Configuring the NK823x Unit

Scenario: You want to configure Desigo CC to interoperate with a connected NK823x Ethernet network adapter.

 

Reference: For background information, see the reference section.

 

Workflow diagram:

 

Prerequisites:

 

Steps:

1 – Configure Time Synchronization

Configure the NK823x Events Clock Synchronization

To avoid inconsistencies in the events time stamp, do this procedure to synchronize the NK823x clock with Desigo CC.

  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet network] > [NK823x] > [NK823x Device].
  1. Select the BACnet tab.
  1. Open the Timing and Status Info expander.
  1. In the Time sync type drop-down list, select Local Time.
  1. In the UTC offset field, enter the UTC offset in minutes, with opposite sign (for example, if the UTC offset is +1 hour, type -60).
  1. Click Save .

(Optional) Configuring BACnet Driver Time Synchronization

  1. Depending whether the driver runs on the Server or FEP station, select one of the following:
    - Project > Management System > Servers > Main Server > Drivers > [BACnet driver]
    - Project > Management System > FEPs > [FEP] > [Drivers Folder] > [BACnet driver]
  1. Open the Time Synchronization expander, and configure the following:
    - Time sync interval (minutes): Set the synchronization delay in minutes. Default is 1440 (24 hours).
    - Align intervals: Select the check box to start the periodic time synchronization on the hour.
    - Interval offset: Set a delay between the time sync interval and the actual time sync.
  1. Click Save.

 

2 – Configure Internal Inputs

The I/O tree of the NK can have a maximum of 3 inputs (Input 1, Input 2, and Input 3). You can individually configure the inputs as normally open or normally closed.

You can also optionally allocate these three inputs to external power supply supervision, in which case they are replaced by a single External Power Supply Supervision node.

 

Set NO/NC Logic of Internal Inputs

  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x] > I/O > [input].
  1. Select the NK8000 tab.
  1. In the Configuration expander, select one of the following:
    - Normally open (default)
    - Normally closed.
  1. Click Save .

 

Use Internal Inputs for External Power Supply

You can allocate the 3 inputs for supervision of an external power supply

  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x] > I/O.
  1. Select the NK8000 tab.
  1. Click New and select New External Power Supply.
  1. Click OK to confirm.
  • The 3 inputs are replaced by External Power Supply Supervision, which is automatically selected.
  1. In the Configuration expander, select Normally open or Normally closed.
  1. Click Save .

NOTE: To undo this setting, delete the External Power Supply Supervision node and manually add the inputs back again.

3 – (Optional) Add the COM3-COM4 Expansion Board

Do this procedure if the NK823x is equipped with the expansion board that adds the COM3 and COM4 serial ports.

  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x].
  1. Select the NK8000 tab.
  1. Click New and select New Expansion Board.
  • The Expansion Board object is added to System Browser, with COM 3 and COM 4 ports under it.

 

4 – (Optional) Configure DF8000 I/O Systems

If the NK823x hardware configuration includes a DF8000 input/output multiplexing system, do the following as needed:

 

5 – (Optional) Link Multiple Desigo CC Systems to the NK823x

If multiple Desigo CC systems are connected to the NK823x, you can configure each of them as a BACnet client under the BACnet protocol of the Ethernet port. You need to specify the instance number of the BACnet driver of each additional system. That will allow you to know about the connection status of the other systems.

  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x] > [Ethernet] > BACnet protocol.
  1. Select the NK8000 tab.
  1. Click New and select New BACnet Client.
  1. In the New Object dialog box:
    a. Enter a name and description.
    b. In the Instance number field, enter the BACnet device ID (the Instance number of the BACnet driver) of the Desigo CC system you want to link as a BACnet client.
    c. Click OK.
  • The new BACnet client is added to System Browser and automatically selected.
  1. (Optional) Repeat the procedure to link up to 3 Desigo CC systems.
Information

NOTE:
Be aware that, in multi-host configuration, NK823x configuration changes and download performed on one host will cause a misalignment on the other hosts (an event display indicating the configuration misalignment and the need of an update). It is necessary that you perform the same configuration changes download on all connected hosts.
Note that the subsequent downloads from the additional hosts are required to remove the misalignment condition even though do not actually modify the NK823x configuration.

 

6 – Download the Final Configuration to the NK823x
  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet network] > [NK823x].
  1. Select the NK8000 tab.
  1. (Optional) Open the Configuration expander, and configure the file transfer mode to apply to subsequent downloads (the current download applies the mode that is currently set).
    This option is set to Use secure download by default (encrypted data transmission on TCP port 20500). If you have a local and safe connection to NK823x, you may want to deselect the check box and apply a faster FTP passive mode. Proceed as follows:
    a. Deselect the check box. Note the warning message about potential vulnerabilities.
    b. Click Save .
  1. Click Download configuration.
  • A confirmation box displays.
  1. Click OK.
  • The download starts. After a few minutes, the new configuration is active.
    NOTE: Depending on the type of modification, the NK823x may need to restart to complete the procedure.
NOTICE
Security Vulnerabilities

The use of the FTP mode on public or unsecure networks creates serious security vulnerabilities. For more information, refer to the Security section.