How do I troubleshoot connection issues with Speedgoat target computers?
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How do I troubleshoot connection issues between my Windows or Linux host PC, and a Speedgoat target computer configured with Simulink Real-Time (SLRT)?
Accepted Answer
MathWorks Support Team
on 25 Feb 2026 at 0:00
Edited: MathWorks Support Team
on 25 Feb 2026 at 14:29
1. Involve your IT team:
Some of the steps below may require system administrator permission and will be easier to follow with the expertise of your IT helpdesk.
2. Connect a screen to verify Speedgoat boot-up & software version:
Connect a screen to your Speedgoat to verify the successful boot-up. You should see a black screen displaying the software version, IP address, and system log. If the target software version is R2020a or earlier, you must use the Target Migration Tool to operate the Speedgoat with MATLAB R2020b and later. For further assistance regarding target migration or boot issues, contact Speedgoat support.
3. Use a direct wired connection:
Use a direct point-to-point Ethernet connection between the Speedgoat and your host PC for troubleshooting. This helps rule out the impact of network devices like hubs, switches, or routers that might be blocking the connection. Note that we develop and test Simulink Real-Time under the assumption that the host and target are directly connected via a local network (LAN) on the same subnet.
For remote access, the recommended approach is to install a host PC next to the Speedgoat real-time target machine and then establish a remote desktop connection to this PC. See:
4. Allow MATLAB through the firewall:
On Windows PCs, Speedgoat connection issues are mostly caused by Windows Defender Firewall blocking the host-target communication. This is particularly relevant if you are setting up a Speedgoat connection for the first time, upgrading to a new version of MATLAB, or if a Windows Update or other IT software rollout wiped out your existing settings.
Refer to the MATLAB answers post below for a detailed description of the steps to follow:
Users with Linux host PCs may find this link helpful:
For R2020b through R2025b only: Another important step is to create an additional inbound UDP rule to allow communication for the new RTPS protocol. For details, see:
5. Ping your Speedgoat target:
Next, try to ping the Speedgoat target from the host PC command line using the IP address shown on the target screen, for example:If the ping fails, double-check the IP address and subnet mask that you selected for the Speedgoat computer and development computer Ethernet interface. For details, see:
> ping 192.168.3.1
To change the Speedgoat IP address from its command line, see this MATLAB answer.
6. Update the target software:
Once the target is reachable via ping, we need to ensure that the target software version matches the versions of MATLAB, Speedgoat I/O Blockset and other add-ons installed on your host PC. Use the following commands in MATLAB to enforce a software update:
>> tg = slrealtime;
>> tg.update('force',true);
After the target has rebooted, verify that the connection is successful - the command below should not return an error:
>> tg.connect;
7. Configure the PC Ethernet interface as 'Private':
To ensure smooth host-target communication in R2020b or later, we recommend configuring the host PC Ethernet interface to 'Private'. Windows classifies all Ethernet connections as 'Public' by default, which can disrupt communication due to the security restrictions associated with this network type. Additionally, users may lack the necessary permissions to set any firewall rules for 'Public' networks.
Moreover, SLRT presumes that the host and target are directly connected via a local network (LAN) on the same subnet, making the 'Private' setting the most suitable choice. Refer to our documentation for detailed instructions:
8. Open ports used by Simulink Real-Time:
Make sure to allow the ports mentioned in the post below through your firewall and network, as explained in the following MATLAB Answers Post:
9. Verify Ethernet interface properties
When configuring the properties of the Ethernet interface on the host PC, we typically recommend disabling everything except IPv4. Do this with any Ethernet interface used for host-target communication. See the attached screenshot ethernetAdapterSettings.png. This step is particularly important in the case where third-party Ethernet drivers are installed, such as the Beckhoff Ethernet driver for EtherCAT.
Another thing to check is that sometimes multiple IP addresses are assigned to the Ethernet card for host-target communication. It's better to have one unique IP address assigned when working with the Speedgoat target. The attached screenshot ethernetConfigs.png shows where the multiple IP addresses would be listed.
10. Try different hardware & avoid USB-Ethernet adapters:
Try using different hardware components, such as cables, host PC, Ethernet interface on the host, USB-Ethernet adapter, or docking stations. USB-Ethernet adapters are particularly known to cause problems and it is always worth swapping your currently used adapter with another one. It is recommended to use a direct Ethernet interface whenever possible.
11. Update the Ethernet driver on your PC:
In some cases, updating the Ethernet network interface card (NIC) driver resolves communication issues with the target computer.
12. Check for additional firewall and antivirus software:
While Windows Defender is the most common firewall software, there may be additional software active on Windows systems. Run the following command in MATLAB to get the list of all antivirus software present on your Windows development computer:
[~,antivirus]=system('WMIC /Node:localhost /Namespace:\\root\SecurityCenter2 Path AntiVirusProduct Get displayName /Format:List')
For every software returned by the above command, with the help of your IT team, make sure that:
- The firewall/antivirus software allows the <matlabroot>\bin\matlab.exe process through the firewall. The software will have to be configured for every installed version of MATLAB that you intend to use with Speedgoat hardware.
- The firewall/antivirus software does not block the IP addresses, ports, or protocols that the development and target computers use to communicate (see step 8).
For Symantec Endpoint Protection software, see:
13. Temporarily disable firewall and antivirus software:
If nothing else helps, ask for permission to temporarily disable to firewall on your host PC. This is only way to effectively rule out the firewall causing issues in the host-target communication.
NOTE: By disabling one firewall/antivirus software, another software (usually Windows Defender Firewall) may automatically be activated as a fallback.
If your IT does not allow this, try another host PC that is air-gapped (not connected to the company network and/or internet).
14. Contact MathWorks technical support:
If the above troubleshooting steps don't resolve the issue, contact MathWorks technical support with the following information:
- A detailed description of your network setup.
- The outcome after performing the troubleshooting steps above.
1 Comment
Stefanie Schwarz
on 24 Apr 2023
Edited: Stefanie Schwarz
on 17 Oct 2023
Hi Pedro, is there any chance to use an offline PC in a separate lab or so that does not have to fully comply with company IT policies? For more feedback regarding your specific inquiry regarding the domain, please contact MathWorks technical support.
More Answers (1)
Pablo Romero
on 4 May 2022
1 vote
Please don't forget to check out the following resource from the MathWorks documentation with the most up-to-date recommendations to troubleshoot your host-target connection.
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