Building a device

Parameter

Description

Device Browser

Category

Select the category of device, and click the disclosure arrow to select a device type. Enter text in the search box to filter the list.

This selection filters the Make/Model list. Alternatively, select <All> to view all makes and models.

Make/Model

Select the manufacturer, and click the disclosure arrow to select the model name from the list. The available items shown in the list depend on the selection in Category. Enter text in the search box to filter the list. If the device is already present in the file, this is indicated.

If the model, or even the manufacturer, is not available, you can customize the device. To create a custom make and model, select New Make/Model to open the New Make/Model dialog box. Either select a manufacturer, or select New Make. Enter the custom make name, and then specify the model name. Select a Category for the device; in some cases, this determines which tool can place the device later. For example, a category of Distribution Amplifier means that the customized device can be placed with the Distribution Amplifier tool.

The new make and model appear in the Make/Model list under your user name for future selection.

If Enable browser was not selected in the preferences, the Make and Model are blank so that you can enter custom information.

Delete (trash can)

Deletes the custom device that is selected from the Make/Model list, removing it from the user folder

Device Identification

Enter information that appears in labels on the drawing and in worksheets

Device Name

Enter the name of the device

Display Tag

Enter the tag name for labels (normally, this is the Device Name)

Display Description

Enter a description, such as the manufacturer and model name

Label Symbol

Select a label symbol definition; advanced users can edit the label from the Resource Manager

Enter device physical details

Device Type

Physical

Creates a device that can automatically create a corresponding equipment item in the layout with the Create Equipment command

Virtual

Creates a virtual device, with physical dimensions of 0 for the height, width, and depth. A virtual device cannot be associated with equipment items.

Height/Width/Depth

Enter the device height, width, and depth in millimeters

Height (Rack Units)

Enter the height in rack units

Rack Width

Select whether the width of the device is constrained by the half or the full width of the equipment rack. Select non-rack to use any width, unconstrained by the rack or not placed within a rack.

Modular device

Indicates that the device is modular and is inserted in a rack frame

Module Width (Frame slots)

For modular devices, enter the number of frame slots required in a rack frame

Power

Specify the power requirements (the units are set in the ConnectCAD Settings)

Weight

Enter unit weight (the units are set in the ConnectCAD Settings)

Sockets Definition

If the manufacturer’s make and model information was recognized by ConnectCAD, the sockets are defined for you.

To customize, specify the number of in, out, and IO sockets for each type of signal and connector to be created on the left and right sides of the device. Generally, inputs (and IO) are located on the left, and outputs (and IO) are located on the right.

Optionally, specify a Name Prefix. Add +<number> to increment the numbering by a specific value; for example, OUT+3 names the sockets OUT 4, OUT 5, and so on.

Sockets are added to the device in row order; the rows can be rearranged by clicking and dragging in the # column.

Click in the Use column to include or to exclude the socket.

To change, delete, or duplicate multiple sockets at the same time, hold the Shift key while selecting each row.

For information about the display order of signals and connectors, editing signals, and editing the connectors and cables associated with a signal, see Specifying ConnectCAD settings.

Add/Delete

Adds sockets to the device, or deletes the currently selected socket row(s)

Duplicate

Duplicates the currently selected socket row(s). If desired, you can customize the duplicated row(s) to suit your needs.

Preview

Displays a preview of the device

Create Temporary Device

Instead of clicking OK, click this option to create a device that is placed in the drawing, but is not saved as a symbol definition