Protocols

Protocols

There are typically three network protocols that are used to integrate the four programs that are internal to Niagara (see Types of NiagaraAX programs):

Fox

is the proprietary TCP/IP protocol used for station-to-station and workbench-to-station communication.

HTTP

is the standard protocol used by web browsers to access web pages from a station.

Niagarad

is the proprietary protocol used for workbench-to-daemon communication.

Niagara's design goal is to integrate cleanly with all networks and protocols. The Niagara software suite implements a highly efficient adaptation of the JavaBean component software model and Internet technologies to provide true interoperability across a wide range of automation products. The Niagara object model can be used to integrate a wide range of physical devices, controllers, and primitive control applications including lonMark profiles, BACnet objects, and legacy control points. The architecture supports future enhancements by allowing legacy systems to be brought forward, where they can readily adopt new standards, solutions, and applications.

Enterprise-level software standards include Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and others. These standards provide the foundation on which to build solutions that allow information to be shared between the control system and the enterprise information system.