Update Aug. 2004
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S4 Open: N2 Switch and OPC-N2 Router Update This week we received the pre-Release Candidate 1 build for the N2 Switch XP (software only version of the product). Our strategic partner, and product developer, Obermeier Software performed extensive systems level testing before releasing the product to us for this test phase. The core functionality is all included in this build. However, restructuring of the documentation is still underway to reflect the architectural changes we recently wrote about. When that work is completed shortly we will receive RC1. The N2 Switch extends in enhances the operation of a N2 bus in ways never before possible. It contains all the logic necessary to merge multiple N2 networks into a Virtual N2 network, extend a N2 bus over a TCP/IP Ethernet Intranet, auto discover N2 devices, and perform N2 Network performance monitoring. N2 Switch configuration can be performed locally or remotely. The N2 Switch is the base upon which our entire N2 Router product family is built. During this test phase we are very closely validating that our functional requirements specification was followed and making sure that all features operate according to design in a live Metasys® environment. Additional focus is being placed on usability, documentation, troubleshooting capabilities, N2 autodiscovery, and N2 network performance monitoring. After this testing is complete we will move on to beta candidate testing of the N2 Switch CE hosted on our Advantech UNO 2059 embedded PC platform. This bundled offering will be made available as our turnkey N2 Switch. Advantech has made a custom version of this platform available to us that is powered by 24VAC for the HVAC marketplace. You will be able to order the platform either in this configuration or with standard 24VDC power. The N2 Router eloquently brings Metasys® into the world of open systems and enterprise solutions. For the first time Metasys® can be looked upon as a corporate asset that can share information with manufacturing process control systems and business applications. Since the N2 Switch is the base for the entire product family each of the N2 Router variants will build upon the N2 Switch. The OPC-N2 Router will be the first to be tested, followed closely by the BACnet-N2 Router , SNMP and XML support. Additional upstream and downstream adapters will be introduced as necessary to meet customer requirements. Scripting support, Universal Points, and Virtual N2 Devices will be introduced with the S4 controller.net. The N2 Router XP product family runs on any Windows compatible hardware platform on one of the following operating systems:
- Windows 2000
Workstation/Server It will be supported on Windows NT with Service Pack 6A by special order only until Microsoft formally drops support for Windows NT. The N2 Router CE product family is delivered as a turnkey product bundled with a custom version of the Advantech 2059 embedded PC. The system has been modified to operate on 24VAC specifically for the HVAC marketplace. Testing is also being performed on the Beckhoff CX 1000 and the ILC 350 from Phoenix Contact. Support for other embedded PC boxes may be custom ordered as long as they support WindowsCE.NET version 4.1 or higher. The hardware and software must be purchased as a bundle from The S4 Group, or one of our authorized VARS or Distributors because the software build must be customized for each system. The N2 Switch has been tested against several media converters (RS485 to Ethernet) from different vendors. All tests so far were very positive and all devices tested are compatible with the N2 switch. Our goal is to be compatible with all industry standard products. Please contact us if you would like to use a specific Ethernet to RS-485 media converter or would like more information about our test results.
The N2 Switch XP is designed to support up to 16
upstream and downstream N2 networks controlled by an electronic license key The
downstream N2 networks can be traditional twisted pair N2 bus wiring. Or, they
can be a N2 network extended over the customer's internal Ethernet I/P network
using an Ethernet to RS-485 media converter to transition to a standard wired N2
bus at a remote location.
Green - Go, everything is OK The N2 router, or even the “S4 controller.net”, is a superset of the N2 switch. This means a customer can upgrade from the N2 switch without losing functionality or existing configuration information. For the N2 Switch XP (PC version) the customer has to rerun the installation package to upgrade the software. For the N2 Switch CE (embedded version) the customer need not replace the hardware. He only has to replace the flash card with upgraded firmware. Because Obermeier Software’s automation.net framework is the technology base for all N2 Router products they will benefit from features such as the Lego like protocol adapters, and XML communication. The N2 products will stay on the leading edge of technology by inheriting all new capabilities as they are developed for the automation.net framework. We would like to hear from any of you who would like to discuss possible applications of the N2 Router product family, would like to become part of our formal beta test program, or would like to become an early adapter of the technology. We are in negotiations with several organizations who have applied to become VARs, distributors, or OEMs for the N2 Router product line. Let us know if an interest in joining our channel partners in the success that we will all have together. |
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SNMP OPC Gateway Applications
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colors in the user interface indicate the status of each of the possible network
interfaces:
