To use the NiagaraAX nrio driver, you must have a target JACE host that provides either onboard I/O hardware points using Nrio, such as an “M2M JACE” (JACE-x02 Express), and/or that supports external RS-485 connected I/O modules (when available). In addition, the “nrio” feature must be in the JACE’s license.

From your PC, use the Niagara Workbench 3.n.nn installed with the “installation tool” option (checkbox “This instance of Workbench will be used as an installation tool”). This option installs the needed distribution files (.dist files) for commissioning various models of remote JACE platforms. The dist files are located under your Niagara install folder in a “sw\dist” subfolder.

Included in the dist file for each JACE platform is the necessary Nrio processor software, meaning underlying files and firmware used by a host JACE to communicate with either onboard (or RS-485 connected) Nrio modules. Nrio support is automatically installed when you use the “Distribution File Installer” in a platform session with the JACE, or the distribution file option in the platform’s “Commissioning Wizard.” Note that the dist file includes many other things besides just Nrio support.

Apart from installing the 3.n.nn version of the Niagara distribution file in the JACE, make sure to install the nrio and kitIo modules too (if not already present, or upgrade if an older revision). For more details, see “About the Commissioning Wizard” in the JACE NiagaraAX Install and Startup Guide.

The kitIo module provides a “Generic Tabular” conversion selection for non-linear sensor support, plus has several types of thermistor “curve files” in its xml folder.

Following this, the remote JACE is now ready for Nrio software configuration in its running station, as described in the rest of this document. See About Nrio Architecture.

Basic procedures for using the Nrio driver, including online discovery of I/O points (and their addition to your Niagara station), is in the next section. See Nrio Quick Start.