AMX NI-4100 User Manual

Installation Guide

Overview

The NI-4100 (FG2105-06), part of the NI Series of Master Controllers, is geared to
meet the high-end control and automation requirements of the most sophisticated and
complex commercial and residential installations.

This controller integrates the largest number of devices including DVD players,
projectors, lighting, thermostats and other electronic equipment. In technology­intensive environments, this solution can be used to accommodate the future addition
of more devices and control capabilities.

FIG. 1 NI-4100 NetLinx Integrated Controller (front view)

The NI-4100’s on-board Master also provides the ability to update installed control
card firmware.

ATTENTION!

Verify you are using the latest NI firmware for the on-board Master. Verify you are
using the latest version of NetLinx Studio (available for download from
www.amx.com).

Specifications

NI-4100 Specifications

Dimensions (HWD): • 5.21" x 17.00" x 9.60" (13.23 cm x 43.18 cm x 24.27 cm)

Power Requirement: • 900 mA @ 12 VDC

Memory: • 64 MB SDRAM

Compact Flash: 128 MB or more

Weight: 9.15 lbs (4.15 kg)

Enclosure: Metal with black matte finish

Certifications: FCC Part 15 Class B, CE, and IEC 60950

Front Panel LEDs/Slots:

• LINK/ACT: Green LED blinks when the Ethernet cables are connected and

• Status: Green LED blinks to indicate that the system is programmed and

• Output: Red LED blinks when the Controller transmits data, sets channels

• Input: Yellow LED blinks when the Controller receives data from button

• RS-232/422/485: 7 sets of red and yellow LEDs light to indicate that DB9 Ports 1 - 7

• Relay: 8 red LEDs light to indicate the relay channels 1 - 8 are active

• IR/Serial: 8 red LEDs light to indicate the IR/Serial channels 1 - 8 are

• I/O: 8 yellow LEDs light when the rear I/O channels 1 - 8 are active. The

• NetLinx Control
Card Slots 1 - 4:

Rear Panel Components:

• RS-232/422/485
(Ports 1 - 7):

• ICSNet: 2 RJ-45 connectors for ICSNet interface (provided by optional

• ICSHub Out: RJ-45 connector provides data to a Hub connected to the Controller

• Relay (Port 8): • Eight-channel single-pole single throw relay ports

• 3 rack units high

• 1 MB Non-volatile (NV) SRAM

• AMX may increase Flash size at any time in response to market
availability

• Upgradeable - see Other AMX Equipment

terminated correctly. Also blinks when receiving Ethernet data
packets.

communicating properly.

On and Off, sends data strings, etc.

pushes, strings, commands, channel levels, etc.

are transmitting or receiving RS-232, 422, or 485 data.

(closed). These LEDs reflect the state of the relay on Port 8.

transmitting control data on Ports 9 - 16. LED indictor for each IR
port remains lit for the length of time that IR/Serial data is being gen­erated.

LED for each I/O port reflects the state of that particular por t.

Accepts up to 4 compatible NetLinx Cards: such as the NXC-COM2,
NXC-I/O10, etc.

7 RS-232/422/485 control ports using DB9 (male) connectors with
XON/XOFF (transmit on/transmit off), CTS/RTS (clear to send/ready
to send), and 300-115,200 baud.

ICSNet daughter card).

(provided by optional ICSNet daughter card).

• Each relay is independently controlled.

• Supports up to 8 independent external relay devices

• Channel range = 1-8

• Each relay can switch up to 24 VDC or 28 VAC @ 1 A

• Two 8-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) connectors provide relay
termination

NI-4100 NetLinx

®

Integrated Controller

NI-4100 Specifications (Cont.)

Rear Panel Components (Cont.):

• Digital I/O
(Port 17):

•IR/Serial
(Ports 9 - 16):

• Program Port: RS-232 DB9 connector (male) can be connected to a DB9 port on a

• Configuration DIP
Switch:

• ID Pushbutton: Sets the NetLinx ID (Device only) assignment for the device.

• Ethernet Port: RJ-45 connector provides TCP/IP communication. This is an Auto

• AxLink Port: 4-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (male) connector that provides data and

• Power Port: 2-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (male) connector.

• CardFrame #
DIP Switch:

• Control Card
Connectors (1-4):

Included
Accessories:

Other AMX
Equipment:

8-channel binary I/O port for contact closure with each input being
capable of voltage sensing. Input format is software selectable with
interactive power sensing for IR ports.

8 IR/Serial control ports support high-frequency carriers of up to

1.142 MHz with each output being capable of two electrical formats:
IR or Serial.

• 8 IR/Serial data signals can be generated simultaneously.

• IR ports support data mode (at limited baud rates and wiring
distances).

PC. This connector can be used with serial and NetLinx program­ming commands, as well as other DB9 capable devices, to both
upload/download information from the NetLinx Studio program.

Sets the communication parameters for the Program port (see Baud
Rate Settings).

MDI/MDI-X enabled port, which allows you to use either straight­through or crossover Ethernet cables.

The Ethernet Port LEDs show communication activity, connection
status, speeds, and mode information:

• SPD (speed) - Yellow LED lights On when the connection speed is
100 Mbps and turns Off when the speed is 10 Mbps.

• L/A (link/activity) - Green LED lights On when the Ethernet cables
are connected and terminated correctly, and blinks when
receiving Ethernet data packets.

power to external control devices. Green AXlink LED indicates the
state of the AXlink port.

Sets the starting address for the Control Cards in the CardFrame.

(Factory default CardFrame DIP switch value = 0). The Control Card
address range is 1-3064.

20-pin (male) connectors that connect the Control Cards and
external equipment to the CardFrame.

• 2-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) PWR connector (41-5025)

• 4-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) AXlink connector (41-5047)

• 10-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) I/O connector (41-5107)

• Installation Kit (KA2105-01):

- 8-pin Relay Common Strip

- 4 rack mount screws

- 4 washers

• 2 8-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) Relay connectors
(41-5083)

• 2 CC-NIRC NetLinx IR Emitter Cables (FG10-000-11)

• 2 removable rack ears (62-2105-07)

• 2-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix male connector (41-5026)

• CC-NSER IR/Serial cables (FG10-007-10)

• NCK, NetLinx Connector Kit (FG2902)

• STS, Serial To Screw Terminal (FG959)

• Upgrade Compact Flash (factory programmed with firmware):

NXA-CF2NI256M - 256 MB compact flash card (FG2116-47)
NXA-CF2NI512M - 512 MB compact flash card (FG2116-48)
NXA-CF2NI1G - 1 GB compact flash card (FG2116-49)

Connections and Wiring

FIG. 2 shows the layout of the connectors and components on the rear of the NI-4100
NetLinx Integrated Controller.

RS-232/422/485 (Ports 1-7)

I/O

(Port 17)

IR/Serial

(Ports 9-16)

Relays (Port 8)

ICSHub OUT

ICSNet (2)

Program port

AXlink Port/LED

DIP switch

Slot 1-4 connectors

Cardframe DIP Switch

FIG. 2 NI-4100 rear connectors and components

Inserting NetLinx Cards into the NetLinx Control Card Slots

NetLinx Cards can be installed into the front card slots. The cards mount horizontally
through the card slot openings on the front panel of the enclosure.
To install a NetLinx Card:

ID Pushbutton

Ethernet

PWR

1. Discharge the static electricity from your body by touching a grounded metal
object and unplug all the connectors from the unit.

2. Remove the three screws by turning them in a counter-clockwise direction and
remove the front faceplate.

3. Align the edges of the card with the internal guide slots and gently slide it in all
the way until the rear edge of the card snap into place.

4. Re-secure the faceplate by inserting the three screws by turning them in a
clockwise direction and securing the front faceplate to the Controller.

5. Re-apply power and other connections as necessary.

Setting the Integrated Controllers’ starting Card Address

The rear 8-position CardFrame Number DIP switch, lower-left rear of the Integrated
Controller, sets the starting address (the device number in the D:P:S specification)
for the Control Cards installed in the controller.
The Control Card address range is 1 - 3064.

The factory default CardFrame DIP switch value = 0 (All CardFrame DIP
switches in the OFF position).

The formula for setting the starting address is:

(DIP switch value) + Card slot Number (1 - 4) = Card Address

For example:
A DIP switch setting of 00010101:
(0 + 0 + 0 + 96 + 0 + 384 + 1536) + SLOT #(ex:1) = 2017.
A card in slot number 1 = device address 2017.
Set the CardFrame Number DIP switch value is based on the table below.

Posi tio n

Value

Cycle power to the unit for approximately 5 seconds. This allows the unit to read the
new device number settings.

12345678

12 24 48 96 192 384 768 1536

ON position

Wiring a power connection

Use a 12 VDC-compliant power supply to provide power to the Controller via the rear
2-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix connector. Use the power requirements information listed

in the Specifications table to determine the power draw.

The incoming PWR and GND cable from the PSN power supply must be connected
to their corresponding locations within the PWR connector.

• This unit should only have one source of incoming power.

• Using more than one source of power to the Controller can result in damage to
the internal components and a possible burn out.

• Apply power to the unit only after installation is complete.

RS-232/422/485 wiring connector information

FIG. 3 shows the pinout and wiring specification information for the rear RS-232/RS­422/RS-485 (DB9) Device Ports. These ports support most standard serial mouse
control devices and RS-232 communication protocols for PC data transmission.

The NI-4100 uses Ports 1 - 7.

DB9 Serial Port pinouts (male connector)

RS-232

5
4
3
2
1

9
8

Pin 2: RX signal
Pin 3: TX signal
PIN 5: GND

7
6

Pin 7: RTS
Pin 8: CTS

RS-422

Pin 1: RX ­Pin 4: TX +
PIN 5: GND
Pin 6: RX +
Pin 9: TX -

RS-485

Pin 1: A (strap to 9)
Pin 4: B (strap to 6)
PIN 5: GND
Pin 6: B (strap to 4)
Pin 9: A (strap to 1)

FIG. 3 RS-232/422/485 DB9 (male) connector pinouts

WARNING: When wiring the 422/485 connections, do NOT use pre-made 9-wire
cable or connect the wire in the cable to any connection that will not be used by the
DB9 serial port. Only use wiring that connects the needed pins.

Ethernet 10/100 Base-T Connector

The RJ-45 Ethernet connector provides 10/100 network connectivity between the
panel and the NetLinx Master (FIG. 4).

L/A - Link/Activity LED lights

(green) when the Ethernet

cables are connected and

terminated correctly.

SPD - Speed LED lights (yellow)
when the connection speed is
100 Mbps and turns Off when the
speed is 10 Mbps.

FIG. 4 Layout of Ethernet LEDs

Use a standard CAT5 Ethernet cable to provide communication between the
Integrated Controller and external NetLinx devices.

Baud Rate Settings (Program Port DIP Switch)

The Program Port DIP switch is located on the rear of the device. Use this DIP switch
to set the baud rate for the Program Port, according to the settings shown in the
following table. Make sure the baud rate you set matches the baud rate on your PC's
NetLinx COM Settings before programming the unit.

Baud Rate Settings

Baud Rate Position 5 Position 6 Position 7 Position 8

• 9600 bps OFF ON OFF ON

• 38,400 bps (default) OFF ON ON ON

• 57,600 bps ON OFF OFF OFF

• 115,200 bps ON ON ON ON

Note: DIP switch 1 activates/deactivates the Program Run Disable Mode. DIP
Switches 2,3, and 4 must remain OFF at all times.

Ethernet Ports Used by the NI-4100

Ethernet Ports Used

Port type Port # Type

• FTP 21/20 TCP

• SSH (only SSH v2 is supported)22 TCP

•Telnet 23 TCP

• HTTP 80 TCP

• HTTPS/SSL 443 TCP

• ICSP 1319 UDP/TCP

• integration! Solutions 10500 TCP

Preparing the NI-4100 for Serial Communication

To establish serial communication with the Controller via the PROGRAM (DB9) port:

1. Use a Serial DB9 cable (i.e. CC-COM Programming Port Cable - not included)
to connect the Controller’s Program port to a DB9 port on a PC.

2. Launch NetLinx Studio 2.x (default location is Start > Programs >
AMX Control Disc > NetLinx Studio 2 > NetLinx Studio 2).

3. Select Settings > Master Communication Settings, from the menu bar, to
open the Master Communication Settings dialog box.

4. Click the Communications Settings button to open the Communications
Settings dialog.

5. Click the NetLinx Master radio button (from the Platform Selection section) to
indicate you are working with a NetLinx Master.

6. Click the Serial radio button (from the Transport Connection Option section) to
indicate you are connecting to the Master via a COM port.

7. Click the Edit Settings button (on the Communications Settings dialog) to
open the Serial Settings dialog and set the COM port parameters (used to
communicate to the NetLinx Master).

8. Click OK to close all dialogs and return to the main application.

9. Right-click the Online Tree tab entry and select Refresh System: the

Controller should appear in the Device Tree. If not, verify that the Serial cable
is connected properly, and that the Baud Rate settings on the Controller (set
via the Program Port DIP Switch) match the settings in NetLinx Studio.

Once Serial communication has been established, use NetLinx Studio to configure
the Controller for Ethernet Communication, as described below.

Configuring the NI-4100 for Ethernet Communication

Before continuing, complete the COM port steps above.

1. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Controller to the LAN to which the PC
running NetLinx Studio is connected.

Note: The NI-x100 Controllers feature an Auto MDI/MDI-X Ethernet port. This
provides the option of using either a standard (straight through), or a crossover
Ethernet cable to communicate with a PC - both cable types will work.

2. Select Diagnostics > Network Address from the menu bar and enter the
System, Device (0 for a Master), and Host Name information.

3. To configure the Address:

• Use a DHCP Address by selecting the Use DHCP radio button, then click the

GET IP button (to obtain a DHCP Address from the DHCP Server), click the
SET IP Information button (to retain the new address), and then finish the pro-

cess by clicking the Reboot Master > OK buttons.

• Use a Static IP Address by selecting the Specify IP Address radio button,
enter the IP parameters into the available fields, then click the SET IP
Information button (to retain the pre-reserved IP Address to the Master), and
then click the Reboot Master > OK buttons to finish the process.

4. Repeat steps 1 - 5 from the previous section, but rather than selecting the
Serial option, choose TCP/IP and edit the settings to match the IP Address you
are using (Static or IP).

5. Click on the Authentication Required radio box (if the Master is secured) and
press the User Name and Password button to enter a valid username and
password being used by the secured Master.

6. Click the OK to close all dialogs and return to the main application.

Onboard WebConsole

NetLinx Masters have a built-in WebConsole that allows you to make various
configuration settings via a web browser on any PC that has access to the Master.
The webconsole consists of a series of web pages that are collectively called the
"Master Configuration Manager".

Accessing the WebConsole

From any PC that has access to the LAN that the target Master resides on:

1. Open a web browser and type the IP Address of the target Master in the
Address Bar.

2. Press Enter to access WebConsole for that Master. The initial view is the
WebControl page.

Additional Documentation

Additional Documentation for the N1-4100 is available at www.amx.com.

For full warranty information, refer to the AMX Instruction Manual(s) associated with your Product(s).

©2009 AMX. All rights reserved. AMX and the AMX logo are registered trademarks of AMX.

3000 RESEARCH DRIVE, RICHARDSON, TX 75082 • 800.222.0193 • fax [phone] • technical support 800.932.6993 • www.amx.com

AMX reserves the right to alter specifications without notice at any time.

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