### Communicating locally with ExecB controllers You can connect locally to controllers and some sensors to commission, start up, or troubleshoot equipment, or download to controllers. Use a local connection in any of the following situations: The entire network is not yet functional. The permanent WebCTRL® server is not operating. The server is operating, but you don't have a convenient IP connection. To make a local connection, use a USB Link Kit to connect a laptop running either the: WebCTRL® application - Requires a copy of the system database and that you set up a Local Access connection in the WebCTRL® interface. Field Assistant application - Use this option if more than one person is starting up the system. See Field Assistant Help for more information. NOTE If needed, you can disable a controller's local access.
Click for details below To connect to a device's Local Access port To set up a Local Access connection Troubleshooting a Local Access connection Communicating using PuTTY
- #### To connect to a device's Local Access port PREREQUISITES A computer with a USB port A USB Link Kit. See the USB Link Kit Technical Instructions. NOTE The USB Link Kit driver is installed with a WebCTRL® v5 or later system. But if needed, you can get the latest driver from http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/USBtoUARTBridgeVCPDrivers.aspx. Install the driver before you connect the USB Link Kit to your computer. The appropriate controller driver
  For... | Use driver...
  --- | ---
  Devices with a 5-pin Local Access port | v1.70 or later
  Devices with a round 8-pin Local Access port | v2.00 or later
  Field Assistant | v4.x or later
2. CAUTION If multiple controllers share power but polarity was not maintained when they were wired, the difference between the controller's ground and the computer's AC power ground could damage the USB Link Kit and the controller. If you are not sure of the wiring polarity, use a USB isolator between the computer and the USB Link Kit. Purchase a USB isolator online from a third-party manufacturer. Connect the laptop to the controller, ZS sensor, or RS sensor using the appropriate USB Link Kit cable(s). NOTE If using a USB isolator, plug the isolator into your computer's USB port, and then plug the USB Link Kit cable into the isolator. LGR line or ME line controller only: Turn off the controller's power, set the controller's Enhanced Access DIP switch as follows, then turn its power on again.
   To communicate with... | Set switch to...
   --- | ---
   The WebCTRL® application | Off
   PuTTY or HyperTerminal | On
   SiteBuilder to set a custom IP address | On
When you are through communicating with the Local Access port, return the Enhanced Access DIP switch to its original setting. NOTES Using a Local Access port does not interrupt the delivery of alarm and trend notifications to the controller's specified BACnet Alarm Recipient. You cannot use a Local Access port to set up BBMDs because Local Access connections do not communicate using BACnet/IP. A router must be present to receive colors from the controller network.
6. #### To set up a Local Access connection To set up communication between the WebCTRL®application on your laptop and the controller: On the WebCTRL® System Configuration tree, select Connections. On the Configure tab, click Add. From the Type drop-down list, select BACnet Local Access. Optional: Edit the Description. Type the computer's Port number that the USB cable is connected to. NOTE To find the port number, plug the USB cable into the computer's USB port, then select Start > Control Panel > System > Device Manager > Ports (Com & LPT). The COM port number is beside Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge. Set the Baud rate.
   Local Access port | Baud Rate
   5-pin | 115200
   8-pin round | 38400
Click Accept. On the View tab, click the button next to the BACnet/IP network, then select BACnet Local Access. Click Accept. On the Configure tab, select BACnet Local Access, then click Start. NOTE If an error message appears, make sure the COM port you selected is not in use. For example, PuTTY may be open and is holding the port open. If using the 5-pin Local Access port, on the Network tree, select the controller that you are connected to. Click , then select Manual Command. Type`rnet here` in the dialog box, then click OK. On the Properties page, click Module Status. If a Modstat report appears, the WebCTRL® application is communicating with the controller.
#### Troubleshooting a Local Access connection Inability to communicate over a Local Access connection may cause the following symptoms: Question marks on WebCTRL® Properties pages and Graphics pages Cannot obtain a Modstat from the connected controller Controller Status report displays purple for a connected BACnet/IP controller Cannot download to connected controller A message says Local Access is disabled or unable to connect.
Possible cause | Solution
--- | ---
Network number in SiteBuilder does not match the number found in the controller | Use the`rnet here` manual command to force the local device to accept the next download applied. Click , then select Manual Command. In the manual command field, type `rnet here`. Download Parameters or All Content to the controller to which you are connected. On the WebCTRL® Network tree, select the controller. On the Properties page, click Module Status to verify communication with the controller.
WebCTRL® communication timeout settings are not sufficient for your network configuration. | Increase your communication timeout settings. On the System Configuration tree, select Connections. On the Configure tab, select BACnet Local Access. Click next to Tuning Parameters. Double the values in the Comm Timeout and Comm Attempts fields. NOTE If changing these values does not fix your intermittent communication, contact Automated Logic® Technical Support.
Selected COM port is in use | Shut down other applications such as PuTTY that may be running and holding the port open.
Baud rates are inconsistent | Verify that the Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge and the WebCTRL® application are using the baud rate used by the controller.
Local Access is disabled | See To disable a controller's Local Access port.
- #### Communicating using PuTTY You can connect a computer to a controller's Local Access port and then use PuTTY, a free open source terminal emulation program, to: Set the baud rate for ports S1 or S2 on LGR and ME line controllers Set controller properties, such as IP address and network information Retrieve a Modstat PREREQUISITES A computer with a USB port A USB Link Kit. See the USB Link Kit Technical Instructions. NOTE The USB Link Kit driver is installed with a WebCTRL® v5 or later system. But if needed, you can get the latest driver from http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/USBtoUARTBridgeVCPDrivers.aspx. Install the driver before you connect the USB Link Kit to your computer. The appropriate controller driver
  For devices with a... | Use driver...
  --- | ---
  5-pin Local Access port | v1.70 or later
  Round 8-pin Local Access port | v2.00 or later
7. CAUTION If multiple controllers share power but polarity was not maintained when they were wired, the difference between the controller's ground and the computer's AC power ground could damage the USB Link Kit and the controller. If you are not sure of the wiring polarity, use a USB isolator between the computer and the USB Link Kit. Purchase a USB isolator online from a third-party manufacturer. Download and install PuTTY from the PuTTY website. Connect the laptop to the controller, ZS sensor, or RS sensor using the appropriate USB Link Kit cable(s). NOTE If using a USB isolator, plug the isolator into your computer's USB port, and then plug the USB Link Kit cable into the isolator. LGR line or ME line controller only: Turn off the controller's power, set its Enhanced Access Port DIP switch to ON, then turn its power on again. To change a router's IP address, subnet mask, or default gateway, set its IP Address DIP switch to Assigned. Start PuTTY. Under Category > Connection, select Serial. Under Options controlling local serial lines, enter the following settings:
   Field | Value
   Serial line to connect to | Replace X with the computer's port number that the USB Link Kit cable is connected to. NOTE To find the port number, select Start > Control Panel > System > Device Manager > Ports (Com & LPT). The COM port number is beside Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge.
   Speed (baud) | Type the appropriate baud rate from the table below.
   For... | Speed
   LGR, ME | 115200 for Rnet 38400 for S2
   LGE, LGRM-E, WebPRTL | 38400
   Data Bits | 8
   Stop Bits | 1
   Parity | None
   Flow Control | None
Click Open. A window similar to the one below appears. Do one of the following: To change a property value: a. Type the number of the property, then press Enter. b. Type the new value, then press Enter. To take an action, type number of the action, then press Enter. If you changed a value, type`1`, then press Enter to restart the controller. Close PuTTY. LGR line or ME line controller only: When finished, turn off the controller's power, set its Enhanced Access Port DIP switch to Off, then turn the power on again.