Lon Question?

[noskilltech]

When I connect to a site, is there any way to scan the network for devices so I can add them to my database, or do I have to go to each controller and get the neuron ID or press the service pin? If there is, I sure am missing it.

I know with the bacnet system I used in the past, I could use my device manager to do a device scan to pick up every device instance on my network. Sure would be nice to do in lon.

[amigo]

what lon software/system are you using?
softwares/systems such as lonmaker,icelang,tridium, catnet, nlutil, loytec, etc. all offer some form of network/point discovery.

[noskilltech]

Distech Lonwatcher. I've been digging through it, but have yet to find what I'm looking for.

[sysint]

You can pick up the bacnet devices on a scan easily, but take one and move it to another MSTP. After you spend ridiculous amounts of time to do it remember in your LON software you do it in about 10 seconds...

Anyway, you can enter the Neuron ID of what you want where in advance and then you don't need to run around the building even if your software doesn't scan.

Anyway, if you discover bacnet devices, what tells you where it's located and how do you set that up?

[noskilltech]

You can pick up the bacnet devices on a scan easily, but take one and move it to another MSTP. After you spend ridiculous amounts of time to do it remember in your LON software you do it in about 10 seconds...

Anyway, you can enter the Neuron ID of what you want where in advance and then you don't need to run around the building even if your software doesn't scan.

Anyway, if you discover bacnet devices, what tells you where it's located and how do you set that up?

The only way to move a device from one MSTP to another is to physically move it. The device instance number will not change. Only the network number will change. Each network number is designated to the actual physical wire coming out of the

With the software I've used in the past to access bacnet sites, after discovering controllers in the device scan, you click on the add to device table and they're entered automatically.

[sysint]

I guess I'll ask you again. How does the bacnet device initially get that number and description?

When you move to an existing MSTP I don't have to change a DIP or soft switch setting?

[noskilltech]

When you initially comission a bacnet controller, each controller gets assigned a device instance number. Similar to a neuron ID. A unique device number for each device in the network. Descriptions are entered when you commission the device as well. You have to use the manufacturers software for the majority of controllers I believe. A downside to bacnet if you ask me.

Each MSTP trunk is assigned a network number in the router that the MSTP is connected to physically.

Each device is also assigned a mac address. Usually dip switches. That identifies it on the mstp trunk as well. So if you physically change the location of the controller, you would have to make sure that the device has a different mac address.


Now, can I scan for devices on a lon network or not with lonwatcher3? Right now I'm not concerned about bacnet vs. lon. I know what I can do in bacnet. I am no longer working with bacnet. I'm trying to learn lonworks. If anyone wants to pick my brain about bacnet, I'm willing to share anything I know for free, just give me and email address and you can ask away.

[amigo]

last I remember LW3 did not have a scan function, but it has been a year or so since I used it last. May be someone with more recent experience can tell you different.

If you have access to other lon software, may be try them.

[sysint]

When you initially comission a bacnet controller, each controller gets assigned a device instance number. Similar to a neuron ID. A unique device number for each device in the network. Descriptions are entered when you commission the device as well. You have to use the manufacturers software for the majority of controllers I believe. A downside to bacnet if you ask me.

Each MSTP trunk is assigned a network number in the router that the MSTP is connected to physically.

Each device is also assigned a mac address. Usually dip switches. That identifies it on the mstp trunk as well. So if you physically change the location of the controller, you would have to make sure that the device has a different mac address.


Now, can I scan for devices on a lon network or not with lonwatcher3? Right now I'm not concerned about bacnet vs. lon. I know what I can do in bacnet. I am no longer working with bacnet. I'm trying to learn lonworks. If anyone wants to pick my brain about bacnet, I'm willing to share anything I know for free, just give me and email address and you can ask away.Well, if you are working in LNS that information is in a database. It is the way the system is structured. So, if you have this inherently you have significant information and it doesn't matter where the device is or if it's been moved. Further, you can scan the network and recover, although not recommended, especially if you have a LNS DB.

Anyway, depends on what you use. I know we have scanability so yes, you can do it. NLUtil also has scanning capabiliy.

I'll dig some more for you but maybe you should look into what it takes to recover a network.

It's just a different way to keep track of network functions. If you are using LNS, you have to do it the LNS way.... Otherwise, it's not LNS.

[poochz]

Download Nodeutil from Echelons web site. It will scan any domain you want and give you all of the neuron IDs it finds. From there, you can also create xif files if you need them. It's free, fast, and very efficient for gathering that type of data. From there, just add the devices in a database.

It will not 'recreate' a database, if you wish to do that and you have LNS Server installed (you do), just go to the C:\Lonworks\bin folder and run the 'LNS Database Recovery Tool'. It comes with LNS (all tools).

Hope this helps,
poochz

[noskilltech]

Awesome, thanks poochz.