One Port Serial Server Users Manual Model ESP901, ESP901E Documentation Number: ESP901-2303 International Headquarters B&B Electronics Mfg. Co. Inc. 707 Dayton Road -- P.O. Box 1040 -- Ottawa, IL 61350 USA Phone (815) 433-5100 -- General Fax (815) 433-5105 Home Page: www.bb-elec.com Sales e-mail: orders@bb-elec.com -- Fax (815) 433-5109 Technical Support e-mail: support@bb.elec.com -- Fax (815) 433-5104 European Headquarters B&B Electronics Ltd. Westlink Commercial Park, Oranmore, Co.
Table of Contents 1 Introduction ..................................................................................... 1 Features............................................................................................................ 1 Product Specifications .................................................................................... 2 Protocol ............................................................................................................ 2 Management ..............................
7 Console Mode Setup...................................................................... 23 8 Communication Modes ................................................................. 25 Direct IP mode............................................................................................... 25 Virtual COM mode ....................................................................................... 25 Paired mode............................................................................................
1 Introduction The Vlinx model ESP901Ethernet serial server connects RS-232, 422, 485 serial devices to an Ethernet LAN/WAN providing a reliable communication connection. Existing Windows based serial software using standard Windows API does not have to be modified to communicate over an Ethernet LAN to a serial device. The Vlinx virtual COM port will make this an easy transition. The ESP901 operates in “Direct IP Mode”, “Virtual COM Mode”, and “Paired Mode”.
Product Specifications Serial Memory: Serial Connection: Interface: Serial: LAN: Supported Signals: Data Rate: Parity: Data Bits: Stop Bits: 64K bytes DTE – BD-9 male One-RS-232, RS-422, OR RS-485 Dip Switch Selectable 10/100 Mbps Auto-detecting – 10 Base T, 100 Base TX RS-232 - TX, RX, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, GND RS-422 – TX+, TX-, RX+, RX-, RTS+, RTS-, C TS+, CTS-, GND RS-485 - Data +, Data – 110 bps to 230.
ESP901 Default Settings Server Name: Serial Number: Password: DHCP: IP Address: Net Mask: Gateway : Baud Rate: Data/Parity/Stop: Flow Control: TCP/UDP Port: Connection Mode: Remote IP Address: ESP901 Blank Disable 192.168.0.1 255.255.255.0 192.168.0.254 9600 8-N-1 None TCP 4000 Server 255.255.255.
2 Making the Hardware Connections The following information is provided to give the user an understanding of how to connect the ESP901 to the LAN and serial device. A review of the switch settings and the functionality of the LED’s are also provided. Serial Connection The ESP901 has a DB-9 male connector. The serial port is configured as a DTE (data terminal equipment) device. All PC COM ports are DTE ports.
Dip Switch Settings There are 6 operation modes defined by the 3 switches. They are defined in the following table. Sw1 On Off On Off On Off Sw2 On On Off On Off Off Sw3 On On On Off Off Off Mode Console Upgrade Default RS-232 RS-422 RS-485 Console Mode The console mode allows access to the ESP901 setup menu. This is one way to reconfigure the default settings for the application. A serial connection is made between a COM port on the PC and the serial port of the ESP901 with a null modem cable.
RS-232 Interface The RS-232 supports 8 channels plus Signal Ground and is configured as DTE like a computer. Signals are single ended and referenced to Ground. To used handshaking, Flow Control must be set to RTS/CTS during Configuration. Refer to the Pin out table for connections. RS-422 Interface The RS-422 mode supports 4 channels with full duplex operation for Receive, Transmit, RTS (Request To Send) and CTS (Clear To Send).
DB9 Pin Configuration Pin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 RS-232 DCD RXD TXD DTR GND DSR RTS CTS RI RS-422 RXDA (-) RXDB (+) TXDB (+) TXDA (-) GND CTSA (-) CTSB (+) RTSB (+) RTSA (-) RS-485 DATA B (+) DATA A (-) GND Documentation Number: ESP901-2303 Manual B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax 815-433-5104 B&B Electronics Ltd – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph +353 91-792444 – Fax +353 91-792445 7
3 Vlinx ESP901 Software Installation It is recommended the user install the Management software and do a search for all ESP901’s connected to the LAN. When this is completed a window will list the devices making them available for configuration. Configuring the serial server to meet your LAN and application requirement is an easy process with the available setup menu in the management software. The following procedure installs the Vlinx’s ESP901 management software. 1.
3. Select Next when the ESP901 Setup window appears. 4. In the Choose Destination Location window select Next to install the manager software in the default location. Select Browse to install into a user selected directory.
10 5. The Setup Status window displays the progress of the installation. 6. Select Finish when the Install Shield Wizard Complete screen appears.
When the installation is complete the Install window closes allowing the user to access the management software in the program files. If loaded in the default location Go to Start/Programs/B&B Electronics/Vlinx/ESP Server/ Vlinx ESP Manager to open. Connect the ESP901 to the LAN and apply power. The red LED indicates power has been applied; the Link LED indicates an Ethernet connection has been made; and the Ready LED will flash indicating communications with the unit can begin.
4 Quick Start Using Management Software The manager software performs several functions, Uninstall Virtual COM port, Searching LAN for ESP901, Configure ESP901, Configure Virtual COM Port, and upgrade Firmware. Connect the ESP901 to the LAN and apply power. The red LED indicates power has been applied, the Link LED indicates an Ethernet connection has been made, and the Ready LED will flash indicating communications with the unit can begin. See section 2 for Hardware Connections.
2. On the menu side bar select Searching ESP901 button. The Searching for ESP901 window opens and all ESP901 serial servers connected on the LAN are listed in the Manager Window. Configuration Screen Highlight the serial server in the Manager Window and double click to open the configuration menu options.
From the Server Properties menu the serial server IP address, Net Mask, Gateway, serial port settings and operation mode can be programmed into the unit. Select update and restart the ESP901 once all settings are changed to conform to the desired application. Details on Menu settings can be found in Chapter 6. Setting the IP Address, Netmask, and Gateway Fields It is recommended to use a static IP address.
Configuring the Serial Port Settings Use the Tab key to advance to the baud rate, Data/Parity/Stop bits, and Flow control section of the menu. Use the arrow keys to advance to a selection that matches the connected serial device. The serial port settings must match the connected serial device when using TCP/UDP socket programs. If the ESP Virtual COM driver is used the application software will control the ESP901 serial port setting.
Setting TCP/UDP Protocol The most common protocol is TCP. The default setting is TCP and should not be changed unless your application specifies a UDP protocol. TCP/UDP Port The default port number is 4000. The TCP/UDP Port defines a communication port. In all modes of operating, Virtual COM, Direct IP, and Paired modes, both the TCP/UDP Client and server port settings must match. As an example the Virtual COM default setting TCP/UDP Port # 4000.
5 Installing Virtual COM Port The Virtual COM Port feature allows Windows platform software using standard API calls to be used in an Ethernet application. Running the Install Virtual COM port software adds a COM Port in the Device Manager of the operating system. The COM port will look like a standard COM port to Windows software used in most applications allowing the software to open a connection with the serial port located anywhere on the LAN.
3. When the COMInst window opens select COM port # to map the serial server to. The default Flow Control setting is None. An RTS/CTS option is available if used by the application program and serial hardware. The Protocol, IP Address, and Port Number will mirror the settings of the selected serial server. If any settings are changed in this part of the Virtual COM setup it will only affect the settings in the operating system Device Manager. It will not change the settings in the ESP901.
4. Note: Your PC may have hardware COM ports and devices such as Modems loaded on COM’s 1, 2, 3, or 4. It is recommended that the Virtual COM port selected start on COM 5 or higher. In Windows XP a Hardware Installation window stating that the drivers have not been tested by Microsoft may appear. Select “Continue Anyway” to proceed with the installation. 5. To confirm installation, go to the Device Manager and select Ports (COM & LPT). The installed Virtual COM port will be displayed as ESP Vlinx COM#.
6 Setup Menu There are three ways to access the setup menu and program the ESP901, Management software, Console mode, and Telnet. The menu pictured above displays in the ESP901 Management software setup screen. Instructions on how to move around the menu and change settings pertains to the Management setup menu but are similar in Telnet. There are a few pre-defined keys to move around the menu and to save changes. Space Bar: TAB: Back Space: Arrow Keys: Enter: To refresh the configuration page.
IP Address A static IP address can also be assigned in this section of the menu. A dynamic address assigned by the DHCP server may change if the ESP901 looses the Ethernet connection or power is removed. The host (client) communication software requests a connection to the specific IP address of the serial server. If the DHCP reassigns a different IP address the software will not be able to communicate with the hardware. It is recommended to use a static IP address.
Flow Control The flow control setting must match the connected serial device. Tab to the Flow Control field and arrow to None or RTS/CTS. TCP/UDP Port Tab to the first field and select TCP or UDP protocol. If the user’s application does not require a UDP connection it is recommended to use TCP. TCP guarantees reliable communication through the use of error checking. The second field chooses the port number of the connection. A predefined TCP port, 5300, is reserved for the Heart Beat.
7 Console Mode Setup Before the ESP901 is installed on a LAN the Console Mode can be used to change the default the settings. Connect a null modem cable between the serial port on the ES901 and the COM port on the PC. Apply power to the ESP901. The power and ready LED will light. Using Hyper Terminal open the connected PC COM port at a baud rate of 9600, Data bits 8, Parity None, Stop bits 1, and Flow control None. To view the menu hit the space bar. Use the arrow keys to select the desired field.
The restart screen will appear. Select Yes to save changes. This is necessary to write the settings to the server. To view the changes press the space bar. The screen will reappear.
8 Communication Modes The ESP901 allows serial devices to communicate over a LAN or Intranet network. Serial devices are no longer limited to a physical connection to the PC COM port. They can be installed anywhere on the LAN using TCP/IP or UDP/IP communications. This will also allow traditional PC COM ports access to a serial device anywhere on the LAN network.
Paired Mode (Serial Tunneling) Paired mode is also called serial tunneling. When this type of configuration is selected additional software will not have to be loaded on a host PC. In fact a PC is not required to make the connection. Any two dumb serial devices that can communicate with each other through a serial link will be able to communicate using two ESP901’s and the LAN. Two ESP901’s are configured with one setup as a TCP or UDP client and the other to TCP/UDP server.
9 Configuring Virtual COM Port The Virtual COM port can be configured in the Device Manager of the operating system or the Management software. In either case the IP Address, Port #, Protocol, and Flow Control settings must match the ESP901 settings for the software to open the Virtual COM port. Configuration with Management Software 1. At the Desk Top select Start/Programs/B&B Electronics/Vlinx/ ESP Vlinx/ ESP Manager. Double click the Virtual COM Configuration button. 2.
3. Make the adjustments and select OK to complete the changes. Configuration with Device Manager 28 1. On the Desk Top select Start/Settings/Control Panel. Select the System Icon when the Control Panel window opens. 2. In the System Properties window select the Device Manager button. (Windows XP window shown.
3. In the Device Manager select the + button next to Ports (COM & LPT) to expand and see the Vlinx ESP (COM #). Double click Vlinx ESP (COM #) to open the Properties window. 4. Select the Configuration tab. From here the same settings found in the ESP901 Manager can be adjusted.
10 Uninstalling the Virtual COM Port The ESP901 Management software Uninstall Virtual Com port feature will remove the mapped COM port in the Device Manager of Windows 2000 and XP operating systems. It may also be removed in the Device Manager of Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP. Windows 98 users will also find a Remove Virtual COM feature in the programs file. Removing the Virtual COM port with the ESP901 Management Software 30 1.
Removing the Virtual COM Port using Device Manager The screen shots were taken from a Windows XP operating system 1. On the Desktop select Start/Settings/Control Panel. Select the system icon when the manager window opens.
32 2. Select Device Manager in the Systems Properties window. In the Device Manger window select the + next to Ports (COM LPT) to expand. 3. Highlight Vlinx ESP (COM #) to be removed, go the Action tab at the top of window and select uninstall. A confirm Device Removal window will appear. Select OK to procedure. 4. The ESP901 COM # will be removed and the Device Manager window will refresh and display the remaining COM ports.
11 Upgrade Mode New firmware may be available at times on our web site and may be downloaded and flashed to the ESP901 currently in use. The user can upgrade using a direct connection to the ESP901 serial port or the Virtual COM port feature. Serial Port / Virtual COM 1. Download the new upgrade .hex file and place in a folder. 2. Set ESP901 Dip Switches to Upgrade, Switch 1 off, Switch 2 on, and Switch 3 on. 3. Connect a null modem cable between the PC and the ESP901.
7. 34 A serial menu will appear allowing the upgrade software to be setup the same as the ESP901 serial settings. The settings must match or the upgrade will fail.
8. A window showing the Upgrade progress will appear followed by a window indicating the Upgrade was successful. Select and exit from the Manager software. 9. Reset ESP901 by using the Reset Button on unit, the management software, or telnet. This will complete the upgrade process.
36 Documentation Number: ESP901-2303 Manual B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax 815-433-5104 B&B Electronics Ltd – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph +353 91-792444 – Fax +353 91-792445