Does my BACnet Capture Tool work without an Internet connection?

NOTE: This article is for use with the hardware capture tool and not the software capture tool.

It is highly recommended that Optigo's Visual BACnet Capture Tool (the DIN-rail mounted model) be connected to the Internet at all times. However, if 24/7 Internet connectivity is absolutely not an option, it can be used offline, but you need to consider the following:

• Bulk uploading of excessive amounts of files that were captured offline can cause problems ranging from simple processing failures to complete lockup requiring the tool to be reset to defaults. Please connect your BACnet Capture Tool to the Internet as often as possible to upload captures to Visual BACnet.

• The Capture Tool's network settings should be configured so that it will work on the network you will connect it to when you're ready to upload the capture files (i.e. a network with access to the Internet).

• Any computer used to manage the Capture Tool while it is not connected to the Internet, needs to have its network settings configured so that its subnet and gateway are the same as the tool. Otherwise, you won't be able to connect to it.

• Unless you have a stand-alone NTP time-server that's connected to the same LAN as the Capture Tool, the tool will require an Internet connection to automatically sync and set it's clock. So, if you plan to capture BACnet traffic with accurate time-stamps, you will need to sync it's clock at least once to set the time before you start capturing. Then you can disconnect the network cable from its built-in Ethernet port. However, you must leave the power connected after the clock is synced or it will be reset. 

• In order to upload stored capture files from a BACnet Capture Tool that has been capturing without Internet access, you must first disconnect power from the unit, then connect it to the Internet before re-applying power to it. If there a significant number of captures that failed to upload, you will likely need to manually upload each one of them by clicking the re-upload symbol in the 'Options' column on the 'Capture History' page.