Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Operations Guide
This document was prepared and written by the Technical Documentation department at: Crestron Electronics, Inc. 15 Volvo Drive Rockleigh, NJ 07647 1-888-CRESTRON All brand names, product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Contents 2-Series Card Cage System: RACK2 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Features and Functions ................................................................................................ 1 Physical Description.................................................................................................... 4 On-Board Memory ...................
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System 2-Series Card Cage System: RACK2 Introduction Features and Functions The RACK2 is an integral part of the Crestron® 2-Series generation of control system technology featuring the newest series of Ethernet/LAN compatible control systems. The RACK2 is a modular “card cage” control system that includes the CPU2 (central processing unit) and the NET2 (Cresnet® communications hub). The RACK2 offers the ultimate in flexibility and customization.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 The RACK2 is a completely new solution-driven control technology that is also a network information control system. With its exclusive solutions card frame and built-in Cresnet expander hub (NET2), it's the highly configurable solution for even the most sophisticated A/V applications like media help desks, command and control centers, distance learning, and head ends.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Specifications The following table provides a summary of RACK2 specifications. Specifications of the RACK2 SPECIFICATION DETAILS ® CPU (CPU2 card included) 32-Bit Motorola ColdFire Processor Processor Speed 257 MIPS (Dhrystone 2.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Physical Description The RACK2 is housed in a black enclosure with silk-screened labels on the front panel.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System The rear panel provides 16 open expansion card slots and contains the CPU2 processor and the NET2 Cresnet Hub interface. • One Cresnet connector (on CPU2). • A single RS-232 computer port (in parallel with the port on the front panel). • Memory expansion slot (on CPU2). • Two banks of four Cresnet network mini connectors (A through H) with LED activity indicators (on NET2). • Two mini power supply connectors with LED power indicators (on NET2).
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 RACK2 Physical View – Front 6.97 in. (17.70 cm) 17.28 in. (43.89 cm) RACK2 Physical View – Side 8.50 in. (21.59 cm) 6 • 2-Series Card Cage System: RACK2 Operations Guide – DOC.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System RACK2 Physical View – Rear Memory Expansion Slot MEMORY EXPANSION Slot 1 Slot 3 Z Bus Slot 2 Y Bus Slot 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Four rubber feet (supplied) can be affixed to the bottom of the RACK2 to provide stability and to prevent slippage when mounted on a flat surface. The unit may also be rack mounted by attaching metal flanges, known as ears (supplied), to each end.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 RACK2 Ports There is only one port on the front panel of RACK2, labeled COMPUTER. All of the other ports are on the rear side. COMPUTER C O M P U T E R COMPUTER FRONT PANEL REAR PANEL These 9-pin DB9 female connectors (one on the front panel and one on the rear panel in the CPU2 section) are used when programming the RACK2 with a PC.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System NET2 E 24 Y Z G C 24 Y Z G F G 24 Y Z G 24 Y Z G D 24 Y Z G H 24 Y Z G INT B 24 Y Z G G A 24 Y Z G EXT The NET2 eight 4-pin mini-Cresnet ports, arranged in two rows of four, comprise the Cresnet hub. The Y and Z data lines of all eight ports are wired in parallel to a common packet switching device on the NET2 card.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Power Connections Power from the 24 VDC pin of the NET connector on the CPU2 is internally wired to the INT terminal (24 VDC) of each PWR mini connector. The G (ground) terminal of the CPU2 NET terminal is internally common to all hub connectors and the CPU2. The EXT terminal of the PWR mini connector on the NET2 hub is internally wired to the 24 VDC terminals of the mini-Cresnet connectors in each group of four hub ports.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Example of External Power Connections for the NET2 Hub – Using an Additional Power Supply for a Group of Four Mini Hub Connectors B C 24 Y Z G 24 Y Z G D 24 Y Z G NET 24 Y Z G E 24 Y Z G F 24 Y Z G G H 24 Y Z G 24 Y Z G G INT EXT A 24 Y Z G P W R 2 2 NET From Cresnet Power Supply CNPWS-75 24 VDC Remove Jumper and Connect External Power Supply 24 VDC to EXT and Ground to G GND GND 24 VDC CPU From Cresnet Power Supply CNPWS-75 Reset Buttons Two re
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 To display a list (error log) refer to “MSG” on page 13. The LED extinguishes after the last message has been read. NOTE: The LAN LEDs are active only if a single port or dual port Ethernet card (which is field installed) occupies a Z-BUS slot. LNK A, LNK B (LAN) These LEDs illuminate when the Ethernet card has established a valid Ethernet connection.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System BKLT This button adjusts the brightness of the LCD backlight and the front panel LEDs. Menu Function Buttons PANEL NOTE: If the unit does not have a loaded program with front panel screens defined, the PANEL menu function does not appear on the Main Menu. This menu function button displays a programmable interface offering command text, indirect text, and hierarchical screen structure.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Error Message Types TYPE DEFINITION Notice! An event has occurred that is noteworthy, but may not affect program operation. Warning An event has occurred that could affect program operation, but the program can still run normally. Error An event has occurred that indicates that the program is not operating as expected. Fatal An event has occurred that will prevent the program from running.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System The default Date/Time Menu, shown after this paragraph, permits alterations to the current system date and time shown on the top line. Select either Date or Time to open the respective submenu. Default Date/Time Menu The Date Set submenu, shown after this paragraph, permits alterations to the current system date, shown on the top line. Use the Dn (down) and Up selection buttons for month, day, and year decremental or incremental changes, respectively.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 On-Board Memory The CPU2 has 36MB of built-in memory (non-volatile and volatile). A total of 36MB is broken down as follows: 4MB flash (non-volatile), 32MB DRAM (volatile), and 256KB NVRAM (non-volatile memory). Flash memory contains the file system inside the 2-series control engine. NVRAM contains information that is retained after loss of electrical power. Volatile memory is lost after a power failure.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Non-volatile 1. SIMPL+ Variables (Default if no options are specified, or using "nonvolatile" qualifier or #DEFAULT_NONVOLATILE) 2. Signals explicitly written to NVRAM* (by symbols such as Analog RAM, Analog RAM from database, Serial RAM, Serial RAM from database, Analog Non-volatile Ramp, Digital RAM, etc.) *Commonly used for presets (volume/lighting/dial #s). 3. Portions of the NVRAM may be set aside for implementing an “NVRAM Disk”.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Memory Card Installation 1. Loosen the screw that secures the memory slot cover located on the rear panel. 2. Pull on the screw to remove the screw and cover. 3. Observe handling precautions of the memory card manufacturer and insert into the open slot. 4. Align and reposition cover over slot and tighten the screw. Memory Card Removal 1. Loosen the screw that secures the memory slot cover located on the rear panel. 2.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System NOTE: If rack mounting is not required, rubber feet are provided for tabletop mounting or stacking. On the underside of the unit, apply two of the feet at the rear corners and the remaining two approximately one inch from the front corners. 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).
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Resistance Equation R < 40,000 L x PF Where: R = Resistance (refer to table below). L = Length of run (or chain) in feet. PF = Power factor of entire run (or chain). The required wire gauge should be chosen such that the resistance value is less than the value calculated in the resistance equation. Refer to the table after this paragraph. Wire Gauge Values RESISTANCE (R) WIRE GAUGE 4 16 6 18 10 20 15 22 13 Doubled CAT5 8.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Hookup Connections for RACK2 Optional Network Power Supplies or Internal Connection From Power Supply and To Cresnet Hub To PC (Optional, for setup only) Compact Flash Memory To Network NET 24 Y Z G COMPUTER MEMORY EXPANSION A B C D E F G H P W R 2 CPU NET 2 Slot 1 Ethernet Card Future Use Slot 2 2-Series and X-Generation Cards (CNXCOM-2 not supported) Slot 3 Slot 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Establishing Communication with the
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 • Baud rate = 115200 (You can set the PC and the control system to a different baud rate, by using the Functions | Set Baud Rate command). • Parity = None. • Number of data bits = 8. • Number of stop bits = 1. • Hardware handshaking (RTS/CTS) enabled. • Software handshaking (XON/XOFF) not enabled. “Port Settings” Window: Default PC Settings for RS-232 Communication with the RACK2.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System ports directly, without using a hub. The following figure illustrates pinouts for straight through and crossover RJ45 cables. Pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 are not used. RJ45 Pinouts Once the cable connections are made, open the Crestron Viewport and click Setup | Communication Settings on the menu to display the “Port Settings” window. Then click TCP/IP as the connection type. Enter the IP address of the RACK2.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 some may be internal (e.g., for a modem). Consult the manufacturer’s documentation for further information about the COM ports on your PC. 3. Check the ERR LED indicator on the front panel of the RACK2. If this LED is illuminated, unplug the unit and reapply power after a few seconds. If the LED illuminates again, call Crestron customer service. 4. With a serial connection, reset the control system as follows: a.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Compiling and Uploading a Program to the Control System After you have completed your SIMPL Windows program you must compile and upload the program to the control system. To compile the program, simply click the Convert/Compile button on the SIMPL Windows toolbar, or select Project | Convert/Compile (you can also press F12). A status bar will indicate the progress of the compile operation.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 When a program is uploaded, that program's filename is added to the New Program drop-down list. This makes it convenient to reload frequently used programs, as they can be selected from the list without need to browse to a directory. To delete the list, click Clear History. You can also click Check Program to display the header information of the currently loaded program.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Uploading Touchpanel Projects via the RACK2 You can use a connection to the RACK2 to upload Crestron VisionTools® Pro-e (VT Pro-e) projects to any Cresnet touchpanel. Compiled projects for TPS panels are contained in VTZ files; projects for all other touchpanels are contained in HEX files. Before uploading, open Viewport and click Diagnostics | Report Network Devices to verify that the touchpanel is being detected by the control system.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Running Programs From Compact Flash On power-up or a hardware reset (HW-R), the control system first checks for a program on compact flash and then internal flash. The console command CFAUTORUN controls the actions of the control system when a compact flash is inserted into a running system.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System NOTE: For more information on console commands, refer to the 2-Series Console Commands Reference Guide, (latest version of DOC. 6002) available from the Downloads | Product Manuals section of the Crestron website (www.crestron.com). Console Commands for Compact Flash The following commands have been added to enable processing functions for compact flash files/programs: CFAUTORUN - Enable the program to autoboot from compact flash.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Programming with the Crestron AppBuilder The easiest method of programming, but does not offer as much flexibility as SIMPL Windows. The Crestron AppBuilder offers automatic programming for such residential and commercial applications as audio distribution, home theater, video conferencing, and lighting. The interface of this tool guides you through a few basic steps for designating rooms and specifying the control system, touchpanels, devices, and functionality.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Slots 1 through 4: C2Z Card Slots The Z-Bus slots enable the addition of 10/100 Ethernet applications. NOTE: Currently, only one C2ENET card is allowed in slot 1. Other Z-Bus cards will be available in the future. To prepare for communicating with other devices via the Z-Bus port using a C2ENET-1 or -2 card, you must set up an IP table to identify the IP address and port ID for each of those devices.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 standard touchpanel, except that the C2I Front Panel is designed using the SIMPL Windows Front Panel Editor rather than the VT Pro-e software. Like VT Pro-e, the Front Panel Editor provides a number of programmable objects such as the buttons, gauges and text. Pages are also programmable. Programmable objects are assigned join numbers that identify digital, analog and serial inputs and outputs to the C2I Front Panel.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Converting Programs and Modules Created for Other Systems A useful feature of SIMPL Windows is that you can convert a program created for another type of control system, simply by changing the target to a RACK2. To do this you first open the program, and then replace the existing control system with the RACK2.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 “Module Header Information” Window After you convert each module in a program, you can convert the program as described previously: drag the RACK2 onto the existing control system in System Views and click Yes to confirm the replacement. For further information about compile-time errors and detailed explanations about working with modules, refer to the SIMPL Windows online help file.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series 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. Search for Front Panel Editor. Assume that a page, as shown after this paragraph, is required. The concept of such an application is that the user can then choose a given device and then, from a lowerlevel page, control one or more transport functions of the device.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Return to the “Menu1 – Choose Device” and double click on the VCR object. The “Edit Panel Object” window appears. From the Page Jump field, select “Menu2 – VCR Control”, as shown after this paragraph, and click OK. Select the Simulate check box to make the Front Panel Editor simulate an actual RACK2 front panel. Click on the VCR function button to enable the simulated page jump.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System note, to assign the join number. In the Page Channel area of this window, a specific number can be assigned or with the appropriate button assign the next or highest available. Asserting the digital signal for a particular page join number (fb*** on the SIMPL Window symbol) results in a jump to that page.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Front Panel Symbol Displayed in SIMPL Windows’ Detail View of Programming Manager Object Types The sample discussed in the previous sections utilizes only one of the object types available from the “Edit Panel Object” window, shown below. These object types are not new to Crestron programmers; the same types are available in VT Pro-e. Object Type Area in the “Edit Panel Object” Window 38 • 2-Series Card Cage System: RACK2 Operations Guide – DOC.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Problem Solving Problems may occur with the RACK2 itself or there may be serial communication difficulties with other devices connected to the control system. The next two sections address possible problem solving tools or procedures for each. Possible Problems with the Control System Troubleshooting the Control System The following table provides corrective action for possible trouble situations.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 RACK2 System Troubleshooting (continued) TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE(S) CORRECTIVE ACTION System does not function. Incorrect power supply. Use a Crestron power supply. A/V system device does not respond. IRP2 or serial port not placed properly. Verify placement of IRP2 (Hold phosphor card under IRP2 while pressing button) and tighten serial cables. Used wrong IR/Serial port. Verify that proper IR or serial port is defined. Serial cable miswired.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Network Analyzer To assist with troubleshooting, this unit contains Crestron’s patent-pending network analyzer to continuously monitor the integrity of the Cresnet network for wiring faults and marginal system performance or other network errors. For more information on how to use the network analyzer, refer to the SIMPL Windows help file and use the index to search for "Network Analyzer".
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 “Passthrough Mode” Window COM Analyzer NOTE: Only COM-type devices and cards in the SIMPL Windows program that are active (not commented out) are monitored. Depressing the COM menu function button from the front panel Main Menu (default front panel page) displays a listing of all devices and cards that can be monitored. The listing follows the same order as the system tree in Configuration Manager.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Select Format Type Screen Once the BIN, ASCII, or HEX menu function button is selected, the display provides the T/R Screen. The Data Menu in the CNX Series control system contained a RESET and REFRESH menu function button. A buffer constantly records and recycles the data. The buffer is empty when the COM port is first selected and remains empty until data is transmitted or received.
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 Further Inquiries If after reviewing this Operations Guide, you cannot locate specific information or have questions, please take advantage of Crestron's award winning customer service team by calling: • In the US and Canada, call Crestron’s corporate headquarters at 1-888-CRESTRON [1-888-273-7876]. • In Europe, call Crestron International at +32-15-50-99-50. • In Asia, call Crestron Asia at +852-2341-2016.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series Card Cage System Software License Agreement This License Agreement (“Agreement”) is a legal contract between you (either an individual or a single business entity) and Crestron Electronics, Inc. (“Crestron”) for software referenced in this guide, which includes computer software and, as applicable, associated media, printed materials, and “online” or electronic documentation (the “Software”).
2-Series Card Cage System Crestron RACK2 If You are a business or organization, You agree that upon request from Crestron or its authorized agent, You will within thirty (30) days fully document and certify that use of any and all Software at the time of the request is in conformity with Your valid licenses from Crestron of its authorized agent.
Crestron RACK2 2-Series 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.
Crestron Electronics, Inc. 15 Volvo Drive Rockleigh, NJ 07647 Tel: 888.CRESTRON Fax: 201.767.7576 www.crestron.com Operations Guide – DOC. 5958 06.03 Specifications subject to change without notice.
