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--- c_niagara:headpage [2022/02/24 20:27] – mk
+++ c_niagara:headpage [2022/02/25 22:17] (current) – mk
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 - Remember to use the search button before asking any questions, and that although an answer might be 5 years old, many basic functions remains the same today.
-==== Test 1 ====
+==== Introduction and brief overview ====
+So, what is this Niagara Framework (Framework), I keep talking about, you might ask?
+Basically it's a computer system (Framework), that can be run in a windows PC (Supervisor/server) or a unix based controller, and is programmed primarily from a Windows PC (Workbench).
+Niagara is maintained and developed by [[https://www.tridium.com/us/en|Tridum]], owned by Honeywell International.
+[[https://www.centraline.com/enGB/centraline-integrated-building-management.html|Centraline]] and [[https://buildings.honeywell.com/gb/en/brands/our-brands/trend-controls|Trend Control Systems]] are both using the Niagara framework.
+Niagara has in my opinion 4 primary functions:
+  * First, controlling output and input points (IO), which in turn can control all kind of actuators, motors or sensors.
+  * Second, integration of pretty much any network (Driver) or system you can imagine. My personal favorites being Bacnet, Modbus. But can also do more exotic things like MQTT.
+  * Freely programmable using functions blocks or java code.
+  * Presentations from a webserver (Any framework installation contains build in web server)
+==== Licensing ====
+Licensing is working really well in the framework.
+The standard method is using "The" licensing server, it contains licenses for both technician workbench, supervisor or controllers.
+Any installation of the framework generates a Host ID, any licensing is bound to this Host ID.
+=== Workbench license ===
+Normally your company would create a partnership with the preferred system provider, which offers training courses and after this, the technician can obtain a license for a workbench PC. Both partnership and workbench license would be an annual-fee-type-of-deal.
+A technician license is "unlimited" for programming, and testing purposes. But if using exotic drivers in developing, might require an extra license for the driver.
+=== Supervisor license ===
+Installing the workbench program on a windows pc, obtaining the Host ID and ordering a license from the system provider, turns the PC into a supervisor/server.
+A supervisor license also contains an amount of points, each hardware or driver point can count towards the limit. Programming points isn't counted.
+=== Controller licenses ===
+Controllers of a specific provider is primarily based on the same processing unit, what matters is how many points you order with it.
+It comes with a pre ordered amount of points, usually cheaper then buying points afterwards.
+But here you get the Host ID from controller, and use it to order extra points if needed, after purchase, the extra license is fetched from the licensing server.
+Points in controllers don't count on supervisors too, you only pay once!
+Common for all customer licenses is that after purchase, it is bound to that specific Host Id. I've never seen a license being moved.
+Workbench license can be moved to a new PC, but it's not something you do for fun.
+==== System overview ====
+A typical office customer setup would be comprised of the following:
+  * Supervisor (PC or Controller)
+  * Main controllers (1 pr floor typically)
+  * IO Room controllers connected to main controllers (1 pr 1-2 room)
+  * Airhandling unit with integrated controller connected to supervisor or main controller
+  * Airhandling unit with direct IO controllers from a main controller or dedicated controller.
+  * Any integration from light or other, connected to main controller or supervisor.
+All network connections is preferred to be TCP/IP but serial 2 wire connections is widely used too.
+Best practice is to keep as much programming and calendars as local as possible. Meaning, if you can keep a 0 point supervisor, it's preferred.
+Also, direct signal transfer from controller to controller is preferred.
+This way, if supervisor restarts, controllers keep running their programs.
+The supervisor is then used for collecting alarms, history data and proxy points from controllers, to present on a website.
+{{:c_niagara:pasted:20220225-213456.png}}
+==== Framework breakdown ====
+Framework runs as a 2 part deal, a platform and a station.
+=== Platform ===
+The platform is running either on a unix based controller or windows based PC, and can best be compared to "a firmware".
+It contains settings for TCP/IP and licensing.
+It also contains systems to copy stations and control start/stop of these.
+== Platform tree structure example ==
+See below image of a standard platform setup
+{{ :c_niagara:pasted:20220225-214956.png |}}
+=== Station ===
+It's where all the magic happens!
+It it build up like a tree structure.
+First comes
+  * Alarms
+  * Config
+  * Files
+  * Hierarchy
+  * History
+== Alarms ==
+Shortcut to alarm section, with views and database maintenance.
+== Config ==
+Where all primary programming is located, it also contains Services, Drivers and Apps.
+  Services
+  Contains alarm handling, user services, web and the internally used fox servers
+  and other primary backend systems.
+  If you want a primary function to work, this is where to locate and install it.
+  Drivers
+  Contains programming part of the station, including Bacnet and Modbus drivers,
+  but this is also where you create your programming,
+  in separate folders or directly inside the drivers network.
+  A folder contains multiple view options like property sheet or wire sheet.
+  They also supports a custom view (Px view), meaning to show website animations.
+  Apps
+  I actually don't know what this is for?
+== Files ==
+Is the local file storage, it contains images, px files (website animations) or other files used.
+== Hierarchy ==
+One of the newer functions, used to dynamically build a tree structure for your site, and to allow easier navigation.
+In my opinion it's not "completely there yet" and I look forward to new updates and features for this part.
+The hierarchy is build using tags on folders and points, they can be direct or implied.
+What is needed to make it really nice is implied relations and better interaction with objects.
+== History ==
+Contains all your history files and the ability to run database maintenance.
+== Station tree structure example ==
+{{:c_niagara:pasted:20220225-221554.png}}
+==== Workbench breakdown ====
+\\
+\\
+\\
+\\
+\\
 ~~DISCUSSION~~

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