Import several BACnet objects as datapoints of a Boss’nX component

The BACnet bulk add window of the Boss’nX component editor turns discovered BACnet objects, from one or more devices, into datapoints of the component in one go. The role of each datapoint, read, command or both, is prepared according to the object type: input, output or value.

This path is for an administrator or installer, on a computer. To then set each datapoint in detail, use the BACnet datapoint configuration.

Before you start

• Your role has Manage components. To run a new discovery from the import, you also need Manage BACnet; this permission is separate from editing components.
• The devices are declared in BACnet devices and attached to the general gateway intended for the component.

Open the BACnet import

1. In the correct supervision, open Components in your bar or through Menu → Components, then Edit component with the pencil on its card, or Add component. The general settings are described in the common form.
2. In the form, choose the intended general Gateway. The import offers the BACnet devices attached to this gateway. Do not change the gateway of an existing component without checking its other datapoints.
3. Under the datapoints, open Import → BACnet. The BACnet bulk add window opens.

Choose the device and its objects

1. In Devices, on the left, click the device you want. Check its name, address and port: its list of objects appears on the right.
2. If needed, search by name, description or instance. A reference such as AI:1, a fictitious example, can also be used. The All types filter lets you choose a type present in the list.
3. Check the objects you want. The checkbox at the top of the table selects the visible objects that can be added.
4. For each checked object, check Type, Instance, Name, Units and Mode. The mode shows the datapoint the import prepares:

Mode	Objects concerned	Datapoint prepared
R	Inputs: AI, BI, MSI	Read-only, Feedback.
W	Outputs: AO, BO, MSO	Command only, Cmd.
R/W	Values: AV, BV, MSV	Read and command on the selected object.

Already used makes an object unavailable when this same object of this same device is already linked to a datapoint of the component. Its tooltip shows Used by ”…”. This check concerns the current component, not all the components of the supervision.

Select objects across several devices

• Switch to another device: the previous selections are kept. The search and the type filter are reset when you change device.
• Follow the total selection with the per-device counters and the summary at the bottom. It is limited to 250 objects.
• Deselect all empties all selections, on all devices.

Run a discovery from the import

If No discovered objects on this device appears:

1. Click Run discovery, with the necessary permissions, or the small radar to the right of the device.
2. Wait for Discovery in progress… to finish. Only one discovery runs at a time: the other radars are then unavailable. The selections from other devices are kept.
3. Review the objects and the selections before confirming.

To find out whether a result is partial or to get the details of a failure, see discovery in BACnet devices.

Add the datapoints and save the component

1. Click Add N points, or Add 1 point. The datapoints are added to the form; they still need to be saved with the component.
2. Review the Label, the device, the object and Cmd / Feedback of each datapoint.
3. For datapoints that read, check the options: the import suggests COV (push) and does not automatically enable history. Set the reading, the history and the command priority according to the BACnet datapoint configuration.
4. Multistate objects do not automatically provide a command list with all their texts. For a custom presentation whose settings are not established, contact support before using it.
5. Leave the last field, then click Create or Save.

To back out: Cancel or the cross closes the window without adding the selection; during a discovery or an addition, first wait for the operation to finish. After adding to the form, a datapoint’s trash can removes an unnecessary addition before saving. Back discards the component’s unsaved changes.

Check the result

• After returning to the original page, reopen the component and check the datapoints that were kept.
• The R, W and R/W roles are those of the import. Then test the functions you want on the installation: a W or R/W role does not certify that the hardware will accept a command.

Troubleshooting

Message or situation	What to do
Set a gateway on this equipment first	Choose the general gateway intended for the component.
No BACnet device on this gateway	Check the declared devices and their association with this gateway. Manually added BACnet datapoints and this import do not have the same list of choices.
No objects match your search	Clear the search and restore All types, then check the active device.
The list stays empty after a discovery	An empty list does not prove that the hardware has no objects. Have the Manage BACnet permission, the context and the device settings checked.
Already used	Find the datapoint indicated and correct it if needed. Do not delete it just to unblock the import.
Limit of 250 selections reached	Remove selections or proceed in several additions.

Contact support

For a persistent blocking issue or an uncertain save, write to support@can-nx.com with the supervision, the component, the gateway, the device, the message and the tests already done. No password or access key is needed.

French labels: Composants, Menu, Modifier le composant / Ajouter un composant, Passerelle, Import → BACnet, Ajout multiple BACnet, Appareils, Tous les types, Lancer la découverte, Découverte en cours…, Déjà utilisé, Tout désélectionner, Ajouter N points, Annuler, Cmd / Re.Etat, COV (push), Enregistrer dans l’historique, Créer / Enregistrer / Retour. The modes stay R / W / R/W.