Importing Configuration Data to BACnet
Importing Data from an XML File
The BACnet Connector allows you to import data from an XML file to your configuration database. XML has the following advantages over the CSV import/export function.
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XML has a standardized format, unlike the text/CSV format, which uses various delimiters (e.g. TAB instead of commas, strings could not accept all characters, etc.)
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XML is language-independent, whereas CSV converts date/time, floats, and currency fields according to local settings in Windows. For example, using CSV, you cannot export data in a German edition of Windows and import it in an English version of Windows without first making necessary changes
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Windows has an installed automation object that has the capability to work with XML. Thus, programmers can create/modify their configurations outside the SNMP Connector using Visual Basic, if desired.
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XML supports schemas. A schema is a special XML file that specifies the data structure of an XML data file.
To Import Data:
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Right-click on an item within the BACnet Connector’s Tree Explorer. This can include a database, network, Device, Port or Object level of the BACnet Connector Tree Explorer.
Select Import from the pulldown menu. -
The
Open dialog box appears, at which point you can navigate to an existing file location, enter the file name in the text entry box or select a recent file by clicking My Recent Documents. Click Open to proceed. -
An
Import dialog box appears. You must select either Create new items or Update existing items, otherwise there is nothing to import.-
Insert new items. When the import file contains items that are not yet in the configuration database, then it creates them. Otherwise it skips these items.
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Update existing items. When the import file contains items that are in the configuration database, then it updates them using data from the import file. Otherwise it skips these items.
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See also: