Network Discovery

With the latest version of the BACnet provider (in the Workbench), users can take advantage of Network Discovery (user manual control of device discovery and configuration).

Users can:

• Manually initiate discovery (no longer done in background).
• Manually select devices to be fully discovered/added to cache.
• Manually select a subset or choose “all”.
• Select certain objects to be excluded from the cache.

This information will be stored in the configuration database. Clearing the cache does not delete these settings.

The two-stage discovery process involves:

• An initial discovery of all devices (including Device names) for given ranges, and
• User selection of which devices to scan (fully discover) and add to the cache.

Performing Network Discovery

In order to discover BACnet devices and add them to the cache, you will need to perform a Network Discovery, by performing the following.

1. Right-click on the Devices branch of the BACnet provider's Project Explorer in the Workbench, then click on Network Discovery.

   

2. The Discover BACnet devices and add them to the cache window will open.

Discover BACnet devices and add them to the cache

3. Who-is Range

The Who-is Range allows you to edit the range of device ID numbers to search for the discovery. Change the range by entering in a new 'From' or 'To' number. You can also click on the 'Click here to add new item' field to enter an additional range.

4. Network Discovery Options

Scan - Clicking this button starts the network scan. This button turns into a 'Stop' button while the scan is taking place. You can click on the Stop button at any time to halt the scan.

Network Discovery in Mid-Scan

5. Scan Results

Once the scan of your selected Who-is Range is complete, you'll see the results of your discovery in the bottom portion of the window, as shown below.

Network Discovery Results

Each item will list its ID, Name, Network # and whether or not it is included in the Address Space (by checkmark).

Users can perform additional functions within this area, including:

- Add the device to the cache

- Removes the device from the cache

- Adds the device item to the alarm cache.

6. Click on the Close button to close this window and return to the main BACnet provider in the Workbench. If you opted to add any devices to the cache, they will now appear in the project explorer, beneath the Devices branch, as shown below.

Devices Added to the BACnet Project Explorer Following Network Discovery

You can now configure these added devices in the same way you would a newly created device within the BACnet provider.

See Also:

Create a BACnet Device