Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

Code No. LIT-1201526

Software Release 5.2
Issued May 13, 2011
Supersedes October 4, 2010
Refer to the QuickLIT Web site for the most up-to-date version of this document.

Metasys System Extended

Architecture

Figure 1: Metasys System Hardware Components

The Metasys system excels in providing the traditional

building automation and facilities management capabilities
and features. The adoption of IT standards and use of
the Internet extends the Metasys system capabilities
beyond the realm of traditional building control systems.
With authorized access to your network, you can request
information concerning the technical and economic
performance of your facility from any computer or
handheld device using a supported Web browser. Total
facility management is made possible by a network of
servers and automation engines that integrate all facility
systems using a combination of standard BACnet,
LonTalk, and existing Metasys system protocols.

Features and Benefits

Features

Benefits

System Access from Anywhere

Enables user display and control capabilities over your intranet, or worldwide via
the Internet. You can view and control the system from any computer or handheld
device using a supported Web browser.

Flexible, Varied User Interface

Provides a window into the system that can be tailored to multiple types of users.
You can view facility data from purely textual screens to dynamic, highly integrated
graphical displays.

Fully Scalable System

Provides a flexible network architecture on which to build or expand an automation

system for your building, campus, or entire enterprise.

Standard IT Protocols and Enterprise

Integration

Uses standard IT networking technologies and enterprise systems, allowing secure

communication over your private enterprise networks and access to operational
and historical data for business analysis and planning.

Comprehensive System Information

Distill and transform raw system data into table-based summaries or full featured
Management and Reporting Capabilities custom reports enabling users to measure, analyze, and improve the control of their
sites.
Powerful and Customizable Energy
Management Tools

Manage and reduce energy consumption and utility bills using custom scheduling,
optimal start, demand limiting, load rolling, efficient central plant optimization, and
custom programs.

Open Building Management System

(BMS) Protocols Support

Integrates BACnet devices at both the IP and Master-Slave/Token-Passing (MS/TP)

level and LONWORKS devices into the Metasys architecture. Integration with Metasys
N1 and N2 networks is also provided, protecting existing investments.

Wireless Communication

Allows economical control and commissioning of difficult or frequently changing

spaces at multiple system levels.

Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

Figure 2: Metasys System User Experience

System Capabilities
The Metasys architecture has evolved to bring the
benefits of the latest computing and communication
technologies into building automation and facility
management. At the same time, it preserves and
enhances existing investments in building control systems
and technology in your facilities.
While maintaining all the basic features of a building
automation system, the Metasys system embraces the
standard and open technologies of the IT and Internet
age, enabling the system to be fully integrated into the
information and networking infrastructure of buildings and
enterprises. The management of information and its
electronic distribution provide extra value to the building
owner and operator, along with more efficient day-to-day
operation. Enhanced access to data is available for
performance analyses and financial planning.
The integration of systems and devices from other
manufacturers has always been a major feature of the
Metasys system. The Web-based generation of the
Metasys system continues in this tradition, making
extensive use of open protocols and standards in the
design. The system is able to integrate BACnet, N2, and
LONWORKS devices in a single cohesive system.
Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

Although the Metasys system extended architecture is

based on leading edge software and hardware
technology, it fully integrates Metasys N1 networks to
protect existing investments and provide a path for the
continuous upgrade of the systems installed in your
building.

User Interface (UI) Experience

Todays facility managers and operators demand an
experience that is intuitive and easy to use without special
training or complex technical manuals. The Metasys user
interface offers a textual summary display of important
building automation data as well as fully integrated
dynamic graphical displays with smooth navigation
between floors and buildings. A computer with a Web
browser is used to log on to any site. The Metasys system
user experience is a portal into a site. It can be tailored
to fit the needs of all potential system users. The user
experience provided by the Metasys system can evolve
and scale to match the needs of any single facility or
campus of multiple buildings.

The Site Management Portal provides system

administrators or building operators online user and
system configuration capabilities along with real-time
views into their sites systems. The Site Management
Portal transforms the raw data from the site and organizes
it into a comprehensive set of information management
tools and reports.
This portal is accessed using Microsoft Internet
Explorer Web browser through an Internet or intranet
connection to a Metasys server or network engine. The
Site Management Portal has all the features one expects
from a full function traditional workstation, including:

customizable navigation tree that represents the

logical layout of the facility
dynamic graphics of systems and floor plans that can
be zoomed in to show fine details
multiple display areas that can be individually sized
and controlled
powerful global search function and sorting ability
within the navigation tree that finds system information
within seconds
the entire user manual available in online help format

The Ready Access Portal software provides a natural,

complementary extension of the Metasys Site
Management Portal UI. The Ready Access Portal UI
provides an intuitive, task-based interface that can be
tailored to meet the needs of service professionals and
building tenants. Available on a computer or handheld
platform, the Ready Access Portal UI requires only a Web
browser connected via the Internet or intranet to a Ready
Access Portal server.

Building Control Through Graphics

The evolution of the Metasys system has also spurred
an evolution in graphic offerings as new software
technologies have emerged. Building control through
graphics is available from a standard graphic created
with the User Graphics Tool (UGT), an advanced graphic
developed with the Advanced Graphics Application (AGA),
and now a Graphics+ graphic designed with the Graphic
Generation Tool (GGT). All three graphic solutions offer
rich, customized graphical views of a sites floor plans
and systems. Full monitoring, control, and navigation
capabilities are available from the graphic, offering the
user an intuitive method of managing the daily events of
building control. In addition, an extensive library of
templates, symbols, and controls is provided with the
Graphic Generation Tool, simplifying the task of graphic
creation. Once the images are saved to the system, the
UI uses color and animation to effectively display the
condition of monitored systems and provide the operator
with methods of commanding and navigating the facility.

Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

Information Management
A BMS is not only a control system but also a source of
valuable information for the management of your facility.
The Metasys system transforms raw data into valuable
support information that authorized users or business
and enterprise systems can access on the network. Trend
logs, historical data, transaction logs, audit trails, and
diagnostic reports are all available to the user who can
generate customized reports to meet local management
requirements.

Standard Online Reports

The Metasys system offers several standard online
reports including:

event and audit viewers/reports

standard online/offline, alarm, and override summaries
global search for user-defined queries

trend studies and trend viewers

Advanced Reporting System

The Web-based reporting option provides standard report
sets to allow users to review the alarm and trend
configuration of their site, run summary and detail reports
to monitor alarm and event information, view offline
information, combine alarm and audit information in a
single report, and view trend summary or detailed reports.

Export Utility
Export Utility software is an option that provides facility
managers with the ability to build custom reports using
historical data from the BMS. You can use this data to
manage daily building operations.
The Export Utility software downloads historical data such
as trends, alarms, and audit data from an engine or
server. This data can be stored in a format desired by
the customer for analysis such as Microsoft Word or
Microsoft Excel.

Energy Management Tools

Metasys provides a complete suite of powerful energy
management tools to help you manage energy use in
your facilities and reduce your energy costs. Energy
management features include:

Scheduling
Optimal Start
Demand Limit and Load Rolling
Custom Programs
Energy Essentials Reporting
Central Plant Optimization 10

Systems Integration and Connectivity

The Metasys system has always been a means to
integrate multiple systems to provide a common user
experience. It uses a combination of standards and open
protocols from both the IT and building automation
industries to extend the integration beyond the facility
managers.

Open Standards

Microsoft Active Directory service provides a

standard IT integration of the Metasys system into a
customers existing Active Directory service
infrastructure for Site Management Portal UI logon
authentication purposes

The system also uses standard system security and

encoding protocols to protect against unauthorized access
to data and control systems.

By using the standard data formats and communication

protocols of the IT world, the Metasys system extended
architecture is compatible with the networking
infrastructure in most buildings and facilities today. These
standards include:

For historical data storage, the application data servers

use SQL database format, which allows use of Microsoft
SQL Server software.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

(TCP/IP) as the communication protocol between
network engines, servers, and Web browsers

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for

alarm traps and object queries in the Management
Information Base (MIB)
Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) for network
time synchronization
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) for e-mail
message transfer
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and
Domain Name System (DNS) for device naming and
dynamic network addressing
Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and
Extensible Markup Language (XML) transfer data
between components of the system and make it
available to enterprise applications through the use
of published Web services
Wireless communication standards, including
Bluetooth standard, (used during commissioning),
WiFi (used in network communication), and Zigbee
standard (for field controller and sensor mesh)

The Metasys system (Figure 3) integrates building

systems using BACnet, N2, LonTalk, and Web services
communication technology. BACnet devices are
connected directly to the IP Ethernet network or to the
MS/TP Field Bus. LONWORKS controllers from Johnson
Controls or LONMARK certified devices from another
manufacturer can be integrated into the Metasys system
architecture. In a similar fashion, Metasys connects to
N2 and N1 protocol devices. Regardless of protocols
used, the data is available for display on the Metasys
user interface, for archiving in application servers, or for
transmission to other devices on the IP network.

Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

Integration Services

The Johnson Controls P2000 Security Management

System can be integrated with the Metasys system. The
P2000 server provides door reader status, security point
information, and access transactions used to maintain
network security of this information. Security data is
displayed on the Metasys Web browser UI in the same
manner as the other building systems connected to the
network.

Figure 3: Metasys System Network Integration

Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

System Components
The Metasys system is highly scalable and can be applied
to different sizes and complexities of facilities through its
network of system components.

Network Engines
Figure 4: Network Engines

Servers
The Server (Application and Data Server [ADS] or
Extended Application and Data Server [ADX]) is an
optional component of the Metasys system that manages
the collection and presentation of large amounts of trend
data, event messages, operator transactions, and system
configuration data. As Site Director, the server provides
secure communication to a network of Network
Automation Engines (NAEs), Network Control Engines
(NCEs), and Network Integration Engines (NIEs).
The ADS runs on a Microsoft Windows Operating
System (OS). It includes an Open Database Connectivity
(ODBC) compliant database package for storage of trend
data, event messages, operator transactions, and system
configuration data. The ADS supports up to five users
connected to the Site Management Portal UI via a Web
browser. It provides manual archiving of historical data
and standard reporting capabilities.
The ADX runs on a Windows Server OS and uses
Microsoft SQL Server software to provide more advanced
historical data management. The ADX supports up to 10
or 25 users connected to the Site Management UI via a
Web browser. The ADX offers manual, automatic, and
scheduled archiving of historical data and offers extended
reporting capabilities using SQL Server
software/third-party software.
At sites where tenants/occupants desire or require access
to building system information, the Ready Access Portal
UI can be deployed on a server platform to enable
concurrent delivery of specified BMS information to many
authorized building occupants.
The Metasys Advanced Reporting System, including the
optional Energy Essentials software, is available on ADXs
with specific Microsoft SQL Server software components
and offers a separate UI on which you can run reports
on system configuration and performance.

Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

Network Automation Engines

Network Automation Engines (NAEs) monitor field
controllers and include the embedded Site Management
Portal for system navigation, configuration, and operation.
When connected to the TCP/IP network, the NAE also
provides data to other NAEs and to Servers.
The NAE55 Series supports a comprehensive set of
supervisory features and functions for large facilities. The
NAE45 and NAE35 Series extend the power of the NAE
to the smaller building and enable the wider distribution
of supervisory functions in larger facilities. The NAE85 is
a high-capacity NAE that allows the integration of large
BACnet systems.
The NAE represents all data internally as BACnet objects.
Its integration capabilities allow it to behave as a BACnet
gateway to LONWORKS and N2 network devices. It also
directly communicates with other BACnet devices using
BACnet IP or BACnet MS/TP. All NAEs are BACnet
Testing Laboratories (BTL) certified as BACnet building
controllers.

Network Control Engines

The Metasys Network Control Engine (NCE) controllers
combine the network supervisor capabilities and IP
network connectivity of a Metasys NAE with the
Input/Output (I/O) point connectivity and direct digital
control capabilities of a Metasys Field Equipment
Controller (FEC).

Figure 5: Network Control Engines

The NCE provides a cost-effective solution designed for

central plant applications and large built-up air handlers.
All NCE models provide IP Ethernet network connectivity,
the Metasys Site Management Portal, and the network
supervisory capabilities featured on NAE Series network
automation engines, including the BACnet IP integration.

Network Integration Engines

The Network Integration Engine (NIE) communicates
over the IP Ethernet network with Network Control Module
(NCM) supervisory controllers on Metasys N1 networks,
integrating them with other engines and servers. The N1
network is a token-passing local area network that
enables communication between NCMs and Operator
Workstations. The NIE allows the monitoring and control
of these existing Metasys N1 systems using the Metasys
user interface of the extended architecture. The NIE
includes the Site Management Portal for access to its N1
network data. The NIE85 is a high capacity NIE, which
allows large N1 integrations and can take the place of
multiple NIE55s.

Figure 6: FEC and IOM Controllers

All FEC models feature continuous adaptive control

algorithms, which significantly reduce commissioning
time and automatically respond to seasonal and other
facility load changes. The FECs can be combined with
IOMs to provide control for larger applications such as
large central plant applications. Some FEC controller
models are available with built-in Liquid Crystal Displays
(LCDs).
The VMA16 provides single and dual duct Variable Air
Volume applications. The Network Sensors provide
temperature and humidity sensing and occupancy
override functions. FEC controllers can be configured for
peer-to-peer communication to provide direct
communication between field devices on a trunk.
Figure 7: VMA16 Variable-Air-Volume Controller

BACnet Family of Controllers

The Metasys system provides a fully-programmable,
high-performance line of devices including FECs,
Input/Output Modules (IOMs), Network Sensors, Variable
Air Volume (VAV) Modular Assembly (VMA) 16
controllers, and Thermostat Controllers.
FECs are stand-alone digital control devices that apply
to a wide range of Heating, Ventilating, and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) and other building system
applications.

The Variable Speed Drive (VSD) Series of products

provide speed control of fans and pumps, and can be
fully integrated with FEC controllers using the BACnet
protocol.
Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

The TEC26 Series Thermostat Controllers are

configurable controllers that provide control of rooftop
units, heat pumps, pressure-dependent VAV equipment,
local hydronic reheat valves, zoning equipment, and
single- and multi-stage heating/cooling equipment.
Various TEC26 Series Thermostat Controllers feature an
intuitive user interface with backlit display that makes
setup and operation quick and easy. The thermostat
controllers also employ a unique, Proportional-Integral
(PI) time-proportioning algorithm that virtually eliminates
temperature offset associated with traditional,
differential-based thermostat controllers.

LN Series Application-Specific
Controllers
The Metasys system LN Series controllers use the
LONWORKS communication protocol and can be
programmed through any compliant software, such as
LN Builder. The plug-in for these devices features a
graphical control logic interface that is custom-made to
suit control requirements. LN Series controllers are
available either in fully-programmable or LONMARK
Profile-compliant configurable models. LN Series
application-specific controllers allow you to control
equipment such as rooftop units, fan coils, heat pumps,
unit ventilators, VAV boxes, and other terminal units. LN
Series programmable controllers apply to multistage air
handling units, chillers, boilers, and refrigeration systems.

Wireless Capabilities
Figure 8: ZFR Wireless System Components

Several wireless Metasys solutions are available for

integrating wireless connectivity in desired portions of a
Metasys network. These solutions provide wireless
communication between controllers, thermostats,
coordinators, routers, and room sensors. These wireless
solutions reduce costs by minimizing wiring, provide
application mobility and flexibility, and simplify the
challenges of difficult or cost-prohibitive installations or
renovations. The wireless solutions can coexist with each
other, and offer the flexibility of coexisting with hard-wired
Metasys solutions.

System Configurations for

Special Applications
Metasys for Validated Environments
Metasys for Validated Environments (MVE), extended
architecture is designed for facilities that require
regulatory compliance for their environmental systems.
It brings the flexibility and convenience of a Web interface
to your regulated facility. The MVE feature operates on
an ADX, NAE55, NIE55, and NCE25; all supported as
validated devices.
The ADX with MVE software provides secure data
management and reporting capabilities, traceable
electronic records and signatures, and time-stamped
audit trails for facilities subject to Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) Title 21, Code of Federal
Regulations Part 11 compliance. It manages and protects
the long-term storage of trend data, audit data,
event/alarm messages, and system configuration data.
In addition, complex passwords and message encryption
secure the system from unauthorized access and data
tampering. Whether your focus is meeting regulatory
demands or reducing business risk, MVE is designed to
deliver.

UL864 Smoke Listed Systems

The Metasys system at Release 4.1 can be configured
to provide a UL864 Ninth Edition Smoke Control Listed
system. The system integrates the Intelligent Fire
Controller (IFC) fire alarm panel, the Firefighters Smoke
Control Station, and damper and fan control points
throughout the facility using BACnet and LONWORKS
devices.

System Configuration Tools

The tools for system configuration are an integral part of
the concept and design of the Metasys system extended
architecture. The user experience for offline or online
configuration and system operation have a similar look
and feel.

Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

The Site Management Portals online system configuration

capabilities are integrated into both Server and Engine
devices. The integrated configuration capabilities include:

automatic discovery of field devices on an engines

BACnet, LONWORKS, and N2 buses to accelerate the
configuration process
automatic discovery for Metasys N1 networks through
NIEs
standard system navigation tree for all connected
networks
simple creation of customized user navigation trees
and powerful tabular summaries
custom graphics configuration
user administration for the Site Management and
Ready Access Portals
point naming and setting of operating parameters
alarm and event message routing
graphical Logic Connector Tool for custom
programming
downloading, uploading, and archiving network engine
databases
support of the configuration and commissioning tools
for controllers on the N2 bus, MS/TP bus, and ZigBee
wireless mesh network
demand limiting and load rolling configurations

Summary
The Metasys system extended architecture is the most
comprehensive building automation and facility
management system on the market. Over time, the
system has evolved with todays Internet technologies
and IT standards, and now offers even more features
that enhance the performance of the systems and
services within your facilities.

The SCT provides an offline mechanism for a project

design engineer to create a database for their site and
simulate automatic sequence of control and custom logic
programs before starting up the equipment at the job site.
The SCT can be integrated with the site to provide
database loading and scheduled backups of the sites
server and engines.
The SCT software package includes the Controller
Configuration Tool (CCT) for the BACnet MS/TP
controllers. CCT allows you to build a control application
from the ground up or to use the library of standard
applications. Once the application is built, the CCT allows
you to run and test the application in simulation mode to
see how it performs.

Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

Related Documentation
Refer to the following product bulletins listed in Table 2 for technical specifications and information on operating and
performance characteristics of the Metasys system extended architecture.
Table 1: Related Documentation
For Information On

See Document

LIT or Part Number

Metasys System Overview

Metasys System Extended Architecture Overview

Technical Bulletin

LIT-1201527

Network Automation Engine

Network Automation Engine (NAE) Product Bulletin LIT-1201160

Application and Data Server

Application and Data Server (ADS/ADX) Product

Bulletin

LIT-1201525

Network Integration Engine

Network Integration Engine (NIE) Product Bulletin

LIT-1201537

Network Control Engine

Network Control Engine (NCE) Product Bulletin

LIT-12011283

Export Utility

Export Utility Product Bulletin

LIT-1201800

Graphic Generation Tool

Graphic Generation Tool Product Bulletin

LIT-12011698

Metasys System Field Controllers and

Related Products

Metasys System Field Equipment Controllers and

Related Products Product Bulletin

LIT-12011042

LONWORKS Based Products for

Integration into Metasys system

LN Series Controller Overview Product Bulletin

LIT-1201979

Metasys for Validated Environments

(MVE)

Metasys for Validated Environments, Extended

Architecture Product Bulletin

LIT-12011326

Building Efficiency
507 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Metasys and Johnson Controls are registered trademarks of Johnson Controls, Inc.
All other marks herein are the marks of their respective owners. 2011 Johnson Controls, Inc.
Published in U.S.A.
Metasys System Extended Architecture Product Bulletin

www.johnsoncontrols.com
10