Setting up a BBMD-connected network is a manual and somewhat arcane process. The broadcast distribution table is a list of the BBMDs on the network. Each BBMD on each network should have the same broadcast distribution table. Here’s a quick example of a BACnet broadcast distribution table (BDT) that might help clear things up. The…
When I assign a BACnet instance number or BACnet network number, I never use the defaults provided by whatever product I’m using. A few moments of thought about some kind of standard for your site can save you a lot of time down the road when you want to expand your system to include more…
A BACnet Instance Number Is a Globally-unique Address An often misunderstood and neglected topic is the BACnet instance number of a BACnet device. Neglecting to think about this number at installation might not bite you today, but it remains as technical debt that complicates future work. It’s a number that identifies a device uniquely on…
BACnet networks are getting big. Their network infrastructure is getting complicated. BACnet is used to connect campuses, not just buildings. When you connect several networks together, a BACnet/IP Broadcast Management Device (BBMD) is necessary to bridge them. They’re important, but often misunderstood. Use them wrong, and you’ll get a broadcast storm. What Are Broadcasts? Broadcasts…