Issue
What is the difference between the XIF and NXE files in any LON controller?
Environment
- LNS
- LON Controllers
- NL220
- LonMaker
Cause
There are different files related to a LON device. The XIF and NXE files have completely different purposes.
Resolution
The XIF is a text-based file that defines the device’s network image to a network management tool (e.g. Niagara, LonMaker, etc.). The XIF along with files termed device resource files (DRFs) are used by the management tools to work with the LON device. Device resource files provide definitions especially when the manufacturer has not used standard SNVT types. When requesting a shadow object from Tridium, the XIF file must be provided as a minimum. If the manufacturer has defined their own variable types, the associated set of device resource files must also be provided.
The only other alternative would be to use a dynamic device and hope that the device’s manufacturer implemented the files within the device correctly. When a dynamic device is commissioned, Niagara will upload the XIF from the device and attempt to create an object from the file’s definitions.
The NXE is an abbreviation for (Neuron Executable file). Some devices allow the user to download an NXE or new application image file that changes the operation and / or network interface of the target device. New or different application firmware can be downloaded to the Neuron. This is the way some manufacturers upgrade their devices and / or the network interface portion of the device. If the LON device can support an NXE, this would have to be provided by the device’s manufacturer.
