Adding devices, Upgrading devices – Echelon i.LON SmartServer 2.0 Power Line User Manual

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i.LON SmartServer 2.0 Power Line Repeating Network Management Guide

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Adding Devices

After you install a power line repeating network, you can use the Pocket PC or the SmartServer to add
new devices to the network. The process in which add new devices is the same as when you initially
installed the network. See Chapter 2, Installing to a Power Line Repeating Network, for more
information on installing devices with the Pocket PC and the SmartServer.

When you add the device to the network, the SmartServer will attempt to commission the new device.
The commissioning will succeed provided that the SmartServer can communicate with the device
either directly or though a repeating chain.

Upgrading Devices

You can use the SmartServer to upgrade a Neuron-hosted device that has writeable application
memory (EEPROM or flash). An upgrade may be needed to improve the device’s capabilities or to
repair a damaged device application. You can upgrade devices one at a time, or you can perform a
batch upgrade.

To perform an upgrade, you need to obtain from the device manufacturer the binary application image
file (.apb extension) of the new application to be used to upgrade the device. The system image in the
application image file must have the same firmware version as the Neuron Chip on the device. If the
device interface has changed, you also need to obtain a new device interface (XIF) file for the device,
upload it to the SmartServer, and activate it on the SmartServer.

The SmartServer will take the application image file that has program ID matching that of the device
from the root/LonWorks/import folder on the SmartServer flash disk and then download it to the
device. Note that the device to be upgraded must be online and be reachable through a repeating
device in order for the upgrade operation to succeed.

Note: Upgrading a device may affect the performance of the power line repeating network and the
repeating chain.

To upgrade a device, follow these steps:

1. Copy the .apb file of the new application and the .xif file of the new external interface (if required)

to the root\LonWorks\import folder on the SmartServer flash disk.

2. Click Driver.

3. Select one or more devices from the tree to be upgraded.

• To select one device, click that device.
• To select multiple devices and perform a batch upgrade, click one device and then either hold

down CTRL and click all other devices to be upgraded or hold down SHIFT and select
another device to upgrade the entire range of devices. The Setup - LON Device Driver Web
page opens.

4. Select the .apb file to be downloaded to the device, following these steps:

a. In the Application Image property, click the button to the right.

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