data grid showing register values within each container

Toolbar:

• Read and Poll controls
• Configuration management
• Advanced features (scan, settings)

Note: Write controls are located on individual register rows in the data grid, not in the toolbar.

See Client Overview for details.

Server Mode Interface

When in Server mode, the interface contains:

Top Section (Control Bar):

• Home button (in single-window mode)
• Open/Save/Clear configuration buttons
• Server selector (for multiple servers)
• Server name field
• Server configuration (port, Unit ID)

Main Section:

• Collapsible panels for each register type (Coils, Discrete Inputs, Input Registers, Holding Registers)
• Register data grid within each panel
• Add/Edit/Delete controls
• Click a panel header to collapse it to minimum width for more workspace

See Server Overview for details.

Split Mode Workflow

Split mode is ideal for local testing:

1. Click the Split button on the home screen
2. A new window opens with Server mode
3. The main window becomes Client mode
4. Configure your server in the server window
5. Connect to 127.0.0.1 in the client window
6. Test read/write operations between client and server

How Split Mode Works:

• Both windows operate independently
• Neither window has a home button in split mode
• To return to the home screen: close the server window
• Your client connection (if active) will be preserved

Tips

• Use split mode for testing without external hardware
• Your work is preserved when switching modes
• Connection states persist when returning to the home screen
• In server mode: collapse unused register panels for more workspace