Preparing to commission the controller

To commission a new controller requires a connection using an Ethernet patch cable and TCP/IP configuration.

You have installed a version of Niagara on the PC including its permanent license. The license file for the controller is on the licensing server and you have Internet access or you received the license via email and copied the file to the license inbox.
  1. Mount the controller on a rack or table in your office near your PC.
    Please refer to the wiring details in the appropriate JACE-9000 Controller (15885) Mounting and Wiring Guide for information on temporary power wiring and Ethernet wiring connections.
    CAUTION: The JACE-9000 is not compatible with a Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) network. Connecting the controller on a network segment which carries power causes the unit to fail (lockup). In that event, you must disconnect it from the POE network segment and cycle power to the unit.
  2. Attach one end of a standard category-5 Ethernet unshielded twisted pair (UTP) patch cable to the RJ-45 Ethernet connector for LAN1 (labeled PRI) on the JACE.
  3. Attach the other end of the patch cable to a network port or directly to an Ethernet hub.
  4. Power up the controller.
  5. Do one of the following:
    • Record your PC’s current IP settings, then re-assign your PC’s IP address for its Ethernet NIC (network interface card). If necessary, refer to Windows online Help for details on configuring TCP/IP settings.
    • Obtain a USB-to-Ethernet network adapter (second network interface card, or NIC), and use it with an Ethernet crossover cable to commission the controller. In this case, configure this second NIC to use the settings in the remainder of this step.

      Use a serial shell mode connection to the controller to re-assign its factory IP address settings. After making this change and rebooting the controller, you can continue commissioning using Workbench. This requires a USB-to-USB—C adapter cable, VCP driver, and a special power-up mode for the controller.

      VCP (Virtual COM Port) drivers cause a USB device to be shown as an additional COM port available to the PC. Using terminal emulation software, such as PuTTY or ClearTerminal, the PC can access the USB device in the same way as it would access a standard COM port. VCP driver downloads are available at www.ftdichip.com and other sites.

  6. For this initial connection to a factory-shipped JACE, configure your PC’s NIC to use an IP address in the same subnet as the JACE, as well as a matching subnet mask.

    Set the IP address in the range: 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254.

    With a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

    Note: Do not assign your PC the identical IP address as the JACE’s factory-assigned IP address.
  7. From your PC, start Workbench.
    The Nav tree should be visible in the side bar area (left pane).
  8. If the Nav tree is not visible, from the menu bar, select Window > Side Bars > Nav.