The New button in the Driver Manager allows you to add a new driver network to the station. This is equivalent to copying a driver network component from that driver’s palette. The New dialog provides a selection list for network type, and also the number of networks to add (Figure 7).

Figure 7. New dialog in Driver Manager

Currently, you are allowed to add multiples of any driver network, as well as any network type (regardless of the station’s host platform). However, please understand that many networks should be “one-only” per station, e.g. a NiagaraNetwork and BacnetNetwork. Also, consider that networks shown in the selection list reflect only the modules available on your Workstation, and may not be present (or supported) on the target NiagaraAX host.

The Edit button in the Driver Manager allows you to rename a selected network, or to set it to disabled (Figure 8).

Figure 8. Edit dialog in Driver Manager

Whenever you set a network to disabled (Enabled = false), the network component and all child driver components (all devices, proxy points, etc.) change to disabled status. If a field bus driver, communications routines like polling and device status pings also suspend. By default, disabled status color is gray text on a light gray background. This network-wide action may be useful for maintenance purposes. Note that Enabled is also individually available at the device-level and proxy point-level, using the Edit button/dialog in the Device Manager or Point Manager, respectively.A disable at the device-level disables all child (proxy points), as well as polling to that points under that device. A disable at the proxy-point level disables the single point.