Integrating SI400 Sintony Intrusion

Scenario: You want to configure one or more SI400 Sintony panels connected to Desigo CC via NK823x.

 

Reference: For background information, see the reference section. For operation instructions, see the operator step-by-step section.

 

Workflow diagram:

 

Prerequisites:

  • The Legacy systems via NK8000 extension module is installed and included in the active project.
  • System Manager is in Engineering mode.
  • System Browser is in Management View.

 

Steps:

1 – Prepare for the SI400 Sintony Configuration

Configure the NK823x Ethernet Port

Before you start to configure the SI400 Sintony on Desigo CC, the NK823x Ethernet Port must be configured on the BACnet network.

  • Make sure you have completed the following workflows:

Define BACnet Network Addresses

Define the unique BACnet address (Device ID) for all Sintony units.

See BACnet Networks for NK823x DMS Applications.

Preparing Sintony Connections

The Sintony units can provide serial connectivity to host computers on the ports J1, J7 and J10.

The Sylcom tool computer can connect to the Sintony units on the J7 serial port or via LAN. The J1 or J10 port is used for connecting the unit to the NK823x: J10 is used when the Sylcom tool computer is connected serially to J7, while J1 should be used when the Sylcom tool computer is connected via a LAN adapter (SMN36/42/43).

Setting Sintony Jumper Options

To enable the connection to the management station via NK823x, the following settings are required in the configuration defined by the Sylcom tool:

  1. In the System Node, select the following options:
  • Networking mode = J10 (or J1)
  • Sending Node = WUD
  1. To be able to reset events from the management station with no need of unsetting the Ward, make sure to enable the Clear Al.Mem Full Set option in the System Properties.

For more details, refer to the Sintony technical documentation.

 

2 – Configure the SI400 Sintony Panels in Desigo CC

Repeat this procedure for each SI400 panel you want to configure.

  1. Select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network].
  1. Select the Object Configurator tab.
  1. Click New and select New SI400.
  1. In the New Object dialog box, enter a name and description.
  1. Click OK.
  • The new SI400 is added to System Browser and automatically selected.
  1. Select the SI400 tab.
  1. In the Configuration expander, enter the Instance number: the BACnet Device Identifier.
  1. Click Save .
  1. In System Browser, depending on the SI400 serial line connection to the NK823x, select one of the following:
    - Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x] > [COM1]
    - Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x] > [COM2]
    - Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x] > [Expansion Board] > [COM3]
    - Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [NK823x] > [Expansion Board] > [COM4]
    NOTE:     If COM 3 or COM 4 is used, you need to configure the NK823x expansion board.
  1. Select the NK8000 tab.
  1. In the Configuration expander, from the Control Unit drop-down list, select the SI400 you configured previously.
  1. Click Save .

 

3 – Acquire the SI400 Configuration Files

For each SI400 intrusion panel, you must obtain a configuration file that can be imported into Desigo CC.

If you already have a valid configuration file (INI file) that was acquired in the past, you can proceed to the next step, and import the SI400 configuration file into into Desigo CC.
NOTE: The current Sylcom program can export a configuration file, which is however not valid for Desigo CC.

Otherwise, do one of the following to acquire the configuration file:

  • You can acquire the SI400 configuration from the panel. This is done using a software tool, the Sintony Uploader. This tool can connect directly to the Sintony panel from a service computer and acquire the configuration file.
  • If the NK823x and SI400 panels are installed and connected, you can acquire the Sintony configuration from Desigo CC. This is done using the Sintony Uploader from the management station. In this case, proceed as follows:
    a. Perform a download to the NK823x to establish the connection to the Sintony panel.
    b. Make sure that the communication with the Sintony panel over the NK823x serial line is OK. Using System Browser, locate the corresponding NK823x COM port and check the status.
    c. Run the Sintony Uploader to acquire the configuration file from the panel.

 

Run the Sintony Uploader Tool

The SintonyUploader.exe program is installed along with Desigo CC software in the [Installation Drive]:\[Installation Folder]\GMSMainProject\bin folder and allows for an easy generation of the export file.

  1. Launch SintonyUploader.exe.
  • The software guides you through the following steps.
  1. Select the connection type: Connection via NK82xx.
  1. Enter the NK823x IP address.
  1. In the FTP mode field, select Passive and click Next.
  • The Read Data page displays the Sintony connections available on the COM ports (1 to 4).
  1. Select the connection you are interested in.
  1. Press the Start button.
  • The software starts communicating with the NK823x to acquire the configuration data.
    An item list and a progress bar show the activities and the uploading results.
  1. When the upload process has completed, a success message appears.
    Click OK to acknowledge it.
  1. Save the uploaded data.
    Select the name and destination folder of the file. Use the browsing button to open the navigation windows.
  1. Finally, press Next and then Finish to close the program.

NOTE: In case of errors, check the physical connection and the Sintony unit firmware release.
See Sintony SI400 System Limits and Compatibility.

 

4 – Import the SI400 Configuration File into Desigo CC
  • The valid SI400 configuration files are available locally or over the network.
  1. To speed configuration, set the transaction mode to simple. See Switching the Transaction Mode for SI400 Sintony.
  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [SI400].
  1. In the Import tab, click Browse to select the configuration file.
  • The configuration file is checked for errors and the Analysis Log button becomes available to show the check log.
  • If the configuration file is valid, the configuration file to import displays in the Source Items list.
  1. (Optional) In the Hierarchies Mapping expander, drag an additional hierarchical structure (physical and/or logical according to the database contents) from the System Browser position where you want to import.
    NOTE: Carefully select and link the node to the correct position as you cannot change it later. The only way to modify the additional import setting is to delete the destination node and create it again.
  1. In the Source Items list, select the configuration file and click the single selection button .
  • The configuration file is moved to the Items to Import list.
  1. Click Import.
  • The configuration data is available in System Browser.
  • The Import Log button becomes available to show the import log.
  1. Repeat the steps above for each of the SI400 panels.
  1. When finished, to resume normal operational monitoring, set the transaction mode back to logging. See Switching the Transaction Mode for SI400 Sintony.
NOTICE
Objects limit in a project

Based on the hardware category of the installation, there is a limit to the number of objects a project can have.
- The system prevents you from performing imports that would exceed this limit.
- The system warns you if an import would approach this limit (90% or more of allowed objects). You can then choose whether to proceed.

NOTICE
Incorrect Interpretation of Messages

After first import, if the panel configuration is modified, you will need to import the configuration file again to align Desigo CC. Failing to import the latest configuration file may result in an incorrect interpretation of field messages. An Unidentified event is generated in all cases when a message is received with no corresponding data point.

 

5 – Synchronize the SI400 Events Clock

To avoid inconsistencies in the events time stamp, you must synchronize the SI400 unit clocks with Desigo CC.

  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet Network] > [SI400] > [Device SI400].
  1. Select the BACnet tab.
  1. Open the Timing and Status Info expander.
  1. In the Time sync type drop-down list, select Local Time.
  1. In the UTC offset field, enter the UTC offset in minutes, with opposite sign (for example, if the UTC offset is +1 hour, type -60).
  1. Click Save .
  1. Repeat the steps above for all other SI400 units.

 

6 – Download the SI400 Configuration to the NK823x
  1. In System Browser, select Project > Field Networks > [BACnet network] > [NK823x].
  1. Select the NK8000 tab.
  1. (Optional) Open the Configuration expander, and configure the file transfer mode to apply to subsequent downloads (the current download applies the mode that is currently set).
    This option is set to Use secure download by default (encrypted data transmission on TCP port 20500). If you have a local and safe connection to NK823x, you may want to deselect the check box and apply a faster FTP passive mode. Proceed as follows:
    a. Deselect the check box. Note the warning message about potential vulnerabilities.
    b. Click Save .
  1. Click Download configuration.
  • A confirmation box displays.
  1. Click OK.
  • The download starts. After a few minutes, the new configuration is active.
    NOTE: Depending on the type of modification, the NK823x may need to restart to complete the procedure.
NOTICE
Security Vulnerabilities

The use of the FTP mode on public or unsecure networks creates serious security vulnerabilities. For more information, refer to the Security section.