Software Required

The AMX Landmark system does not provide home automation capability out of the box.  It has to be programmed.  It is the equivalent of purchasing a Computer that only has DOS - Landmark is the equivalent of DOS.  You need to configure everything else including the user interfaces on the panels. 

Note:  Phast was the original company that developed the Landmark software and associated hardware.  This was later acquired by AMX.  You will find references to Phast in both the software and associated literature. 

First thing you need to get started is the right software.  Here is what you need to program an AMX Landmark system:

1.  Landmark v4.1 Build 3 - This is the last version of the Landmark software that was distributed in 2004.  It is available for free to AMX developers on the AMX website.  This software provides the ability to program the AMX system components from a single GUI development environment.  It generates files that are downloaded to a single PLC-MCU master control card that controls the entire system.

Note:  When installing, do not change the default installation directory.  There is a bug in the code that requires that this is installed to the Program Files\Landmark directory.  Any other directory location will prevent you from transmitting the files to the MCU.

2.  TPDesign v3.16 Build 200 - This is the last version of the TPDesign software for touchpanels that are compatible with Landmark systems - labelled G3 touchpanels.  It is available for free to AMX developers on the AMX website.  This software provides the ability to program the touchpanels using a GUI environment that specifies the pages, navigation, and buttons.  It generates a file that is downloaded to an individual panel.  In order to get to Build 200, you need two installs:

     a. TPDesign 3.16
     b. TPDesign patch to Build 200

Note:  TPDesign4 is the currently available panel software that AMX supports.  This will not work with G3 panels that support Landmark systems.  TPDesign4 is targeted only for G4 panels.  You need the older TPDesign3 software.

3.  Windows XP SP3 - The Landmark and TPDesign software are targeted to run on Windows XP.  You need a computer with a fresh install of Windows XP.

• Install Windows XP
• Download the Service Packs from Microsoft and get it upgraded to Service Pack 3.  You won't be able to use Windows Update as it is no longer compatible with IE6 - the browser that is installed with SP1 and SP2.
• Once SP 3 is installed you should be able to install the latest browser and run Windows Update to get everything up to speed.  As of January, 2013, I have not found that any of the updates conflicts with either Landmark or TPDesign.
• Network Setup - The Landmark software communicates to the PLC-MCU over Netbios, not over IP. Open Network Connections and select your Local Area Network Connection.  If you don't see the NWLink protocols in the list do the following:
  - Click Install
  - Select Protocol and click ADD
  - Select NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS and click OK
  - The following will appear in the list and must be checked...
  - NWLink NetBIOS + NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS
  - Just to be safe I clicked the TCP/IP protocal, clicked the Advanced button, went to the WINS tab and set the NetBIOS option to Default
  - Click OK, OK, Then reboot
• Firewall Setup - To enable communications between the PC and the MCU, you need to make sure that the Firewall does not interfere. In Control Panel, open Windows Firewall, and click Add Program to add Landmark Designer to the Exceptions list. Then Reboot again. Windows doesn't force this, but I found that a reboot made the difference.
• Network Setup - You need the PLC-MCU card connected to a network via an ethernet cable. Plug the ethernet cable into the 10 Base T jack on the PLC-MCU card, and the other end into an ethernet switch. If you don't have a switch, a hub might work. I tried plugging into my Apple Extreme router without luck... I think you need a good old fashioned switch. I was successful with both my Netgear FS105 10/100 switch and my Leviton 10/100 4 port internet gateway which includes a router so that Windows believed it was connected to something. Plug your PC into it as well.
• PC With Windows XP - Ethernet cable plugged into the switch
• Landmark card frame with PLC-MCU card - Ethernet cable plugged into the switch
• Reboot the switch so that all communications start from scratch
• Start up Landmark Designer and click Design > Equipment and see if you are getting send AND receive packets on the MCU card.
• If not, the ethernet chipsets in newer desktops and laptops may be the issue, I purchased a Belkin 10/100 USB Ethernet adapter model F5D5050 (You can find these on eBay). This is about as generic of an ethernet adapter as you will find and it just plugs into an open USB port. Plug it into your laptop and let Windows search Windows Update to find a driver, and it will install quickly. Use this to connect to the switch, and I was in business.