LES421A LES422A LES424A 1-, 2-, and 4-Port Hardened Serial Servers Connect serial RS-232/422/485 devices to Ethernet BLACK networks, allowing the serial device to BOX become a node on the network. ® Access the serial ports over a LAN/WAN using direct IP mode, virtual COM port, or paired mode connections. Customer Support Information Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S.
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FCC and IC RFI Statements Federal Communications Commission and Industry Canada Radio Frequency Interference Statements This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
NOM Statement Instrucciones de Seguridad (Normas Oficiales Mexicanas Electrical Safety Statement) 1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado. 2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura. 3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de operación deben ser respetadas. 4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas. 5.
Table of Contents Table of Contents 1. Specifications..........................................................................................................................................................................7 1.1 General...........................................................................................................................................................................7 1.2 Serial Interface..................................................................................
Table of Contents 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.7.3 Setting Up Virtual COM (VCOM) Operation........................................................................................................32 4.7.4 Setting Up Paired Mode Operation.....................................................................................................................32 Setting Up Advanced Network Settings....................................................................................................................
Chapter 1: Specifications 1. Specifications 1.
Chapter 1: Specifications 1.
Chapter 1: Specifications 1.4 TCP/UDP Ports Table 1-1. TCP/UDP ports. Port Description Comments This port is used for configuration of the device using a web browser. This port is always open no matter how you configure the device. 80/tcp Always open for the Web server. If you want to use this method to configure the device from outside of a firewall, then a firewall must allow incoming connections to this port.
Chapter 1: Specifications 1.5 Dimensional Diagrams Figure 1-1. Dimensional diagram of a LES421A or LES422A Hardened Serial Server (dimensions in inches). Page 10 724-746-5500 | blackbox.
Chapter 1: Specifications Figure 1-2. Dimensional diagram of a LES424A Hardened Serial Server (dimensions in inches and millimeters). 724-746-5500 | blackbox.
Chapter 2: Overview 2. Overview 2.1 Introduction The 1-, 2-, and 4-Port Hardened Serial Servers connect serial devices (RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485) to Ethernet networks, allowing the serial device to become a node on the network. The serial ports can be accessed over a LAN/WAN using Direct IP Mode, Virtual COM Port, or Paired Mode connections. Hardened Serial Servers use 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX copper network media. All models also have an additional copper Ethernet pass-through port.
Chapter 2: Overview 2.3 What‘s Included Your package should include the following items. If anything is missing or damaged, contact Black Box Technical Support at 724-746-5500 or info@blackbox.com. LES421A or LES422A: • 1- or 2-port Hardened Serial Server module. • A printed quick start guide. • This user manual in PDF format on CD-ROM LES424A: • 4-port Hardened Serial Server module. • A printed quick start guide.
Chapter 2: Overview Table 2-2. LES421A components. Number in Figure 2-1 or 2-2 Component Description 1 (1) RJ-45 connector Connects a standard Ethernet network drop using a straight-through RJ-45 male Ethernet cable. 2 (1) 5-position terminal block connector Connects to an RS-422 or RS-485 serial device when the DB9 M (RS-232) connector is disabled. 3 (1) DB9 male connector Connects to an RS-232 serial device when the 5-position terminal block (RS-422/RS-485) is disabled.
Chapter 2: Overview Table 2-3. LES422A components. Number in Figure 2-3 or 2-4 Component Description 1 (1) RJ-45 connector Connects a standard Ethernet network drop using a straight-through RJ-45 male Ethernet cable. 2 (2) DB9 male connectors Connects to RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 serial devices. 3 (1) 2-wire terminal block connector Removable 2-position terminal block with +, -, and chassis ground connections.
Chapter 2: Overview 8 9 Figure 2-6. LES424A back panel. Table 2-4. LES424A components. Number in Figure 2-5 or 2-6 Component Description 1 (1) Power LED Lights when power to the unit is on. 2 (1) Ready LED Lights green continuously when the unit is initializing. Flashes once per second when the system is operating correctly. Off when something is wrong, for example, another device uses the same IP address. Lights green when the Ethernet connection is operating at 100 Mbps.
Chapter 3: Installation and Setup 3. Installation and Initial Setup This section describes how to install the Hardened Serial Server and configure the device. NOTE: In this section, devices to be connected to the Hardened Serial Server’s serial connections are simply referred to as the “serial device.” 3.1 Connecting the Power Supply Connect a DC power supply to the power terminals on the side of the Hardened Serial Server. Polarity of the wires is indicated underneath each connector.
Chapter 3: Installation and Setup 3.2.2 RS-422 RS-422 connections support two signal pairs: TDA (-), TDB (+), RDA (-), RDB (+), and GND. The data lines are differential pairs (A and B) in which the B line is positive relative to the A line in the idle (mark) state. In RS-422, the transmitter is always enabled. Signal Ground provides a common mode reference for the signal lines. 3.2.3 RS-485 RS-485 connections support 2-wire or 4-wire operation.
Chapter 3: Installation and Initial Setup 3.5 Hardened Serial Server Configuration The Hardened Serial Servers can be configured using three methods: • Via the network using Hardened Serial Server Software. • Via the network using a Web browser. • Via a serial port using Hardened Serial Server Software (Console Mode). 3.5.
Chapter 3: Installation and Initial Setup 3.5.3 Configuring via a Serial Port using Hardened Serial Server Software (Console Mode) Your Hardened Serial Server can be configured via any serial port, using Hardened Serial Server Software. To use this feature, a serial port on the serial server must be connected to the serial port of a PC (using a null modem cable). Figure 3-5. Console mode setup. To configure the serial server, it must be put into Console Mode, using the Reset switch.
Chapter 3: Installation and Initial Setup In Virtual COM Port Mode, the serial ports on the serial server appear to applications running on the host PC as if the serial ports were physically located on the host PC. When a virtual COM port is configured on the PC (using Serial Server Software), a new COM port appears in the Device Manager. Windows programs are able to interface to the virtual COM port using standard Windows API calls.
Chapter 3: Installation and Initial Setup 3.8 Discovering Hardened Serial Servers If you are configuring the Hardened Serial Server via the network, select “Network”; if you are configuring it via the serial port, select “Serial Port.” If you already know the IP address of the Hardened Serial Server, click “The device is at this IP address”; if not, leave “I don’t know the IP address of the device” selected. Click “Connect.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server 4. Configuring the Hardened Serial Server 4.1 Overview of the Hardened Serial Server Software The Hardened Serial Server Software configuration window includes three areas: • Icons • Hardened Serial Server information table • Configuration pane LES421A Model: LES421A Firmware Version: 1.6.0 Hardware Version: 0 MAC Address: 00:8C:10:13:29:E6 Link Status: 100BASE-T full duplex Figure 4-1. Hardened Serial Server Software Configuration window.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server • Upgrade—Upgrade the firmware in a Hardened Serial Server (see Chapter 5). • Add—Add a Virtual COM Port to the host PC (see Section 4.10). • Remove—Remove a Virtual COM Port from the host PC (see Section 4.11). • Diagnostic—Perform Hardened Serial Server diagnostics (see Chapter 7). 4.1.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server It includes the following: • Masthead with the name and IP address of the currently selected Hardened Serial Server.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server 4.3 Navigating the Configuration Pages There are two ways to move from page to page in the Hardened Serial Server Software: by clicking a specific link, or by clicking “Next” or “Back” to move through the pages sequentially. NOTE: Always remember to click “Save” before leaving a page to ensure your settings are saved. 4.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server 4.5 Setting Up IP Addressing On the Network Configuration page, you can configure the Hardened Serial Server to use dynamic (DHCP) or static IP addressing on the network. Figure 4-7. Network Configuration page. 4.5.1 Setting Up Dynamic IP Addressing 1. Select the “I want to use DHCP to setup the network” check box. 4.5.2 Setting Up Static IP Addressing 1. Ensure the “I want to use DHCP to setup the network” box is unchecked. Figure 4-8.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server 4.6 Setting Up Serial Ports On the Serial Port Configuration page, you can configure the communications parameters of the current serial port. Parameters include the port mode, baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits, and type of flow control. Figure 4-9. Serial Port Configuration page. 1. Mode—select the type of serial connection (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 2-wire, or RS-485 4-wire) required by the serial device. 2.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server When the Hardened Serial Server is configured as a TCP server, it waits for an incoming connection request from another network device. You must set up the TCP port number that the Hardened Serial Server will listen for incoming connections and set the maximum number of simultaneous connections it will support (one for the LES421A, up to two for the LES422A, and up to four for the LES424A).
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server Figure 4-11. TCP server settings. 4.7.2 UDP Configuration UDP (User Datagram Protocol) enables applications using UDP socket programs to communicate with the serial ports on the Hardened Serial Server. UDP protocol provides connectionless communications, which allows data to be broadcast to and received from multiple nodes on a network.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server Setting the Hardened Serial Server to use UDP 1. Select UDP protocol. Options are provided for sending and receiving data to and from: • Nobody (one-way communication only). • Everyone on a specific UDP port. • Only specific IP addresses. • Only a range of IP addresses. Additional configuration fields appear depending on the options chosen. 2. Select the required “Send” options: a. “nobody”—sends to nobody. b.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server 4.7.3 Setting Up Virtual COM (VCOM) Operation When the Network Protocol is set to VCOM (Virtual COM Port), the Hardened Serial Server communicates over the network with a PC, acting as a remote COM port for the computer. Figure 4-13. VCOM configuration. NOTE: Both the Hardened Serial Server and the computer must be configured for VCOM operation. To set up a virtual COM port on the computer, refer to ”Adding Virtual COM Ports” (Section 4.10). 1.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server Setting the Hardened Serial Server to operate in Paired Mode as a client 1. Select “Paired” protocol. 2. Select “to initiate connections (client).” 3. Type the IP address and TCP port numbers of the server in the appropriate text boxes. 4. Select: • “at power up”—if you want the Hardened Serial Server to always be connected. • “when the serial port receives data”—if you only want to establish a connection when there is data to be sent.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Serial Server • “and allow a specific range of IP addresses to connect,” in the area of the window that appears, select an IP address box and type in the IP addresses that specify the desired range. Figure 4-17. IP address ranges. 4.8 Setting Up Advanced Network Settings On the “Advanced Network Settings” window, you can configure if network connections are automatically closed due to inactivity and when serial data is forwarded to the network.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server Figure 4-19. Advanced configuration—forcing connections closed. To close a network connection if no data is received from the network for a period of time: 1. Select the “I want to close a connection when data is not received on that connection for a period of time” checkbox. 2. Type the desired time period (in seconds) into the text box. To close a connection if no data is received by the serial port for a period of time: 1.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server Figure 4-20. Advanced Configuration—Configuring when data packets are sent. Page 36 724-746-5500 | blackbox.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server To wait until a specific amount of data is received on the serial port before sending it across the network: 1. Select “I want to wait for a specific amount of data to be received by the serial port before sending it” in the “Character Count” box. 2. Type the desired number of characters into the text box. To force the Hardened Serial Server to send all buffered data received on the serial port within a specified length of time: 1.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server Figure 4-21. Save Configuration page. To save the configuration to the Hardened Serial Server, and re-boot it so that the configuration settings will take effect: 1. Click “Save.” 4.10 Adding Virtual COM Ports Clicking the “Add” icon (located at the top of the Hardened Serial Server Software Configuration window) opens the Add Virtual COM Port dialog box. Figure 4-22. Add Virtual COM Port dialog box.
Chapter 4: Configuring the Hardened Serial Server When the process of adding the virtual COM port is complete (indicated by the progress bar), the “Serial port is successfully installed” dialog box appears. 6. Click “OK.” 4.11 Removing Virtual COM Ports Clicking the “Remove” icon (located at the top of the Hardened Serial Server Software Configuration window) opens the “Remove Virtual COM Port” dialog box. Figure 4-23. Remove Virtual COM Port dialog box.
Chapter 5: Upgrading the Hardened Serial Server Firmware 5. Upgrading the Hardened Serial Server Firmware Occasionally, updated firmware may become available for your Hardened Serial Server. The firmware can be upgraded using the Hardened Serial Server Software. The following procedure describes the firmware updating process: 1. Click the “Upgrade” button to open the Firmware Upgrade window. Figure 5-1. Firmware Upgrade dialog box.
Chapter 5: Upgrading the Hardened Serial Server Firmware 5.2 Uploading the Firmware to the Hardened Serial Server 1. In the “Hardened Serial Server Selection” drop-down list, select the Hardened Serial Server to be upgraded. 2. In the ”Firmware Description” drop-down list, select the firmware to upload to the Hardened Serial Server. 3. Click the “Upgrade” button. “Progress Bar” and “Progress Box” provide information on the progress of the transfer. 4.
Chapter 6: Operation 6. Operation 6.1 LED Indicators Hardened Serial Servers have LED indicators for Power, Serial Server Ready, Ethernet Speed and Link status, and Serial Port status. Figures 6-1 through 6-3 show the location of the LEDs on the LES421A, LES422A, and LES424A servers. 2 3 1 4 Figure 6-1. Front and top panels of the LES421A. Table 6-1. LEDs and switches on the LES421A serial server.
Chapter 6: Operation 2 3 1 1 4 Figure 6-2. Front panel of the LES422A. Table 6-2. LEDs and switches on the LES422A serial server. Number in Figure 6-2 LED Indicator Description 1 (2) Serial Port LEDs (P1, P2) Each serial port has an associated LED. The Serial Port LED flashes (green) when data is being transmitted or received on the serial ports. When the LED is illuminated, it indicates the serial port is open.
Chapter 6: Operation 4 3 4 5 5 5 5 3 2 1 Figure 6-3. Front panel of the LES424A. Table 6-3. LEDs on the LES424A serial server. Number in Figure 6-3 LED Indicator Description 1 (1) Power LED The Power LED illuminates when 10 to 58 VDC power is applied to either power connector. (1) Ready LED The Ready LED (green) illuminates continuously while the unit is initializing. It flashes once per second when the system is operating correctly.
Chapter 6: Operation 6.2 Reset Switch Figure 6-4 shows the location of the Reset switch on the LES421A, LES422A, and LES424A Hardened Serial Servers. Reset Switch Reset Switch Figure 6-4. Left: top view of the LES421A or LES422A; Right: back view of the LES424A. The Reset switch is used to: • Initiate a hardware reset. • Enter Console mode. • Reload factory defaults. 6.2.1 Using the Reset Switch to Initiate a Hardware Reset Hold the Reset switch in for 0 to 2 seconds.
Chapter 7: Diagnostics 7. Diagnostics Clicking the “Diagnostics” icon opens the Diagnostics dialog box and enables you to check the operation of connected serial servers and VCOM ports on the local computer. The Computer Information box displays information about the type of network connections, the IP addresses, Subnet Masks, and Default Gateways in use. Figure 7-1. Diagnostics dialog box. 7.1 Testing a Hardened Serial Server Connection 1. Click the “Diagnostics” icon.
Chapter 7: Diagnostics Figure 7-2. Testing a Hardened Serial Server Connection. 7.2 Testing a Virtual COM Port 1. Click the “Diagnostics” icon. The “Diagnostics” dialog box appears. 2. Select the option: “a virtual communications port” 3. In the drop-down box, select the specific COM port you want to check. 4. Click the “Start” button. Information about the progress of the pinging process is displayed in the “Test Progress” box. Figure 7-3. Testing a VCOM port. 724-746-5500 | blackbox.
Chapter 8: Listing/Descriptions of Hardened Serial Server Settings 8. Listing/Descriptions of Hardened Serial Server Settings The following Hardened Serial Server properties are ordered alphabetically to assist you in finding the information you need. Baud Rate is the communication speed of the link between the Hardened Serial Server and the device attached to its serial port. Both devices must be configured to operate at the same baud rate. Baud rate values range from 75 to 230,400 Baud.
Chapter 8: Listing/Descriptions of Hardened Serial Server Settings Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a protocol used on special servers that supply IP addresses to network nodes on request. When DHCP is enabled on the Hardened Serial Server, on power up it sends a DHCP request to the DHCP server, which assigns a dynamic IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway to the Hardened Serial Server.
Chapter 8: Listing/Descriptions of Hardened Serial Server Settings Figure 8-1. Network IP properties. b. Click “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” and then click “Properties.” Change the parameters to the following: • IP Address = 169.254.102.1 • Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0 • Default Gateway = 169.254.102.100 Figure 8-2. TCP/IP properties. Page 50 724-746-5500 | blackbox.
Chapter 8: Listing/Descriptions of Hardened Serial Server Settings c. Use the Hardened Serial Server Software to search for, discover, and configure the unit. 2. Method Two: Change the Hardened Serial Server’s network setting to match your PC using Console mode. a. Connect a null-modem serial cable (crossover cable) from any port on the Hardened Serial Server to an available COM port on your PC. b. Open Hardened Serial Server Software and connect to the COM port used in the previous step.
Chapter 8: Listing/Descriptions of Hardened Serial Server Settings The model number of the currently selected Hardened Serial Server is displayed on the Login page of Serial Server Software. Network Protocols available for use on Hardened Serial Servers (LES421A, LES422A, and LES424A) include TCP, UDP, VCOM, and Paired Mode. Network Watchdog controls the duration of network inactivity when a network connection is determined idle and causes the connection to be forced closed.
Chapter 8: Listing/Descriptions of Hardened Serial Server Settings Serial Watchdog controls the duration of serial inactivity when the serial port is determined idle and causes all connections for that serial port to be forced closed. The range is 1 through 65535 milliseconds. The Subnet Mask specifies the network mask the Hardened Serial Server uses when on a subnetted network. • For a Class A network (IP addresses 0.0.0.0 through 127.255.255.255), the default subnet mask is 255.0.0.0.
Appendix A: Default Server Settings Appendix A. Default Server Settings Table A-1. Default server settings. Setting Default Value Server Name LES421A, LES422A, or LES424A Serial Number Printed on side of unit. Password Password field is blank from factory. DHCP Enable IP Address BASED ON DHCP SERVER If a DHCP assignment is not available, the device will default to 169.254.102.39 Page 54 Net Mask 255.255.255.0 Gateway 169.254.102.100 MAC Address Fixed—see bottom label Firmware Version X.
Appendix B: Connector Pinouts Appendix B. Connector Pinouts B.1 DB9 M Connector Figure B-1. DB9 M connector. Table B-1. DB9 M connector pinout. DB9 M Pin RS-232 Direction (RS-232) RS-422/485 4-Wire RS-485 2-Wire 1 DCD Input RDA (-) — 2 RD Input RDB (+) — 3 TD Output TDB (+) Data B (+) 4 DTR Output TDA (-) Data A (-) 5 GND — GND GND 6 DSR Input — — 7 RTS Output — — 8 CTS Input — — 9 — — — — B.2 Terminal Block Figure B-2. Terminal block connector.
Appendix B: Connector Pinouts NOTES: 1. In the RS-422 mode, TX lines are outputs and RX lines are inputs. Connect the Hardened Serial Server TXB(+) line to the RXB(+) line of the serial device, and the Hardened Serial Server TXA(-) to the RXA(-) of the serial device. 2. Ground is signal ground and provides a common mode reference for the RS-422 Receiver and Transmitters. B.3 Standard Ethernet Cable RJ-45 Pinout Figure B-3. RJ-45 Ethernet cable pinout. Table B-3. RJ-45 cable pinout.
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