Is the Node Object required to meet the LonMark Interoperability Guidelines?
No, the Node Object is not always required to meet the LonMark interoperability Guidelines. The LonMark Application-Layer Interoperability Guidelines lists the conditions under which it is required.
Note that a LonWorks device that does not contain at least one LonMark Object is not interoperable. A non-interoperable device might contain SNVT Network Variables (NVs), but it can not have a LonMark Standard Program Identifier (SPID) that begins with "8" as this is reserved for devices that have been "certified" by LonMark International. Devices with a Program ID that begins with a "9" are expected to follow the LonMark Interoperability Guidelines; but regardless of the use of the "9" or something else, no rights are granted which allow the use of the terms "certified" or "compliant" in device documentation and/or literature, or the use of similar terms that may imply compliance to the Guidelines. Only devices that have been certified by LonMark International can use the "8" and may claim compliance to the Guidelines.
It is possible to have an interoperable device with functional blocks that are manufacturer-specific (Object numbers 20000 to 25000) if the device also contains a Node Object and Device Resource Files that describe the manufacturer-specific functional blocks in what is known as User-defined Functional Profile Templates (UFPTs). However, the use of publicly available Standard Profiles (SFPTs) is encouraged and their use as the primary function of the device is required if the device is to be certified by LonMark International.
Note also that, when using the Code Wizard available in NodeBuilder 3.0 and newer, the generated code will always contain the Node Object by default and there is no way to disable this feature from the Code Wizard. If you do not wish to have a Node Object (or your device doesn't require it because it will only contain one functional block) then you can not make use of the Code Wizard and instead you should write the device interface straight in Neuron C version 2 (the version that is shipped with NodeBuilder 3.0 and newer).
- LonBuilder 3.01
- LonMark
- Network Architecture
- Neuron C
- NodeBuilder 1.5
- NodeBuilder 3.0
- NodeBuilder 3.1
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