Secure Connect Q&A: Bernhard Isler and David Fisher
We recently hosted a webinar on BACnet Secure Connect (BACnet/SC) with special guests Bernhard Isler from Siemens and David Fisher from PolarSoft, two main figures behind BACnet/SC. We talked about why BACnet/SC was developed, and how it will affect everyday users. As expected, we got a ton of audience questions, on everything from hubs to […]
Introduction to BACnet Secure Connect
Everyone’s growing more aware of the need for cybersecurity. There have been so many cyberattacks in recent years, that it’s almost impossible to ignore. But there’s long been a view that cybersecurity is only an IT issue. Historically, building automation with BACnet has taken a different approach to cybersecurity, leading to confusion. That’s changing in […]
What is Modbus?
BACnet gets compared to a lot of other protocols on the market, including LonWorks, Modbus, and KNX. Over the next few articles, we’re explaining how each of these protocols are different, and how they stack up against each other. In this post, find out about Modbus. Modbus is a communications protocol that was developed by […]
What is LonWorks?
BACnet gets compared to a lot of other protocols on the market, including LonWorks, Modbus, and KNX. Over the next few articles, we’re explaining how each of these protocols are different, and how they stack up against each other. In this post, we’ll dig into LonWorks. LonWorks is the proprietary protocol from Motorola/Echelon that regulates […]
The Internet Layer, Explained
IT and Operational Technology (OT) are merging more as the Internet of Things grows in prominence. This collaboration between IT and OT is great, but there are still gaps in understanding that keep these worlds from fully working together. To help, we teamed up with Distech Controls to create a webinar series on networking, for […]
What Does BACnet Topology Look Like?
What defines a BACnet network? There are certain essentials you can expect to find on a basic BACnet network, according to KMC Controls: “A simple network requires only two or more controllers, an operator workstation and network wiring.” Many physical topologies can be used to design your BACnet/IP networks. The really important part to understand […]
BACnet Web Services Explained: A Quick Guide for OT Professionals
BACnet Web Services is a standardized system that helps facilities managers integrate different types of information to understand their building and network. Traditionally, this would have to be done through a gateway that converts to a native protocol, such as BACnet. Now, you can do it all with one common service. BACnet Web Services was […]
4 Reasons Why Should You Use the BACnet Protocol?
We wrote a whole whitepaper on why you should use BACnet, interviewing thought leaders and technicians throughout the industry. To give you the Coles notes, here are a few pros and cons of BACnet. Want to know more? Check out our Ultimate BACnet FAQ. Pros of Using BACnet Cons of Using BACnet Overall though, BACnet is […]
What is BACnet?
BACnet is a communications protocol that governs how your building automation devices work together. Think of it as a language: the rules that guide how devices communicate, just like vocabulary and grammar dictate how we talk to each other. BACnet’s special because it’s a vendor-neutral standard. In the days before the BACnet era (BBE), protocols […]
What Makes a Master Systems Integrator So Essential?
MSIs and SIs: The definitions, the differences, and the future of integration I hear a lot of confusion in the industry about the difference between MSIs and SIs. People don’t know why they should hire a system integrator versus a master systems integrator. Well, there’s certainly space for both MSIs and SIs in the industry […]
