Laars ProtoNode FPC-N34 User guide

Document Revision: 14.A
Web Configurator
Template Revision: 72
ProtoNode FPC-N34 and ProtoNode FPC-N35
Start-up Guide
For Interfacing LAARS Products:
Sola, Multiburner, SV2, HTD, OmniTherm, MagnaTherm
To Building Automation Systems:
BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Metasys N2, LonWorks and
SMC Cloud
APPLICABILITY & EFFECTIVITY
Explains ProtoNode hardware and how to install it.
The instructions are effective for the above as of October 2020.
800.900.9276•Fax[phone](Customer Service, ServiceAdvisors)
20 Industrial Way,Rochester, NH 03867 •603.335.6300 •Fax [phone](Applications Engineering)
1869SismetRoad, Mississauga, Ontario,Canada L4W 1W8•905.238.0100•Fax [phone]
www.Laars.com
The ProtoNode Start-up Guide
LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 0
Start-up Guide
ProtoNode FPC-N34 and ProtoNode FPC-N35
For Interfacing LAARS Products
MSAsafety.com
Document Revision: 14.B
Web Configurator
Customer Service and Product Support: 800.900.9276 • Fax [phone]
Headquarters: 20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 • 603.335.6300 • Fax [phone]
9 Brigden Gate, Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada L7G 0A3 • 905.203.0600 • Fax [phone]
www.Laars.com Litho in U.S.A. © Laars Heating Systems 21-05 Document 4236K
H2354400K
Document 4236K

Page 2 of 72
LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 2
Technical Support
Thank you for purchasing the ProtoNode for LAARS.
Please call LAARS for technical support of the ProtoNode product.
MSA Safety does not provide direct support. If LAARS needs to escalate the concern, they will contact
MSA Safety for assistance.
Support Contact Information:
LAARS
20 Industrial Way,
Rochester, NH 03867
Customer Service:
[phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.laars.com
LAARS Heating Systems
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com

The ProtoNode Start-up Guide Page 3 of 72
LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 3
Quick Start Guide
1. Record the information about the unit. (Section 2.1)
2. Check that the ProtoNode and customer device COM settings match. (Section 2.3)
3. Connect the ProtoNode 6 pin RS-485 connector to the RS-485 network that is connected to each of
the devices. (Section 3.2)
4. If using a serial field protocol:
Connect the ProtoNode FPC-N34 3 pin RS-485 port to the field protocol cabling, (Section 3.3)
or connect the ProtoNode FPC-N35 2 pin LonWorks port to the field protocol cabling. (Section 3.4)
5. Connect power to the ProtoNode 6 pin port. (Section 3.5)
6. Connect a PC to the ProtoNode via Ethernet cable. (Section 4)
7. Setup Web Server Security and login via web browser. (Section 5)
8. Use a web browser to access the ProtoNode Web Configurator page to select the profiles of the devices
attached to the ProtoNode and enter any necessary device information. Once the devices are selected,
the ProtoNode automatically builds and loads the appropriate configuration. (Section 8)
9. LonWorks (FPC-N35): The ProtoNode must be commissioned on the LonWorks Network. This needs
to be done by the LonWorks administrator using a LonWorks commissioning tool. (Section 9)
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com

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LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 4
Table of Contents
1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................8
1.1 ProtoNode Gateway .................................................................................................................8
2 Setup for ProtoNode ......................................................................................................................10
2.1 Record Identification Data ......................................................................................................10
2.2 Point Count Capacity..............................................................................................................10
2.3 Configuring Device Communications .....................................................................................11
2.3.1 Confirm the Device and ProtoNode COM Settings Match.....................................................11
2.3.2 Set Node-ID for Any Device Attached to the ProtoNode .......................................................11
3 Interfacing ProtoNode to Devices ................................................................................................12
3.1 ProtoNode FPC-N34 and FPC-N35 Showing Connection Ports............................................12
3.2 Serial Device Connections to the ProtoNode.........................................................................13
3.2.1 Biasing the RS-485 Device Network......................................................................................14
3.2.2 End of Line Termination Switch for the RS-485 Device Network ..........................................15
3.3 Serial Network (FPC-N34): Wiring Field Port to RS-485 Network .........................................16
3.4 LonWorks (FPC-N35): Wiring LonWorks Devices to the LonWorks Terminal.......................17
3.5 Power-Up ProtoNode .............................................................................................................18
4 Connect the PC to the ProtoNode ................................................................................................19
4.1 Connecting to the Gateway via Ethernet................................................................................19
4.1.1 Changing the Subnet of the Connected PC...........................................................................19
5 Setup Web Server Security ...........................................................................................................20
5.1 Login to the FieldServer .........................................................................................................20
5.2 Select the Security Mode........................................................................................................22
5.2.1 HTTPS with Own Trusted TLS Certificate .............................................................................23
5.2.2 HTTPS with Default Untrusted Self-Signed TLS Certificate or HTTP with Built-in Payload
Encryption ..............................................................................................................................23
6 Configure Network Settings..........................................................................................................24
6.1 Navigate to the Network Settings...........................................................................................24
6.2 Change the ProtoNode IP Address........................................................................................25
7 SMC Cloud User Setup, Registration and Login.........................................................................26
7.1 Choose Whether to Integrate SMC Cloud..............................................................................26
7.2 User Setup..............................................................................................................................28
7.3 Registration Process ..............................................................................................................30
7.4 Login to SMC Cloud ...............................................................................................................34
8 Configure the ProtoNode...............................................................................................................36
8.1 Navigate to the ProtoNode Web Configurator........................................................................36
8.2 Select Field Protocol and Set Configuration Parameters.......................................................37
8.3 Setting ProtoNode Active Profiles ..........................................................................................38
8.4 Verify Device Communications...............................................................................................39
8.5 BACnet: Setting Node_Offset to Assign Specific Device Instances......................................40
8.6 How to Start the Installation Over: Clearing Profiles ..............................................................41
9 LonWorks (FPC-N35): Commissioning ProtoNode on a LonWorks Network..........................42
9.1 Commissioning ProtoNode FPC-N35 on a LonWorks Network.............................................42
9.1.1 Instructions to Upload XIF File from ProtoNode FPC-N35 Using Browser............................42
10 Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................44
10.1 Lost or Incorrect IP Address...................................................................................................44
10.2 Viewing Diagnostic Information..............................................................................................45
10.3 Checking Wiring and Settings ................................................................................................46
10.4 LED Diagnostics for Communications Between ProtoNode and Devices .............................47
10.5 Taking a FieldServer Diagnostic Capture...............................................................................48
10.5.1 Taking a Capture with Older Firmware ..................................................................................49
LAARS Heating Systems
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com

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LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 5
10.6 Factory Reset Instructions......................................................................................................51
10.7 Internet Browsers Not Supported...........................................................................................51
11 Additional Information...................................................................................................................52
11.1 Update Firmware....................................................................................................................52
11.2 BACnet: Setting Network_Number for More Than One ProtoNode on the Subnet ...............52
11.3 Certification.............................................................................................................................52
11.3.1 BTL Mark –BACnet®Testing Laboratory ..............................................................................52
11.3.2 LonMark Certification .............................................................................................................53
11.4 Change Web Server Security Settings After Initial Setup ......................................................54
11.4.1 Change Security Mode...........................................................................................................55
11.4.2 Edit the Certificate Loaded onto the FieldServer ...................................................................56
11.5 Change User Management Settings ......................................................................................57
11.5.1 Create Users..........................................................................................................................58
11.5.2 Edit Users...............................................................................................................................59
11.5.3 Delete Users...........................................................................................................................60
11.5.4 Change FieldServer Password ..............................................................................................61
11.6 SMC Cloud Connection Warning Message............................................................................62
11.7 System Status Button.............................................................................................................63
11.8 Routing Settings .....................................................................................................................64
12 Vendor Information –LAARS........................................................................................................65
13 Specifications.................................................................................................................................66
13.1 Compliance with UL Regulations............................................................................................66
14 Limited 2 Year Warranty................................................................................................................67
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com

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LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 6
List of Figures
Figure 1: ProtoNode Part Numbers.....................................................................................................................10
Figure 2: Supported Point Count Capacity..........................................................................................................10
Figure 3: Points per Device.................................................................................................................................10
Figure 4: COM Settings.......................................................................................................................................11
Figure 5: ProtoNode FPC-N34 (Top) and ProtoNode FPC-N35 (Bottom) ..........................................................12
Figure 6: Device and Power Connections...........................................................................................................13
Figure 7: RS-485 Biasing Switch on the ProtoNode N34 (Left) and ProtoNode N35 (Right)..............................14
Figure 8: RS-485 End-Of-Line Termination Switch on the ProtoNode N34 (Left) and........................................15
Figure 9: Connection from ProtoNode to RS-485 Field Network ........................................................................16
Figure 10: RS-485 EOL & Bias Resistor Switches..............................................................................................16
Figure 11: LonWorks Terminal............................................................................................................................17
Figure 12: Required Current Draw for the ProtoNode.........................................................................................18
Figure 13: Power Connections............................................................................................................................18
Figure 14: Ethernet Port Location.......................................................................................................................19
Figure 15: Web Server Security Unconfigured Window......................................................................................20
Figure 16: Connection Not Private Warning........................................................................................................20
Figure 17: Warning Expanded Text ....................................................................................................................21
Figure 18: FieldServer Login...............................................................................................................................21
Figure 19: Security Mode Selection Screen........................................................................................................22
Figure 20: Security Mode Selection Screen –Certificate & Private Key.............................................................23
Figure 21: Generic Web App Landing Page .......................................................................................................24
Figure 22: Settings Tabs.....................................................................................................................................24
Figure 23: FS-GUI Landing Page........................................................................................................................24
Figure 24: Ethernet Port Network Settings..........................................................................................................25
Figure 25: Generic Web App Page –First Login ................................................................................................26
Figure 26: SMC Cloud Opt Out Warning Window...............................................................................................27
Figure 27: Welcome to SMC Cloud Email...........................................................................................................28
Figure 28: Setting User Details...........................................................................................................................29
Figure 29: SMC Cloud Registration Message.....................................................................................................30
Figure 30: SMC Cloud Registration –Installer Details........................................................................................31
Figure 31: SMC Cloud Registration –Site Details..............................................................................................31
Figure 32: SMC Cloud Registration –Gateway Details......................................................................................32
Figure 33: SMC Cloud Registration –SMC Cloud Account................................................................................32
Figure 34: Device Registered for SMC Cloud.....................................................................................................33
Figure 35: SMC Cloud Login Page .....................................................................................................................34
Figure 36: SMC Cloud Privacy Policy .................................................................................................................34
Figure 37: SMC Cloud Landing Page .................................................................................................................35
Figure 38: Web App Landing Page.....................................................................................................................36
Figure 39: Configure Tab ....................................................................................................................................36
Figure 40: Web Configurator Showing Configuration Parameters......................................................................37
Figure 41: Web Configurator Showing no Active Profiles ...................................................................................38
Figure 42: Profile Selection Menu.......................................................................................................................39
Figure 43: Web Configurator Showing Active Profile Additions..........................................................................39
Figure 44: Web Configurator Node Offset Field..................................................................................................40
Figure 45: Active Profiles ....................................................................................................................................40
Figure 46: LonWorks Service Pin Location.........................................................................................................42
Figure 47: Sample of Fserver.XIF File Generated ..............................................................................................43
Figure 48: Ethernet Port Location.......................................................................................................................44
Figure 49: Error Messages Screen .....................................................................................................................45
Figure 50: Diagnostic LEDs ................................................................................................................................47
Figure 51: Ethernet Port Location.......................................................................................................................49
Figure 52: Web Configurator –Network Number Field.......................................................................................52
Figure 53: FS-GUI Page .....................................................................................................................................54
Figure 54: FS-GUI Security Setup ......................................................................................................................55
Figure 55: FS-GUI Security Setup –Certificate Loaded.....................................................................................56
Figure 56: FS-GUI User Management ................................................................................................................57
Figure 57: Create User Window..........................................................................................................................58
LAARS Heating Systems
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com

The ProtoNode Start-up Guide Page 7 of 72
LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 7
Figure 58: Setup Users .......................................................................................................................................59
Figure 59: Edit User Window ..............................................................................................................................59
Figure 60: Setup Users .......................................................................................................................................60
Figure 61: User Delete Warning..........................................................................................................................60
Figure 62: FieldServer Password Update via FS-GUI ........................................................................................61
Figure 63: SMC Cloud Connection Problems Message......................................................................................62
Figure 64: Routing Settings.................................................................................................................................64
Figure 65: Specifications.....................................................................................................................................66
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com

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LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 8
1 Introduction
1.1 ProtoNode Gateway
The ProtoNode is an external, high performance building automation multi-protocol gateway that is
preconfigured to automatically communicate between LAARS’devices (hereafter simply called “device”)
connected to the ProtoNode and automatically configures them for BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, Modbus
TCP/IP or LonWorks®1.
It is not necessary to download any configuration files to support the required applications. The ProtoNode
is pre-loaded with tested profiles/configurations for the supported devices.
WARNING: Only use screws supplied by MSA Safety in the holes found on the back of the unit
when attaching the optional DIN rail bracket. Use of any other screws may damage the unit.
FPC-N34 Connectivity Diagram:
1LonWorks is a registered trademark of Echelon Corporation
LAARS Heating Systems
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com

The ProtoNode Start-up Guide Page 9 of 72
LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 9
FPC-N35 Connectivity Diagram:
The ProtoNode can connect with the SMC Cloud. The SMC Cloud allows technicians, the OEM's support
team and MSA Safety's support team to remotely connect to the ProtoNode. The SMC Cloud provides the
following capabilities for any registered devices in the field:
•Remotely monitor and control devices.
•Collect device data and view it on the SMC Cloud Dashboard and the SMC Smart Phone App.
•Create user defined device notifications (alarm, trouble and warning) via SMS and/or Email.
•Generate diagnostic captures (as needed for troubleshooting) without going to the site.
For more information about the SMC Cloud, refer to the SMC Cloud Start-up Guide.
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com

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LAARS ProtoNode Start-up Guide 10
2 Setup for ProtoNode
2.1 Record Identification Data
Each ProtoNode has a unique part number located on the side or the back of the unit. This number should
be recorded, as it may be required for technical support. The numbers are as follows:
Model Part Number
ProtoNode FPC-N34
FPC-N34-0701
ProtoNode FPC-N35
FPC-N35-0702
Figure 1: ProtoNode Part Numbers
•FPC-N34 units have the following 3 ports: RS-485 + Ethernet + RS-485
•FPC-N35 units have the following 3 ports: LonWorks + Ethernet + RS-485
2.2 Point Count Capacity
The total number of registers presented the device(s) attached to the ProtoNode cannot exceed:
Part number Total Registers
FPC-N34-0701 1,500
FPC-N35-0702 1,500
Figure 2: Supported Point Count Capacity
Devices Point Count Per Device
Sola
88
Multiburner
149
SV2
82
HTD
254
OmniTherm
174
MagnaTherm
174
Figure 3: Points per Device
LAARS Heating Systems
20 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH, USA 03867 •[phone] • www.Laars.com