Modbus via Ethercat (Beckhoff)

Hi, I am just on the way to start my ethercat adventure.
I received my ethercat servos and some beckhoff ethercat interfaces as well.
Now i recognize that I still need something to control my Optidrive E3 VFD over modbus.
Can I use the El6001 Serial Interface or wich Interface do I need?

I would really appreciate any help or hint

best Kai

Many of us use a USB to RS485 converter plus the mb2hal or vfdmod hal module.

So it`s not going over ethercat? Didn`t think about this possibility yet. Thx a lot for the hint!

This module, I have previous usage experience on other platforms. In principle, it can be used without any problem, but it depends on how you call the corresponding registers. This module is very easy to use. All you need to do is to send data according to the standard MODBUS template.

From what I read the EL6021 could perhaps work. Ethercat master will create a virtual serial port over which modbus is communicating.
IgH Ethercat master supposedly supports virtual serial ports when compiled with the right option. But I have no idea of how to set this up in linuxcnc context. I mean it will be a virtual serial port so the standard mb2hal etc are used, but to set up the virtual serial port?.

Thx for your help!
You mean the EL6001? The lasting question would be how to tell ethercat to send the modbus data via the module. As an absolute newbie to ethercat and Linuxcnc it seems to be a very steep learning curve.

No the EL6021, modbus is usually RS-485 signalling. Not so different from RS-232 but differential signals.
Edit. The USB to RS-485 is a much better option in this case to avoid the vertical learning curve.

There is not much difference between E6021 and 6001. I usually use these modules on the codesys platform. If I have more time later, I will try to test linuxcnc, but this means it will take a long time. I will test and release a demo as much as possible.

Why not use an Ethercat VFD like the Omron MX2 which is supported in the hal driver. I believe internally its a cia402 device since it's essentially a speed control for a motor just like a servo!

It was mentioned an existing vfd, but to go pure ethercat an ethercat vfd is the way.
It got me to check the manual and yes it is RS-485 Modbus RTU.