Online “device learns” are possible using the Device Manager for many drivers, for example the NiagaraNetwork, BacnetNetwork, LonNetwork, and NdioNetwork. Whenever available, this method is the easiest way to accurately add device components to the station database.
With the exception of a “Quik Learn” option in a LonNetwork, any device learn in NiagaraAX is a two-step process where you first:
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Discover device candidates for inclusion in the station database.
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Select and Add from those candidates, creating device components in the network. If you already added devices using New, you can also candidates to existing devices. For more details see Match (Device).
The Device Manager reinforces this process by providing two separate panes in the view whenever you enter “Learn Mode.” See About Learn toggle.
Any driver that offers online “learns” of devices, points, and possibly schedules and log data (histories) provides specialized “Manager” views. Any such view offers both a two-pane view (Learn Mode) and a single-pane view (Database only).
At any time, you can toggle between Learn Mode and the single-pane (Database) view by clicking the Learn Mode tool in the toolbar (Figure 24), or using the Learn Mode command in the Manager menu. Also, note that the Discover tool (binoculars) is next to the Learn Mode tool.
Whenever in Learn Mode of any Manager view (DeviceManager, PointManager, and so forth) you can drag the border between the two panes to resize, as necessary.
The Discover button is available in the Device Manager only if the driver supports online discovery. When you click Discover, the Device Manager view splits into two panes (Learn Mode), and at the same time typically launches a discovery “job” (Figure 25).
In some drivers, an intermediate dialog may appear before the discovery job begins. For example, in a discover for a BacnetNetwork, a “Configure Device Discovery” dialog allows you
to limit possible ranges of devices, before discovery begins. For more details, see the Bacnet Users Guide.
The two panes in the Device Manager operate as follows:
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Discovered (top pane)
Lists devices discovered on the driver’s network, as candidates. Any device found that already exists in the station database appears “ghosted” (faintly listed). A job “progress bar” is also included on top of the Discovered pane.
A Cancel button is available during a discovery job. If needed, use it to stop discovery.
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Database (bottom pane)
Lists devices and device folders that are currently in the station database.
The Add button is available in the Device Manager in Learn Mode when you have one or more devices selected (highlighted) in the top Discovered pane. When you click Add, an Add dialog appears that allows you to edit items before the device component(s) are created in the station database (Figure 26).
The Add dialog is nearly identical to the device Edit dialog, but allows you to edit Type as well as other device properties. Often, device address properties in the Add dialog already have acceptable values for operation (otherwise, communications to that device would not have occurred). Often, you change only Name, unless you know other settings you wish to change. You can always Edit the device component(s) after you click OK and add them to your station.
When you have one or more devices selected in the top Discovered pane, an Add tool is also available on the toolbar (“plus”
symbol), as well as a command in the Manager menu. Also, you can simply double-click a discovered device to bring it up in
the Add dialog.