(Optional) Creating a LON Device Interface (XIF) Definition

You can create a LON device interface (XIF) file for a LON device that you have created.  LON XIF files are typically provided by the device manufacturer and created by the development tools used to create the devices.  There are many development tools available for creating LON devices.  Three of the most popular tools are the FT 6050 EVK, the ShortStack SDK, and the IzoT SDK.  All three of these tools create LON XIF files which are compatible with the SmartServer.  Refer to the documentation for your LON development tool to find the location of the LON XIF files generated by the tool.

This sections consists of the following:

LON Device Types File Specifications

A LON device type is defined using a LON device interface (XIF) file. An XIF file is a file generated by device development tools such as IzoT NodeBuilder, IzoT ShortStack, or IzoT SDK.

This file defines the network interface for a LON device including program ID, and the functional blocks, network variables, and configuration properties implemented by the device, including the types for each. The program ID consists of 8 hexadecimal characters that describe the device manufacture, device class, usage, channel type and revision for the device application. When the device developer builds a device, the developer can build the device following one or more standard functional profiles, or can choose to define a custom resource file set. For example, the EVB NcMultisensor example uses the NcMultisensorExample.typ (PID 9F:FF:FF:00:00:00:00:00 Scope 3) custom resource file set. 

The following figure shows the top-level detail of the UFPTlightSensor profile in the IzoT Resource Editor.



The XIF file for the Evb NcMultiSensor is 5KEvbMultisensor.xif or 6KEvbMultisensor.xif that suit the EVB hardware model you might have.  The fifth line in the XIF file defines the program ID (9F:FF:FF:05:01:84:04:50, and 9F:FF:FF:05:01:84:04:60) respectively for these devices.  In order to manage a device, you must insure the SmartServer IoT has the resources that define the device on board.

A LON XIF file typically has the extension .XIF (not case sensitive).

If you will be using your SmartServer on a LON network managed by an IzoT Net Server or LNS Server, you must use the same XIF files with the same filenames that you used with your LNS management tool. The device XIF files are automatically imported by the  IzoT Net Export utility. The LNS Device Template must always be created by an XIF file.  That is, LNS Device Templates can not be created by uploading information from the device. If you don't have an XIF file from the device manufacturer then use nodeutil to create an XIF file for the device. 

Neuron Firmware or Application Image File Specifications

You can import a Neuron firmware or application image file for a LON device that supports downloadable firmware.  These are not required if you will be using you SmartServer on a LON network managed by an IzoT Net Server or LNS Server.  Neuron firmware and application image files are typically supplied by LON device manufacturers. If you are developing LON devices the image files are typically automatically produced by your development tools.

A Neuron system image file is a system image for a Series 3100, 5000, or 6000 processor or Smart Transceiver. A Neuron application image file is an application image for a Series 3100, 5000, or 6000 processor or Smart Transceiver.

A Neuron firmware or application image file is categorized by its extension and only the .apb Neuron application image file format is supported.

A specific Neuron system or application image file is identified by its file name; therefore, you must keep the file names unique. If two manufacturers supply application image files with the same name, you must change at least one of the file names to be unique.