MSA Safety FS-8704-21 Formerly Sierra Monitor Owner’s Manual

: June 4, 2024
: MSA Safety

Table of Contents

Description
Hardware Connections
Data Array Parameters
Server Side Configuration
References
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The Safety Company
FS-8704-21 Formerly Sierra Monitor
Owner’s Manual

**FS-8704-21 Cresnet/IP
APPLICABILITY & EFFECTIVITY**
Effective for all systems manufactured after April 2021.

Driver Revision: 1.02
Document Revision: 3. A

Description

The Cresnet/IP driver allows the FieldServer to transfer data to and from devices over Ethernet using Crestron TCP CIP protocol. This driver allows the FieldServer to communicate with Crestron Control systems or any 3rd party device supporting Crestron TCP_CIP protocol. Crestron Control systems are gateways to various other Crestron or other devices such as touch panels, keypads lighting controls, etc. This driver is based upon Crestron’s TCP_CIP Protocol Specification (OEM Version 1.17 10/6/06) and
Cresnet II packet Formats 11/18/2008. The FieldServer can be configured as a Client or Server.

Max Nodes Supported

FieldServer Mode	Nodes	Comments
Client	252	Crestron Control systems can control a maximum of 252 devices.
Server	255	FieldServer can emulate up to 255 Nodes.

Driver Scope of Supply Supplied by MSA Safety

Part #	Description
FS-8915-10	UTP cable (7 feet) for Ethernet connection
Driver Manual

Provided by the Supplier of 3 rd Party Equipment

Part #	Description
Ethernet 10/100 BaseT Switch²
Crestron Control System (CP2E)	Control System with Ethernet adapter

supporting Creston’s TCP_CIP protocol

This is further restricted to the maximum number of sockets on any FieldServer model.
Not all FieldServer models support 100BaseT. Consult the appropriate instruction manual for details of the Ethernet speed supported by specific hardware.

Hardware Connections

The FieldServer is connected to the Crestron Control system (e.g. CP2E) as shown in the connection drawing. It is possible to connect a Crestron Control system Ethernet device using the N1 or the N2 network ports. These ports just need to be configured for Cresnet/IP in the configuration file. Configure Crestron Control system according to manufacturer’s instructions. MSAMSA
Safety FS-8704-21 Formerly Sierra Monitor Safety FS-8704-21 Formerly Sierra
Monitor

Connection Notes
Cresnet/IP Servers should use TCP port 41794.

Data Array Parameters

Data Arrays are “protocol neutral” data buffers for the storage of data to be passed between protocols. It is necessary to declare the data format of each of the Data Arrays to facilitate the correct storage of the relevant data.

Section Title|
---|---
Data_Arrays
Column Title| Function| Legal Values
Data_Array_Name| Provide name for Data Array.| Up to 15 alphanumeric characters
Data_Array_Format| Provide data format. Each Data Array can only take on one format.| Float, Bit, Byte, Uint16,
Uint32, Sint16, Sint32
Data_Array_Length| A number of Data Objects. Must be larger than the data storage area required by the Map Descriptors for the data being placed in this array.| 1-10000

Example

// Data Arrays| |
---|---|---
Data_Arrays| |
Data_Array_Name| , Data_Array_Format| , Data_Array_Length
DA_AI_01| , Float| , 200
DA_AO_01| , Float6| , 200
DA_DI_01| , Bit| , 200
DA_DO_01| , Bit| , 200

Client Side Configuration
For detailed information on FieldServer configuration, refer to the FieldServer Configuration Manual. The information that follows describes how to expand upon the factory defaults provided in the configuration files included with the FieldServer (See “.csv” sample files provided with the FieldServer).
This section documents and describes the parameters necessary for configuring the FieldServer to communicate with a Cresnet/IP Server.
The configuration file tells the FieldServer about its interfaces, and the routing of data required. In order to enable the FieldServer for Cresnet/IP communications, the driver-independent FieldServer buffers need to be declared in the “Data Arrays” section, the destination device addresses need to be declared in the “ClientSide Nodes” section, and the data required from the Servers need to be mapped in the “Client Side MapDescriptors” section. Details on how to do this can be found below.
NOTE: In the tables below, * indicates an optional parameter, and bold legal values are defaults.

Client Side Connection Descriptions

Section Title|
---|---
Connections
Column Title| Function| Legal Values
Adapter| Adapter Name| N1-N2, WLAN3
Protocol| Specify protocol used.| Cresnet/IP

Example

// Client Side Connections

Connections
Adapter| , Protocol
N1| , Cresnet/IP

Client Side Node Descriptors

Section Title|
---|---
Nodes
Column Title| Function| Legal Values
Node_Name| Provide name for Node.| Up to 32 alphanumeric characters
Node_ID| IP_ID of the target device. Use Crestron tools to find the IP_ID in the Controller’s IP_Table.| 3-254
Protocol| Specify the protocol used.| Cresnet/IP, Cresnet
Adapter| Specify on which port the device is connected to the FieldServer.| N1-N2, WLAN3
IP_Address| IP address of the remote Crestron device.| The decimal representation of IP Address

Example

// Consumer (Passive Client) Side Nodes

Not all ports shown are necessarily supported by the hardware. Consult the appropriate instruction manual for details of the ports available on specific hardware.
Client Side Map Descriptors
FieldServer Related Map Descriptor Parameters

Column Title	Function	Legal Values
Map_Descriptor_Name	Name of this Map Descriptor.	Up to 32 alphanumeric

characters
Data_Array_Name| Name of Data Array where data is to be stored in the FieldServer.| One of the Data Array names from “Data Array” section above
Data_Array_Offset| Starting location in Data Array.| 0 to maximum specified in “Data Array” section above
function| The function of Client Map Descriptor Rdbc to check the heartbeat of target device. If Passive; the driver can accept join updates. If Wrbx; driver can send join updates.| RBC, Passive, Wrbx

Driver Related Map Descriptor Parameters

Column Title	Function	Legal Values
Node_Name	Name of Node to fetch data from.	One of the node names specified

in the Node section
Length| A number of continuous joins starting with the join number as specified under the “Address” parameter.| 1 , 2, 3 … etc.
Data_Type| Specify Flag for Digital join, Register for Analog join, – for Rdbc.| Flag, Register, –
Address*| Starting join number of this block of joins.| 0 ,1, 2, 3 … etc.

Timing Parameters

Column Title	Function	Legal Values
Scan_Interval	The rate at which HeartBeat request will be send to target
device	≥0.001s

Map Descriptor Example
One Rdbc Map Descriptor is required per Node to start communication and to check the heartbeat of the target device. Passive Map Descriptors are required to accept and tore join updates from the target device. Web Map Descriptors are required to send join updates to the target device.

// Client Side Map Descriptors

In the above example:

Data_Array_Name – Data processed by this Map Descriptor is stored in this The Data Array holds the data fetched from the target device. The HeartBeat Data Array value will be incremented each time the FieldServer receives a heartbeat response.
Function – Rdbc (read continuously) is used to check the HeartBeat of the target device as well as for startup data synchronization. Passive Map Descriptors store analog or digital join data. When another protocol (e.g. Modbus) updates a location in a Data Array associated with Wrbx, a corresponding join update will be sent to the target device.
Node_Name – One of the Nodes defined in the Node

Server Side Configuration

For detailed information on FieldServer configuration, refer to the FieldServer Configuration Manual. The information that follows describes how to expand upon the factory defaults provided in the configuration files included with the FieldServer (see “.csv” sample files provided with the FieldServer).
The configuration file tells the FieldServer about its interfaces, and the routing of data required. In order to enable the FieldServer for Cresnet/IP communications, the driver-independent FieldServer buffers need to be declared in the “Data Arrays” section, the FieldServer virtual node(s) needs to be declared in the “Server Side Nodes” section, and he data to be provided to the Clients must be mapped in the “Server Side Map Descriptors” section. Details on how to do this can be found below.
NOTE: In the tables below, * indicates an optional parameter with the bold legal value as default.
Server Side Connection Parameters

Section Title|
---|---
Connections
Column Title| Function| Legal Values
Adapter| Adapter Name.| N1-N2, WLAN4
Protocol| Specify protocol used.| Cresnet/IP
CRNT_Server*| Allows the user to specify the device is emulating a Cresnet Server. Normally, the Client starts communication and the Server listens for communication. In the same context, CRNT_SERVER specifies if the FieldServer should act as a Client or Server.
NOTE: If an error occurs, create an FS Toolbox capture with the CRNT_SERVER set to “Yes”.| Yes, –

Example

// Producer(Active Server) Side Nodes

Not all ports shown are necessarily supported by the hardware. Consult the appropriate instruction manual for details of the ports available on specific hardware.
Server Side Map Descriptor Parameters
FieldServer Specific Map Descriptor Parameters

Column Title	Function	Legal Values
Map_Descriptor_Name	Name of this Map Descriptor.	Up to 32 alphanumeric

characters
Data_Array_Name| Name of Data Array where data is to be stored in the FieldServer.| One of the Data Array names from the “Data Array” section above
Data_Array_Offset| Starting location in Data Array.| 0 to (Data_Array_Length-1) as specified in the “Data_Array” section
Function| The function of Server Map Descriptor. If Passive; the driver can accept join updates. If Wrbx; the driver can send join updates.| Passive, Wrbx

Server Side Map Descriptor Parameters
FieldServer Specific Map Descriptor Parameters

Column Title	Function	Legal Values
Node_Name	Name of Node to which data is sent.	One of the Node names

Driver Specific Map Descriptor Parameters

Column Title	Function	Legal Values
Node_Name	Name of Node to which data is sent.	One of the Node names

Map Descriptor Example
Individual Map Descriptors need to be created to provide/accept analog or digital join update information. Passive Map Descriptors are used to accept join updates, and Wrbx Map descriptors are used to send join updates.

// Server Side Map Descriptors

In the above example:

Data_Array_Offset – The Data Array where the joined data will be stored.
Function – Passive Map Descriptors store analog or digital join data. When another protocol (e.g. Modbus) updates a location in a Data Array associated with Wrbx, a corresponding join update will be sent to the target device.
Node_Name – One of the Nodes defined in the Node section.

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