Supported platforms
A platform is everything that is installed on a host that is not part of a station. The platform interface addresses all the support tasks that allow you to set up, support and troubleshoot a host.
There are two types of platforms:
Embedded controllers are purpose-built hardware devices shipped an operating system designed to optimize the controller functions. All use flash memory for file storage, Oracle’s Sun Hotspot Java VM, and provide wired Ethernet connectivity.
Supervisor PC hosts and/or engineering workstations that are Windows-based.
Among the two groups of controllers (embedded and Windows-based controllers), each model has a host model text descriptor, which you see in the Station Manager view of a NiagaraNetwork (Host Model column), and also in platform views, such as Platform Administration, as well as the PlatformServices container of a station running on a host.
This table lists controller models starting with the host model text descriptor. Models that are not compatible with Niagara 4 are so noted. Some models may exist on a job site where the Supervisor has migrated to Niagara 4 along with some number of controllers that are compatible. For background details, refer to the Niagara AX to N4 Migration Guide.
| Model text descriptor | Model name | Notes | Compatible with Niagara 4? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATLAS | JACE-9000 | Linux-based, compact, embedded IoT (Internet of Things) controller and server platform for connecting multiple and diverse devices and sub-systems. With internet connectivity and web-serving capability, the JACE-9000 provides integrated control, supervision, data logging, alarming, scheduling and network management. It streams data and rich graphical displays to a standard web browser via an Ethernet or wireless LAN, or remotely over the internet. This controller supports Niagara 4. Refer to the JACE-9000 Install and Startup Guide for commissioning details. | |
| TITAN | JACE-8000 | QNX-based controller, with integral WiFi (802.11b/g) support, and a USB port for backup/restore usage using a USB flash drive. Plug-in option modules provide additional communications ports. Supports Niagara 4. Refer to the JACE-8000 Install and Startup Guide for commissioning details. | Yes, except when running older software |
| Edge 10 | Edge 10 | is a QNX-based IO controller that harnesses the full power of the Niagara Frame work® at the edge. Supports Niagara 4.7 and later. Ships with software to run a platform daemon, a tridium certificate, and a default station pre-installed. Edge devices run the full stack, with 10 points of on-board IO and IO-R-34 expansion capability. The controller features 512MB DDR SDRAM, 2GB total eMMC flash storage with user space set at 1GB, 5 Universal inputs, 2 Analog outputs, 3 Digital outputs, 2 10/100MB Ethernet ports capable of daisy chaining, 1 RS-485 serial port, real-time clock, and secure boot. Refer to the Niagara Edge 10 Install and Startup Guide for installation/commissioning details. | Yes |
| Workstation | User-supplied PC, for example, a Supervisor or engineering workstation. | Windows-based customer supplied PC that runs Workbench. The PC should be running a recent version of
Windows. Most PC platforms use a 64-bit Windows OS (Win64-based). Although a Win64 Supervisor uses a 64-bit JVM (Java Virtual Machine) and different NRE core binaries, its platform interface is nearly identical to any Win32-based Supervisor (for sites using Niagara 4.8 and earlier). The 64-bit Java VM (Virtual Machine) does not have a 2 GB memory limit, unlike the Java VM on a Win32-based Supervisor. Typically, any PC with 64-bit Windows also has 4 GB or more of RAM, and, unlike a 32-bit Windows PC, the 64-bit OS can effectively use all of it. Therefore, if you are using an earlier Niagara version, a 64-bit Windows host may be the solution to improve the performance of your largest enterprise level Supervisor. File storage is, typically, a hard drive. | Yes |
All controllers that can run Niagara 4 use the QNX operating system. Prior Windows-based controllers that run Windows XP Embedded are not supported.
Some platform views, for example, the Platform Administration view, differs depending on the type of controller.