Network engines perform a key role in the Metasys system architecture. These network engines provide network management and system-wide control coordination over one or more networks of equipment controllers, including the following Metasys equipment controllers:
- General Purpose Application MS/TP Controllers (CGMs)
- General Purpose Application Ethernet Controllers (CGEs)
- VAV Box MS/TP Controllers (CVMs)
- VAV Box Ethernet Controllers (CVEs)
- Field Equipment Controllers (FECs) and Advanced Application Field Equipment Controllers (FACs)
- Variable Air Volume Modular Assembly (VMA) Controllers
- Terminal Equipment Controllers (TECs)
- LN series equipment controllers
- Legacy Metasys controllers, such as Unitary (UNT) controllers, Variable Air Volume Assembly (VMA14xx) controllers, and DX-9100 controllers
- Third-party equipment controllers
The network engines can be networked together for scaling up on large projects, and they can be networked with an ADS, ADX, or OAS for additional functionality and site unification.
Network engines provide building control scheduling, alarm and event management, energy management, data exchange, historical data storage and management, and custom control logic. Network engines include an embedded user interface called the Site Management Portal (SMP). Users access the SMP for system navigation and operation using web browser connections. Network engines are secured from unauthorized access using password protection and permission access control as well as IT security best practices.
In addition to providing general comprehensive equipment monitoring and control, network engines also offer specialized capabilities by series, model, and software release to meet a variety of application requirements. The network engines are identified by three types:
Small-capacity engines
- Network Automation Engines: NAE35 and NAE45
- SNE Series of Network Engines: SNE1050x and
SNE1100xNote: The SNE1050x model succeeds the NAE35 model and the SNE1100x model succeeds the NAE45 model of engines.
- Network Control Engine: NCE25
- SNC Series of Network Control Engines: SNC2515x-0, SNC2515x-0H,
SNC2515x-04, SNC2515x-04H, SNC1612x-0, SNC1612x-0H,
SNC1612x-04, and SNC1612x-04H
Note: The SNC models succeed the NCE25 models of engines.
Large-capacity engines
- Network Automation Engine: NAE55
- SNE Series of Network Engines: SNE2200xNote: The SNE2200x succeeds the NAE55 model of engines.
Software-only engines
- Network Automation Engine: NAE85
NAEs provide network supervisor capabilities and IP network connectivity. NCEs also provide network supervisor capabilities and IP network connectivity, but also feature the I/O point connectivity and direct digital control capabilities of an FEC. NIEs are variants of NAEs and NCEs that include legacy and third-party device integration capabilities.