AMG AMG9CLE-1F-1W-SER User manual

AMG Serial Server
AMG9CLE-1F-1W-SER
User Manual
V1.0
2011.02.09

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Copyright
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This product might include unintentional technical or typographical errors. Changes are periodically
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C o n t e n t s
1. Introduction........................................................................................................................... 8
1.1 Main Features ................................................................................................................... 8
1.2 Communication Modes..................................................................................................... 9
1.2.1 Straight IP Mode ..................................................................................................... 9
1.2.2 Virtual COM Mode................................................................................................. 9
1.2.3 Paired Mode.......................................................................................................... 10
1.2.4 TCP Probe............................................................................................................. 10
1.3 Installation and Startup....................................................................................................11
1.3.1 Package Checklist..................................................................................................11
1.3.2 Hardware Setup......................................................................................................11
1.3.3 Software Installation..............................................................................................11
1.3.4 AMG Serial Server Configuration.........................................................................11
1.3.5 Install Virtual COM Ports ..................................................................................... 14
1.3.6 Check Data Communications................................................................................ 14
2. Hardware............................................................................................................................. 15
2.1 Connectors, Indicators, and Reset Switch ...................................................................... 16
2.1.1 Indicator Lights..................................................................................................... 16
2.1.2 Power Connector................................................................................................... 16
2.1.3 Reset Button.......................................................................................................... 16
2.1.4 Ethernet Connector ............................................................................................... 16
2.1.5 Serial Connector.................................................................................................... 16
3. Installing the IPS Administrator Software....................................................................... 17
3.1 Software Installation....................................................................................................... 17
3.1.1 Automatic Installation........................................................................................... 17
3.1.2 Manual Installation ............................................................................................... 17
3.1.3 Updating an Existing Installation.......................................................................... 19
3.1.4 Opening the IPS Administrator............................................................................. 20
4. Using the IPS Administrator.............................................................................................. 21
4.1 Hardware Setup .............................................................................................................. 21
4.2 Software Setup................................................................................................................ 22
4.3 Software Overview......................................................................................................... 22
4.3.1 Menus (Icons) ....................................................................................................... 22
4.3.2 Serial Server List / Virtual COM List................................................................... 23
4.3.3 Status Bar.............................................................................................................. 24
4.4 Search for Servers........................................................................................................... 24
4.5 Setting the Configurations.............................................................................................. 25
5. Configuring the AMG Serial Server ................................................................................. 28

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5.1 Description of Configuration - System........................................................................... 28
5.1.1 Model Name.......................................................................................................... 28
5.1.2 Server Name.......................................................................................................... 28
5.1.3 Serial Number....................................................................................................... 29
5.1.4 Password ............................................................................................................... 29
5.1.5 FW Version............................................................................................................ 29
5.1.6 MAC Address........................................................................................................ 29
5.1.7 DHCP.................................................................................................................... 29
5.1.8 IPAddress ............................................................................................................. 29
5.1.9 Netmask ................................................................................................................ 30
5.1.10 Gateway ................................................................................................................ 30
5.1.11 Link Status ............................................................................................................ 30
5.1.12 Default................................................................................................................... 30
5.2 Description of Configuration – Serial Port..................................................................... 31
5.2.1 Serial Type ............................................................................................................ 31
5.2.1.1 Console........................................................................................................ 31
5.2.1.2 RS-232......................................................................................................... 32
5.2.1.3 Upgrade Mode............................................................................................. 32
5.2.2 Baud Rate.............................................................................................................. 32
5.2.3 Data/Stop bits........................................................................................................ 32
5.2.4 Parity..................................................................................................................... 32
5.2.5 Flow Control......................................................................................................... 32
5.2.6 TCP/UDP Protocol................................................................................................ 32
5.2.7 TCP/UDP Port....................................................................................................... 33
5.2.8 Delimiter Hex 1 and Delimiter Hex 2................................................................... 34
5.2.9 Force Transmit ...................................................................................................... 34
5.2.10 Inter-character Gap................................................................................................ 34
5.2.11 Connection Status ................................................................................................. 34
5.2.12 Serial Timeout....................................................................................................... 34
5.2.13 TCPAlive Timeout ............................................................................................... 34
5.2.14 TCP Mode............................................................................................................. 35
5.2.15 Max Connection.................................................................................................... 35
5.2.16 Connection At ....................................................................................................... 35
5.2.17 Remote IPAddress................................................................................................ 35
5.2.18 Apply..................................................................................................................... 35
5.2.18.1 Saving Configuration Data in IPS Administrator...................................... 35
5.2.18.2 Saving Configuration Data in Console Mode or Telnet............................ 36
5.2.18.3 Saving Configuration Data in Web Server Interface................................. 37
6. Installing Virtual COM Ports............................................................................................ 38
6.1 Installing Virtual COM Port ........................................................................................... 38

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6.2 Matching the ASS and Virtual COM Port Settings......................................................... 39
7. Removing Virtual COM Ports........................................................................................... 42
7.1 Removing the Virtual COM port using ASS Administrator........................................... 42
7.2 Removing the Virtual COM Port using Device Manager............................................... 42
8. Upgrading the ASS Firmware ........................................................................................... 44
8.1.1 Change to Upgrade Mode ..................................................................................... 44
8.1.2 Upgrading the Firmware....................................................................................... 44
9. Using the Console Mode..................................................................................................... 46
9.1 Entering Console Mode.................................................................................................. 46
9.2 Console Mode Setup....................................................................................................... 46
9.2.1 Navigating the Configuration Menus.................................................................... 48
10. Using the Web Server......................................................................................................... 49
10.1 Setting Server Configurations......................................................................................... 49
11. Using the Telnet................................................................................................................... 51
11.1 Telnet Login.................................................................................................................... 51
11.2 Navigating the Configuration Menu............................................................................... 52
12. Technical Data..................................................................................................................... 53
12.1 Feature List..................................................................................................................... 53
12.2 Default Settings .............................................................................................................. 54
Appendix A: TCP/UDP Port Numbers and Firewall................................................................... 56
Appendix B: Serial Port Pin-outs.................................................................................................. 59
Appendix C: Ethernet Cable Pin-outs .......................................................................................... 60
Appendix D: Regulation Information........................................................................................... 61

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F i g u r e s
Figure 1 Straight IP Mode / Virtual COM Mode ............................................................................. 9
Figure 2 Paired Mode..................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 3 Typical Hardware Setup ...................................................................................................11
Figure 4 The IPS Administrator Server List Window.................................................................... 12
Figure 5 The Configurations Window ........................................................................................... 13
Figure 6 Configuring the Virtual COM Port.................................................................................. 14
Figure 7 The Front/Rear Views...................................................................................................... 15
Figure 8 The Panel Layouts........................................................................................................... 15
Figure 9 The Install Shield Wizard Window.................................................................................. 17
Figure 10 The Setup Window of IPS Administrator...................................................................... 18
Figure 11 The Choose Destination Window.................................................................................. 18
Figure 12 The Install Shield Wizard Complete Window............................................................... 19
Figure 13 The InstallShield Wizard Modify, Repair or Remove Screen ....................................... 19
Figure 14 Ethernet Connection via LAN....................................................................................... 21
Figure 15 Direct Ethernet Connection using a Crossover Cable................................................... 21
Figure 16 The IPS Administrator Window .................................................................................... 22
Figure 17 The Search Setup Window ............................................................................................ 25
Figure 18 The Configurations Window ......................................................................................... 26
Figure 19 The Restart Dialogue Box ............................................................................................. 26
Figure 20 The Restarting Dialogue Box ........................................................................................ 27
Figure 21 The Search Server Dialogue Box .................................................................................. 27
Figure 22 The Searching Dialogue Box......................................................................................... 27
Figure 23 The Server Configurations Window of IPS Administrator............................................ 28
Figure 24 Pinging using the DOS command window.................................................................... 30
Figure 25 The Server UDP Configuration Screen ......................................................................... 33
Figure 26 The Restart Dialogue Box ............................................................................................. 36
Figure 27 The Console Configuration ........................................................................................... 36
Figure 28 The Web Server Configuration...................................................................................... 37
Figure 29 The System Properties Window .................................................................................... 39
Figure 30 The Device Manager Window....................................................................................... 40
Figure 31 Virtual COM Port Configuration Window .................................................................... 41
Figure 32 Confirm Device Removal.............................................................................................. 43
Figure 33 Te Port Settings Window............................................................................................... 45
Figure 34 The Console Mode Screen in the HyperTerminal Window........................................... 47
Figure 35 Saving and Restarting the Configuration in Console mode .......................................... 48
Figure 36 The Web Page - System................................................................................................. 49
Figure 37 The Web Page – Serial port ........................................................................................... 50

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Figure 38 The Web Page - Operation mode................................................................................... 50
Figure 39 Saving and Restarting the Configuration....................................................................... 52
Figure 40 2-wire RS-485 Connection............................................................................................ 59
Figure 41 Ethernet Cable Pin-outs................................................................................................. 60

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1. Introduction
The ASS (AMG Serial Server) provides the serial device server for Windows hosts to control
serial devices located virtually anywhere through a TCP/IP or UDP/IP Ethernet connection. The
ASS has the asynchronous serial port connection on one side, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
connection on the other side. It connects devices, such as CNC, weight scales, and scanners.
Applications include industrial/factory automation, automatic warehouse control, and
hospital/laboratory automation.
The ASS Windows driver provides Virtual Serial port (or say Virtual COM port) to control theASS.
Virtual Serial port (or say Virtual COM port) provides access to the serial port on theASS, as if a
real serial port on the computer.
ASS can function as a server or client for both TCP and UDP connection. The application scenarios
are Direct IP mode, Virtual COM mode, and Paired mode. In Direct IP mode and Virtual COM
mode, ASS should only work as a server. When in the Paired mode one ASS must set as a client
and the other must set as a server in both TCP and UDP connection.
1.1 Main Features
ASS Serial (or RS-232) port interface complaints with EIA
TCP or UDP / Client or Server operation
Configuration of the ASS settings can be accomplished using any of the following methods:
Web Server allows configuration via the network using any web browser
IPS Administrator for searching and listing the ASS/WIPS servers attached to the LAN
Telnet for remote configuration via the network
Serial Console for local configuration through the serial console port
Virtual COM Driver Software for Windows 2000/2300/XP/Vista - installs virtual COM
ports, viewable in the Windows Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT). The driver installs
a virtual COM on windows which maps the virtual COM port to the IP address and TCP/UDP
port of the ASS, enabling the Windows applications to access remote serial devices over an
IP-based Ethernet LAN. Any program running on the computer and using Windows-based
COM ports can access the serial devices attached to the ASS. The LAN becomes transparent to
the serial device and the software running on the PC.
Real TTY driver for Linux operating system
TCP Probe - selectable protocol ensures reliable communications in Virtual COM mode or
Paired mode. This feature restores the connections if communications are temporarily lost at
either end due to loss of power or the Ethernet connection.
Firmware Upgrade for future revisions/upgrades
Built-in Ethernet switch ports for easy cascaded wiring

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1.2 Communication Modes
The ASS enables communication with serial devices over a LAN or WAN. Serial devices no longer
are limited to a physical connection to the PC COM port. They can be installed anywhere reachable
by the LAN/WAN using TCP/IP or UDP/IP communications. This allows traditional Windows PC
software access to serial devices anywhere on the LAN/WAN network.
The combinations of communication modes:
Item Communication modes TCP UDP
1 Server/Socket mode ✓ ✓
2 Server/VCOM mode ✓ ✓
1 Client/Socket mode ✓n/a
2 Client/VCOM mode ✓n/a
3 Pair mode ✓ ✓
1.2.1 Straight IPMode
Straight IP mode allows applications using TCP/IP or UDP/IP socket programs to communicate
with the asynchronous serial ports on theASS. In this type of application theASS is configured as a
TCP or UDP server. The socket program running on the PC establishes a communication
connection with theASS. The data is sent directly to and from the serial port on the server. When
using UDP protocol the server can be configured to broadcast data to and receive data from
multiple IP addresses.
Figure 1 Straight IPMode / Virtual COM Mode
1.2.2 Virtual COM Mode
Virtual COM mode allows the user to provide a virtual COM port on the computer. Windows
programs using standard Windows API calls are able to interface to virtual COM ports. When a

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program on the PC opens the new COM port, it communicates with the remote serial device
connected to one of the ports on the ASS.
After connection, the LAN is transparent to the program and serial device. Applications are able to
work just as if the serial device is connected directly to a physical COM port on the computer. The
virtual COM software converts the application’s data into IP packets, sends it across the network to
the ASS, which converts the IP packet back to serial data and sends the data out a serial port located
on the ASS.
To use this mode, the ASS must be set to either TCP/server or UDP/server with a designated
communication port number. The virtual COM driver is the TCP or UDP client.
1.2.3 Paired Mode
Paired Mode is also called Serial Tunneling mode. In this mode any two serial devices that can
communicate with a serial link will be able to communicate using two ASS and the LAN.
Two ASS are connected to a network, one configured as a TCP/UDP client and the other as a
TCP/UDP server. In the setup the Remote IP address field of the server must contain the address
of the client. This will allow the client’s IP address to pass the IP address-filtering feature of the
server. Conversely, the Remote IPaddress of the client must contain the server’s IP address. Both
communication port numbers must be the same.
Figure 2 Paired Mode
1.2.4 TCPProbe
The TCP Probe protocol connection provides a reliable communications connection in Virtual
COM mode and Paired mode. This feature can restore the connection if communications are
temporarily lost at either end due to loss of power or Ethernet connection.
Without this feature a device that loses a connection and stops communicating would not be able to
reconnect without human intervention.A TCP data connection can be lost when there is a power
failure or temporary loss of an Ethernet connection on either the client or server. If a loss occurs the
Probe feature will try to reconnect the TCP data connection every five seconds until
communications is established again. The Probe feature is not applicable when using an UDP
application.