VESDA and VESDAnet
TCP/IP Connectivity for
Remote Access
Application Note
May 2008
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VESDA® VESDA and VESDAnet TCP/IP Connectivity for Remote Access
Preface
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This Application Note provides guidance on VESDA and VESDAnet TCP/IP connectivity for
remote access via the use of a Serial-to-Ethernet Device (S2ED).
Related Products
Related products are as follows:
• All VESDA detectors
• VESDA High Level Interface (HLI)
• VSC
• VSM4
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TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol & Internet Protocol
Copyright ©2008 Xtralis AG
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VESDA and VESDAnet TCP/IP Connectivity for Remote Access PROACTIV®
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VESDA® VESDA and VESDAnet TCP/IP Connectivity for Remote Access
Introduction
The use of a Serial-to-Ethernet Device (S2ED) allows the configuration, monitoring and control of
VESDA detectors or VESDAnet devices over LAN, WAN or IP networks.
Ethernet and other IP networks have become an essential part of facility infrastructure. It is
common to find Ethernet networks throughout modern buildings, and Internet or private wide area
networking is a popular means of providing remote access to many building services.
The use of powerful VESDA system configuration and management software with reliable TCP/IP
networking provides remote maintenance tools that improve operational efficiency and reduce the
costs associated with on-site visits. The cost savings accessed by utilizing VESDAnet
communications over wide area or local area TCP/IP networks can be significant.
VESDA connectivity over Ethernet is useful in the following applications:
• Large and campus site monitoring
• Remote site management and maintenance
• Campus integration
• Unmanned or inaccessible sites
VESDA and S2ED
VESDA detectors can be divided into two categories in terms of their serial communications:
1. RS485 VESDAnet-capable detectors such as VLP, VLS and VLC-VN where a HLI is required
to interface with the S2ED;
2. RS232-capable detectors such as VLF, VLT, VLC-RO and VLC Addressable Loop Detectors,
which can be directly interfaced with the S2ED.
As shown in the figure below, the RS232 serial communications from a HLI or a VESDA detector is
connected to one end of the S2ED, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection on the other end
provides connection to a TCP/IP network.
Figure 1: Illustration of the connectivity of VESDA detectors and
VESDAnet with the VSM4 software over a TCP/IP network
The monitoring device on the TCP/IP network used to configure, monitor or control the VESDA
detector or VESDAnet devices could be placed virtually at any location and may be:
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VESDA and VESDAnet TCP/IP Connectivity for Remote Access VESDA®
• A PC running VESDA System Configurator (VSC), VESDA System Management (VSM4) or
custom third party computer software, or
• A dedicated system or device programmed to perform such a purpose.
Network Considerations
Configuration
Typically the monitoring device would be placed within a secured LAN or WAN network, and the
VESDA detector or VESDAnet devices would be located at a remote site, accessible over the LAN,
WAN or the IP networks.
When connected on the same LAN/WAN, the monitoring device and the S2ED should be assigned
static IP addresses. The matter is complicated when the monitoring device connects with VESDA
detector or VESDAnet devices over the Internet. A static, routable, public IP address is required
for the S2ED and the monitoring device, either assigned directly or translated to a non-routable,
private IP address via the firewall or router.
Note: Your IT administrator must be consulted. Ask for assistance to assign IP addresses and
make access through firewall available.
Low Network Security
Assign public, routable, static IP addresses to the S2ED and the monitoring device, do not make
part of the corporate network and do not introduce a firewall into the configuration.
Medium/High Network Security
This is the most common configuration. Incorporate a firewall into the network. Assign public,
routable (or private, non-routable) static IP addresses to the S2ED and monitoring device and map
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them to corresponding public, routable, static IP addresses in the firewall or router NAT
configuration, a feature provided on most firewalls to provide a secure interface.
Very High Network Security
Incorporate a firewall into the network. Assign private, non-routable, static IP addresses to the
S2ED and the monitoring device. Create a secure tunnel between the corporate network and the
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remote site using a VPN . Ensure the VPN will not be affected by inactivity disconnects which are
common on remote office Internet connections.
Choice of S2ED and configuration
There are a large number of S2ED manufacturers to choose from. Xtralis makes no representation
regarding the quality or reliability of third party manufactured products.
Xtralis has conducted considerable small and medium size network performance testing with
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MOXA NPort 5110 S2ED over LAN, WAN and Internet connections. For details of set up and
configuration of this device please refer to latest revision of VSM4 Product Guide (Xtralis Document
Number 11885).
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NAT: Network Address Translation
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VPN: Virtual Private Network
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www.moxa.com
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VESDA® VESDA and VESDAnet TCP/IP Connectivity for Remote Access
Additional Considerations
MOXA supply the NPort 5110 S2ED with driver “NPort Administrator”, which allows a maximum of
255 COM Ports to be set up and configured. This limits the number of connections available in
VSC/VSM4 to 255. This will meet the need of most customers in most regions.
However, should you need to have access to more than 255 COM Ports to allow for configuration,
monitoring and control of geographically dispersed remote VESDA installations in excess of 255,
then it is advised that you use MOXA driver “NPort Windows Driver Manager”, which is available as
a free download from MOXA’s website (i.e. drvmgr_setup_Ver1.6_Build_07082417_WHQL). This
driver is capable for supporting up to 4096 COM Ports. This translates to 4096 connections being
available in VSC/VSM4.
Additional Support
Xtralis is happy to provide consultative advice to support design of complex networks, however
Xtralis takes no responsibility for the reliability or performance of products not manufactured by
Xtralis.
For further information please contact an Xtralis office or e-mail Technical Support at
www.xtralis.com.
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VESDA and VESDAnet TCP/IP Connectivity for Remote Access VESDA®
Disclaimer on the Provision of General System Design
Recommendations
Any recommendation on system design provided by Xtralis is an indication only of what is
considered to be the most suitable solution to meet the needs of the common application
environments described.
In some cases the recommendations on system design provided may not suit the unique set of
conditions experienced in a particular application environment. Xtralis has made no inquiry nor
undertaken any due diligence that any of the recommendations supplied will meet any particular
application. Xtralis makes no warranty as to the suitability or performance of any recommendation
on system design. Xtralis has not assessed the recommendation on system design for compliance
with any codes or standards that may apply nor have any tests been conducted to assess the
appropriateness of any recommendations on system design. Any person or organization accessing
or using a recommendation on system design should, at its own cost and expense, procure that the
recommendation on system design complies in all respects with the provision of all legislation, acts
of government, regulations, rules and by-laws for the time being in force and all orders or directions
which may be made or given by any statutory or any other competent authority in respect of or
affecting the recommendation on system design in any jurisdiction in which it may be implemented.
Xtralis products must only be installed, configured and used strictly in accordance with the General
Terms and Conditions, User Manual and product documents available from Xtralis. Xtralis accepts
no liability for the performance of the recommendation on system design or for any products
utilized in the implementation of the recommendation on system design, aside from the General
Terms and Conditions, User Manual and product documents.
No statement of fact, drawing or representation made by Xtralis either in this document or orally in
relation to this recommendation on system design is to be construed as a representation,
undertaking or warranty.
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limited to, loss of profit or goodwill or similar financial loss or any payment made or due to any third
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Recommendations on system design are provided exclusively to assist in design of systems using
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