Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System Contents CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX 1 Description .......................................................................................................................... 1 Functional Description............................................................................................ 1 Physical Description ............................................................................................... 2 Leading Specifications .................................
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX Description Functional Description The CNRACKX is an integral part of Crestron’s new generation of control system technology featuring the newest series of Ethernet/LAN compatible control systems. The CNRACKX is a modular “card cage” control system offering the ultimate in flexibility and customization. In addition to the CNXCPU (central processing unit), the unit has the capacity for 15 expansion cards.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX Physical Description The CNRACKX is housed in a black enclosure with silk-screened labels on the front panel. On the front panel there is a single RS-232 computer port, standard LEDs, two reset buttons, a reverse LCD display with menu function and selection buttons, and a row of slot status LED indicators. The rear panel provides 15 open CNX expansion card slots and the CNXCPU.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System CRESNET Cresnet 4-Wire and 6-Pin Connectors 24 Y Z G C R E S N E T On the CNXCPU, there are two network connectors: 4-wire and modular. The 4-wire male connector (typical Crestron network port labeled 24 Y Z G) and 6-pin RJ-type connector are used for expansion to Cresnet and SmarTouch peripherals. The total maximum load rating depends on the expansion slot load. The ports are wired in parallel.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX CNRACKX Indicators There are 22 LED indicators on the front panel of the CNRACKX. The other two LEDs on the rear are part of the CNXCPU: PWR These two LEDs (one on the front panel and one on the CNXCPU) illuminate when the CNRACKX receives power from the CNPWS-75 External Power Supply (sold separately). NET These two LEDs (one on the front panel and one on the CNXCPU) illuminate when the CNXCPU is processing data or communicating with system hardware.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System CNRACKX LCD Display The front panel of the CNRACKX incorporates a reverse mode (yellow on black) LCD display, shown below. The screen contains two lines with 40 characters per line; it is used to extend features and gain access to the system including the SIMPL program. Menu buttons partially surround the display. To the right of the display there are four menu “selection” buttons.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX MSG This button displays system alarms and error messages. If one or more errors are present, press the menu selection button to see the next message. An example system message is shown below. Message Example TIME This menu can only be obtained by entering the correct access code. The default access code is 1234. The default Time Menu, shown after this paragraph, permits alterations to the CNRACKX date and time.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System 1 CAUTION: The total load factor of the CNRACKX depends on the expansion cards installed. Add the combined power requirements of all of the cards to be installed and add 5-watts for the CNRACKX and CNXCPU. Do not exceed 75 watts for total load factor of a single CNRACKX. 2 The latest software versions can be obtained from the Software Downloads page (SIMPLWIN Library) of Crestron’s website (www.crestron.com).
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX NOTE: Reliable grounding of rack mounted equipment should be maintained. Particular attention should be given to supply connections other than direct connections to the branch circuit. (e.g., use of power strips). Two “rack ears” are provided with the CNRACKX so that the unit can be rack mounted. These ears must be installed prior to mounting. Complete the procedure below to attach ears to CNRACKX: 1.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System Wire Gauge Values RESISTANCE (R) WIRE GAUGE 4 16 6 18 10 20 15 22 NOTE: All network wiring must consist of two twisted-pairs. One twisted pair is the +24V conductor and the GND conductor and the other twisted pair is the Y conductor and the Z conductor. NOTE: When daisy chaining network units, always twist the ends of the incoming wire and outgoing wire which share a pin on the network connector.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX Hookup Connections for CNRACKX CNXCPU CONTROL PROCESSOR PWR NET LAN COMPUTER TO SERIAL PORT ON PC (PARALLEL DB9 CONNECTOR ALSO ON CNRACKX FRONT PANEL) DPA 24VDC 50W TO ANY STS OR CRESNET NETWORK DEVICE 24 TO ETHERNET OR LOCAL AREA NETWORK WITH OPTIONAL CNXENET CARD Y Z G C R E S N E T CRESTRON Programming the LCD Display NOTE: The following description assumes that the reader has some knowledge of SIMPL™ Windows®.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System Default Front Panel Page Creating a Page with Front Panel Editor NOTE: The creation of a front panel page is discussed in this section. For more details, consult the SIMPL Windows help file. Specifically, search on Front Panel Editor. Assume that a page, as shown below, is required. The concept of such an application is that the user can then choose a given device and then, from a lower-level page, control one or more transport functions of the device.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX Editor simulate an actual CNRACKX front panel. Click on the VCR function button to enable the simulated page jump. The display clears, because “Menu2 – VCR Control” has been named, but no objects have been added yet. A typical VCR Control page, as shown below, has a text object that appears as a header on the top row of the display and objects that are control functions assigned to each function button.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System Object Types The sample discussed in the previous sections utilizes only one of the object types available from the “Edit Panel Object” dialog box, shown below. These object types are not new to Crestron programmers; the same types are available in VisionTools™ Pro. For a detailed description of these types refer to the VisionTools™ Pro help file. Use the glossary or search function to locate the information.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX Before installing any tools, confirm that all applications such as Microsoft Office, etc. are closed. The website and CD provide instructions for installing the various development tools. When initiating a custom install from the CD, the user is presented with a list of the software programs, documentation, and other resources available on the CD.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System “Copy Program” Dialog Box After Begin Copy is selected, the selected files will be archived to the example file C:\Crestron\Simpl\Programs\example.zip. For this ZIP file to be used by SIMPL Windows, select File | Import Archived Program from the Crestron Viewport.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX File Types There are quite a few file types involved with Crestron control software. This section explains the different types that might be encountered in each directory. In many cases the supplied software is grouped into a number of subdirectories. The intent is to keep files organized. For example, after copying the files to the hard disk, the directory structure may appear as shown below.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System “Userdb” Subdirectory - The files in this subdirectory are "user database" IR drivers, which are needed to interface with certain IR-controlled devices in the system. These differ from "Crestron database" IR drivers in that the former are included as part of a Crestron Database release, available from our website (www.crestron.com). File Types in “Userdb” Subdirectory FILE TYPE DESCRIPTION .ir This is a user IR driver file.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX Touchpanel Directory - The files in this subdirectory contain touchpanel projects (for example, “Vt3501” and “Vt3502” in the previous illustration titled “Possible Subdirectory Structure”). Each project describes the exact graphical nature of the panel to which it uploads. File Types in Touchpanel Subdirectory FILE TYPE DESCRIPTION .vtp This is the only VisionTools Pro (VTPro) file required for a given project. It replaces the .prj, .pgf, and graphic (.bmp, .
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System 4. As illustrated below, select Tools | Viewport to open the “Crestron Viewport” dialog box. Accessing the Viewport 5. From the Setup menu, verify that Auto Baud Search is checked. Refer to illustration below. Verifying Auto Baud Search 6. While the Viewport is displayed, select Setup | Communications (alternatively, depress Alt+D) to open the “Port Settings” dialog box and refer to the illustration below.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX 7. Select the appropriate connection type (RS-232 for a PC connection through the COMPUTER port of the CNRACKX or CNXCPU or TCP/IP through the Ethernet via the optional LAN/DPA port). Verify that the proper COM port is selected. Set the baud rate to 38400, the parity to none, the data bits to 8, and the stop bits to 1. Refer to the dialog box shown on the next page for the remaining settings. Click on the OK button to save the settings and close the dialog box.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System If communications with the CNRACKX was not established, follow the steps in this section to help remedy the problem. After performing each step, repeat step 7 in “Obtaining Communications” on page 18 again. 1. Try repeating step 7 from “Obtaining Communications” to attempt to establish communications. 2. Verify that the cable being used is correct. It should be a “straightthrough” cable. That is, pin 1 on one end is connected to pin 1 on the other end.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX 5b. Set the baud rate to 9600, as shown below. Changing the Baud Rate from the “Set Baud Rate” Dialog Box 5c. Set the CNRACKX to 9600 baud. - Depress and hold the SW-R button on the CNRACKX front panel. - Depress and release the HW-R button on the CNRACKX front panel. - Wait until a message similar to the one below appears in the Viewport. Viewport Message CNRACKX Monitor v5.07.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System Crestron Viewport - Incoming Window NOTE: The exact text received depends on the given CNRACKX hardware. 5f. Remove power from the unit again and reapply power without holding the RESET button down. Wait a few seconds and perform step 7 in “Obtaining Communications” on page 18. NOTE: If after trying all these procedures, communication can not be established, contact Crestron technical support for assistance. Refer to “Further Inquiries” on page 28.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX 3. Use the Browse button to locate the supplied .BIN file. 4. Click the Send Program button to initiate program upload to the CNRACKX. A “Transfer in Progress” dialog box appears, but no response is required. If SIMPL+ files are present and the "SIMPL+ Program(s)" option is checked under "What to Send:", the associated files will be transferred after the program is transferred. NOTE: The permanent memory image is the program stored into flash memory.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System 1. Verify that the touchpanel to be loaded is connected to the CNRACKX via the appropriate network cable. Also, verify that the touchpanel is set to the proper network ID. (This info should be available in the system connection sheets or directly from the programmer.) 2. Select Tools | Viewport to open the “Crestron Viewport” dialog box, if it is not already opened. 3.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX 2. The “Update Control System” dialog box, shown below, offers the option to enter the path name of a new update file. If the path name is not known, use the Browse button to navigate to a list of available update files. When browsing, make sure to choose only update files that end with .UPZ. “Update Control System” Dialog Box 3.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System 4. If the CNRACKX does not have the optional CNXENET Expansion Card, uncheck the TCP/IP Stack option to transfer faster (transferring the stack will not cause any problems). Otherwise, send all of the checked components. To start the transfer, click the Send button. The transfer dialog will inform you of the progress in updating the selected components. 5.
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX Problem Solving Troubleshooting The table following this paragraph provides corrective action for possible trouble situations. If further assistance is required, please contact a Crestron technical support representative. CNRACKX Troubleshooting TROUBLE Unexpected response from CNRACKX. Green PWR indicator (on CNXRACK or CNXCPU) does not illuminate. Yellow NET indicator (on CNXRACK or CNXCPU) does not illuminate. Red ERR indicator illuminates.
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System Return and Warranty Policies Merchandise Returns / Repair Service 1. No merchandise may be returned for credit, exchange, or service without prior authorization from CRESTRON. To obtain warranty service for CRESTRON products, contact the factory and request an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number. Enclose a note specifying the nature of the problem, name and phone number of contact person, RMA number, and return address. 2.
