ACM Estimating & Configuration Guide

Table of Contents
Page 2 – ACM Part Numbers and Descriptions
Page 3 – Configuration 1.1: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP Devices
Page 4 – Configuration 1.2: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP and BACnet/IP Devices
Page 5 – Configuration 1.3: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP Devices and Alerton TUX Devices
Page 6 – Configuration 1.4 Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP Devices and Alerton AXM and/or EXP Devices
Page 7 – Configuration 2.1: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU Devices
Page 8 – Configuration 2.2: Alerton Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP, Lon TP, and Modbus TCP Devices
Page 9 – Configuration 3.1: No Supervisor with AX only ACM and BACnet MS/TP Devices
Page 10 – Configuration 3.2: AX Supervisor with AX 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, applying, and ordering an ACM. It is not intended to be all inclusive, but rather help in the
understanding of what parts need to be estimated and ordered to ensure success in applying the ACM .

About the ACM...

An ACM consists of multiple parts
 Hardware – the ACM platform
 Base Licenses – for managing devices using Alerton Global Controllers and /or NiagaraAX Station
 Add-on Device Packs – for extending the number of base licensed devices
 Option Cards – for additional network connections
 Drivers – BACnet and non-BACnet protocols for Alerton and Niagara AX, plus embedded Workbench

ACM Hardware
The ACM platform consists of the hardware device plus the following BACnet protocols: BACnet/Ethernet,
BACnet/IP, and BACnet MS/TP.

ACM Licenses
There are two base licenses that must be applied to the ACM depending on the protocols used and devices
connected. An Alerton Base License and a Niagara Base License. The ACM can have either one or both base
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, TUX or Virtual Modbus devices that can be connected to the ACM . If the number of
connected devices exceed the license limit the ACM will shutdown communications to all enabled MS /TP, TUX or
Virtual Modbus device networks. Only one Alerton ACM Base License can be applied to the ACM.
Niagara AX Base License
Configuration of Niagara-based devices in the ACM requires a Niagara AX Base License. There are five variants of
this base license: AX016, AX032, AX064, AX128, and AX256. The license indicates the maximum number of devices
you can configure within the Niagara Station. Only one Niagara AX Base License can be applied to the ACM.
Add-on Device Packs
Each base license 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 devices
cannot exceed 384 Alerton licensed devices and/or 384 Niagara licensed devices. Total combined Alerton and
Niagara licensed devices cannot exceed 768 (384 Alerton + 384 Niagara).
TITLE

Note on Pricing: ACM

Pricing is not provided in this guide. Estimating & Configuration
Guide 16201 25th Avenue West
Please refer to the most recent
Alerton Dealer Price List. Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
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Note on AX Drivers: TITLE
For a more comprehensive list of Niagara AX ACM
drivers and their compatibility with the Part Number and Descriptions
ACM, please refer to The Alerton ACM 16201 25th Avenue West
Driver Compatibility List (LT-ACMDRIVERS). Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
This list can be found under the ACM Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
section on the Ascent Web Site.
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 Description:
94 MS/TP devices requires 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 or ACM Bill Of Material:

Envision for BACtalk v3 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 or Envision for BACtalk v3 (ABS3)
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, 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
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
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 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 or
Note: The BACnet/IP meters do not apply to the base license.
Envision for BACtalk v3
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
ETH0
ETH1 OPTION CARD0 Dual EIA-485 option card
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 or Envision for BACtalk v3 (ABS3)
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, 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 16201 25th Avenue West
and BACnet/IP Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
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KM Callahan ACM Es timating Guide ACM Es tGuide.vsdx 4 OF 10 011
 Description:
32 TUX devices and 62 MS/TP devices require ACM with Alerton base
license plus Alerton device pack.
This allows up to a combined total of 96 MS/TP and TUX devices
spread across both on-board EIA-485 ports, COM0, COM1, and TUX
option card.
Compass or
Envision for BACtalk v3 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-2XTUX Dual TUX Trunk option card

ACM
ETH0
ETH1 OPTION CARD0 Dual TUX Option Card
COM2 32 TUX devices
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 Devices and Alerton TUX Devices
Supervisor Software: Compass or Envision for BACtalk v3 (ABS3)
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, and BACnet/Ethernet provided with ACM hardware.
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx base license (ROC 1.5 or later) 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.

TITLE

Configuration 1.3
Alerton Supervisor
with BACnet MS/TP Devices 16201 25th Avenue West
and Alerton TUX Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
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KM Callahan ACM Es timating Guide ACM Es tGuide.vsdx 5 OF 10 011
 Description:
94 MS/TP and up to 16 AXM and/or EXP devices require 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. The 16 AXM and/or EXP devices
must connect to COM2, COM3, COM4 or COM5.
Compass or
Envision for BACtalk v3 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

ACM
ETH0
ETH1
OPTION CARD0 Dual EIA-485 option card
COM2 up to 8 AXM and/or EXP devices (associated with VLX1)
50 VLCs COM0 COM3 up to 8 AXM and/or EXP devices (associated with 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 Devices
Supervisor Software: Compass or Envision for BACtalk v3 (ABS3)
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, BACnet/Ethernet, and Alerton VLX driver provided with ACM hardware . Add
on the Dual EIA-485 option card and one additional ACM-DR-VLX driver (ACM base license includes one VLX driver on
board).
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx (ROC 1.6.9 or later) base license in order to communicate with connected MS/TP and
AXM/EXP 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 1.4 Alerton

Supervisor wiht BACnet MS/TP
Devices and Alerton AXM/EXP 16201 25th Avenue West
Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
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KM Callahan ACM Es timating Guide ACM Es tGuide.vsdx 6 OF 10 011
 Description:
New and improved configuration using the Alerton ACM Modbus
driver: 80 MS/TP devices and 32 Modbus EIA-485 devices requires
ACM with Alerton base license plus Alerton ACM Modbus driver, and
an option card.
This allows up to 80 MS/TP devices and up to 32 Modbus devices.
Compass or
Envision for BACtalk v3 ACM Bill Of Material:

QTY Part Number Description

1 ACM ACM controller
Ethernet Network 1 ACM128 Alerton base license
1 ACM-MDBS-DR-RTU Alerton Modbus RTU protocol driver
1 ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 option card

ACM
ETH0
ETH1 OPTION CARD0 Dual EIA-485 option card
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 or Envision for BACtalk v3 (ABS3)
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, and BACnet/Ethernet provided with ACM hardware. Drivers needed: Alerton
ACM Modbus RTU protocol driver and Modbus RTU for EIA -485 devices (plus option card).
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx base license in order to communicate with connected BACnet MS/TP devices.

TITLE

Configuration 2.1: Alerton

Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP
and Modbus RTU Devices 16201 25th Avenue West
Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callahan ACM Es timating Guide ACM Es tGuide.vsdx 7 OF 10 011
 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 AX base license, three Niagara AX drivers, and an
option card.
This allows communication with up to 100 total MS/TP devices
Compass or spread across COM0 and COM1; and 16 integration devices spread
Envision for BACtalk v3 across ETH1 and LON0.
ACM hosts Alerton Global DDC and EMS functions.
ACM Bill Of Material:
QTY Part Number Description
Ethernet Network
1 ACM ACM controller
1 ACM064 Alerton base license
1 AL-DP-32 Alerton add-on device pack
1 AL-DP-4 Alerton add-on device pack
1 AX016 Niagara AX base license
1 I-DR-BAC-SR-EXP-AX Add BACnet IP SERVER capability
1 ACM-MDBS-DR-TCP* Alerton Modbus TCP protocol driver
1 I-DR-LON-AX Lon CLIENT driver
ACM 1 ACM-OC-LON Lon option card 78Kbps FTT-10A
ETH0 1 ACM-DR-MSTP-AX BACnet MS/TP & IP CLIENT driver
OPTION CARD0
8 Modbus devices 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 or Envision for BACtalk v3 (ABS3)
Protocol Drivers: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, and BACnet/Ethernet provided with ACM hardware. Niagara-AX drivers
needed: BACnet/IP server, Modbus TCP, and Lon over twisted pair (requires option card). *Since there is already a Niagara
AXxxx base license and a ACMxxx base license, you may choose to use either the Modbus TCP CLIENT driver (AX) or the
ACM Modbus TCP driver. Your selection may be based on number of devices on each COM line.
Base Licenses: Requires one ACMxxx base license in order to communicate with connected BACnet MS/TP devices.
Requires one AXxxx base license in order to integrate non-BACnet devices. Total number of licensed devices (ACMxxx +
AXxxx) 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 BACnet MS/TP devices cannot exceed 384. AXxxx base license can be extended
by applying one or more AX-DP-x add-on device packs. However, the total number of connected non-BACnet devices
cannot exceed 384.
NiagaraAX Tools: Since all Alerton dealers have an account on Niagara Central, use the Alerton branded workbench
software (p/n ALR-ENG-DEMO-AX). However, any Brand of WorkPlaceAX version 3.8.38.x or later is applicable (end
users may use the p/n A-WP-AX).
TITLE

Configuration 2.2: Alerton

Supervisor with BACnet MS/TP,
Lon TP, and Modbus TCP 16201 25th Avenue West
Devices Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callahan ACM Es timating Guide ACM Es tGuide.vsdx 8 OF 10 011
 Description:
348 MS/TP devices, requires ACM with Niagara AX base license plus
Niagara AX device packs, one Niagara AX driver, and two option
cards. Alerton embedded Workbench is optional.
This allows communication with up to 352 total MS/TP devices
spread across COM0, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, and COM5.
No Supervisor
ACM hosts NiagaraAX graphics, DDC, and EMS functions.
ACM Bill Of Material:
QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
Ethernet Network 1 AX256 Niagara AX base license
1 AX-DP-64 Niagara AX device pack
1 AX-DP-32 Niagara AX device pack
2 ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 option card
1 I-WB-AX-WEB Alerton embedded Workbench
1 ACM-DR-MSTP-AX BACnet MS/TP & IP CLIENT driver
Embedded Workbench is not required, but is recommended.
ACM
ETH0
ETH1 OPTION CARD0 Dual EIA-485 option card
COM2 58 VLCs
58 VLCs COM0 COM3 58 VLCs
58 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4 58 VLCs
COM5 58 VLCs
OPTION CARD1

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

Configuration 3.1: No Supervisor with AX only ACM and BACnet MS/TP Devices
Supervisor Software: None
Protocol Drivers: Niagara-AX drivers needed: BACnet MS/TP & IP CLIENT driver (discover/map BACnet devices to Niagara).
Base Licenses: Requires one AXxxx base license in order to communicate with BACnet MS /TP devices. Total number of
licensed devices (AXxxx) cannot exceed 384.
Add-on Device Packs: AXxxx base license can be extended by applying one or more AX -DP-x add-on device packs.
However, the total number of connected devices cannot exceed 384.
Option Cards: Requires two dual EIA-485 option cards.
NiagaraAX Tools: Since all Alerton dealers have an account on Niagara Central, use the Alerton branded workbench
software (p/n ALR-ENG-DEMO-AX). However, any Brand of WorkPlaceAX version 3.8.38.x or later is applicable (end
users may use the p/n A-WP-AX).

TITLE

Configuration 3.1: No
Supervisor with AX only ACM
and BACnet MS/TP Devices 16201 25th Avenue West
Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callahan ACM Es timating Guide ACM Es tGuide.vsdx 9 OF 10 011
 Description:
384 MS/TP devices, requires ACM with Niagara AX base license plus
Niagara AX device pack, one Niagara AX driver, and two option cards.
Alerton embedded Workbench is optional.
This allows communication with up to 384 total MS/TP devices
spread across COM0, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, and COM5.
Niagara AX Supervisor
ACM hosts NiagaraAX graphics, DDC, and EMS functions.
ACM Bill Of Material: (typical for each ACM)
QTY Part Number Description
1 ACM ACM controller
Ethernet Network 1 AX256 Niagara AX base license
1 AX-DP-128 Niagara AX device pack
2 ACM-OC-2X485 Dual EIA-485 option card
1 I-WB-AX-WEB Alerton embedded Workbench
1 ACM-DR-MSTP-AX BACnet MS/TP & IP CLIENT driver
Embedded Workbench is not required, but is recommended.

ACM
ETH0 Dual EIA-485
ETH1 OPTION CARD0 option card
COM2 64 VLCs
64 VLCs COM0 COM3
ACM 64 VLCs COM1
64 VLCs

ETH0 Dual EIA-485 ONBOARD 485 COM4 64 VLCs

ETH1 OPTION CARD0 option card COM5 64 VLCs
COM2 64 VLCs OPTION CARD1
64 VLCs COM0 COM3 64 VLCs
64 VLCs COM1
ONBOARD 485 COM4 64 VLCs Alerton recommends a maximum of 64 VLCs per MS/TP LAN
COM5 64 VLCs
OPTION CARD1

Configuration 3.2: AX Supervisor with AX only ACM and BACnet MS/TP Devices
Supervisor Software: Niagara AX Supervisor
Protocol Drivers: Niagara-AX drivers needed: BACnet MS/TP & IP CLIENT driver (discover/map BACnet devices to Niagara).
Base Licenses: Requires one AXxxx base license in order to communicate with BACnet MS /TP devices. Total number of
licensed devices (AXxxx) cannot exceed 384.
Add-on Device Packs: AXxxx base license can be extended by applying one or more AX -DP-x add-on device packs.
However, the total number of connected devices cannot exceed 384.
Option Cards: Requires two dual EIA-485 option cards.
NiagaraAX Tools: Since all Alerton dealers have an account on Niagara Central, use the Alerton branded workbench
software (p/n ALR-ENG-DEMO-AX). However, any Brand of WorkPlaceAX version 3.8.38.x or later is applicable (end
users may use the p/n A-WP-AX)
.
TITLE

Configuration 3.2: AX
Supervisor with AX only ACM
and BACnet MS/TP Devices 16201 25th Avenue West
Lynnwood, WA 98087
DATE
Tel: 425-921-4900 / Fax: 425-921-4872
11AUG2017
DRAWN BY REFERENCE FILENAME PAGE REV
KM Callahan ACM Es timating Guide ACM Es tGuide.vsdx 10 OF 10 011