Overview
2
Hardware Reference Guide - NX-Series NetLinx Integrated Controllers
What’s New?
The following section lists the new features for the NX-series controllers. For more information about each of
these items, see the What’s New for NX-Series Controllers document located on the NX controllers product
pages at www.amx.com.
Two Discrete Network Interfaces (NICs)
The NX-2200, NX-3200 and NX-4200 controllers have two 10/100BaseT Ethernet connections. The first,
designated as LAN, is intended for connection to the Data Network for external network communications such
as database access or scheduling. The second, the ICSLAN is intended for communication with AV devices.
Using the ICSLAN Network
The ICSLAN port has a built-in DHCP server. This DHCP server is enabled by default and will serve IP
addresses to any connected devices set to DHCP mode.
For more information about using the ICSLAN network, DHCP servers, and opening LAN and ICSLAN
sockets from code, see the ICSLAN Ports section on page 30.
Automatic Binding of AMX Devices on ICSLAN
When an ICSLAN device is set to NDP connection mode (the factory default), it will automatically be bound
to the master when connected to it’s ICSLAN port if it’s IP address is valid for the ICSLAN subnet.
Support for IPv6 Networks
The NX-Series controllers fully support IPv6 network addressing. If the LAN port is connected to an IPv6
capable network it will self select an appropriate IPv6 address based on the discovered address parameters of
the network to which it’s attached.
The controllers simultaneously support IPv4 network addressing. This means any controller may have more
than one valid IP address: one IPv4 and one or more IPv6 addresses.
Link-Local Fallback in DHCP Mode
When the X-Series controller’s LAN IP addressing mode is set to DHCP, it will attempt to acquire an IPv4
address from a DHCP server for approximately one minute after boot. If the controller does not receive a valid
DHCP address in that time (e.g. if a DHCP server is not found), it will fall back to an IPv4 address in the
link-local range.
Wired 802.1X Support
The X-Series controllers support 802.1X, an IEEE Standard for Port-based Network Access Control.
ID Pushbutton Functionality
The X-Series controllers include new ID pushbutton functionality. For more information, see the ID
Pushbutton section on page 31.
Serial Ports Differences
Unlike current NI controllers, not all serial ports on the X-series controllers support RS-422 and RS-485. The
NX-1200 and NX-2200 have one serial port that supports RS-232/422/485, and the NX-3200 and NX-4200
have two. The rest of the serial ports (1 on the NX-1200, 3 on the NX-2200 and 6 on the NX-3200 and
NX-4200) support only the RS-232 protocol.
Serial, IR, and AxLink Port Diagnostics
When a string is sent to a serial port or an IR pulse to an IR port, the X-Series controllers can detect and report
if the port being used is in a fault condition. The controllers can also detect certain fault conditions on the
AxLink bus.
AxLink Power Measurement and Control
Important: The NX-Series controllers can NOT be powered via the AxLink port. The +12V pin on the AxLink
connectors are designed only for voltage output. Do NOT connect +12V from a power supply or the NXA-PDU
to the +12V pin on the AxLink connectors, or you may permanently damage the NX controller and/or the
power supply.
The AxLink ports on X-Series controller support a new NetLinx command to turn on and off +12V power
output on the port.