The Simplicity of MirX, The Power of .NET

Inputs on Each Controller Control the Relays at the Other Controller
Controllers  Communicate over a LAN or Internet via Ethernet Connection
Controllers Will Find Each Other No Matter Where They are in the Entire World

Control a Switch From a Distant Location

MirX-MXNET controllers provide you with an easy way to control a switch from a distant location using the Internet or LAN communications. MirX-MXNET controllers use a very sophisticated program to find each other no matter where they are in the entire world. They are permanently married together, and no matter how far apart they may be, they will always try to stay in communication with each other.

MirX-MXNET controllers are sold in pairs. Each MirX-MXNET controller has inputs and relays. One MirX-MXNET controller is installed locally while the other MirX-MXNET controller is installed remotely. The inputs on the local MirX-MXNET controller control the relays at the remote MirX-MXNET controller. The inputs on the remotely located MirX-MXNET controller control the relays on the local MirX-MXNET controller. MirX-MXNET controllers have one or more Contact Closure Inputs and one or more Contact Closure outputs.

Using this system, it is possible to install a light switch at your house that controls a light in China. Similarly, a light switch in China can control the lights at your house... and we have actually been testing this exact configuration for the past year as we have developed the firmware built into the MirX-MXNET controller.

Constant Communication

In order to use MirX-MXNET controllers over the internet, a 3rd party server is required. By default, we have configured every MirX-MXNET controller to use our two Lenux servers as a central hub and backup for MirX-MXNET communications. This server keeps each controller in communications with each other. However, you do not have to use our server; you can install our software on your own server and use it instead or in combination with our Lenux server. In fact, you can install our software on up to 4 servers. If one server is down, another server will be used as a backup path for communications. Your MirX-MXNET controller works right out of the box with our server, but you can add more servers if you want to increase the reliability.

If you prefer to use the MirX-MXNET controller over a local area network (LAN), no external server is required. LAN connected MirX-MXNET controllers will find each other directly (each location must be connected to an Ethernet router or switch).

Learn more about how MXNET works

Communication Between Boards

The MXNET MirX Devices will work on a local area network or over the internet. There are redundant communication channels between the two boards, as long as one of them is able to make connection, the boards will work. When two modules are in the same local area network, they can communicate to each other directly without a Mirror Server. No Internet connection is required.

Connection Through Mirror Server

When two mirror modules are located in different networks, they can talk to each other through the NCD Mirror Server. Mirror modules can connect to up to four servers at the same time. As long as one of the servers can be connected to, the mirror modules will work. You can use the preloaded servers or you can use Base Station Software to customize the board with your own server and three backup servers. The server can be setup inside a local area network as long as both modules are able to access it.

Base Station Software

The devices have been paired by NCD prior to shipment and require no configuration; however, if you wish to make changes in this pairing, you may use the NCD Base Station software to change the configuration settings. This can also be a valuable troubleshooting tool because of its ability to show devices that are communicating on your network.

Multiple MirX Pairs?

Multiple MirX Controllers can be used in one locations. One Pair of MirC controllers will not interfere with another MirC pair. With Base Station Software you can view and edit all paired communication settings.

The Possibilities

The possibilities are endless with the MXNET series. They can be as simple or as complex as you want to make them. You can use a simple Push Button to activate the Relays or use a Current Sensor to constantly monitor the voltage running to a machine.

Remote Building Lights

You want to control the lights at a remote building from your house with a Push Button. Simply wire the lights to the board at the remote building and wire aPush Button to the necessary inputs on the board at your house and connect power and Internet to both. It's as simple as that.

Now replace the lights with any electronic device you need to control remotely and you have complete remote control from anywhere in the world.

Range:

MXNET pairs can communicate to each other from anywhere in the world using an internet connection. No Static IP Address is required. Simply plug the Ethernet and Power Cords in and give them a few minutes to find each other. After you wire the controlled devices in, you can control billboard lights in India, Runway Lights at an Airport, or simply lock your front door from the office.

Learn more about the Range of MXNET

Modes

MXNET Series Boards have two different modes that you can choose from, Smart Mode and Beacon Mode. Each has its own methods of how they send data and how they react to communication loss.

Smart Mode:

Smart Mode is the faster and lower energy option of the two. A board in Smart Mode only sends data to the paired device when a contact closure is detected. If communications are lost in Smart Mode all relays will turn off after a period of 30 seconds.

Beacon Mode:

A board in Beacon Mode constantly sends data to the paired device and waits for a change in the data being sent to it to change. If communications are lost the status of all relays will remain the same until communications are reestablished.

Learn more about the Modes of MXNET

Notes:

MXNET devices are only sold as a permanently married pair, pricing shown on our web site indicates pricing for the pair of controllers. Contact Closure Inputs may only be connected to switches, buttons, or sensors with Contact Closure capability. Not suitable for use in voltage detection applications. MXNET devices use Network Communications to ensure the remote device is properly functioning. The Busy LED is always used to indicate a properly functioning remote device. If you do not see the Busy LED flash, then the MirX controller is unable to communicate to the remote device. A flashing busy LED is your verification that all communications are functioning properly between MXNET controllers.

Inductive loads can lead to dropped communications between the two Devices. Customers who require inductive switching (such as motors, lights, pumps, solenoids, and Transformers) should visit the Induction Suppression portion of our web site.

Product Variations: MirC and MirX Series Controllers

NCD Currently offers two variations of this design: MirC and MirX.

MirX controllers have relays on both the remote and local device while MirC has relays on only one board which is controlled by a dedicated controller board.

Learn more about the difference between MirX and MirC