Issue
BACnet requires applications to listen on the same port across the IP subnet to receive BACnet discovery broadcasts. Two applications running on the same machine can not use the same port as the Listening Port.
Product Line
EcoStruxure Building Operation, Continuum, TAC I/A Series
Environment
- Building Operation Enterprise Server
- I/A Series WorkPlace Tech
- Continuum Cyberstation
Cause
The site can not provide a separate machine or VM for each BACnet application, which is recommended for independent operation.
Resolution
With this configuration, one application will act as BBMD to receive and distribute BACnet Broadcast Messages. The other application will act as a Foreign Device, relying on BBMD to relay BACnet Broadcast messages. Once BACnet devices and the Application, configured as Foreign Device, have shared their IP and Port, messages between them will be unicast and will not pass through the BBMD.
- Ensure one application can be configured as a BACnet BBMD and the other as a Foreign Device.
- Configure one as BBMD, usually EBO Enterprise Server
- Configure the other application as a Foreign Device referencing the BBMD IP and Port
