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| Place of Origin | JAPAN |
| Brand Name | FANUC |
| Certification | CE ROHS |
| Model Number | A20B-8100-0271 |
Part Number: A20B-8100-0271
Manufacturer: FANUC Corporation (Japan)
Product Category: PCB — Data Server Option Board (CNC Ethernet + ATA Storage)
Series: A20B-8100 — FANUC i-series option PCB family
The FANUC A20B-8100-0271 is the data server board for FANUC's i-series CNC controllers — the option PCB that adds ATA flash card storage capacity and Ethernet connectivity to the control unit in a single board. It is compatible with the FANUC Series 15i, 16i, 18i, 21i, and 0i controller generations, covering an enormous range of lathes, machining centres, and other CNC machine tools.
The data server function it provides addresses a specific and practical production need: large-capacity NC programme storage directly in the CNC, accessible via a factory Ethernet network. Without the data server, a FANUC i-series CNC stores programmes in its main memory (FROM/SRAM), which has defined capacity limits.
With the data server installed, programmes can be stored on an ATA flash card in the controller, where capacity is measured in megabytes to gigabytes rather than kilobytes — enough to hold an entire job's worth of complex programmes locally in the machine.
The Ethernet interface lets factory DNC servers upload, download, and manage these programmes over the plant LAN without requiring physical media transfer or RS-232C serial cable connections.
The A20B-8100-0271 installs in an option slot on the controller's main board riser, adding this capability without requiring a separate external unit.
The board was designed for the model A generation of i-series controllers (the -0271 is a model A / model B compatible board also listed for use in model A 16i/18i/21i hardware lists). The original equipment included an ATA flash card adapter; in the secondary market the adapter is typically not included with the board.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Compatible CNC | FANUC Series 15i, 16i, 18i, 21i, 0i (i-series) |
| Interface | Ethernet (factory LAN / DNC) |
| Storage Interface | ATA flash card slot |
| Board Type | Option PCB (installs in option slot via riser) |
| Series | A20B-8100 |
| ATA Adapter | Originally included — not typically supplied in refurbished market |
| Installation Restriction | Cannot install in: slot nearest LCD, center slot of 3-slot unit, slot farthest from LCD in 4-slot unit |
| Status | Available — refurbished, tested |
| Origin | Japan |
The data server function enabled by the A20B-8100-0271 gives the CNC capabilities that are particularly valuable in high-mix, high-volume production environments:
Large programme storage. Complex parts — particularly those machined with fine interpolation steps, multi-surface contours, or extensive subroutine calls — generate large NC programmes.
The data server's ATA flash card provides storage that can hold many such programmes simultaneously, allowing the machine to operate without repeatedly loading programmes from an external computer.
Ethernet DNC operation. The Ethernet interface connects the CNC to the factory LAN. A DNC server (or modern machine tool monitoring system) can push programmes to the data server, retrieve completed programmes, and manage the stored file set — all without requiring anyone to physically visit the machine with a memory card or serial cable.
This is particularly valuable in automated cells or unattended machining scenarios.
Programme pre-loading. Because the data server stores programmes locally in the machine rather than streaming them from an external computer in real time, there is no dependence on network speed or network reliability during machining.
The programme runs from local flash storage. Network interruptions during cutting have no effect on machine operation.
Integration with FANUC Data Server software. FANUC's Data Server Operator's Manual defines the FTP-compatible protocol for transferring programmes to and from the data server over the Ethernet interface.
Most factory DNC systems and machine tool monitoring platforms support this interface.
The A20B-8100-0271 data server board cannot be installed in certain slots due to its physical configuration and the ATA card adapter it carries.
The restrictions apply in the following cases:
The board cannot occupy the option slot nearest to the LCD (the outermost position closest to the display) because the ATA flash card adapter protrudes and would conflict with the LCD assembly.
In a unit with 3 option slots, the board cannot occupy the center slot.
In a unit with 4 option slots, the board cannot occupy the slot farthest from the LCD.
Before ordering and installing the A20B-8100-0271, confirm that the controller's configuration has an available slot in a compatible position.
Controllers with 2 or more option slots in most configurations can accommodate the data server, but the specific slot must be a permitted position.
Q1: The 16i-B CNC already has embedded Ethernet on the main board. Is the A20B-8100-0271 data server board still needed?
The embedded Ethernet on certain 16i-B/18i-B main boards (enabled by specific graphics/Ethernet module combinations) provides FOCAS2/Ethernet communication for monitoring and DNC streaming. The data server function (ATA flash card local storage + data server protocol) is a separate function.
The A20B-8100-0271 adds the ATA card storage and data server FTP function that embedded Ethernet alone does not provide.
A machine with embedded Ethernet can still benefit from the data server board if large local programme storage is needed.
Q2: The ATA flash card adapter is missing from a refurbished A20B-8100-0271 board. Where is the ATA adapter connected on the board?
The ATA flash card adapter connects to the CNH6 connector on the A20B-8100-0271 board. The adapter must be attached to CNH6 before the board is installed into the option slot — the ATA card cannot be attached or removed once the board is installed in the slot.
When ordering the board without an adapter, the ATA adapter (which accepts standard ATA flash memory cards) must be sourced separately or confirmed as compatible before attempting to use the data server function.
Q3: After installing the A20B-8100-0271, the CNC boots normally but the data server function is not available on the operator screen. What should be checked?
The data server function requires that the relevant FANUC option software is enabled in the CNC's FROM (system software). If the option is not enabled, the data server screen and functions will not appear regardless of whether the hardware board is installed.
Check the system option status screen (SYSTEM → HELP on some variants, or through the settings menu) to confirm the data server option is present. If it is not, the machine builder's option files or FANUC authorization is required to activate it.
Q4: Can the A20B-8100-0271 be used in a Series 30i or 31i controller?
The A20B-8100-0271 is documented for the 15i/16i/18i/21i/0i i-series generation.
The 30i/31i/32i series uses a different hardware architecture and different option board formats.
The A20B-8100-0271 is not compatible with 30i/31i/32i controllers.
Those controllers use the A20B-8101 series option boards for Ethernet and data server functions.
Q5: What ATA flash card size is compatible with the data server board?
The data server board's ATA interface supports standard ATA flash memory cards as specified by FANUC for this board generation.
Capacity limits are defined by the FANUC data server software version — very large modern ATA cards may not be fully addressed by older firmware.
Cards certified for use with FANUC data server hardware are typically in the range of 32MB to 1GB depending on the system software version.
FANUC's Data Server Operator's Manual specifies the supported card types and capacity limits for each software release.
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