Viconics VWZS Integration Guide - Manual (Page 9)

9
Orphan Nodes.
As such it is important to understand that HOW
the network is first initially started up “may”
create orphan unassigned devices / nodes / controllers that will seem to NOT want to join the
ZigBee network. Let’s first understand how an orphan node is created. A typical example is
when jobs are started on a technician desk before sending the devices / nodes / controllers in
the field for installation. Often the integration technician will power the Jace
– coordinator &
connect it to the Workbench tool first creating & adding the WirelessTstatNetwork driver layer.
Once the WirelessTstatNetwork driver layer is up and running, they open & will start up the
wireless devices / nodes / controllers one by one on their desk and add them to their Niagara
database.

They will power the first unit, add it to the database & then power it down.

They will power the second unit, add it to the database & then power it down.

And so forth up to 6 devices maximum
This will work fine for 6 devices maximum, simply because the Jace
– coordinator has filled its
maximum 6 give away addresses. So when the technician powers up the 7
th
device / node /
controller, it will NOT be able to join the ZigBee network…….unless one of the previous device
/ node / controller is powered back on also.
In order to add another 6 devices, one of the previously added devices needs to be left on.
And so forth as the number of added devices / nodes / controllers grows. If 42 devices are to
be added to the network, 8 of them should be ALWAYS powered & within connectivity range
of all the others.
So how would orphan nodes appear I the field & how would you allow them to join the ZigBee
network?
Please note again that this ONLY applies to the initial network start-up & that once all the
devices are online to the Niagara database, everything will operate seamlessly even on power
up / down & network re-starts.
How Orphan nodes are created in the field. Ex.: 2 small buildings are within a few feet of
each other. Both have 6+ devices / nodes / controller each.
A possible case for Building B orphan nodes is as follow: Building A is first stated & sets the
Jace
– coordinator configuration parameters for the PAN ID & Channel.
Premises:

Building A is first stated.