Network Router User Manual
A channel, then, is dened as a group of routers that all send information to each other. e lines
of communication are open in both directions and to all members—a complete mesh of
connections.
Typically, channels are managed through the use of a conguration server (called Normal mode
see below). e conguration server informs all members in the channel about the channel
information, which includes the adding and removing of channel members. Conguration
servers are capable of managing multiple channels, while routers belong to only one channel at a
time.
Lon to IP routers can also be managed manually by conguring each device uniquely (called
Manual mode, see below). In such a manual conguration, for proper operation, devices must
have mutual membership in each other’s channel lists. at is if Device A is in Device B’s channel
list then Device B must be in Device A’s channel list. However if Device C is in Device B’s channel
list, Device C does not have to be in Device A’s channel list.
1.3. Modes of Operation
e GRouter device can operate in one of two modes: (1) Manual, (2) Normal.
1.3.1. Manual Mode
In Manual mode the user has control over the GRouter device's conguration only. e user can
change the GRouter device's operating information and determine to whom the router will send
information. In Manual mode the GRouter device will honor read requests from other devices or
conguration servers, but it will block requests to write or change internal parameters. is is a
more secure mode and may be preferred on open networks. is mode is also preferable with
non-standard congurations such as Flood Mode or DDNS.
1.3.2. Normal Mode
Normal mode allows the user to view conguration data and channel data set by a remote
conguration server such as an i.LON® conguration server. e conguration server sets some
of the operating parameters of the GRouter device. Conguration servers mostly manage the
device's channel. e channel is made up of other devices to which the GRouter device will
tunnel or send ANSI/EIA 709.1 data. In Normal mode the adding and deleting of devices is
managed exclusively by the assigned conguration server. e conguration server provides a
single interface to add and delete devices. Finally, Normal mode permits read access to
information by other devices and write access to information for the assigned conguration
server.
Note: Echelon’s LNS based VNI interface (LonMaker) only works in Normal mode. In order for a
GRouter device to communicate directly over an IP channel to a VNI interface requires that the
GRouter device be in Normal mode.
1.4. Applications of the GRouter Device
1.4.1. Multi-site building automation networks
e interfaces described here provide the management necessary for the ANSI/EIA 852 to tunnel
ANSI/EIA 709.1 packets successfully over IP. is ability provides wide area network (WAN)
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