NS-Link Device Driver User Guide Windows 8/8.
Trademark Notices Comtrol, DeviceMaster, RocketModem, and RocketPort, and NS-Link are trademarks of Comtrol Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Seventh Edition, July 1, 2014 Copyright © 2001-2014. Comtrol Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents Overview...................................................................................................................................5 When to Use the DeviceMaster NS-Link Device Driver ....................................................................... 5 Comtrol Drivers Management Console .................................................................................................... 5 Supported Operating Systems..............................................................
Table of Contents Network Configuration in Comtrol Drivers Management Console................................................. 46 Disabling IP Mode .................................................................................................................................... 46 Changing a Static IP Address .................................................................................................................. 47 Setting Up DHCP ................................................................
Overview This section discusses the following topics: • When to Use the DeviceMaster NS-Link Device Driver • Comtrol Drivers Management Console • Supported Operating Systems • Products Supported • Conventions on Page 6 • Downloading the Latest Software and User Guides on Page 7 When to Use the DeviceMaster NS-Link Device Driver Install the DeviceMaster NS-Link device driver to use DeviceMaster serial ports as native COM ports and to set up secure COM ports.
Overview Products Supported These are the products supported by the Comtrol Drivers Management Console: • DeviceMaster LT • DeviceMaster PRO • DeviceMaster RTS • DeviceMaster Serial Hub • DeviceMaster 500 • RocketModem IV • RocketPort EXPRESS • RocketPort EXPRESS SMPTE • RocketPort INFINITY • RocketPort Plus Universal PCI • RocketPort Plus/422 Universal PCI • RocketPort Universal PCI • RocketPort Universal PCI SMPTE Conventions In the remainder of this User Guide, the products are
Overview Downloading the Latest Software and User Guides You can use the CD or the following table to locate the latest version of the software and documentation. Configuration Application Software PortVision DX Firmware Bootloader SocketServer Description Document Install on a Windows host to program the IP address and manage your DeviceMaster. Refer to PortVision DX Overview on Page 7 for more information.
Overview PortVision DX may require that you have the latest Microsoft Service pack for your operating system: • Windows 8/8.1 • Windows Server 2012 • Windows 7 • Windows Server 2008 • Windows Vista • Windows Server 2003 • Windows XP In addition to identifying Comtrol Ethernet attached products, you can use PortVision DX to display any third-party switch and hardware that may be connected directly to those devices.
Before Installing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console This section provides an overview for the procedures that you may need to perform before installing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console for the device driver.
Before Installing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console Install PortVision DX Use the following procedure to install PortVision DX. 1. Download PortVision DX from ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/dev_mstr/portvision_dx. 2. Execute the PortVision_DX_[version].msi file and follow the Installation wizard. 3. Click Launch PortVision DX and Finish in the last installation screen. 4. Click Scan so that PortVision DX locates the DeviceMaster.
Before Installing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console Program the IP Address (Network Information) If you have not done so, program the IP address for your network. The following procedure is to program a single DeviceMaster, if you want to program IP addresses into multiple DeviceMasters, refer to the PortVision DX help system or the DeviceMaster Installation and Configuration Guide. 1. If necessary, start PortVision DX, Start > Programs > Comtrol > PortVision DX > PortVision DX. 2.
Before Installing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console 4. Optionally, enter a friendly device name in the Device Name list box. The default name is Device and the last three pairs of digits from the MAC address. 5. Optionally, enter the DeviceMaster serial number in the event you need to contact Comtrol. Note: The device status from the main screen displays in the Device Status list box. 6. Select the appropriate Detection Type for this DeviceMaster.
Before Installing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console Check the SocketServer Version Check the SocketServer version installed on the DeviceMaster against the latest SocketServer version on the ftp site. 1. If necessary, start PortVision DX: Start > Programs > Comtrol > PortVision DX > PortVision DX. Note: The SocketServer version displays for the DeviceMaster under the Software Version column. 2. Check for the latest SocketServer version.
Before Installing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console Uploading SocketServer The NS-Link device driver loads the current firmware but not until the DeviceMaster has shown that an old version of the SocketServer (older than 8.00) or any firmware other than NS-Link Updater is running. The driver does not upload anything unless it first connects to the default application (SocketServer) on the DeviceMaster.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation This section discusses the following topics: • Overview of the driver installation procedures • Installation Setup Wizard on Page 15 for initial installation procedures • Checking the Device Driver Version on Page 20 • Updating the Driver on Page 21 • Adding a DeviceMaster (Existing Installation) on Page 25 Overview If there is an NS-Link device driver already installed on your system for the DeviceMaster, use the following discussions: • Updating the Driver on
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 2. Execute the NS-Link device driver assembly (DeviceMaster_Windows_x.xx.exe) and click Next to start the installation. 3. Optionally, enter a different location to install the driver files. 4. Click Install. 16 - Installation Setup Wizard DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 5. Leave the Launch DeviceMaster Driver Installation box checked and click Finish. If you do not check this box, you can use the shortcut under the Start button at Programs > Comtrol > DeviceMaster > DeviceMaster Driver Installation Wizard to install the device driver. 6. Click Next to install the driver. DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 7. Click Install and Next. 8. Select the DeviceMaster model that you want to install. 9. Enter the number of this DeviceMaster model that you want to install and click Ok. 10. Repeat Steps 8 and and 9 for each DeviceMaster that you want to install and click Next 18 - Installation Setup Wizard DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 11. Click Proceed. You may see the following popup for each port. You may see this popup for each device. 12. Verify that all your selections installed and then click the Close button. 13. Click the Launch Comtrol Drivers Management Console button. DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 14. Return to the Installation wizard and click Close to exit the wizard. 15. Go to NS-Link Device Driver Configuration on Page 27 to start NSLink device driver configuration. The device driver installation is not complete until you have associated the MAC address to the DeviceMaster. 16. After associating the MAC address, go to Configuring Device Properties on Page 38 to set up device properties (device name and starting COM port number). 17.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation Updating the Driver Use the following procedure to update the DeviceMaster NS-Link device driver after initial installation. If you are unsure what driver version is running, see Checking the Device Driver Version on Page 20. 1. Locate the latest NS-Link device driver assembly (Page 7) and copy it to a location that is available to the host. 2. Close any applications that are using serial ports before the NS-Link device driver installation. 3.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 6. Click Install. 7. Leave the Launch DeviceMaster Driver Installation box checked and click Finish. If you do not check this box, you can use the shortcut under the Start button at: Programs > Comtrol > DeviceMaster > DeviceMaster Driver Installation Wizard. 22 - Updating the Driver DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 8. Click Next to update the driver. 9. Click Update and Next. 10. Click Next to update the driver. DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 11. Click Proceed. 12. Click the Launch Comtrol Drivers Management Console button to configure the ports or device properties. 13. Return to the Installation wizard and click Close. 14. If necessary, go to Configuring COM Port Properties on Page 41 to configure the NS-Link COM port properties 24 - Updating the Driver DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Installation Adding a DeviceMaster (Existing Installation) Use the following procedure to add aDeviceMaster to an existing DeviceMaster installation. 1. Close any applications that are using serial ports before the device driver installation. 2. Connect the DeviceMaster to your network and use PortVision DX to program the IP address. If you need hardware installation procedures, see Downloading the Latest Software and User Guides on Page 7).
NS-Link Device Driver Installation 26 - Adding a DeviceMaster (Existing Installation) DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration If you programmed an IP address into the DeviceMaster for your network using PortVision DX before installing the NS-Link device driver; first associate the MAC address to the DeviceMaster and then configure the driver with the IP address that you programming into the DeviceMaster using PortVision DX.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration NS-Link Device Driver Features During initial installation and configuration of the NS-Link device driver, Comtrol recommends that you associate the MAC address to the DeviceMaster.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Using the Comtrol Drivers Management Console This subsection discusses basic Comtrol Drivers Management Console operations, such as: • Accessing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console • Displaying All Installed Devices on Page 29 • Collapsing the View on Page 30 • How to Configure Device Properties on Page 30 • Customizing the Device Name on Page 31 • Customizing the COM Port Name on Page 31 • How to Configure COM Port Properties on Page 32 • How to Save C
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Collapsing the View To collapse the view, click - in the Tree View pane to close the selected family. To view a family or device, click the + to open the selected family. How to Configure Device Properties This overview discusses changing device properties for a product. Highlight the device name of the product that you want to configure in the Tree View pane. Make any necessary changes.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Customizing the Device Name Change the default Device Name on the Device General tab by changing the name in the User-Friendly Device Name field and saving the change. Customizing the COM Port Name Change the default Port Name on the Port Settings General tab by changing the name in the User-Friendly Port Name field and saving the change. DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration How to Configure COM Port Properties To change a port’s properties for a product, highlight the port of the product that you want to configure in the Tree View pane. Make any necessary changes: • Click Apply to save the changes, which saves the changes and leaves the Comtrol Drivers Management Console open. • Click Ok to save the changes and close the Comtrol Drivers Management Console.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration How to Save Changes The Comtrol Drivers Management Console indicates that changes have been made on this screen with a red frame that identifies which device’s General tab you are editing. • Clicking the Apply button saves the changes on the tab and leaves the Comtrol Drivers Management Console open for further configuration. • Clicking the Ok button saves the changes on that tab and closes the Comtrol Drivers Management Console.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Associating the MAC Address The first step to configuring the NS-Link device driver is to associate the MAC address of the DeviceMaster to the device driver.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration If you programmed the IP address using PortVision DX, the IP address displays in the IP Mode text box. 4. Click Apply to program the driver with the MAC address of the DeviceMaster. If you do not Apply the changes before leaving this screen, you will be prompted to Apply, Ignore, or Cancel the changes. 5. Optionally, you can click the Advanced tab and verify that the Device Status message indicates that the DeviceMaster is active and Ok. 6.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration If you do not Apply the changes, you will be prompted to Apply, Ignore, or Cancel the changes. 5. You may need to perform some of the following tasks to complete the driver configuration process. • You can now configure the DeviceMaster to operate in IP Mode using the next subsection. • Configure device properties, see Configuring Device Properties on Page 38. • Configure COM port properties, see Configuring COM Port Properties on Page 41.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration • TCP connections to TCP port 4606 on which the DeviceMaster implements the Comtrol proprietary serial driver protocol are encrypted using SSL/ TLS. • Since SSL/TLS can not be used for either UDP data streams or for the Comtrol proprietary MAC mode Ethernet driver protocol, both UDP and MAC mode serial data transport features are disabled.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Configuring Device Properties Use the following procedure to change device settings on a DeviceMaster. 1. Open Comtrol Drivers Management Console (Accessing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console on Page 29). 2. Highlight the DeviceMaster device name that you want to configure. 3. If desired, change the User-Friendly Device Name. 4. Optionally, set a different Keep Alive Timeout (Page 39) period.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Device General Tab Description Device Name This is the default name assigned by the driver and it cannot be changed. You can use the User-Friendly Device Name field to provide custom device names for your installation. User-Friendly Device Name Use this field to enter a more descriptive name. The name that you assign is not saved until you click Apply or OK.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Device General Tab Description Use the TCP Timeout Multiplier option to modify two timers used in TCP/IP socket communications. The first identifies how long the TCP protocol should wait before timing out an attempt to open a TCP channel. The TCP Timeout Multiplier default is 1 and the timer defaults to 500 ms when the TCP/IP address method is used to communicate with a device.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Configuring COM Port Properties This section discusses COM port configuration procedures for DeviceMaster NSLink ports. If you want to change the starting NS-Link COM port number on the DeviceMaster, see Configuring Device Properties on Page 38. If your application does not set COM port properties, use the Device Manager to access Ports (COM & LPT) to change the port parameters.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration 4. Select the appropriate communications mode. Note: The DeviceMaster Serial Hub only supports RS-232. If you select RS422 or RS-485 on the DeviceMaster LT, you may want to configure Terminator Resistor options. If so, click the Terminator Resistor Options button. Make the appropriate selections to reflect your configuration. 5. Enable the features that you require for your environment.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration 6. Optionally, click the RTS Toggle Options button: • If your communications application does not toggle FTS when transmitting in RS-485 mode. • If you are using an external RS-232 to RS-485 converter, which is attached to a port that is configured for RS232. a. Click the appropriate options for your environment. b. Click OK to save the changes and return to the port General tab. 7.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration The following table provides information about the options on the port General tab. Port Settings General Tab Description Use this drop-down list to select the communications mode for the serial device that you will be connecting to this port. • RS-232 • RS-422 • RS-485 Mode provides these choices, depending on the model. Note: The DeviceMaster LT and DeviceMaster RTS 2-port models support RS-485 4-wire, Slave or Master.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Port Settings General Tab Description Optionally, click the Terminator Resistor button to enable termination resistors. To ensure the best signal integrity on a long distance high-speed RS-422 or RS-485 network, sometimes it is required to place a 120Ω termination resistor between each of the transmit differential pair or receive differential pair.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Port Settings General Tab Description The COM Name drop list allows you to renumber this COM port. If you see a COM port number followed by (in use), this means that Plug and Play sees those COM port numbers in use by another device. If you renumber this COM port and click the Renumber All Subsequent Ports Relative to The Port option, the device driver will renumber all of the ports on the DeviceMaster, starting with the number you select in this drop list.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration You can use the Disable IP option if you are not using IP addressing (DHCP or static) and operating the DeviceMaster in MAC mode. 7. Click the Apply Changes button. 8. Click Yes to the Warning popup. After the DeviceMaster is rebooted, the following occurs: • In PortVision DX, the IP address displays as 0.0.0.0. • In the Comtrol Drivers Management Console: - The IP address in the Network Settings popup displays 255.255.255.255.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration 2. Highlight the Device Name of the DeviceMaster that you want to configure. 3. Click the Network Settings button. 4. Click the Modify button. 5. Click Static IP. 6. Enter static IP address information in the fields below. a. IP Address: Enter a valid IP address for your network. The IP Address field is the IP address programmed into the DeviceMaster after applying the changes and rebooting the DeviceMaster. See your network administrator for a valid IP address. b.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Setting Up DHCP After associating the DeviceMaster with the MAC address you can configure the driver to work using DHCP. 1. Before programming an IP address it is critical that the DeviceMaster be operational (the PWR or Status LED is lit) when configured for the MAC address (Associating the MAC Address on Page 34). Note: If the DeviceMaster is NOT operational, do NOT attempt to program or use an IP address with the DeviceMaster. 2.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration 10. Click Close to return to the Device General tab. 11. Optionally, you can click the Advanced tab and verify that the Device Status message indicates that the Device is active and Ok. 12. After programming the IP address, you may need to do the following: • Configure device properties, see Configuring Device Properties on Page 38. • Configure COM port properties, see Configuring COM Port Properties on Page 41.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration Enabling Secure Data Mode In addition to enabling SSL mode in the driver, you must Enable Secure Data Mode in the NS-Link web page. Use the following procedure to implement the Enable Secure Data Mode option. 1. Access the NS-Link web page using one of these methods: • Open your web browser, enter the IP address, and click enter. • Right-click the DeviceMaster in the Device Tree or Device List pane in PortVision DX and click Webpage. 2. Click the Security tab. 3.
NS-Link Device Driver Configuration 52 - Enabling Secure Data Mode DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
Using Driver Configuration Files The Comtrol Drivers Management Console supports saving device driver configuration files, which provides: • Back-up for existing driver configuration settings • Ability to configure multiple of the same devices with the same configuration parameters • Save the driver configuration settings because you need to remove a driver version to install a new driver version and you want to reload the driver configuration settings into the new driver Note: Configuration files mu
Using Driver Configuration Files 2. Optionally, change the default file name and click Save. Loading a Driver Configuration File You must have previously saved a configuration file before you can load a configuration file. The driver configuration file uploads in portions: Loading Device Configuration • If you highlight a device and click Load Configuration and Apply for the devicelevel configuration parameters to reload on the device.
Using Driver Configuration Files 3. In the left pane, highlight the device for which you want to load the devicelevel settings from the configuration file. 4. Click Load Configuration. 5. Browse to the location of the configuration file that you want to load. 6. Highlight the configuration file and click Open. The configuration file loads in a few moments. 7.
Using Driver Configuration Files Loading Port Configuration Use the following procedure to load the configuration file for port-level settings for your device. Note: Device driver configuration files must be for the same model with the same port density. For example, you cannot load a DeviceMaster PRO configuration file onto a DeviceMaster RTS or a configuration file for a 32port DeviceMaster RTS onto a 4-port DeviceMaster RTS. 1.
Using Driver Configuration Files 6. Highlight the configuration file and click Open. The configuration file loads in a few moments. 7. Make the appropriate choice for your situation: • Click No to the ComtrolApplet message, if you are using the file to set up multiple devices with the same port-level settings. • Click Yes to the ComtrolApplet message, if you are using the file to restore a specific device. For example, you needed to remove and then re-install the DeviceMaster NS-Link device driver. 8.
Using Driver Configuration Files 58 - Loading Port Configuration DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
Removing the DeviceMaster and Driver This section discusses: • Removing a DeviceMaster from an installation without removing the NS-Link device driver from your system • Removing the NS-Link Device Driver from your system Removing a DeviceMaster Use the following procedure to uninstall the device driver. Note: Administrative privileges are required to remove device drivers on Windows operating systems newer than Windows Server 2003. 1.
Removing the DeviceMaster and Driver Removing the NS-Link Device Driver Use the following procedure to remove the DeviceMaster device driver. 1. From the Start button, click the shortcut for your DeviceMaster: Programs > Comtrol > DeviceMaster > Driver Installation Wizard. 2. Click Next to start the Comtrol Driver Installation Wizard. 3. Click Remove All and Next. 4. Click Next to remove the driver. 60 - Removing the DeviceMaster and Driver DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
Removing the DeviceMaster and Driver 5. Click Proceed to continue the driver removal process. 6. Click the Reboot My Computer button or Close. • If you click Close, make sure that you reboot the system and remove the adapter to complete the driver removal. • If you click Reboot My Computer, click Ok. 7. Shutdown the system and disconnect the DeviceMaster from your network. 8. If you want to totally remove the .exe driver assembly: a. Delete any copies of the .
Removing the DeviceMaster and Driver 62 - Removing the DeviceMaster and Driver DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
Troubleshooting and Technical Support This section contains troubleshooting information for your DeviceMaster and the NS-Link device driver. You should review the following subsections before calling Technical Support because they will request that you perform many of the procedures or verifications before they will be able to help you diagnose a problem.
Troubleshooting Checklist addition, it provides you with raw byte input and output counts Test Terminal and Port Monitor are installed and available if you install PortVision DX. You can refer to the Port Monitor and Test Terminal User Guide for testing procedures. Troubleshooting Checklist Most customer problems reported to Comtrol Technical Support are eventually traced to cabling or network problems. Reboot the system and reset the power on the DeviceMaster, watch the PWR or Status light activity.
General Troubleshooting Issue Correct port addressing? Check If using the NS-Link device driver with an in-house application, verify that you are addressing the port correctly. In many applications, device names above COM9 require the prefix \\.\ in order to be recognized. For example, to reference COM20, use \\.\COM20 as the file or port name. Is this the See Checking the Device Driver Version on Page 20.
Connectivity Requirements General Condition Explanation/Action The NS-Link driver uses Port 4606 (11FE h) to communicate with the DeviceMaster. Can ping the Comtrol device, but cannot open the ports from a remote location. When using a sniffer to track NS-Link packets, filtering for Port 4606 will easily track the packet. The packet should also contain the MAC address of the DeviceMaster and the originating PC so that it can be determined if the packet is able to travel the full distance one way or not.
Connectivity Requirements Product Type DeviceMaster RTS 4/8/16-port (external power supply) DeviceMaster RTS 16/32RM (internal power supply) DeviceMaster PRO 8/16-port Connected to Connector Name NIC Hub, switch, or UP router Hub, switch, router, or NIC 10/100 NETWORK NIC DOWN Hub, switch, or UP router NIC DeviceMaster Serial Hub 8-port DOWN Hub, switch, or UP router Hub, switch, DeviceMaster Serial Hub 16-port router, or NIC DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
DeviceMaster LEDs DeviceMaster LEDs The DeviceMaster has network and port LEDs to indicate status. Port LEDs Port LEDs are amber and green on 4, 8, 16, and 32-port. The 1-port and 2-port models do not have port LEDS. After a port has been opened in RS-232 mode, an amber LED means that there is link between the port and the serial device. After a port has been opened in RS-422 or RS-485 mode, an amber LED means that data is receiving data. A green port LED indicates transmit activity.
Network and Device LEDs Ports Model Network LEDs • 4 DeviceMaster PRO (8) 8 DeviceMaster RTS† 16 DeviceMaster Serial Hub (8) Note: The PWR LED flashes while booting and it takes approximately 15 seconds for the bootloader to complete the cycle. When the Bootloader completes the cycle, the LED has a solid, steady light that blinks approximately every 10 seconds. • The red LNK/ACT LED is lit, which indicates a working Ethernet connection.
Using the Advanced Tab Using the Advanced Tab You can use the Advanced tab to get a summary of the DeviceMaster status. The Advanced tab can be useful for troubleshooting network problems with your DeviceMaster. Note: To use the Advanced tab, you must associate a MAC address to the DeviceMaster before programming an IP address (Page 34). Use the following procedure to access the Advanced tab. 1. If necessary, access the Comtrol Drivers Management Console. 2. Highlight the DeviceMaster. 3.
Using the Advanced Tab 5. Click PC Network Interface Details for the following information. Field Description MAC Address MAC Address is the reported MAC address of the Ethernet network interface card (NIC) card in the server. Since a server may contain more than one NIC, identifying exactly which NIC is being used by the device driver may help you to identify and resolve problems.
Using the Advanced Tab 7. Click the Device Network Interface Details button to review the following information. Fields Description MAC Address MAC Address is the network (MAC) address of the DeviceMaster that is currently selected. It should match both the MAC address on the General tab and the MAC address on the physical DeviceMaster. Packets To Packets To is the count of information frames sent to a layer in the device driver and indicates actual data traffic sent.
Using the Advanced Tab The following table provides a list of Device Status messages. Device Status Message Description A MAC address has not yet been specified for this device. Return to the General tab, configure the device, and apply the changes. The driver may have only been configured with an IP address. The appropriate MAC address must be input in the MAC field in the General tab so that the Advanced tab can report DeviceMaster status. Can't detect any Comtrol devices.
Using the Advanced Tab Device Status Message Description The driver is not running. If you just installed the driver you will need to Close and then re-open the Comtrol Drivers exit the program before the driver Management Console. starts. The communications between the driver and the device has been disrupted. Check connectors, cabling, and look for indications of high network traffic. The DeviceMaster is off-line in this state.
NS-Link Driver Troubleshooting NS-Link Driver Troubleshooting This table includes some tips related to NS-Link drivers. NS-Link Condition Explanation/Action Before programming an IP address it is critical that the DeviceMaster be operational and passes the power on tests when configured for the MAC address. Need to program IP address into the device. Note: If the DeviceMaster is NOT operational, do NOT attempt to program or use an IP address with the DeviceMaster.
Using Port Monitor to Test Ports Using Port Monitor to Test Ports This procedure will check whether the DeviceMaster can: • Communicate through the NS-Link device driver • Determine if a port is open with an application If necessary, install PortVision DX (Before Installing the Comtrol Drivers Management Console on Page 9, Page 10). 1. Open PortVision DX using the desktop shortcut. 2. Start Port Monitor by clicking Tools > Applications > Port Monitor (PMon2). 3.
Using Port Monitor to Test Ports 4. Click Driver, RPSHSI/NSLINK, and click Ok. 5. If the DeviceMaster is communicating with the device driver for Windows, Port Monitor should display CLOSED status. If a port is open for an application, it displays as OPEN, and displays Actual Throughput, TxTotal and RxTotal statistics. Normally, there should be no data errors recorded or they should be very small. To find out what the actual errors are, scroll to the right.
Using Port Monitor to Test Ports 6. You can view additional statistics to Port Monitor by adding columns. Click Tools and Add Columns. 7. Highlight or shift-click to add multiple statistics and click Ok. Note: See the Port Monitor help system if you need an explanation of a column. 8. Scroll to the right to view the new columns. 9. If you want to capture this session, you can save a current session as a report.
Using Test Terminal Session dialog appears. b. Locate the session (table), you want to open and click the Open button. Optionally, if you want to continue monitoring for an existing session, you need to activate the Polling Interval. • Select Tools > Settings to access the PMon2 Settings dialog • Change the Polling Interval field to a value other than zero (0) 10. Leave Port Monitor open so that you can review events when using Test Terminal to test a port or ports.
Sending and Receiving Test Data (RS-232/422 and RS-485: 4-Wire) 3. Start Test Terminal (WCom2) by clicking Tools > Applications > Test Terminal (WCom2). 4. Select File > Open Port, the appropriate port (or ports) from the Open Ports dropdown list and Ok. Note: If you left Port Monitor open from the previous subsection, you should show that the port is open. Go to the next procedure to send and receive test data.
Loopback Test (RS-232) You should see the alphabet scrolling across the port. If so, then the port installed properly and is operational. Note: If you left Port Monitor running, it should show data sent and received and show the average data throughput on the port. 4. Select Port > Send and Receive Test Data to stop the scrolling data. 5. You can go to the next procedure to run the Loopback Test on Page 81 if this is an RS-232 port.
Sending and Receiving Data (RS-485: 2-Wire) Sending and Receiving Data (RS485: 2-Wire) This procedure shows how to use Test Terminal (WCom2) to test two RS-485 (2wire, half-duplex) ports. 1. Start Test Terminal. 2. Open two ports RS-485 ports. This example uses COM40 and COM41. Test Terminal will open two windows, note that both ports show Receiving on the status bar. 3. Right-click both COM windows and remove the check mark for Receive.
Sending and Receiving Data (RS-485: 2-Wire) Both COM ports show Ready on the status bar. 4. Right-click in ONE window and select the Receive option from the pop up. 5. Right-click the OPPOSITE window and click Send. The Status line shows Sending or Receiving. In this case, COM40 is sending data and COM41 is receiving the data which is visually confirmed by the data scrolling across the COM41 window.
Sending and Receiving Data (RS-485: 2-Wire) 7. Right-click and remove the check mark on the Receiving COM port. Neither COM port is sending or receiving data but shows Ready on the Status bar. 8. Reverse the sending/receiving windows one at a time. Set the Receive option first, then in the opposite window, select the Send option. The Status line shows Sending or Receiving in the reverse windows. Data is now scrolling in the COM40 window. COM41 is static as it is not receiving data but transmitting data.
How Disable/Enable the Device Driver How Disable/Enable the Device Driver Use this procedure to disable or enable the driver for a specific DeviceMaster. 1. Right-click the DeviceMaster that you want to disable (or re-enable). 2. Click Disable (or Enable). Technical Support If you need technical support, contact Comtrol using one of the following methods. Contact Method Corporate Headquarters Downloads http://www.comtrol.com/Support Web site http://www.comtrol.com 763.957.
Technical Support 86 - Troubleshooting and Technical Support DeviceMaster Driver User Guide: 2000595 Rev.
Appendix A. Configuring Non-Plug and Play Devices After installing the hardware and driver for Windows operating systems, you can use this discussion to configure non-plug and play COM ports. Installing Non-Plug and Play Devices Use the following procedure to install non-plug and play devices. 1. If you have not so yet, connect the device to a DeviceMaster port and turn on the device. 2. Open the Control Panel. 3.
Appendix A. Configuring Non-Plug and Play Devices Installing Printers Use the following procedure to install a non-plug and play printer. Note: If you want to install a plug and play printer, connect the printer to the appropriate serial port and the driver should automatically install. If it does not automatically install, use the following procedure as a guide with the printer manufacturers documentation. 1. Open the Control Panel and click the Printers and Faxes icon. 2.
