CNI (5500CN) vs CNI2 (5500CN2)

Hi.

Does anyone know if there is any significant difference between these ?

I've has a 5500CN on my network for years, used for programming via toolkit, and connected to C-Gate running on a virtual machine, allowing a number of other devices to interface via C-Gate.

I've found the CNI appears to be dying in recent days. C-Gate connection fails and it needs to be restarted to connect again, works for minutes to days, then same again. Has previously been stable for about 6 years.

I planned to just replace it, but noted an apparent new model seems to have replaced the previous device. Any significant difference ?

Hopefully the web interface has been updated, given the hassles you now have to go through creating a Java security exception to connect to the web interface just to configure or reboot it.

Thanks

 

Have you tried replacing the power supply? A flaky power supply will produce the symptoms you list. It's just a 12V DC (or AC) 500mA plug pack.

 

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

I initially thought of that and checked the voltage, which showed 12V, so I assumed it was OK. But I'll swap it for a new one if you think that's worth trying.

 

It would have been nice to have the option of PoE to power the Ethernet side of the new CNI.

Ingo

 

I would have to agree and disagree with you on this one Ashleigh.

I agree that it is hard to satisfy everyone and there are many cases where you can buy a model with either/or, but after building a few devices myself with POE I have found that the cost of an off the shelf POE shield that I can put on a board with little effort is really not that expensive. Add a couple extra components and you can have both, POE and external power supplies, even in a redundant configuration.

Unless you are really trying to make your device small and discrete I think in this day and age where the majority of IT installs now have POE switches it is a little old school to say that they just cause trouble and are too costly.

In saying that unless I have the option with a device to have both, I will usually go for the model with the external supply, so all I have to carry is one model for all sites.

 

+1 jboer. I even have my little Arduino running over PoE and No, I don't have any separate injectors. I made the descision a while ago to replace my network infrastructure with PoE and now almost everything I use runs on PoE. Look, it doesn't bug me, it's just like you said, it's a bit backward not offering it and it's a hassle to have separate PSU's for all devices not using PoE.

This little gem has more than enough power, I am sure you can fit an even smaller one. It even has 1.5KV isolation.

http://arduino.cc/en/uploads/Main/PoE-datasheet.pdf

Suggestion: Make the CNI front/back cover removable and make this module 'pluggable' somehow. Sell the CNI as PoE or non-PoE and then offer it as an aftermarket 'upgrade'.

Ingo

 

Follow Up

Well, I tried a new PSU. but had the same problems.

Managed to get a 5500CN2 from a local distributor and swapped it in. Working fine ever since, so I guess the original was dying (and as suggested by ashleigh, it works just the same, but appears to have different internals - also seems a bit faster).

Thanks.

P.S. My 2c on PoE - I really like PoE for solving remote device problems - once you bite the bullet and put in some PoE switches, you use them for heaps in a geek home (I use PoE IP cameras, wireless access points, GlobalCache interfaces), but I figure on a DIN rack (where a C-Bus CNI usually goes), there's usually power available nearby.

Cheers

 

And that is why Clipsal is still the benchmark everyone else is measured against - safe, reliable... it just works!

Hopefully the PoE idea is not completely dead and might be in a future product?

 

If anyone really wanted a POE power supply to a CBus interface there is always the option of a 3rd party serial device server plugged into the CBus RS232 PCI.
http://www.moxa.com/product/NPort_P5150A.htm

As an electrician, one thing I always have a bit of trouble with is the idea of installing Ethernet network cabling into an electrical switchboard.

Whatever CBus interface ends up being used, if you locate it in a data enclosure which I think is the best idea then you would also have to question whether you gain much by using POE.