Bulk Linker

This article covers the following topics:

• Background information
• Activation
• Use of the Bulk Linker app in ETS
• Workflow

Background information

The Bulk Linker is an ETS App designed to optimize the configuration process of KNX installations by enabling rapid, bulk linking of Group Objects to Group Addresses and Group Objects to other Group Objects. Traditional manual linking in ETS can be time-consuming, especially in large projects with dozens or hundreds of points. The Bulk Linker leverages intuitive drag-and-drop and automatic pairing, significantly reducing setup time and minimizing human error.

In addition to linking capabilities, the Bulk Linker provides an interface for managing KNX Serial Numbers, allowing users to export and import device serial numbers for project documentation and device replacement scenarios. The app also includes comprehensive logging to track all linking operations and KNX Serial Number insertions performed during project configuration.

Activation

Follow these instructions in order to activate the app:

• Purchase a license from MyKNX
• Download and install the app as explained here
• License it as explained here

Use of the Bulk Linker app in ETS

Invoke the app as it is explained here.

Interface Overview

The Bulk Linker app interface is organized into four main tabs, each providing specific functionality:

1. Group Address <> Group Object Tab

This is the primary tab for bulk linking Group Objects to Group Addresses. The window is divided into three zones:

1. Source Zone (Left)
   • Drop devices, channels, or individual Group Objects.
   • Buttons to remove all, or the selected items.
   • Counter displaying the number of items in the list.
2. Target Zone (Middle)
   • Drop Group Addresses, Group Ranges (i.e. Main or Middle Groups), or Building Functions.
   • Buttons to remove all, or the selected items.
   • Counter displaying the number of items in the list.
3. Preview & Link Zone (Right)
   • Automatic pairing preview based on list order.
   • Link button to execute linking.
   • Help button for documentation access.

2. Group Object <> Group Object Tab

This tab enables linking Group Objects directly to other Group Objects, without manually creating the Group Address structure first. The layout is similar to the first tab:

1. Source Zone (Left)
   • Drop devices, channels, or individual Group Objects that will serve as the source.
   • Buttons to remove all, or the selected items.
   • Counter displaying the number of items in the list.
2. Target Zone (Middle)
   • Drop devices, channels, or individual Group Objects that will serve as the target.
   • Buttons to remove all, or the selected items.
   • Counter displaying the number of items in the list.
3. Preview & Link Zone (Right)
   • Automatic pairing preview showing which Group Objects will be linked together by means of a Group Address. You can modify the name and the number of the Group Address to be created. The suggested Group Address is always based on the first available starting from 0 to 31 for Main Groups, from 0 to 7 for Middle Groups and then from 0 to 255 for Group Addresses (0/0/0 is excluded).
   • Link button to execute the Group Object to Group Object linking.

3. KNX Serial Numbers Tab

This tab provides tools for managing device serial numbers within your project:

• Device List (Left)
  • Displays all devices in the project with their KNX Serial Numbers (if any), sorted by individual address (ascending).
  • Shows device name, individual address, location and serial number for each device.
  • Export button to save the device list and serial numbers to a CSV file. 
  • Counter showing the total number of devices.
• Import & Preview Zone (Right)
  • Select CSV File button to choose a file containing serial numbers to import. As soon as a file with the correct structure (individual address, KNX Serial Number) is selected, the preview list below shows all the devices to be updated with their current (if any) and new serial numbers.
  • Import button to apply the serial number changes to the project.
  • Counter showing the number of devices to be updated.

The structure of the CSV file is the following: [Individual Address,KNX Serial Number], where the individual address shall have the format x.y.z (e.g. 1.1.1) and the KNX Serial Number ManufacturerCode:UniqueNumber (e.g. 00FA:59851921)

4. Log Tab

The Log tab provides a chronological record of all linking operations:

• Displays all successful link operations and KNX Serial Number inserts with timestamps.
• Shows details of what was linked (Group Objects to Group Addresses or Group Objects to Group Objects) or the device to which a KNX Serial Number has been inserted to.
• Clear All button to clear the log history.

Workflow

Group Address to Group Object Linking

1. Populate Source Zone

• Drag and drop elements from ETS:
  • Device: Adds all active Group Objects of the device.
  • Channel: Adds all active Group Objects under the channel.
  • Group Objects: Adds individual Group Objects.

2. Populate Target Zone

• Drag and drop:
  • Group Address: Adds single Group Address.
  • Group Range: Adds all Group Addresses within the range.
  • Building Function: Adds linked Group Addresses.

3. Review Preview

• The tool pairs items by their index order (i.e. the first item from the source list with the first item from the target list, etc.)
• Any exceeding items from any of the lists are ignored (e.g. if you have less Group Addresses than Group Objects, then only the ones that have a corresponding Group Object will be linked)
• Adjust order via drag-and-drop or context menu commands (Move Up, Move Down).

4. Create Links

• Click the Link button.
• A confirmation dialog displays the number of links created and any errors.
• Linked entries are saved in the project's app data and can be reviewed later using the 'Log' tab.

Group Object to Group Object Linking

1. Navigate to Group Object <> Group Object Tab

• Switch to the second tab in the Bulk Linker interface.

2. Populate Source Zone

• Drag and drop source Group Objects from ETS:
  • Device: Adds all active Group Objects of the device.
  • Channel: Adds all active Group Objects under the channel.
  • Group Objects: Adds individual Group Objects.

3. Populate Target Zone

• Drag and drop target Group Objects from ETS using the same methods as the source zone.

4. Review Preview

• The preview shows how Group Objects will be linked to each other based on their order.
• Items are paired by index order (first with first, second with second, etc.).
• Adjust order using drag-and-drop or context menu commands (Move Up, Move Down).
• Adjust Group Address number and/or Group Address name if necessary.

5. Create Group Object Links

• Click the Link button.
• A confirmation dialog displays the number of links created and any errors.
• All linking operations are automatically logged in the Log tab.

KNX Serial Number Management

Exporting Serial Numbers

1. Navigate to the KNX Serial Numbers tab.
2. Review the list of devices and their current serial numbers in the left panel.
3. Click the Export button.
4. Choose a location and filename for the CSV file.
5. The exported file contains device names, individual addresses, and serial numbers.

Importing Serial Numbers

1. Navigate to the KNX Serial Numbers tab.
2. Click the Select CSV File button in the right panel.
3. Browse and select a CSV file containing serial numbers (typically previously exported and modified).
4. Once a valid file is selected, the preview shows only the devices to be updated with the following information:
   • Device name, individual address, location, old KNX Serial Number and new KNX Serial Number for each device.
5. Review the preview to ensure the correct devices will be updated.
6. Click the Import button to apply the changes.
7. A confirmation dialog displays the number of devices updated.
8. The import operation is logged in the Log tab.

Viewing the Log

• Switch to the Log tab to see a chronological summary of all operations performed with the Bulk Linker.
• The log includes:
  • Group Address to Group Object linking operations
  • Group Object to Group Object linking operations
  • Serial number import operations
• Each log entry shows the timestamp and details of the operation.
• Use the Clear All button to clear the log if needed.

Best Practices

• Plan your linking strategy: Before using the Bulk Linker, organize your Group Objects and Group Addresses in a logical order to take advantage of the index-based pairing.
• Use the preview: Always review the preview before clicking the Link button to ensure the correct pairings will be created.
• Backup serial numbers: Regularly export your device serial numbers as a backup, especially before making changes to devices or performing device replacements.
• Review the log: Periodically check the Log tab to verify that all linking operations were successful and to maintain a record of your configuration changes.
• Organize by channels: When working with devices that have multiple channels, consider dropping entire channels to maintain logical groupings in your links.