User manual

131
Configure Digi devices
router
A router is a node that creates/maintains network information and uses this
information to determine the best route for a data packet. A router must join a
network before it can allow other routers and end devices to join to it. A router can
participate in routing packets and is intended to be a mains-powered node.
Characteristics of routers include:
- Several routers can operate in one PAN
- Routers can route data packets to/from other nodes
- Can be a data packet source and destination
- Is mains-powered
end device
End devices have no routing capacity. They must always interact with their parent
node (Router or Coordinator) to transmit or receive data. An end device can be a
source or destination for data packets but cannot route packets. End devices can be
battery-powered and offer low-power operation. Characteristics of end devices
include:
- Several end devices can operate in one PAN
- Can be a data packet source and destination
- All messages are relayed through a coordinator or router
- Low power end devices are not supported in this release.
ZigBee protocol terms
Here are definitions of frequently used terms in discussions of and configuration settings
for Mesh networks that use the ZigBee protocol.
ZigBee stack
ZigBee is a published specification set of high-level communication protocols for
use with small, low-power modules. The ZigBee stack provides a layer of network
functionality on top of the 802.15.4 specification. For example, the mesh and
routing capabilities available to ZigBee solutions are absent in the 802.15.4
protocol.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
A data communication network that includes a coordinator and one or more routers/
end devices. Net-work formation is governed by network maximum depth,
maximum child routers and maximum children end devices. All XBee device
adapters are shipped with the same factory default PAN ID. This PAN ID can be
changed in the Mesh Network configuration settings in the web interface for the
ConnectPort X gateway.