Black Box ETHERLINK IV User manual

ETHERLINK_IV -RS-232/485 over IP
ETHERLINK IV
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ETHERLINK_IV RS-232/485 over IP
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ETHERLINK_IV -RS-232/485 over IP
ETHERLINK IV
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Summary!....................................................................................................................................................................!3!
1! Etherlink_IV!Serial!Data!Handling!Possibilities!...................................................................................................!2!
2!!!Serial!Data!over!IP!(RSIP!ON)!.................................................................................................................................!4!
2.1!!!!UDP!PointGToGPoint!.......................................................................................................................................!4!
2.2!!!!UDP!PointGToGMultiPoint!...............................................................................................................................!5!
2.3!!!!UDP!Broadcast!Mode!....................................................................................................................................!6!
2.4!!!! TCP!PointGToGPoint!........................................................................................................................................!7!
2.5!!!!Configuration!Commands!for!Serial!Data!Transmission!over!IP!Networks!...................................................!8!
3!!! Applications!..........................................................................................................................................................!9!
3.1!!!!Serial!Data!Transmission!UDP!PointGToGMultiPoint!......................................................................................!9!
3.2!!!! COMGServer!(COM!Port!Extender,!Virtual!Serial!Port)!.................................................................................!11!
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ETHERLINK_IV -RS-232/485 over IP
ETHERLINK IV
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S. 3
Summary
This document describes the RS-232 and RS-485 serial data transmission over an IP Network with
Etherlink_IV equipment. The following data transmissions are possible:
Point-To-Point
Point-To-MultiPoint
Broadcast
Com-Server Applications, Com Port Extender
The basic configuration commands are described too with some application examples. When using
Etherlink_IV equipment with RS-232 Emulation or Virtual Serial Ports on a computer some helpful utility
programs are mentioned.

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1 Etherlink_IV Serial Data Handling Possibilities
In Etherlink_IV there are several models available with 1xRS-232, 4xRS-232 or 1xRS-485 interfaces.
There are two ways to transmit the serial data:
MODE-1: Transmit over DSL, E1 or WAN (Wide Area Network) with command RSIP OFF
MODE-2: Transmit over IP (Internet Protocol) with command RSIP ON
When transmitting serial data over DSL/E1/WAN (MODE-1), there is a PTMP (Point-To-MultiPoint) command
available to realize bus and star topologies.
RS-232
DTE
WAN
RS-232
DTE RS-232
WAN DTE
WAN
RS-232
DTE
WAN
RS-232
DTE
Picture 1.1. RS-232 Star Topology
RS-232
DTE
RS-232
DTE
RS-232
DTE
RS-232
DTE
WAN WAN WAN
Picture 1.2. RS-232 Bus Topology
The command PTMP ADD [IF] adds an interface to Point-to-MultiPoint group channel
The command PTMP DEL [IF] deletes an interface from Point-to-MultiPoint group channel
[IF] is the name of interface, such as:
RS, RS1 (RS-232/485 interface of the Etherlink_IV modem)
WAN1-WAN4 (WAN interface to transmit PTMP data through)
DSL1-DSL2 (DSL interface transmitting WAN)
To configure the serial data format please see in the manual the following commands:
RSRATE (for example RSRATE 115200, means baud rate 115200)
RSFORMAT (for example RSFORMAT 8N1, means 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit)

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The picture below shows all available ways to transmit serial data using Etherlink_IV modem.
1xRS-232 / RS-485
Interface Card
RSIP OFF
NO PTMP
RSIP OFF
PTMP
PAYLOAD
Special
PACKET
DSL
DSL
E1
4xRS-232
Interface Card
RSIP ON
MODE-1
IP
PACKET
MODE-2
DSL
E1
Ethernet
When WAN or
WANTS enabled
Picture 1.3. Ways to Transfer Serial Data
To sum up, we have the following situation. When serial data is carried as Payload (DSL) data, it is
transferred between two units connected with DSL. When serial data is carried within PTMP group, it can be
transferred through DSL and/or E1 lines where the PTMP function is active and when WAN transmission is
switched on. In this mode each RS-232 and RS-485 interface card will broadcast its data to all other PTMP
units in the network.
The RSIP ON functionality allows transferring serial data through any IP network. It combines the
advantages of two previous described modes:
Point-To-Point operation through IP network with any topology
Point-To-MultiPoint and broadcast operation
Independent configuration of the units
Can be used as any Computers COM port extender
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2 Serial Data over IP (RSIP ON)
Serial data transmission can be done using UDP or TCP protocols. The UDP protocol allows operating in
both Point-To-Point (PTP) and Point-To-MultiPoint (PTMP) modes. Point-To-MultiPoint mode allows to set
up several broadcasting nodes and to build a broadcast configuration. The TCP/IP protocol allows only
working in Point-To-Point mode.
2.1 UDP Point-To-Point
In this mode two serial data endpoints should be configured with each other's IP Address and PORT Number
as illustrated on following picture. It means one side with IP_Address1:PORT_Number1 sends data to the
other side with IP_Adress2:PORT_Number2 and vice versa.
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5000
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.236:5001
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.235:5000
192.168.0.235:5000 ←192.168.0.236:5001
RS-232
RS-485
192.168.0.235
Port 5000
IP
Network
192.168.0.236
PORT 5001
RS-232
RS-485
192.168.0.235:5000 →192.168.0.236:5001
Picture 2.1. Serial Data Transmission with UDP Point-To-Point

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2.2 UDP Point-To-MultiPoint
In Point-To-MultiPoint mode the endpoint (“Master”) should have configured to send serial data with a
multicast IP Address (IPM) and some PORT Number (PORTM) as outgoing address. Outgoing data of such
an endpoint will reach all other endpoints. Endpoints with input PORT Number PORTM will accept received
data and other endpoints will discard it.
Non broadcasting endpoints should be configured as they work with “Master” endpoint in Point-to-Point
mode with incoming PORT Number set to PORTM.
Any multicast address acceptable in the application network can be used. Endpoints distinguish incoming
broadcast data by destination PORT Number (PORTM). Multicast addresses are IP Addresses in range from
224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255.
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5000
RSIP OUT 224.224.224.224:5001
(means IPM:PORTM)
192.168.0.235:5000 ←192.168.0.236:5001
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001 (means PORTM)
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.235:5000
RS-232
RS-485
192.168.0.235
Port 5000
192.168.0.236
PORT 5001
RS-232
RS-485
IP
Network 192.168.0.235:5000 →192.168.0.236:5001
192.168.0.235:5000 →192.168.0.237:5001
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001 (means PORTM)
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.235:5000
192.168.0.235:5000 ←192.168.0.237:5001
192.168.0.237
PORT 5001
RS-232
RS-485
Picture 2.2. Serial Data Transmission with UDP Point-To-MultiPoint

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2.3 UDP Broadcast Mode
In this mode the endpoints should be configured to send their serial data to the multicast IP Address (IPM).
Incoming and outgoing PORT Number (PORTM) should be the same for all endpoints to receive each
other's serial data.
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001 (means PORTM)
RSIP OUT 224.224.224.224:5001
(means IPM:PORTM)
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001 (means PORTM)
RSIP OUT 224.224.224.224:5001
(means IPM:PORTM)
RS-232
RS-485
192.168.0.235
Port 5001
192.168.0.236
PORT 5001
RS-232
RS-485
IP
Network
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001 (means PORTM)
RSIP OUT 224.224.224.224:5001
(means IPM:PORTM)
192.168.0.237
PORT 5001
RS-232
RS-485
Picture 2.3. Serial Data Transmission with UDP Broadcast

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2.4 TCP Point-To-Point
In this mode one serial data endpoint should be configured as Server and the other as Client. Client
configuration is the same as UDP endpoint. On the Server endpoint the Client IP Address and incoming
PORT Number should be specified.
RSIP CLIENT
RSIP IN 5000
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.236:5001
RSIP SERVER
RSIP IN 5001
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.235
192.168.0.235:5000 ←192.168.0.236:5001
RS-232
RS-485
192.168.0.235
Port 5000
IP
Network
192.168.0.236
PORT 5001
RS-232
RS-485
192.168.0.235:5000 →192.168.0.236:5001
Picture 2.4. Serial Data Transmission with TCP Point-To-Point

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2.5 Configuration Commands for Serial Data Transmission over IP Networks
Following configurations are possible when programming serial data over an IP Network:
Mode (UDP/TCP Client/TCP Server)
Local IP PORT Number for incoming serial data
Remote IP Address and PORT Number for outgoing serial data
Operation over IP Network or not (RSIP ON/OFF)
To enable the serial data transmission over IP Network functionality on the specific interface, it should be
removed from DSL Payload and from the PTMP group. The following commands allow configuring the
interfaces:
RSIP [[MODE]/ON/OFF] [IF]
RSIP IN [PORT] [IF]
RSIP OUT [ADDR] [IF]
[MODE] define the protocol and mode, such as:
UDP (Switch to UDP protocol for serial data transmission
CLIENT (Switch to TCP protocol for serial data transmission, Client side)
SERVER (Switch to TCP protocol for serial data transmission, Server side)
[IF] is the name of interface, such as:
RS or RS1 (if one 1xRS-232 or 1xRS-485 interface card is installed)
4RS,[channel_number] or 4RS1,[channel_number] (if one 4xRS-232 interface card is installed)
4RS1,[channel_number] or 4RS2,[channel_number] (if two 4xRS-232 interface cards are installed)
[PORT] is the PORT_Number, decimal from 1024 to 65535 inclusively
[ADDR] is [IP_Address:PORT_Number] for UDP and TCP Client, but [IP_Address] for TCP Server mode.
IN and OUT have following meaning: It means to configure - INput or OUTput Address. With IN the local IP
port (listen port) will be configured that is used to receive serial data packets from the IP Network. With OUT
the remote IP Address will be configured where serial data packets will be forwarded to.
Examples for possible commands:
RSIP UDP RS (Switch serial data to IP Network with UDP protocol)
RSIP CLIENT 4RS,2 (Switch second channel of 4xRS-232 card to TCP Client mode)
RSIP IN 5000 RS1 (Receive and send serial data with PORT Number 5000)
RSIP OUT 172.16.53.1:5000 RS1 (Select endpoint with IP Address 172.16.53.1 and PORT Number
5000 as remote side for serial data)

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3 Applications
3.1 Serial Data Transmission UDP Point-To-MultiPoint
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5000
RSIP OUT 224.224.224.224:5001
(means IPM:PORTM)
192.168.0.235:5000 ←192.168.0.236:5001
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001 (means PORTM)
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.235:5000
RS-232
RS-485
192.168.0.235
Port 5000
192.168.0.236
PORT 5001
RS-232
RS-485
IP
Network 192.168.0.235:5000 →192.168.0.236:5001
192.168.0.235:5000 →192.168.0.237:5001
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001 (means PORTM)
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.235:5000
192.168.0.235:5000 ←192.168.0.237:5001
192.168.0.237
PORT 5001
RS-232
RS-485
Please refer to picture 2.2 in paragraph 2.2 UDP Point-To-MultiPoint. You can perform on “Master” unit the
following commands in menu 3 (CM):
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5000
RSIP OUT 224.224.224.224:5001
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Please see the configuration on the unit with IP Address 192.168.0.235:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Running Line Configuration
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
xDSL DSL1 DSL2
Mode : Master(HTU-C) Master(HTU-C)
PAM, Baserate : PAM32,89 PAM32,89
Annex : B B
Payload : WAN WAN
Clock source :
Int
Int
Reserve :
---
---
Power :
OFF
OFF
GS compatible :
OFF
NM/LA alarm :
OFF/OFF
RS:RS-232
Mode : RS<->IP
Rate : 9600
Format : 8N1
RS<->IP (UDP,ON)
Remote IP, port:
224.224.224.224,
5001
Local port: 5000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can perform on other units the following commands in menu 3 (CM):
RSIP UDP
RSIP IN 5001
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.235:5000
Please see the configuration on the unit with IP Address 192.168.0.236 and 192.168.0.237:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Running Line Configuration
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
xDSL DSL1 DSL2
Mode : Slave(HTU-R) Slave(HTU-R)
PAM, Baserate : PAM32,89 PAM32,89
Annex : B B
Payload : WAN WAN
Clock source :
Int
Int
Reserve :
---
---
GS compatible :
OFF
NM/LA alarm :
OFF/OFF
RS:RS-232
Mode : RS<->IP
Rate : 9600
Format : 8N1
RS<->IP (UDP,ON)
Remote IP, port:
192.168.0.235,
5000
Local port: 5001
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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3.2 COM-Server (COM Port Extender, Virtual Serial Port)
At the central side is a computer with the IP Address 192.168.0.15. At this computer any application program
can work that needs the serial data of any equipment on the CPE side connected to the RS-232 card. The
CPE side has the IP Address 192.168.0.235.
Computer
192.168.0.15
IP
Network
192.168.0.15 ←192.168.0.236:8000
RSIP SERVER
RSIP IN 8000
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.15
SHDSL
192.168.0.235
Port 8000
RS-232
RS-485
192.168.0.15 →192.168.0.235:8000
Picture 3.1. COM-Server application
You can perform on the Etherlink_IV unit with the serial interface card the following commands in menu 3
(CM): RSIP SERVER
RSIP IN 8000
RSIP OUT 192.168.0.15
Please see the configuration on the CPE unit with IP Address 192.168.0.235:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Running Line Configuration
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
xDSL DSL1 DSL2
Mode : Slave(HTU-R) Slave(HTU-R)
PAM, Baserate : AUTO AUTO
Annex : A/B A/B
Payload : WAN WAN
Clock source :
Int
Int
Reserve :
---
---
GS compatible :
OFF
NM/LA alarm :
OFF/OFF
RS:RS-232
Mode : RS<->IP
Rate : 9600
Format : 8N1
RS<->IP (Server,ON)
Remote IP:
192.168.0.15
Local port: 8000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The application program at the computer can now connect to a Virtual COM Port (Serial Port) with the help of
any additional program like (there are many program available, these are just examples):

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Lantronix Com Port Redirector (http://www.lantronix.com)
HW VSP3 – Virtual Serial Port (http://www.hw-group.com)
After the correct settings in such utility program, the main application can connect to the corresponding COM
Port at it would be a COM Port on the computer.

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Picture 3.2. Example with Lantronix Com Port Redirector (http://www.lantronix.com)
Picture 3.3. Example with HW VSP3 – Virtual Serial Port (http://www.hw-group.com)
You can also connect directly with the HyperTerminal (without a Virtual COM Port) from a windows
computer with following steps

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Picture 3.4. Example with HyperTerminal, there is no need for Virtual COM Port utility
program
If you would like to work with Linux operating system, there is a standard utility SOCAT that
allows redirecting TCP/IP or UDP connection to pseudo TTY (PTY). This PTY then can be used
by any software just as usual serial port TTY (Virtual COM Port). SOCAT has a number of options to
set up TCP Client, TCP Server and UDP connection. Following examples show how to use SOCAT:
UDP point-to-point:
socat PTY,link=/tmp/ttyS0 UDP-DATAGRAM:192.168.0.235:8000,bind=192.168.0.15:8000
UDP PTMP, PC broadcasting:
socat PTY,link=/tmp/ttyS0 UDP-DATAGRAM:224.224.224.224:8000,bind=192.168.0.15:8000
TCP Server:
socat PTY,link=/tmp/ttyS0 TCP: 192.168.0.235:8000
TCP Client:
socat PTY,link=/tmp/ttyS0 TCP: 192.168.0.235:8000
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