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Data source - BACnet/IP

  • Updated
Supported hardware
IXrouter3, firmware 3.10 and up (upgrade)

For Live data, Historical data, Datalogging to MQTT broker, and Alarming you'll need to set up a data source and add variables. This article shows you how to do this for communication via BACnet/IP.

Add a data source

The machine will need to be added as a BACnet/IP data source.

  1. Go to Fleet Manager > Devices and click on your device name.
  2. In the left menu, at Services, click on the add.svg icon and select Data source > BACnet/IP.
  3. Enter the requested information (details below) and click on Add.
    Field Description
    Name Enter a name for the data source.
    Identifier The identifier is entered automatically and ensures that every data source remains unique, even if they share the same name.
    IP address Enter the IP address of your machine. Leave empty if you're using an IXagent.
    Port The port number will be entered automatically (port 47808 for BACnet/IP).
    Polling sleep time

    The IXrouter will continuously request data from the machine. This then enables you to log aggregated values, like the average value or the maximum value that occurred, and to trigger alarms when certain conditions are met.

    The polling sleep time is the time that the IXrouter waits before asking data again, after it just received data from the machine.

    A polling sleep time of 100ms is recommended. In the rare case that you are experiencing a high CPU load on the machine, you can increase this setting to reduce the load.

Find the address of your BACnet/IP variables

The address of a BACnet/IP variable consists of several properties.

  1. Use a BACnet program like Cimetrics Bacnet Explorer or Yet Another Bacnet Explorer to connect to your machine. Instructions: Connect to your machine using BACnet/IP.
  2. Once you're connected, copy the object type, object instance, and object property of each variable that you want to use.
    Cimetrics_address_details.png
    Cimetrics Bacnet Explorer
    		   YABE_address_details.png
    Yet Another Bacnet Explorer

Add variables

Once you've added a data source and have your BACnet/IP addresses, you can start adding variables.

  1. Go back to the IXON Cloud.
  2. Under your data_source_outline.svg Data source, go to Variables and click onadd.svgAdd variable.
  3. Enter the requested information (details below) and click on Add.
    Field Description
    Name Enter a name for the variable.
    Identifier The identifier is entered automatically and ensures that every variable remains unique, even if they share the same name.
    Type Select the variable's data type (bool, int, float, etc).
    Length (for String data types only) The String length.
    Object type The object type is the first part of the variable's address. Find the address of your BACnet/IP variables.
    Object instance The object instance is the second part of the variable's address. Find the address of your BACnet/IP variables.
    Property The property is the third part of the variable's address. Find the address of your BACnet/IP variables.
    Index If the object property is an array, you can choose an index number to read a specific element of the array. Note that the first index in an array is often 0, not 1.
    Factor Multiplies the value. Leave empty if the data type is boolean.
    Unit Displayed behind the value (e.g. kg).
  4. Repeat step 8 for every variable you want to add or click Import from CSV-file near the top right corner to add variables in bulk instead.
    • The structure of the CSV file is explained here: Import variables: CSV file structure.
    • Using Export to CSV-file and Import from CSV-file enables you to easily copy variables from one device to another device. Alternatively, you can also use device templates.

You have now made the changes in the IXON Cloud, but these are not yet active in your device. You will need to push your changes to your device for them to take effect.

Temporary disconnect

After this next step, the config push, the device may temporarily disconnect and LAN communication may be temporarily interrupted while it's applying the new settings. This only takes a moment.
  1. Click on Push config to device in the top right corner.

Test variables

The variables test is recommended to check if all added variables are configured correctly. It shows the value of all variables if everything is configured correctly and shows an error if something is not configured correctly.

  1. Click on Run test near the top right corner.
    • The test will attempt to update values every 0.5 seconds.
    • Is the test showing unexpected values? Check the addresses and data types of the variables.
    • Is the test showing a timeout error? Check that the data source is configured correctly and the machine is connected and powered on. If you are still getting a timeout error, contact your IT to make sure the test is not blocked. The test sets up an outgoing connection from your computer to the IXrouter using:
      Port Transport protocol Application protocol
      443 TCP WebSocket
    • Is the test showing a different error? Consult the table below for common error messages and possible ways to resolve the error.
      Error message Details
      Unable to get BACnet RPM response The machine doesn't support BACnet/IP or does not have its BACnet/IP server enabled.
      Connect Failed with code: -1 BACnet/IP communication is not possible. Possible causes:
      • The IP address in the data source is incorrect and does not match the machine.
      • The port setting in the data source is incorrect and does not match the port on which the BACnet/IP server on the machine is listening.
      • Restarting the BACnet/IP server on the machine or restarting the machine itself may help.

Live data, Historical data, Alarming

Now that the data source and variables have been set up, you can continue below.

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