IM 689-2
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Task 5: Connecting the Controllers and Verifying Communications
This final task will verify that proper communications have begun for each MicroTech controller as it
is connected to the network. Two methods of performing this task are provided: one for
commissioning PCs that have an Ethernet card (preferred) and one for commissioning PCs that do not
(alternate).
As a result of the previous procedures, the network communications connector should be
disconnected from the B port at every MicroTech controller on the trunk. Be sure that this is true
before beginning this procedure.
Note:
For large networks, it is a good idea to use two people to commission the network. When there
are two people, one person can stay at the commissioning PC and the other person can go to each
individual unit controller. Using a set of radios or other two-way communication equipment, you can
tell each other when a specific controller is connected and whether network communications have
begun.
Preferred Method: For PCs With an Ethernet Adapter
If your PC has an Ethernet adapter, you can verify communications throughout the entire path that
you are responsible for—from the “Ethernet” port on the BACdrop panel, through the gateway, and
across the MicroTech network to each individual MicroTech controller. If you can prove
communications to a MicroTech controller in this manner, you have done everything that can be done
by the field representative. If the BAS still has a communications problem, it is very likely on the
BAS side of the gateway.
If your PC does not have an Ethernet adapter, see “
Alternate Methods: For PCs Without an Ethernet
Adapter
” below.
To verify MicroTech network communications through the BACdrop gateway
1. Connect the PC to the BACdrop gateway with both the serial cable and the Ethernet crossover
cable (or two standard Ethernet cables and a hub).
The PC Ethernet adapter should have been installed and tested before running this test.
2. Start the BACdrop Setup Wizard.
For complete reference information on the wizard, including software installation instructions,
see the “
BACdrop Setup Wizard User’s Guide
” portion of this manual.
3. Select Network Diagnostics on the BACnet Network menu.
The first BACnet Network Diagnostic screen appears.
4. If you are sure that the serial cable and Ethernet cable are connected, click the Next button.
The second BACnet Network Diagnostic screen appears.
5. Select the Ethernet adapter you are using and click Next.
The third BACnet Network Diagnostic screen appears.
6. Select the COM port you are using and click Next.
The BACdrop Setup Wizard reads the configuration data out of the gateway. The fourth BACnet
Network Diagnostic screen appears, and the single-pass network diagnostic begins.
The wizard attempts to communicate with every controller defined in the BACdrop gateway’s
configuration file. A three-line report is generated for each controller; for example:
MicroTech Controller 01.00
Software IDENT: ART1E06D
System Status: operational
MicroTech Controller 02.00
Software IDENT: The device is busy
System Status: non-operational
