Niagara 4 Extended
AmeCourse at a Glance
Course Overview
The Niagara 4 Extended Technician Training course is designed for technicians who already have a fundamental understanding of Niagara 4 and want to advance their skills to expert level. This course focuses on advanced features and techniques that will enable you to implement, configure, and troubleshoot complex Niagara systems.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Implement advanced station management and security configurations
- Create and manage custom tag dictionaries and navigation hierarchies
- Write and execute powerful BQL queries for reporting and automation
- Develop sophisticated graphics and visualization components
- Configure and troubleshoot integration drivers for multiple protocols
- Create and deploy templates for efficient system deployment
- Implement comprehensive reporting and diagnostic tools
- Apply best practices for Niagara 4.9+ implementations
Course Sections
Station Management & Security
Master the fundamentals of station copying, file security, and user management.
- Lab 1: Station Copy and Passphrase Reset
- Lab 2: Security Service and Dashboard
- Lab 2A: Manage Actions (Optional)
Tagging & Navigation
Create and implement advanced tagging strategies and custom navigation hierarchies.
- Lab 3: Create a Custom Tag Dictionary
- Lab 4: Smart Tagging (Auto-Tag via Rules)
- Lab 4A: JSON Dictionary Import/Export (Optional)
- Lab 5: Hierarchies (Custom Navigation Trees)
- Lab 5A: Hierarchy Based on Built-in Tags (Optional)
Query Language & Programmatic Control
Master BQL for powerful queries and programmatic station modifications.
- Lab 6: BQL (Niagara Query Language for Reports)
- Lab 6A: All Schedules BQL Query (Optional)
- Lab 6B: All BQL Grids Query (Optional)
- Lab 7: Program Service (Batch Editing)
- Lab 7A: Program Service - Alarm Property Changes (Optional)
Prerequisites
To be successful in this course, you should have:
- Niagara 4 Fundamentals certification or equivalent experience
- Basic understanding of building automation concepts
- Familiarity with Niagara Workbench navigation
- Experience with basic station configuration
- Basic knowledge of HTML for certain visualization labs
You will need access to:
- A computer with Niagara 4.9+ Workbench installed
- The lab station files (provided with the course)
- Internet access for certain integration labs
How This Course Works
Lab Structure
Each lab in this course follows a consistent format designed to maximize both learning and practical skill development:
Background & Theory
Explains the technical concepts and provides context with documentation references.
Objectives & Prerequisites
Clear learning goals and specific requirements for the lab.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Detailed walkthrough with screenshots to guide you through each process.
Video Walkthrough
Demonstration of key techniques to reinforce the written instructions.
Knowledge Check
Interactive questions to verify your understanding of key concepts.
Submission Guidelines
Requirements for completing the lab and peer review criteria.
Recommended Learning Path
For the best learning experience, we recommend:
- Sequential Completion: Work through the labs in order, as each builds on skills from previous labs.
- Hands-On Practice: Actually perform each step in your own Niagara environment, don't just read through them.
- Optional Labs: Complete the optional labs (marked with "A") to deepen your understanding of specific topics.
- Peer Review: Actively participate in reviewing other students' work to reinforce your own learning.
- Discussion Participation: Engage with instructors and peers in the lab discussion forums.
Assessment and Certification
Your progress in this course is assessed through multiple components:
- Lab Submissions: Each lab requires specific deliverables to demonstrate competency.
- Knowledge Checks: Interactive questions throughout the course verify your understanding.
- Peer Reviews: Evaluating others' work deepens your own understanding.
- Final Certification Exam: A comprehensive assessment covering all major course topics.
To earn the Niagara 4 Extended Technician Certification, you must:
- Complete all required labs (optional labs are recommended but not required)
- Submit all required lab documentation
- Pass the final certification exam with a score of 80% or higher
Ready to Begin?
Start with the first lab to learn about station copying and passphrase management.
Start Lab 1 →Technical Requirements
Software Requirements
- Niagara 4.14+ - Full Workbench installation
- Platform Service - Running Niagara daemon
- Web Browser - Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
- PDF Reader - For documentation
Hardware Recommendations
- Processor: 2 GHz dual-core or higher
- RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB recommended)
- Disk Space: 10GB available for Niagara and lab files
- Display: 1920x1080 resolution or higher
Lab Files
- Station Files - Provided for each lab
- Custom Modules - For integration labs
- Documentation - Reference materials
- Sample Data - For testing and practice
All files are available in the Resources section.
Internet Connectivity
- Course Access - OpenEdX platform
- API Access - For integration labs
- Discussion Forums - For support and collaboration
- Video Streaming - For instructional videos
Validating Your Setup
Before beginning the labs, ensure your environment is properly configured:
- Verify Niagara Workbench launches correctly
- Confirm your platform service is running
- Test that you can create and start a basic station
- Check that you can access the course lab files
If you encounter any issues with your setup, please consult the Technical Support Forum for assistance.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Now that you're familiar with the course structure and resources, you're ready to start the first lab module.
Begin Lab 1: Station Copy and Passphrase Reset →