Overview Controller Server PC


The Server PC is a more powerful variant of the standard controller for large projects with up to 16000 addresses. It is a fanless industrial PC.


Commissioning

By default, the PC is delivered with the network setting DHCP. If a DHCP server is present in the network, it automatically receives an IP address and is found automatically by the programming software.

Alternatively, the controller has a second static IP address via which the controller can also be reached if no DHCP server is present in the network. The IP address is "172.31.1.100"; to connect to the controller, you must assign the PC an IP address from the same range, for example 172.31.1.200. Please note that if the controller is set to DHCP, a DHCP server must also be present in the network. The second static IP address is only used for configuration and not for continuous operation; if no DHCP server is available, DHCP must therefore always be switched off.

Tip: To reset the IP address and the project, the PC can be started with a USB stick on which there is a file named

"779f-b501-0d24-414d-8233-0785-33fb-a9ee.txt"

If the controller detects a USB stick with this file, the IP address and project are reset, the file is deleted and it is automatically restarted.


Web interface

The controller has a web interface in which various settings can be made without having to use the programming software. For example, the IP address can be set via the web interface with a browser, so that even technicians not familiar with the controller can make changes when the network changes.


If you use the static IP address, enter 172.31.1.100 in the browser; the user name and password are then requested, the user name is "admin" and the password "z-server", each without quotation marks. After entering the access data, the main menu is displayed.


Runtime Info

On the Runtime Info page, general information about the controller is displayed.




Serialnumber
 The serial number is used for the unique identification of the controller. This is not the same serial number that is printed on the controller. This number is a so-called GUID; since this number is also used for service access, it is generated separately for each controller and cannot be guessed by counting up.
License
 If the controller is licensed, License OK is displayed here.
Runtime
 Version of the runtime
Systemimage
 Version of the system image


Network settings

On this page the network settings are managed



Local IP Address


DHCP
 Switch between static IP address and DHCP.
IP Address
 Static IP address
Mask
 Network mask
Gateway
 Default gateway
DNS
 DNS server

Click on "Save" to save the settings. After changing the settings, the controller must be restarted via the Reboot page.

Virtual IP Address

In addition to the standard network settings, a virtual static IP address can be specified. If, for example, no DHCP server is available, the controller can be reached via this IP address. The IP address is "172.31.1.100". Please note that if the controller is set to DHCP, a DHCP server must also be present in the network; if no DHCP is available in the network, DHCP must therefore always be switched off and a fixed IP address assigned. The IP address "172.31.1.100" must also not collide with the network; if the network in which the controller is operated is also "172.31.1.", the virtual IP address should be changed.



IP Address Static IP address
Mask Network mask
Gateway Default gateway. If no gateway is present for the virtual IP (for example when no VLAN is used), the field must be left empty; this is also the default setting.

Click on "Save" to save the settings. After changing the settings, the controller must be restarted via the Reboot page.

Software Update

On this page a software update of the runtime is carried out.


Start update via Internet
 With this function the update is started via the Internet. If the controller is connected to the Internet, the latest version is always loaded via the update server. The VPN does not have to be active for this.
Manual
 With this function the runtime can be installed manually, for example if no Internet is available or if you want to install an older version.
Tip: Only update the controller if there is a reason to do so, for example bug fixes or new features. If the system runs without problems, there is no need for an update.


Change Password

On this page the password is changed. Important: Only the password for the web interface is changed; the password for the project remains unchanged.



System Time

On this page the system time and NTP server are set.


Manual
 With this function the system time can be set manually.
NTP Server
 Time servers from which the PC gets the time. They are taken over with "Save NTP Server". Unlike on the standard controller there is no switch for automatic synchronization here - the PC keeps the time up to date by itself. Alternative NTP servers can be set here.


Enable/disable VPN

On this page the service VPN is activated / deactivated. With this VPN service, the controller automatically connects to the manufacturer's server via a secure VPN connection. Support can access the controller via this connection. This connection can also be used to connect to the controller via the APP without DNS. For this, registration with email and password is required.


In order to use this function, the controller must be able to access the Internet and VPN connections must not be blocked by a firewall.



Enable VPN
 Activate VPN. After activation it may take some time until the connection has been established; you can check the status on the "Test Internet connection" page.
Tips:
  • If you allow external access to the controller, the default password should be changed.
  • If you do not use the service VPN and want to connect from outside, the use of your own VPN is recommended instead of port forwarding.
  • In principle, there can always be security vulnerabilities with connections over the Internet, so the VPN should only be activated when needed, for example for support.
  • The VPN internally uses a network address with 10.10x.0.0/16; this must not collide with the local network.


Test Internet connection

On this page it is checked whether the Internet services used are reachable.


Email Server
 Server for sending emails. This test only tests the manufacturer's server. If an alternative mail server has been configured, it is not tested.
VPN Server reachable
 VPN server reachable in principle; this is the prerequisite for a VPN connection to be established at all.
VPN connected
 VPN connection successfully established.


Further pages of the web interface

The following pages behave like on the standard controller, where they are described in detail:

Enable/disable KNX IP-Gateway Switches the internal KNX IP gateway on and off, see there.
Enable/disable MQTT Broker Switches the internal MQTT broker on and off, see there. The restrictions of the standard controller (industrial memory card, fan) do not apply to the PC.
Enable/disable node-RED Switches node-RED on and off, see there.
Backup USB Saves the data onto a USB stick and restores it from there, optionally daily and automatically, see there.
Backup GDAS The same through the online portal of the manufacturer, a token is needed for it, see there.
Files Shows the stored files; they can be downloaded and deleted. Unlike on the standard controller there is no uploading of files through the web interface here.
Status Uptime since the last start, CPU frequency, load and temperature, memory, usage of the storage medium as well as the current IP addresses.
Reboot Restarts the PC with "Reboot controller now".

Differences to the standard controller at a glance: