Echelon LNS - Manual (Page 42)

LNS Programmer's Guide 28
Introduction to LNS
L
ON
W
ORKS
Network Services (LNS) is the control networking industry's first multi-client
network operating system. Much like a standard operating system, which implements
the fundamental operating tasks of a computer, the LNS network operating system
encapsulates common L
ON W ORKS network operations, providing the essential directory,
installation, management, monitoring, and controlling services required by most network
applications. In addition, LNS provides a standard interface that enables multiple
network applications from multiple vendors to interoperate.
The LNS architecture combines the power of client-server architecture with object-
oriented, component-based software design. LNS also incorporates Internet Protocol (IP)
support for remote applications, and it works with the most common development
platforms, including rapid application development (RAD) tools, thus offering the fastest
way to bring network control on-line with all your other information systems. With LNS,
multiple system integrators, managers, and maintenance personnel can simultaneously
access network and application management services and data from separate client tools.
Figure 3.1 Sample Network Managed by LNS
The LNS network operating system provides the following benefits:
• Reduced commissioning time and cost. With LNS, multiple installers can
work on the same system at the same time, without conflicts. Each tool is
a client to the LNS Server, allowing multiple installers to work in
parallel without database synchronization problems.
Since remote client tools do not need to contain a network database, they can