Expanding a standard system into a large VaiNet system - AP10 - RFL100

Guidelines for large VaiNet systems Technical Note
Document code
M212596EN
Revision
C
Language
English
Product
AP10
RFL100
Document type
Technical note

When expanding a standard system (8 access points or less) into a large system, you should plan to keep all existing VaiNet data loggers in segment A. This prevents the need to update the firmware of all existing data loggers, as existing data loggers support the A segment. The data loggers will automatically rejoin the updated access points in segment A without having to enable installation mode on the access points, or release the data loggers from the network.

  1. Update your existing system so that it becomes segment A of the large system:
    1. Update all existing access points to the required firmware level. See Software and firmware requirements for a large VaiNet system.

      The updated access points retain their VaiNet channel setting. The firmware update assigns them to segment A as that is the default setting.

      As you are updating the firmware of the access points, there will be a short period where access points with both old and new firmware are running on the site. This is OK and will not cause significant communication problems.
    2. If you need to add data loggers to Segment A, turn on the installation mode on the access points of segment A and continue with the next step. If no new data loggers are needed in Segment A, you are done with segment A and can move to 2.
    3. Install all new wireless data loggers for segment A.
    4. Log in to the viewLinc Enterprise Server as an administrator.
    5. Accept the new data loggers into the system.
    6. Verify that all new data loggers in the segment have been successfully connected and added to the device list in Sites Manager > Hosts and Devices.
  2. Repeat the following steps for each additional segment, starting with segment B:
    1. Install all access points that belong to the current segment, and turn on the installation mode on the access points.
    2. Install all wireless data loggers that belong to the current segment. They will connect to the access point that gives them the strongest connection, has spare capacity left, and has installation mode enabled.
    3. As administrator in viewLinc Enterprise Server, accept the data loggers into the system.
    4. Verify that all data loggers in the segment have been successfully connected and added to the device list in Sites Manager > Hosts and Devices.
    5. Disable the installation mode on the access points in the current segment.
  3. Verify that all access points and data loggers are listed in the device list of viewLinc Enterprise Server and are connected to an access point in the correct segment.

    If you need to move a data logger to a different segment, see Moving RFL100 to a different VaiNet segment. If you intend to move previously installed data loggers to segments B–D, they must be updated to the required firmware level as they will not be able to connect to segments B–D otherwise. See Software and firmware requirements for a large VaiNet system.

    At the time of writing, you cannot directly see the current segment of a VaiNet device from viewLinc Enterprise Server. To verify the connected segment of a data logger, find it from the device list by serial number, and verify the segment of the access point it is connected to from your installation plan.
  4. Monitor the status of system alarms and connected devices.