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Installation Guide

NI-4100

 NetLinx

®

 Integrated Controller

Overview

The NI-4100 (

FG2105-06

), part of the NI Series of Master Controllers, is geared to 

meet the high-end control and automation requirements of the most sophisticated and 
complex commercial and residential installations.
This controller integrates the largest number of devices including DVD players, 
projectors, lighting, thermostats and other electronic equipment. In technology-
intensive environments, this solution can be used to accommodate the future addition 
of more devices and control capabilities. 

The NI-4100’s on-board Master also provides the ability to update installed control 
card firmware.

ATTENTION!

Verify you are using the latest NI firmware for the on-board Master. Verify you are 
using the latest version of NetLinx Studio (available for download from 

www.amx.com

).

Specifications     

Connections and Wiring

FIG. 2 shows the layout of the connectors and components on the rear of the NI-4100 
NetLinx Integrated Controller.          

Inserting NetLinx Cards into the NetLinx Control Card Slots

NetLinx Cards can be installed into the front card slots. The cards mount horizontally 
through the card slot openings on the front panel of the enclosure. 
To install a NetLinx Card:

FIG. 1  

NI-4100 NetLinx Integrated Controller (front view)

NI-4100 Specifications

Dimensions (HWD):

• 5.21" x 17.00" x 9.60" (13.23 cm x 43.18 cm x 24.27 cm)
• 3 rack units high

Power Requirement:

• 900 mA @ 12 VDC

Memory:

• 64 MB SDRAM
• 1 MB Non-volatile (NV) SRAM

Compact Flash:

128 MB or more
• AMX may increase Flash size at any time in response to market 

availability 

• Upgradeable - see 

Other AMX Equipment

Weight:

9.15 lbs (4.15 kg)

Enclosure:

Metal with black matte finish

Certifications:

FCC Part 15 Class B, CE, and IEC 60950

Front Panel LEDs/Slots:

• LINK/ACT: 

Green LED blinks when the Ethernet cables are connected and 
terminated correctly. Also blinks when receiving Ethernet data 
packets.

• Status: 

Green LED blinks to indicate that the system is programmed and 
communicating properly.

• Output: 

Red LED blinks when the Controller transmits data, sets channels 
On and Off, sends data strings, etc.

• Input: 

Yellow LED blinks when the Controller receives data from button 
pushes, strings, commands, channel levels, etc.

• RS-232/422/485: 

7 sets of red and yellow LEDs light to indicate that DB9 Ports 1 - 7 
are transmitting or receiving RS-232, 422, or 485 data.

• Relay:

8 red LEDs light to indicate the relay channels 1 - 8 are active 
(closed). These LEDs reflect the state of the relay on Port 8.

• IR/Serial: 

8 red LEDs light to indicate the IR/Serial channels 1 - 8 are 
transmitting control data on Ports 9 - 16. LED indictor for each IR 
port remains lit for the length of time that IR/Serial data is being gen-
erated.

• I/O:

8 yellow LEDs light when the rear I/O channels 1 - 8 are active. The 
LED for each I/O port reflects the state of that particular port.

• NetLinx Control 

Card Slots 1 - 4:

Accepts up to 4 compatible NetLinx Cards: such as the NXC-COM2, 
NXC-I/O10, etc.

Rear Panel Components:

• RS-232/422/485 

(Ports 1 - 7):

7 RS-232/422/485 control ports using DB9 (male) connectors with 
XON/XOFF (transmit on/transmit off), CTS/RTS (clear to send/ready 
to send), and 300-115,200 baud.

• ICSNet: 

2 RJ-45 connectors for ICSNet interface

 

(provided by optional 

ICSNet daughter card).

• ICSHub Out: 

RJ-45 connector provides data to a Hub connected to the Controller 
(provided by optional ICSNet daughter card).

• Relay (Port 8):

• Eight-channel single-pole single throw relay ports 
• Each relay is independently controlled.
• Supports up to 8 independent external relay devices
• Channel range = 1-8
• Each relay can switch up to 24 VDC or 28 VAC @ 1 A
• Two 8-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) connectors provide relay 

termination

NI-4100 Specifications (Cont.)

Rear Panel Components (Cont.):

• Digital I/O 

(Port 17): 

8-channel binary I/O port for contact closure with each input being 
capable of voltage sensing. Input format is software selectable with 
interactive power sensing for IR ports.

• IR/Serial 

(Ports 9 - 16): 

8 IR/Serial control ports support high-frequency carriers of up to 
1.142 MHz with each output being capable of two electrical formats: 
IR or Serial. 
• 8 IR/Serial data signals can be generated simultaneously. 
• IR ports support data mode (at limited baud rates and wiring 

distances).

• Program Port: 

RS-232 DB9 connector (male) can be connected to a DB9 port on a 
PC. This connector can be used with serial and NetLinx program-
ming commands, as well as other DB9 capable devices, to both 
upload/download information from the NetLinx Studio program.

• Configuration DIP

Switch: 

Sets the communication parameters for the Program port (see 

Baud 

Rate Settings

).

• ID Pushbutton: 

Sets the NetLinx ID (Device only) assignment for the device.

• Ethernet Port: 

RJ-45 connector provides TCP/IP communication. This is an Auto 
MDI/MDI-X enabled port, which allows you to use either straight-
through or crossover Ethernet cables.
The Ethernet Port LEDs show communication activity, connection 
status, speeds, and mode information:

SPD (speed)

 - Yellow LED lights On when the connection speed is 

100 Mbps and turns Off when the speed is 10 Mbps.

L/A (link/activity)

 - Green LED lights On when the Ethernet cables 

are connected and terminated correctly, and blinks when 
receiving Ethernet data packets.

• AxLink Port: 

4-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (male) connector that provides data and 
power to external control devices. Green AXlink LED indicates the 
state of the AXlink port.

• Power Port: 

2-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (male) connector.

• CardFrame #

DIP Switch: 

Sets the starting address for the Control Cards in the CardFrame. 

(Factory default CardFrame DIP switch value = 0). The Control Card 
address range is 1-3064. 

• Control Card

Connectors (1-4): 

20-pin (male) connectors that connect the Control Cards and 
external equipment to the CardFrame.

Included 
 Accessories:

• 2-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) PWR connector (41-5025)
• 4-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) AXlink connector (41-5047)
• 10-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) I/O connector (41-5107)
• Installation Kit (KA2105-01):

- 8-pin Relay Common Strip 
- 4 rack mount screws 
- 4 washers

• 2 8-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix (female) Relay connectors 

(41-5083)

• 2 CC-NIRC NetLinx IR Emitter Cables (FG10-000-11)
• 2 removable rack ears (62-2105-07)

Other AMX 
 Equipment: 

• 2-pin 3.5 mm mini-Phoenix male connector (41-5026)
• CC-NSER IR/Serial cables (FG10-007-10)
• NCK, NetLinx Connector Kit (FG2902)
• STS, Serial To Screw Terminal (FG959) 
• Upgrade Compact Flash (factory programmed with firmware):

NXA-CF2NI256M - 256 MB compact flash card (FG2116-47)
NXA-CF2NI512M - 512 MB compact flash card (FG2116-48)
NXA-CF2NI1G - 1 GB compact flash card (FG2116-49)

FIG. 2  

NI-4100 rear connectors and components

AXlink Port/LED

Relays (Port 8)

RS-232/422/485 (Ports 1-7)

I/O 

IR/Serial 

Program port

DIP switch

ID Pushbutton

Ethernet

PWR

ICSNet (2)

(Port 17) (Ports 9-16)

ICSHub OUT

Slot 1-4 connectors

Cardframe DIP Switch

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