Busmaster
The Busmaster is responsible for the connection to the measurement and control devices. The terms multisys-BM and Busmaster are often used interchangeably. However, the multisys-BM is a piece of hardware with Busmaster software installed, whereas “Busmaster” refers exclusively to the software.
Depending on the licence option, up to 300 devices can be managed. As a rule, the Busmaster software runs on hardware from the multisys product family that has been specifically designed for this task. From version 4.7 onwards, the software can also be installed on customer systems.
Optionally (licence option), the Busmaster can also act as an OPC client and OPC server. However, the OPC server function is limited solely to providing instantaneous values from connected eBus devices. Both DA and UA are supported. As an OPC client, the Busmaster supports meter reading collection and instantaneous values.
The Busmaster has the following responsibilities:
- Location-based assignment of measuring instruments to the visual energy topology.
- Creation and configuration of bus segments.
- Creation and configuration of bus participants (eBus / Modbus RTU / Modbus TCP / OPC DA client / OPC UA client).
- eBus OPC server and/or client (licence option)
- Time synchronisation: Client for NTP time servers; synchronise device times according to the respective location’s time zone.
- Energy data cache: Cyclical reading and processing of energy data from connected measuring devices.
- EDIFACT Client: Responding to ORDERS messages with MSCONS data responses.
- Location-based synchronisation: synchronise switch groups, execute schedules.
Given the key roles played by the Busmasters, you should use the monitoring functions to check that they are operating correctly.
Properties
Name/Designation/Title | A meaningful text entry. The designation is used for identification and search purposes and can be changed at any time. |
Language | The language selection is used to display the relevant objects in the selected language. As a rule, the language setting of the logged-in user is used. For language-specific output by the system where no user is logged in or can be assigned, the language setting of the project or location is used. |
Time zone | Measurement and energy data are processed and stored internally in universal UTC time. In evaluations, these are then displayed in the appropriate local time, depending on whether they are associated with a location or a project. Charts may contain channels with different time zones. A time zone is therefore specified in the chart properties. |
Busmaster | Text – An IP address or DNS name through which the Busmaster can be reached. |
SMTP server | The IP address or DNS name via which the SMTP mail server can be accessed. |
SMTP port | Number – the port number of the connection. Default values:
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SSL encryption | Yes / No – Should SSL encryption be used? |
Waiting time / Timeout | Number – The time, in milliseconds, to wait for a server connection. |
Authentication | Yes / No – Should authentication be used? This is specified by the mail server. When using authentication, a username and a password must be provided. |
Sender | Text – A valid email address, which the system will use as the sender’s address. To avoid receiving replies, it is advisable to set up “donotreply” mailboxes on the mail server. |
Recipient | Text – Valid email addresses used by the system as recipient addresses. The individual addresses can be separated by semicolons. |