Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product APS-8 Western Telematic
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APS Series Asynchronous Port Switches Firmware Version 2.05 and Higher Models APS-16, APS-8 and APS-4 User's Guide 5 Sterling Irvine California 92618 (949) 586-9950 Toll Free: 1-800-854-7226 Fax: (949) 583-9514 http://www.
Warnings and Cautions: No Serviceable Parts Inside; Authorized Service Personnel Only Do not attempt to repair or service this device yourself. Internal components must be serviced by authorized personnel only .
Rack Mount Installation When installing this device in an instrument rack, the following factors must be accounted for: 1. Enclosed Racks: Enclosed racks must provide adequate ventilation. Make certain that the rack is not overly crowded and note that each unit in the rack generates its own heat.
Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................. 1-1 2. Unit Description .......................................... 2-1 2.1. Front Panel .......................................... 2-1 2.2. Back Panel ....................
7. Operation .............................................. 7-1 7.1. Any-to-Any Mode ...................................... 7-1 7.1.1. Port Connection and Disconnection ....................... 7-1 7.1.1.1. Connecting Ports ............................
1. Introduction WTI’ s APS-16, APS-8, and APS-4 Asynchronous Port Switches allow reliable, high-speed connections between PCs, modems, and other devices using dissimilar baud rates, parity , and flow control. The APS supports communication at speeds up to 1 15.
APS-16, APS-8, and APS-4 Units This User ’ s Guide discusses the APS-16, APS-8 and APS-4 Asynchronous Port Switches. Throughout this User ’ s Guide, all three units are referred to as "the APS". The APS-16 includes sixteen RS232 ports, the APS-8 includes eight RS232 ports, and the APS-4 includes four RS232 ports.
2. Unit Description 2.1. Front Panel ¬ CLEAR: Restarts the APS operating program without changing user-selected parameter settings or breaking port connections. ON: Lights when AC Power is applied. ® SET: Used to Initialize the APS to defaults specified by the SetUp Switches.
2.2. Back Panel ¬ RS232 PORTS: For connection to RS232 console ports on user devices. For more information, please refer to Section 4.4 (connection instructions), Appendix A (interface description), and Section 5.2 (Setup Ports). SetUp Switches: A bank of eight DIP switches, which set default communication parameters and other features.
3. Getting Started This section provides a brief overview of basic APS capabilities, and describes simple tests that can be used to determine if the unit is operating properly . 3.1. Communication Parameters The SetUp Switches select default operating settings.
3.3. System SetUp Ports In order to ensure access to command functions, Ports 1 and 2 are designated as System SetUp Ports; the Supervisor Mode cannot be disabled at these ports. Ports 1 and 2 will always allow password protected access to all APS command functions, even when the unit has been reset to the default state.
4. Help Screen: T ype /H [Enter] to display the Supervisor Level Help Screen (Figure 3.1). 5. Port Status Screen: T ype /S [Enter] to display the Port Status Screen (Figure 3.2), which summarizes conditions at all Ports. Note that the APS-8 Port Status Screen will list only eight ports, and the APS-4 Port Status Screen will list only four ports.
b) Third Party Connection: Y our resident port (e.g. Port 1) issues a /C command to create a connection between two other ports. i. T o connect Port 2 to Port 3, type / C23 [Enter] . ii. While Ports 2 and 3 are connected, Port 1 will still recognize APS commands.
4. Hardware Installation 4.1. Connecting Power to the APS Unit The APS is available in both AC and DC powered versions. When connecting AC or DC power to the APS, proceed as follows: CAUTION: This device should only be operated with the type of power source indicated on the instrument nameplate.
4.2. Configure SetUp Switches The SetUp Switches are used to select default settings for the APS RS232 ports. On model APS-16 , the SetUp Switches are located on the underside of the unit. On APS-8 and APS-4 models, the SetUp Switches are located on the instrument back panel.
4.2.2. Default Handshake (Sw4, Sw5) The default handshake format must match the format your control device will use when communicating with the APS. SetUp Switches 4 and 5 can select R TS/CTS (hardware), XON/XOFF , Both or None. Note that the /P command can also be used to select a different handshake format for each port.
4.3. Initialize Unit to Default Settings If SetUp Switch settings are changed, new parameters will not take effect until the APS is initialized. CAUTION: After initialization, the APS will revert to the parameters specified by the SetUp Switches. Any command-selected parameters will be lost.
4.5. Application Example The example in Figure 4.2 shows one of many possible installation configurations for the APS. In this example, APS-16 ports have been configured as follows: · Port 1 (System SetUp Port): This port has been left open in order to permit on-site service personnel to access the Command Mode without disrupting other ports.
5. Configuration 5.1. Access to the APS Command Mode When the APS Command Mode is active, commands can be invoked to select parameters, and connect or disconnect ports. Note: Command Mode cannot be accessed from a Buffer Mode Port, Passive Mode Port, or any port that is currently connected to another APS port.
5.3.1. The Supervisor Password The Supervisor Password allows access to higher level APS configuration commands, which administrators can employ to select communication parameters, assign port access rights, and perform other system management tasks.
For example, if the Port Password “test” is assigned to ports 3, 4, and 5, then when “test” is entered at the Password Prompt, the user will only be able to connect to ports 3, 4, and 5, and will only be able to view parameters for ports 3, 4, and 5.
5.5. Port Configuration 5.5.1. Configuration Conventions When responding to prompts, invoking commands, and selecting items from the port configuration menus, note the following: · T o select an item from a Port Configuration menu, key in the number for the item and press [Enter] .
5.5.3. RS232 Port Configuration Menus The Port Configuration Menus are used to select options for each of the APS RS232 ports. Parameters selected via these menus will stay in effect until the unit is initialized or the /P command is used to reconfigure the port.
The Port Configuration menu offers the following options: 1. Port Name: (Up to 16 characters) Assigns a name to the port. (Default = undefined). 2. Password: (Up to 16 chars.) Defines the Port Password for this port. Note that identical Port Passwords are generally assigned to several ports.
When Port Mode (menu Item 7) is set to Modem Mode, the menu will include additional prompts (see Figure 5.2), which are used to define the following: 71. Reset String: If necessary , this prompt can re-define the modem reset string, which is sent prior to the Initialization string.
9. Logoff Character: Defines the Logoff Character for this port. The Logoff Character determines the command(s) or character(s) that must be issued at this port in order to disconnect from a second port (Resident Disconnect). (Default = ^X ( [Ctrl] plus [X] )).
13. Command Echo: Enables or Disables the command echo for this port. (Default = On). 14. Accept Break: Determines whether the port will accept breaks received from the attached device, and pass them along to a connected port.
T o select common parameters for all APS RS-232 ports, proceed as follows: 1. Access the APS command mode. If the password prompt is displayed, key in your Supervisor Level Password. 2. At the command prompt, type /CP and press [Enter] , the menu shown in Figure 5.
6. The Status Screens The APS Status Screens display the connection status and communication parameters for the APS RS-232 ports. There are three different types of status screens; The Port Status Screen (/S), the Port Diagnostics Screen (/SD), and the Port Parameters Screens (/W).
As shown in Figure 6.1, The Port Status Screen lists the following items. Note that the APS-8 Port Status Screen will show only eight ports, and the APS-4 Port Status Screen will show only four ports · Name: The user-defined name for each port. · Password: The user-defined password for each port.
In User Mode, the Port Diagnostics Screen will display only the status of those ports that share the same Port Password that was entered at login. Ports that are protected by other passwords will not be displayed. As shown in Figure 6.2, the Port Diagnostics Screen lists the following items: · Port: The Port Number .
6.3. The Port Parameters Screens (/W) The /W command displays more detailed information about an individual APS port. Rather than listing connection information for all ports like the Port Status Screens, the Port Parameters screen lists all defined parameters for a specific port.
7. Operation 7.1. Any-to-Any Mode Any-to-Any Mode Ports can be connected to other Any-to-Any , Passive, Buffer , or Modem Mode Ports by accessing Command Mode and issuing the /C Command.
b) Third Party Connect: (Supervisor Mode Only) T o connect any two ports (other than your resident port), type /C xx XX [Enter] . Where xx and XX are two port names or numbers.
c) The /D command can specify both connected ports, or either of the two ports. For example, if Port 1 is your resident port, any of the following commands can be used to disconnect Port 3 from Port 4: / D34 [Enter] or /D 3 [Enter] or /D 4 [Enter] 3.
7. It is only necessary to enter enough letters of the port name to differentiate the Hunt Group ports from other ports. T ype an asterisk (*) to represent the remaining characters in the port name.
7.3.1. Reading Data from Buffer Mode Ports T o retrieve data from Buffer Mode Ports, you must first determine which port buffers contain data. T o check port buffers for stored data, access the Command Mode and type /S [Enter] to display the Port Status Screen.
7.4. Modem Mode In addition to allowing data transfer , the Modem Mode also provides additional functions specifically related to modem communication. A Modem Mode Port can perform all functions normally available in Any-to-Any Mode. The Modem Mode is available to all APS RS232 ports.
8. Saving and Restoring Configuration Parameters After the APS has been properly configured, parameters can be downloaded and saved as an ASCII text file. Later , if the configuration is accidentally altered, the file with the saved parameters can be uploaded to automatically reconfigure the unit without the need to manually assign each parameter .
8.2. Restoring Saved Parameters This section describes the procedure for using ProComm to send stored parameters to the APS. 1. Start your terminal emulation program and access the APS Command Mode; if the password prompt is displayed, enter the Supervisor Password.
9. Command Reference Guide 9.1. Command Conventions The commands described in this section conform to the following conventions: · Slash Character: Most APS commands begin with the Slash Character ( / ).
9.2. Command Response When commands are sent to the APS, the unit can respond with either verbose (English T ext) or terse messages (numeric / abbreviated). The default message type for all ports can be set to either terse or verbose using SetUp Switch Six.
9.3. Command Summary Command A vailability Function Command Syntax Supervisor User Enter Command Mode [Enter] XX Exit Command Mode [Enter] XX Help Menu [Enter] XX Display Site ID [Enter] XX Display Po.
9.4. Command Set This Section provides more detailed information on all APS commands, sorted alphabetically by name. [Enter] Enter Command Mode In order to set parameters or connect ports, you must first access the command mode as described in Section 5.
/C Connect Establishes a bi-directional connection between two ports. For more information and command line examples, please refer to Section 7.1. There are two different types of port connections: · Resident Connect: If the /C command specifies one port name or number , your resident port will be connected to the specified port.
/D Third Party Disconnect Invoke the /D command at your resident port to disconnect two other ports. The /D command cannot be used to disconnect your resident port. T o disconnect your resident port, issue the Resident Disconnect Sequence or wait for the T imeout Period to elapse (if enabled).
/F Set System Parameters Displays a menu which is used to define the Site ID message and Supervisor Password. When the Supervisor Password is defined, the APS will display a password prompt before allowing access to command mode. For more information, refer to Section 5.
/P Set RS232 Port Parameters Displays a menu which allows the user to select options and parameters for the selected port. Section 5.5.3 describes the procedure for defining port parameters. A vailability: Supervisor Only Format: /P [x] [Enter] Where x is the number or name of the port to be configured.
/W Display Port Parameters (Who) Displays configuration of an individual port, but does not allow the user to change parameters. Ports with User Level command capability cannot display parameters for other ports. Normally , the Port Parameters screen will not include the Port Password.
A. RS232 Port Interface DCD and DTR hardware lines function as follows: 1. When connected: a) If either port is set for Modem Mode, the DTR output at either port reflects the DCD input at the other end. b) If neither port is set for Modem Mode, DTR output is held high (active).
B. Specifications RS232 Port Interface: Model APS-16: Sixteen (16) RS232 serial inputs use DB9 connectors configured as DTE ports. Model APS-8: Eight (8) RS232 serial inputs use DB9 connectors configured as DTE ports. Model APS-4: Four (4) RS232 serial inputs use DB9 connectors configured as DTE ports.
C. Customer Service Customer Service hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, PST , Monday through Friday . When calling, please be prepared to give the name and make of the unit, its serial number and a description of its symptoms.
Index A B C D E F H I Index-1.
L M N O P Q R S Index-2.
T U V W X Index-3.
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