Viconics VWG-50 (Classic ZigBee) Design Consideration and Setup Guide User Manual
Page 9
9 | VWG-50-Setup Guide
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 VWG – 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 VWG – 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 VWG – coordinator configuration parameters for the PAN ID & Channel.