Table of contents

Node Card CAN Quickstart

The simplest way to confirm your Node Card is active on the CAN network.

This section uses a wired USB-CAN adapter, because it is the fastest and most reliable way to connect the CDI Configuration Tool.

Connect the Node Card to Your Computer’s CAN Adapter

Use one of these wired adapters (recommended for Quickstart):

• CANable 2.0
• RR-CirKits LCC Buffer-USB

Connect them as follows:

1. Plug the CAN adapter into your computer
2. Use a network cable to connect the adapter to the Node Card CAN RJ45 port
3. Make sure the Node Card is powered

This creates a direct wired CAN link between your Node Card and your computer.

If you need help setting up your CAN adapter see the CDI Configuration Tool Installation Guide.

Look for CAN Startup in the Serial Monitor

When the Node Card boots, you should see:

[I] CAN Communications: Started (wired CAN over TWAI).

This confirms:

• CAN is active
• The Node Card is able to join the CAN network
• The CAN transceiver and firmware are initialized

If you see this line, CAN is working.

Open the CDI Configuration Tool

Use the LCC Fusion CDI Configuration Tool or JMRI.

Follow the instructions in the: CDI Configuration Tool Installation Guide

Then:

1. Launch the CDI tool
2. Select your wired CAN adapter from the connection list
3. Click Connect
4. Refresh or scan for nodes

What You Should See

When CAN is operating correctly:

• Your Node Card appears in the CDI tool’s node list
• Its Node ID matches the startup message shown in the serial monitor
• You can open its CDI without errors

That’s all you need to confirm the CAN network is functioning.

CAN Quickstart Complete

You have just verified:

• Wired CAN communication
• Your Node Card is online
• The CDI Configuration Tool can see the device
• The network path is correct

You’re ready to continue to the next Basics section.