ACM (N4) Estimating & Configuration Guide

Table of Contents
Page 2 – Alerton Part Numbers and Descriptions
Page 3 – ACM-N4 Niagara Part Numbers and Descriptions
Page 4 – ACM-N4 Niagara SMA Part Numbers and Range Chart
Page 5 – Configuration 1.1: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP Devices
Page 6 – Configuration 1.2: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP and BACnet/IP Devices
Page 7 – Configuration 1.3: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP Devices and Alerton TUX Devices
Page 8 – Configuration 1.4 Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP Devices and Alerton AXM and/or EXP Modules
Page 9 – Configuration 2.1: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU Devices
Page 10 – Configuration 2.2: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP, Lon TP, and Modbus TCP Devices
Page 11 – Configuration 3.1: No Supervisor with N4-only ACM and BACnet MS/TP Devices
Page 12 – Configuration 3.2: Niagara N4 Supervisor with N4-only ACM and BACnet MS/TP Devices
How to use this guide...
This ACM Estimating Guide is intended to be an informative collection of configuration examples to assist in estimating, appl ying,
and ordering an ACM. It is not intended to be all inclusive, but rather help in the understanding of what parts need to be es timated
and ordered to ensure success in applying the ACM.
About the ACM...
An ACM consists of multiple parts…
• Hardware – the ACM platform
• Base/Core Licenses – for managing devices using Alerton Global Controllers and/or Niagara N4 Station
• Add-on Device Packs – for extending the number of base/core licensed devices
• Option Cards – for additional network connections
• Drivers – BACnet and non-BACnet protocols for Alerton and Niagara N4
ACM Hardware
The ACM platform consists of the hardware device plus the following BACnet protocols and Alerton drivers: BACnet/Ethernet,
BACnet/IPv4, BACnet/IPv6, BACnet MS/TP; Alerton VLX (requires EIA-485 Option card) and Alerton TUX (requires TUX option card)
ACM Licenses
There are two base/core licenses that must be applied to the ACM depending on the protocols used and devices connected. An
Alerton Base License and a Niagara N4 Core License – the ACM can have either one or both licenses applied.
Alerton ACM Base License
In order to connect BACnet MS/TP devices the ACM must have an Alerton ACM Base License. There are five variants of this base
license: ACM032, ACM064, ACM128, ACM256, and ACM384. The license indicates the maximum number of MS/TP and/or Virtual
devices (TUX, Modbus, Siemens P1) that can be connected to the ACM. If the number of connected devices exceed the license lim it
the ACM will shutdown communications to all enabled MS/TP and Virtual device networks. Only one Alerton ACM Base License can
be applied to the ACM.
Niagara N4 Core License
Configuration of Niagara-based devices in the ACM requires a Niagara N4 Device Capacity Core License. There are five variants of
this core license: NC-0005-A, NC-0010-A, NC-0025-A, NC-0100-A, and NC-0200-A. The license indicates the maximum number of
devices/points you can configure within the Niagara Station. Only one Niagara N4 Device Capacity Core License can be applied to
the ACM. Refer to ACM-N4 Part Numbers & Descriptions on page 3.
The following N4 drivers are provided with a Niagara Core License - BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, Modbus RTU/TCP, and LON TP.
Niagara N4 Device Capacity Core License requires a matching N4 SMA, e.g. NC-0025-A requires the SMA-8025-1YR-INIT.
Add-on Device Packs
Base and Core licenses can be extended by applying an add -on device pack. One or more add-on device packs can be applied to a
base license to increase the number of allowed devices. The maximum number of licensed physical devices cannot exceed 384
Alerton licensed devices and/or 384 Niagara licensed devices. Total combined Alerton and Niagara licensed physical devices canno t
exceed 768 (384 Alerton + 384 Niagara). TITLE

ACM (N4)
Estimating & Configuration
Note on Pricing: Guide 16201 – 25th Avenue West
Pricing is not provided in this guide.
Lynnwood, WA 98087
Please refer to the most recent DATE
www.alerton.com
Alerton Dealer Price List. 30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Guide ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 1 OF 12 04
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION
Hardware
Ascent Control Module (no licenses) includes the following protocols drivers:
BACnet/Ethernet, BACnet/IPv4, BACnet/IPv6, BACnet MS/TP, Alerton VLX*, and Alerton TUX**.
ACM
* = ACM-OC-2X485 option card required; additional ACM-DR-VLX drivers can be purchased
** = ACM-OC-2XTUX option card required
Alerton Base Licenses (only one Alerton Base license can be applied to an ACM)
ACM032 ACM License with Alerton device capacity of 32
ACM064 ACM License with Alerton device capacity of 64
ACM128 ACM License with Alerton device capacity of 128
ACM256 ACM License with Alerton device capacity of 256
ACM384 ACM License with Alerton device capacity of 384
Alerton Add-On Device Packs
multiple add-on device packs can be added to a Base ACMxxx License but cannot exceed 384
AL-DP-4 Increases Alerton device capacity on the ACM by 4
AL-DP-32 Increases Alerton device capacity on the ACM by 32
AL-DP-64 Increases Alerton device capacity on the ACM by 64
AL-DP-128 Increases Alerton device capacity on the ACM by 128
AL-DP-256 Increases Alerton device capacity on the ACM by 256
Option Cards
ACM-OC-232 EIA-232 ADAPTOR (uses one option card slot)
ACM-OC-2X485 DUAL EIA-485 OPTION MODULE (uses one option card slot)
ACM-OC-2XTUX Dual TUX Trunk option card (uses one option card slot)
Alerton Drivers
ACM-MDBS-DR-TCP Alerton Modbus TCP protocol driver
ACM-MDBS-DR-RTU Alerton Modbus RTU protocol driver
ACM-DR-VLX Alerton VLX driver - up to 3 additional VLX drivers can be applied to an ACM (requires ACM-OC-2X485 option card)
ACM-DR-FPCS Alerton Foreign Protocol Converter Siemens driver (Siemens P1 network)
ACM-DR-HOTEL Alerton Hotel Interface driver (requires ACM-OC-232 option card)

TITLE

ACM
Alerton Part Numbers
and Descriptions 16201 – 25th Avenue West
Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Guide ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 2 OF 12 04
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION
Niagara N4 Base Licenses - Core Device Capacity (only one Core Device License can be applied to an ACM)
Note: core device licenses require a matching N4 SMA - refer to Niagara SMA Part Numbers and Range Chart on page 4
NC-0005-A Licenses the ACM with a core device capacity of 5 devices (250 total points)
NC-0010-A Licenses the ACM with core device capacity of 10 devices (500 total points)
NC-0025-A Licenses the ACM with core device capacity of 25 devices (1,250 total points)
NC-0100-A Licenses the ACM with core device capacity of 100 devices (5,000 total points)
NC-0200-A Licenses the ACM with core device capacity of 200 devices (10,000 total points)
Niagara N4 Add-on Device Packs (multiples can be added to a Base NC-xxxx-A License)
DEVICE-xx are purchased at the time of the initial ACM order
DEVICE-10 Increases N4 Core Device capacity by 10 devices (50 additional points)
DEVICE-25 Increases N4 Core Device capacity by 25 devices (1,250 additional points)
DEVICE-50 Increases N4 Core Device capacity by 50 devices (2,550 additional points)
DEVICE-UP-xx are purchased later to increase capacity of an already purchased and licensed ACM
DEVICE-UP-10 Increases N4 Core Device capacity by 10 devices (50 additional points)
DEVICE-UP-25 Increases N4 Core Device capacity by 25 devices (1,250 additional points)
DEVICE-UP-50 Increases N4 Core Device capacity by 50 devices (2,550 additional points)
Option Cards
ACM-OC-232 EIA-232 ADAPTOR (uses one option card slot)
ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 OPTION MODULE (uses one option card slot)
ACM-OC-LON 78 KBPS FTT 10 A LON CARD ADAPTER (uses one option card slot)
Niagara N4 Drivers (see note below)
DR-AC Andover AC-256 over RS-232 or RS-485 driver
DR-AINF Andover Infinity driver
DR-APUP American Automatrix PUP driver
DR-APHP Americam Automatrix PHP driver
DR-MFID Micros Fidelio IP driver
Niagara N4 Analytics
NA-EC-N4-100 Niagara Analytics Framework (on N4) license for 100 analytic points
NA-EC-N4-250 Niagara Analytics Framework (on N4) license for 250 analytic points
NA-EC-N4-500 Niagara Analytics Framework (on N4) license for 500 analytic points
NA-EC-N4-1000 Niagara Analytics Framework (on N4) license for 1000 analytic points

Note on N4 Drivers:
For a more comprehensive list of Niagara N4 drivers and their compatibility with the ACM, please refer to The Alerton ACM Dri ver
Compatibility List (LT-ACMDRIVERS). This list can be found under the ACM section on the Ascent Web Site.

TITLE
Note on Niagara Device Licenses:
ACM-N4
NC-xxxx-A, DEVICE-xx, and DEVICE-UP-xx device
Niagara Part Numbers
licenses provide licensing for 50 Niagara points and Descriptions 16201 – 25th Avenue West
for each device. For example: the NC-0005-A
Lynnwood, WA 98087
licenses 250 total Niagara points, that can be DATE
www.alerton.com
spread across any number of physical devices. 30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Guide ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 3 OF 12 04
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION
Niagara N4 SMA
SMA-8005-1YR-INIT JACE 8005 - 18 Month Initial SMA (required when purchasing NC-0005-A Base License)
SMA-8010-1YR-INIT JACE 8010 - 18 Month Initial SMA (required when purchasing NC-0010-A Base License)
SMA-8025-1YR-INIT JACE 8025 - 18 Month Initial SMA (required when purchasing NC-0025-A Base License)
SMA-8100-1YR-INIT JACE 8100 - 18 Month Initial SMA (required when purchasing NC-0100-A Base License)
SMA-8200-1YR-INIT JACE 8200 - 18 Month Initial SMA (required when purchasing NC-0200-A Base License)
SMA-8005-3YR JACE 8005 - 3 Year SMA
SMA-8005-5YR JACE 8005 - 5 Year SMA
SMA-8010-3YR JACE 8010 - 3 Year SMA
SMA-8010-5YR JACE 8010 - 5 Year SMA
SMA-8025-3YR JACE 8025 - 3 Year SMA
SMA-8025-5YR JACE 8025 - 5 Year SMA
SMA-8100-3YR JACE 8100 - 3 Year SMA
SMA-8100-5YR JACE 8100 - 5 Year SMA
SMA-8200-3YR JACE 8200 - 3 Year SMA
SMA-8200-5YR JACE 8200 - 5 Year SMA

TITLE
Note on Niagara Device Licenses:
ACM-N4
NC-xxxx-A, DEVICE-xx, and DEVICE-UP-xx device
Niagara SMA Part Numbers
licenses provide licensing for 50 Niagara points And Range Chart 16201 – 25th Avenue West
for each device. For example: the NC-0005-A
Lynnwood, WA 98087
licenses 250 total Niagara points, that can be DATE
www.alerton.com
spread across any number of physical devices. 30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Guide ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 4 OF 12 04
 Description:
94 MS/TP devices requires ACM with Alerton base license plus
Alerton device pack.
This allows up to 96 total MS/TP devices spread across both on-board
EIA-485 ports, COM0 and COM1.

Compass ACM Bill Of Material:

QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
1 ACM064 Alerton base license
1 AL-DP-32 Alerton add-on device pack
Ethernet Network

ACM
ETH0
OPTION CARD0
ETH1
COM2
50 VLCs COM0 COM3
44 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4
COM5
OPTION CARD1

Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN

Configuration 1.1: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP Devices

Supervisor Software: Compass
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IPv4, BACnet/IPv6 (ROC 2.2.8 or later), and BACnet/Ethernet provided with ACM
hardware.
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx base license in order to communicate with connected MS/TP devices.
Add-on Device Packs: ACMxxx base license can be extended by applying one or more AL-DP-x add-on device packs. However, the
total number of connected devices cannot exceed 384.

TITLE

Configuration 1.1
Alerton Supervisor
with BACnet MS/TP Devices 16201 – 25th Avenue West
Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Guide ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 5 OF 12 04
 Description:
192 VLCs, 20 non-Alerton BACnet MS/TP devices, and 5 BACnet/IP
devices requires ACM with Alerton base license plus Alerton device
packs, and option card.
This allows up to 212 total MS/TP devices spread across COM0,
COM1, COM2, and COM3.
Compass
Note: The BACnet/IP meters do not apply to the base license.
ACM Bill Of Material:
5 BACnet/IP Meters QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
Ethernet Network 1 ACM128 Alerton base license
1 AL-DP-64 Alerton add-on device pack
5 AL-DP-4 Alerton add-on device pack
1 ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 option card

ACM Dual EIA-485 option card (ACM-OC-2X485)

ETH0
OPTION CARD0
ETH1
COM2 64 VLCs
64 VLCs COM0 COM3 20 Third Party BACnet devices
64 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4
COM5
OPTION CARD1

Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN

Configuration 1.2: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP and BACnet/IP Devices
Supervisor Software: Compass
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IPv4, BACnet/IPv6 (ROC 2.2.8 or later), and BACnet/Ethernet provided with ACM
hardware.
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx base license in order to communicate with connected MS/TP devices.
Add-on Device Packs: ACMxxx base license can be extended by applying one or more AL-DP-x add-on device packs. However, the
total number of connected devices cannot exceed 384.
Note: The BACnet/IP devices do not require “device licensing”, and as such do not count against the base license or add-on device
packs.

TITLE

Configuration 1.2
Alerton Supervisor
with BACnet MS/TP and 16201 – 25th Avenue West
BACnet/IP Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Gu id e ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 6 OF 12 04
 Description:
62 VLCs and 32 Alerton TUX devices requires ACM with Alerton base
license plus Alerton device pack, and option card.
This allows up to 64 total MS/TP devices spread across COM0 and
COM1; plus 32 TUXs on COM2.

Compass ACM Bill Of Material:

QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
1 ACM64 Alerton base license
1 AL-DP-32 Alerton add-on device pack
Ethernet Network 1 ACM-OC-2XTUX Dual TUX Trunk option card
Note: Alerton TUX Trunk option card requires ACM ROC v1.5 or later.

ACM Dual TUX Trunk option card (ACM-OC-2XTUX)

ETH0
OPTION CARD0
ETH1
COM2 32 TUXs
31 VLCs COM0 COM3
31 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4
COM5
OPTION CARD1

Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN

Configuration 1.3: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP and Alerton TUX Devices
Supervisor Software: Compass
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IPv4, BACnet/IPv6 (ROC 2.2.8 or later), BACnet/Ethernet, and Alerton TUX driver
provided with ACM hardware. Dual TUX Trunk option card required.
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx base license in order to communicate with connected MS/TP and TUX devices.
Add-on Device Packs: ACMxxx base license can be extended by applying one or more AL-DP-x add-on device packs. However, the
total number of connected devices cannot exceed 384.
Note: ACM ROC v1.5 or later required to support Alerton TUX Trunk option card.

TITLE

Configuration 1.3
Alerton Supervisor with
BACnet MS/TP and 16201 – 25th Avenue West
Alerton TUX Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Gu id e ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 7 OF 12 04
 Description:
94 VLCs and up to 16 AXM and/or EXP modules requires ACM with
Alerton base license, Alerton device pack, option card, and Alerton
VLX driver.
This allows up to 96 total MS/TP devices spread across both on-board
EIA-485 ports (COM0 and COM1). The 16 AXM and/or EXP modules
Compass must connect to the Dual EIA-485 option card (COM2 and COM3).
ACM Bill Of Material:
QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
1 ACM064 Alerton base license
Ethernet Network
1 AL-DP-32 Alerton add-on device pack
1 ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 option card
1 ACM-DR-VLX Alerton VLX driver
Note: ACM-VLX driver requires ACM ROC v1.6.9 or later.

ACM Dual EIA-485 option card (ACM-OC-2X485)

ETH0
OPTION CARD0
ETH1
COM2 Up to 8 AXM and/or EXP modules (associated with ACM-VLX1)
50 VLCs COM0 COM3 Up to 8 AXM and/or EXP modules (associated with ACM-VLX2)
44 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4
COM5
OPTION CARD1

Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN

Configuration 1.4: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP Devices and Alerton AXM/EXP Modules
Supervisor Software: Compass
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IPv4, BACnet/IPv6 (ROC 2.2.8 or later), BACnet/Ethernet, and Alerton VLX Driver
provided with ACM hardware. Add-on Alerton VLX driver required for additional instances of ACM-VLX to be configured.
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx base license in order to communicate with connected MS/TP devices and AXM/EXP modules.
Add-on Device Packs: ACMxxx base license can be extended by applying one or more AL-DP-x add-on device packs. However, the
total number of connected devices cannot exceed 384.
Note: ACM ROC v1.6.9 or later required to support ACM-VLX driver.

TITLE

Configuration 1.4
Alerton Supervisor with
BACnet MS/TP Devices and 16201 – 25th Avenue West
Alerton AXM/EXP Modules Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Gu id e ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 8 OF 12 04
 Description:
80 MS/TP devices and 32 Modbus EIA-485 devices requires ACM with
Alerton base license plus Alerton Modbus driver and Dual EIA-485
option card.
This allows up to 128 EIA-485 devices – BACnet MS/TP or Modbus
RTU.
Compass v1.5 or later
ACM Bill Of Material:
QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
1 ACM128 Alerton base license
Ethernet Network 1 ACM-MDBS-DR-RTU Alerton Modbus RTU driver
1 ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 option card

ACM Dual EIA-485 option card (ACM-OC-2X485)

ETH0
OPTION CARD0
ETH1
COM2 32 Modbus devices
50 VLCs COM0 COM3
30 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4
COM5
OPTION CARD1

Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN

Configuration 2.1: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU Devices
Supervisor Software: Compass
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IPv4, and BACnet/IPv6 (ROC 2.2.8 or later), and BACnet/Ethernet provided with ACM
hardware. Add-on Alerton Modbus RTU driver required.
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx base license in order to communicate with connected BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU
devices.
Add-on Device Packs: ACMxxx base license can be extended by applying one or more AL-DP-x add-on device packs. However, the
total number of connected BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU devices cannot exceed 384.

TITLE

Configuration 2.1
Alerton Supervisor
with BACnet MS/TP 16201 – 25th Avenue West
and Modbus RTU Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Guide ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 9 OF 12 04
 Description:
100 MS/TP devices, 8 Modbus TCP devices, and 1 Lon Lighting Panel
(Lon TP) requires ACM with Alerton base license plus Alerton device
packs, Niagara N4 base license, and an option card.
This allows communication with up to 100 total MS/TP devices
spread across COM0 and COM1; and 5 integration devices spread
across ETH1 and LON0.
Compass
ACM hosts Alerton Global DDC and EMS functions.
ACM Bill Of Material:
8 Modbus TCP devices
QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
Ethernet Network 1 ACM064 Alerton base license
1 AL-DP-32 Alerton add-on device pack
1 AL-DP-4 Alerton add-on device pack
1 NC-0005-A Niagara base license
1 ACM-MDBS-DR-TCP* Alerton Modbus TCP driver
1 ACM-OC-LON Lon 78Kbps FTT-10A option card

ACM Lon 78Kbps FTT-10A option card

ETH0
OPTION CARD0
ETH1
LON0 1 Lon device
50 VLCs COM0 COM3
50 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4
COM5
OPTION CARD1

Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN

Configuration 2.2: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP, Lon TP, and Modbus TCP Devices
Supervisor Software: Compass
Protocol Drivers: Alerton drivers provided with ACM hardware - BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, and BACnet/Ethernet. Niagara-N4
drivers provided with Niagara Core License - BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP Modbus TCP, and Lon over twisted pair (requires option
card).
*NOTE: Since there is already a Niagara NC-xxxx-A base license and an ACMxxx base license, you may choose to use either the
Modbus TCP CLIENT driver (N4) or the ACM Modbus TCP driver. Your selection may be based on the number of devices on each
COM line and the number of points you need read/write/view.
Base Licenses: Requires one ACM-xxx base license in order to communicate with connected BACnet MS/TP devices. Requires one
NC-xxxx-A base license in order to integrate non-BACnet devices. Total number of licensed devices (ACMxxx + NC-xxxx-A) cannot
exceed 768.
Add-on Device Packs: ACMxxx base license can be extended by applying one or more AL-DP-x add-on device packs. However, the
total number of connected physical BACnet MS/TP devices cannot exceed 384. NC-xxxx-A base license can be extended by applying
one or more DEVICE-xx or DEVICE-UP-xx add-on device packs. However, the total number of connected physical devices cannot
exceed 384.
Note: Add-on device pack p/n DEVICE-xx is purchased at the time of initial order; p/n DEVICE-UP-xx is purchased at a later date
when needed to increase the point count.
Niagara Tools: Since all Alerton dealers have an account on Niagara Central, use the Alerton branded workbench software (p/n A -
SUP-DEMO). However, any “Brand” of WorkPlaceN4 version 4.8 or later is applicable (end -users may use the p/n A-SUP-xx).
TITLE

Note on Niagara Device Licenses: Configuration 2.2

NC-xxxx-A, DEVICE-xx, and DEVICE-UP-xx device Alerton Supervisor with
BACnet MS/TP, LON TP, and 16201 – 25th Avenue West
licenses provide licensing for 50 Niagara points
Modbus TCP Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
for each device. For example: the NC-0005-A DATE
licenses 250 total Niagara points, that can be www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
spread across any number of physical devices. DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Guide ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 10 OF 12 04
 Description:
348 MS/TP devices, requires ACM with Niagara N4 base license plus
(3) Niagara N4 device packs and two option cards.
This allows communication with up to 350 total MS/TP devices
spread across COM0, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, and COM5.
ACM hosts Niagara graphics, DDC, and EMS functions.
No Supervisor
ACM Bill Of Material:
QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
1 NC-0200-A Niagara N4 base license
Ethernet Network 3 DEVICE-UP-50 Niagara N4 device pack
1 SMA-8200-xYR Niagara N4 SMA
2 ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 option card

ACM
Dual EIA-485 option card (ACM-OC-2X485)
ETH0
OPTION CARD0
ETH1
COM2 58 VLCs
58 VLCs COM0 COM3 58 VLCs
58 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4 58 VLCs
COM5 58 VLCs
OPTION CARD1

Dual EIA-485 option card (ACM-OC-2X485)

Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN

Configuration 3.1: No Supervisor with N4-only ACM and BACnet MS/TP Devices
Supervisor Software: None
Protocol Drivers: Niagara-N4 drivers provided with Niagara Core License - BACnet MS/TP and BACnet/IP.
Base/Core Licenses: Requires one NC-xxxx-A core license in order to communicate with BACnet MS/TP devices. Total number of
licensed devices (NC-xxxx-A) cannot exceed 384.
Add-on Device Packs: NC-xxxx-A base license can be extended by applying one or more DEVICE-xx or DEVICE-UP-xx add-on device
packs. However, the total number of connected physical devices cannot exceed 384.
Note: Add-on device pack p/n DEVICE-xx is purchased at the time of initial order; p/n DEVICE-UP-xx is purchased at a later date
when needed to increase the point count.
Option Cards: Requires two dual EIA-485 option cards.
Niagara Tools: Since all Alerton dealers have an account on Niagara Central, use the Alerton branded workbench software (p/n A -
SUP-DEMO). However, any “Brand” of WorkPlace version 4.8 or later is applicable; (end-users may use the p/n A-SUP-xx)

TITLE

Note on Niagara Device Licenses: Configuration 3.1

NC-xxxx-A, DEVICE-xx, and DEVICE-UP-xx device No Supervisor with
N4-only ACM and 16201 – 25th Avenue West
licenses provide licensing for 50 Niagara points
BACnet MS/TP Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
for each device. For example: the NC-0005-A DATE
licenses 250 total Niagara points, that can be www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
spread across any number of physical devices. DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callah an ACM (N4) Estimating Guide ACM (N4) EstGuide – rev00xx.vsdx 11 OF 12 04
 Description:
384 MS/TP devices, requires ACM with Niagara N4 base license plus
(4) Niagara N4 device pack and two option cards.
This allows communication with up to 384 total MS/TP devices
spread across COM0, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, and COM5.
ACM hosts Niagara graphics, DDC, and EMS functions.
Alki-N4 or any branded ACM Bill Of Material: (typical for each ACM)
Niagara N4 Supervisor
QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
1 NC-0200-A Niagara N4 base license
3 DEVICE-50 Niagara N4 device pack
Ethernet Network 1 DEVICE-25 Niagara N4 device pack
1 DEVICE-10 Niagara N4 device pack
1 SMA-8200-xYR Niagara N4 SMA
2 ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 option card

ACM-2
ETH0
OPTION CARD0
Dual EIA-485 option card (ACM-OC-2X485) ETH1
COM2 64 VLCs
64 VLCs COM0 COM3 64 VLCs
ACM-1 64 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4 64 VLCs
ETH0 COM5 64 VLCs
OPTION CARD0 OPTION CARD1
ETH1
COM2 64 VLCs
64 VLCs COM0 COM3 64 VLCs
64 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4 64 VLCs
COM5 64 VLCs
OPTION CARD1
Dual EIA-485 option card (ACM-OC-2X485)

Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN

Configuration 3.2: N4 Supervisor with N4-only ACM and BACnet MS/TP Devices
Supervisor Software: Alki-N4 or any branded Niagara N4 Supervisor
Protocol Drivers: Niagara-N4 drivers provided with Niagara Core License - BACnet MS/TP and BACnet/IP.
Base Licenses: Requires one NC-xxxx-A base license in order to communicate with BACnet MS/TP devices. Total number of licensed
physical devices (NC-xxxx-A) cannot exceed 384.
Add-on Device Packs: NC-xxxx-A base license can be extended by applying one or more DEVICE-xx add-on device packs. However,
the total number of connected physical devices cannot exceed 384.
Note: Add-on device pack p/n DEVICE-xx is purchased at the time of initial order; p/n DEVICE-UP-xx is purchased at a later date
when needed to increase the point count.
Option Cards: Requires two dual EIA-485 option cards.
Niagara Tools: Since all Alerton dealers have an account on Niagara Central, use the Alerton branded workbench software (p/n A -
SUP-DEMO). However, any “Brand” of WorkPlace version 4.8 or later is applicable (end-users may use the p/n A-SUP-xx)
TITLE

Note on Niagara Device Licenses: Configuration 3.2

NC-xxxx-A, DEVICE-xx, and DEVICE-UP-xx device Niagara N4 Supervisor
with N4-only ACM 16201 – 25th Avenue West
licenses provide licensing for 50 Niagara points
and BACnet MS/TP Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
for each device. For example: the NC-0005-A DATE
licenses 250 total Niagara points, that can be www.alerton.com
30-Mar-2021
spread across any number of physical devices. DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
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