Black Box IC135A User manual

JULY 2002
IC135A IC1001A
IC1000A IC1002A
USB Directors RS-232
CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (o tside U.S. call 72 -7 6-5500)
FREE technical s pport 24 ho rs a day, 7 days a week: Call 72 -7 6-5500 or fax [phone]
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
SYSTEM
STATUS
USB Director
USB→8-Port RS-232
SYSTEM
STATUSUSB Director
USB→Dua Port RS-232

1
FCC/IC RFI STATEMENTS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO-FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This device complies with the requirements of the Code of Federal
Regulations listed below:
FCC Title 47 CFR, Part 15 Class B for a digital device.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that might cause undesired operation.
Class B Digital Device. This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B computing device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or telephone reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Caution:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.

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USB DIRECTORS RS-232
Warning: Connecting a non-shielded interface cable to this device will
invalidate this device’s FCC Certification.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les
limites applicables aux appareils numériques de classe B prescrites dans le Règlement
sur le brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.
EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This product conforms to the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, Low Voltage
Directive 73/23/EEC, and the Amending Directive 93/68 EEC, using the
relevant section of the following EU standards and other normative
documents:
•Safety: All models: IEC 950: 1991 + A1, A2, A3, A4;
EN 60950: 1992 + A1, A2, A3, A4
•EMC:
– All models: EN 55022 Class B (1994 w/A1 1995), EN 55024;
– IC1001A, IC1002A, IC135A: EN 50082-1: 1992 “Immunity to
Electromagnetic Disturbance,” and IEC 801-2, 801-3, and 801-4
UL/CSA STATEMENT
This product complies with the requirements of UL®1950, 3rd edition, and
CSA No. 950.

3
NOM STATEMENT
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc.
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,
alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe
colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios
de ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.

4
USB DIRECTORS RS-232
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el
aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las
lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea
usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su
desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

5
TRADEMARKS
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks of Black Box
Corporation.
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows CE, Windows Me, and Windows NT are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.
UL is a registered trademark of Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the
trademark owners.

6
USB DIRECTORS RS-232
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications ......................................................................... 8
2. Introduction ........................................................................ 11
2.1 Overview ...................................................................... 11
2.2 The Complete Package .............................................. 12
2.3 Features ....................................................................... 12
3. Installation ........................................................................... 13
3.1 Installing the Hardware .............................................. 13
3.2 Installing the Software Drivers ................................... 15
3.2.1 Windows 95 ........................................................ 15
3.2.2 Windows 98 or 98 SE, Windows CE,
Windows Me ................................................... 16
3.2.3 Windows NT ...................................................... 18
3.2.4 Windows 2000 .................................................... 20
4. Operation ............................................................................. 22
4.1 Interpreting the LED (IC135A, IC1001A, and
IC1002A Only) ......................................................... 22
4.2 Using the Edgeport Utility Program ......................... 23
4.2.1 For All Windows Versions Except
Windows NT ................................................... 23
4.2.2 For Windows NT ................................................ 25
4.3 Using the USB Status Utility (Viewer) for
Windows NT ............................................................. 25

7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
5. Troubleshooting .................................................................. 26
5.1 Using USB with Windows 95 ...................................... 26
5.1.1 Checking for USB Hardware ............................ 26
5.1.2 Determining the Level of USB Support .......... 28
5.1.3 Checking for Full USB Support in the
Device Manager .............................................. 29
5.1.4 Determining Why Support Is Not Present ....... 30
5.2 Calling Black Box ........................................................ 32
5.3 Shipping and Packaging ............................................. 33

8
USB DIRECTORS RS-232
1. Specifications
System Requirements: Pentium®class CPU with at least
16 MB RAM and at least one available USB type A
(downstream) port, running Windows 95 (at least
OSR2), 98, 98 SE, 2000, Windows CE, Windows Me, or
Windows NT
Compliance:
EMI/RFI: CE (EN 55022, EN 55024) Class B,
FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class B, IC Class/classe B;
Safety: UL®1950 (3rd. ed.), CSA No. 950, IEC 950,
EN 60950
Interfaces: Universal Serial Bus v1.1 (can be attached to
USB 2.0 devices but will operate at USB 1.1 data rates),
EIA/TIA RS-232
Serial Characteristics:
Data rate: Up to 230 kbps;
Serial port(s) can be set to any data format, flow control,
or duplex setting the PC application supports
User Controls: Software drivers on included CD

9
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Indicators:
IC1000A: None;
IC1001A, IC1002A, IC135A: (1) Front-mounted tricolor
LED
Connectors:
All models: (1) USB Type B female (front-mounted on
IC1001A, rear-mounted on other models);
Rear-mounted DB9 male for RS-232:
IC1000A: (1);
IC1001A: (2);
IC135A: (4);
IC1002A: (8)
Temperature Tolerance: 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)
Humidity Tolerance: Up to 95% noncondensing
Power: USB-bus-powered, consumes less than 200 mA at
full operating speed
Size:
IC1000A: 0.8"H x 1.75"W x 3"D (2 x 4.4 x 7.6 cm); DB9
thumbscrews protrude an additional 0.15" (0.4 cm)
from the rear;
IC1001A, IC135A: 1"H x 7"W x 4"D (2.5 x 17.8 x
10.2 cm);
IC1002A: 1.75"H x 7"W x 4.25"D (4.4 x 17.8 x 10.8 cm)

10
USB DIRECTORS RS-232
Weight:
IC1000A: 1.6 oz. (45 g);
IC1001A: 12 oz. (340 g);
IC1002A, IC135A: 1 lb. (0.5 kg)

11
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2. Introduction
2.1 Overview
The USB Directors RS-232 are intelligent expansion
modules that connect to a PC or server running
Microsoft®Windows®95, 98, 98 SE, or 2000, Windows
CE®, Windows Me®, or Windows NT®4.0 through the
Universal Serial Bus (USB), providing easy, high-speed
serial connectivity to equipment that uses the standard
RS-232 serial interface, including modems, printers,
point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and industrial-control
devices.
The USB Directors RS-232 have a Type B USB
connector for a cable running from the USB port of a
computer, USB hub, or USB switch. They’ll also have
one (product code IC1000A), two (IC1001A), four
(IC135A), or eight (IC1002A) DB9 male RS-232 ports,
pinned like the serial ports on a PC, to which you can
connect your RS-232 devices. The USB Directors allow
you to control one or more RS-232 devices without using
the RS-232 ports on your computer. All models except
the IC1000A are stackable.

12
USB DIRECTORS RS-232
2.2 The Complete Package
In addition to the USB Director RS-232, you should have
received:
• (1) 1-m (3.3-ft.) USB cable.
• (1) CD with driver and utility software.
• This manual.
If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Black
Box immediately at 724-746-5500.
2.3 Features
Some of the useful features of the USB Director RS-232:
• Lets you add one or more extra high-speed serial
ports to your PC or server in seconds.
• Eliminates the difficult installation and
configuration issues associated with high-priced,
older card solutions (no PC slots are required).
• The Director’s hot-swappable, so you don’t have to
reboot the operating system during installation.

13
CHAPTER 3: Installation
3. Insta ation
3.1 Installing the Hardware
Plug the Type A end of the included 1-m (3.3-ft.) USB
cable into the USB port located in the back of your PC
or into an available USB port on a standard USB hub or
USB switch. Plug the Type B end of the USB cable into
the back of the USB Director RS-232. Figure 3-1 shows
the two male connectors and their respective female
receptacles.
Figure 3-1. USB connectors.
Type A
Type B
Male Female

14
USB DIRECTORS RS-232
Plug your RS-232 device(s), or the cables running to
them (not included), into the USB Director RS-232’s
DB9 male serial connector(s). Any device or cable that
can be attached directly to a DB9 serial port on a PC can
be attached to the DB9 connector(s) on a USB Director
RS-232.
If the USB Director RS-232’s software drivers are not
already installed, proceed to the next section.

15
CHAPTER 3: Installation
3.2 Installing the Software Drivers
These installation instructions are for installing the USB
Director RS-232 software from CD. NT users will not be
prompted and will need to locate the driver by double-
clicking on their CD-ROM drive. In either case, you will
not need to specify a directory.
3.2.1 W INDOWS 95
If you haven’t already done so, follow the hardware-
installation instructions described in Section 3.1. If
you’re not sure whether your system supports USB, or if
after connecting the USB cable the Update Device
Driver Wizard dialog box does not appear, please take
the steps described in Section 5.1. Otherwise, click
“Next” to continue with driver installation.
To install the USB Director RS-232 drivers in
Windows 95:
1. Insert the Black Box driver CD in your CD-ROM
drive.
2. After Windows fails to locate the drivers on your
CD-ROM drive, click “Other Locations...”.

16
USB DIRECTORS RS-232
3. When the Select Other Location dialog box
appears, type “X:\Win95” (where “X” is the drive
letter of your CD-ROM drive) and click “OK.”
4. Confirm that Windows has found the correct
driver location and click “Finish.”
5. When Windows prompts you for the driver disk,
click “OK.”
6. At the next Windows prompt, type “X:\Win95”
(where “X” is the drive letter of your CD-ROM
drive) and click “OK”.
After installing the drivers, Windows will detect your
USB Director RS-232’s new COM ports and will begin to
initialize them. Installation is complete when no more
dialog boxes appear. Your new communication ports,
numbered sequentially following the existing ports in
your system, are now ready.
3.2.2 W INDOWS 98 OR 98 SE, W INDOWS CE, W INDOWS M E
To install the USB Director RS-232 drivers in one of
these Windows versions:
1. Insert the Black Box driver CD in your CD-ROM
drive.

17
CHAPTER 3: Installation
2. If you haven’t already done so, follow the
hardware-installation instructions in Section 3.1.
After connecting the USB cable, the Add New
Hardware Wizard should appear. Click “Next.”
3. Select “Search for the best driver for your device”
and click “Next.”
4. Select “Specify a location” and type in “X:\Win98”
(where “X” is the drive letter of your CD-ROM
drive). Then click “Next.”
5. Confirm that Windows is pointing to X:\Win98
(where “X” is the drive letter of your CD-ROM
drive). Click “Next.” Windows will then copy over
the driver files.
6. Click “Finish” to complete the driver installation.
After installing the drivers, Windows will detect your
USB Director RS-232’s new COM ports and will begin to
initialize them. Installation is complete when no more
dialog boxes appear. Your new communication ports,
numbered sequentially following the existing ports in
your system, are now ready.

18
USB DIRECTORS RS-232
3.2.3 W INDOWS NT
Because Microsoft does not support USB in NT4.0, we
supply a USB stack that will be installed along with the
necessary drivers.
NOTE
You must install the drivers using an account that has
administrative privileges!
To install the USB stack and USB Director RS-232
drivers, either:
1a. Insert the Black Box driver CD in your CD-ROM
drive.
2a. When the “welcome” dialog box appears, click the
“Install Driver” button.
or
1b. From the Start menu, select “Run.”
2b. Type “X:\NT40\gp4n4YYY.exe” (where “X” is the
drive letter of your CD-ROM drive and “YYY” is the
driver version number) and click “OK.” (For an
example of a driver filename, driver version 1.31
would be “gp4n4131.exe”.)

19
CHAPTER 3: Installation
Once the driver installation program has begun, follow
the on-screen instructions.
3a. If you are installing drivers for the first time: An
Information dialog box informs you that the
installation was successful. After clicking “OK,” the
installation is complete.
3b. If you are replacing version 1.14 or later: Follow the
on-screen instructions. Note that before beginning
the installation of the drivers, all applications with
open ports must be closed and all USB devices
unplugged. If you close all the applications and
unplug all the USB devices, then you will not need
to reboot for the new drivers to take effect
immediately. If any applications are left open or
USB devices plugged in, you may choose to abort
the installation or to continue and be required to
reboot before the upgrade can take effect.
3c. If you are replacing version 1.13 or earlier: The USB
Director RS-232 Drivers Installation Complete
dialog box tells you that the USB Director RS-232
drivers have been updated. Before the updates can
take effect, however, you will need to reboot your
computer. To reboot immediately, eject the Black
Box driver disk, select the option to restart the
computer now, and click “Finish.”