ZP3 Fire Control Panel Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Manual
REV 11 (ISS 08/03/2010)
Page 95
Chapter 7: Peer-to-peer 3 protocol
Introduction
This chapter covers the new features and enhancements of software 71910 Version 3.04 (EN54
ZP3 Fire Panel), which was released on 01 August 2003.
New data structure
Panel Software 3.04 makes use of a new data structure. This new structure relates to device
messages and zone messages.
Compatibility with Maestro and Planner
Use Planner version 3.0.0.59 or higher to ensure that the structure is correct. Previous Planner
projects or saved files are converted automatically to the correct structure when opened with
Planner 3.0.0.59 or higher.
Peer-to-peer 3 (P2P3) protocol
Overview
The most notable new feature is the Peer-to-Peer 3 Protocol (P2P3), which provides the capability
of up to 255 network nodes on a single multi-drop RS485 communications link. Although this
capability is apparent, a network of 100 nodes is deemed the maximum, as this is the maximum
extent to which the system has been tested.
Compatibility with older versions of panel software
Since version 3.00, the protocol has been reworked to deliver multiple commands and/or events
in a single data packet. This results in larger packets and quicker overall performance when the
system gets busy. Version 3.00 and 3.04 panels will therefore not communicate correctly with
each other.
During upgrade, we recommend that the version 3.04 panels have their network comms disabled.
This can be done either by physically disconnecting them or splitting them into sub-networks of
new and old or by using the new Panel Comms Disable feature described on the next page.
Note:
Keep the network comms disabled until all the old version 3.00 software has been replaced.
The handling of Sound and Silence Commands and their status reports has been improved to
minimize an older event from being reported after a newer command.
The status block fetched by Maestro now includes a “panel comms disabled” status (block 15).
Sending “empty” blocks in place of those that only contain zeros as data has further optimized
this status mechanism, so less data is sent when loops/zones/outputs are “normal”.
Note that Maestro version 3.0 or higher is required to communicate correctly with the new panel
software.
