Black Box WS100A User manual

WLAN Dual SerialBridge™
CUSTOMER
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. Call 724-746-5500) Free technical supp-
SUPPORT -ort 24 hours a day. 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone] Mailing address: Black Box
INFORMATION Corporation. 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA15055-1018 Website: www.blackbox.com
OCTOBER
2006
LWS100A
LWS100AE

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
2
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND
INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed and used properly,
that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the
specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against
such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take
whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A 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 la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique publié par le
Industrie Canada.

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
3
Table of Content
1. Introduction....................................................................................................................6
1.1 Features ..........................................................................................................6
1.2 Applications....................................................................................................8
2. Installation ................................................................................................................... 10
2.1 Product Kit ................................................................................................... 10
2.2 System Minimum Requirements ................................................................... 10
2.3 LWS100A/LWS100AE and AP Location ...................................................... 10
2.4 Serial Port Operation Mode Setting............................................................... 11
2.5 LED Indicator Label ..................................................................................... 13
2.6 Plug in RS232 Cable..................................................................................... 14
2.7 Plug in Power Cable...................................................................................... 14
2.8 Install SerialComm™ Utility ........................................................................ 14
2.9 Initial Settings............................................................................................... 14
2.9.1 Change PC and AP Settings................................................................... 15
2.9.2 Change LWS100A/LWS100AE Settings ............................................... 16
3. Web Browser Configuration ......................................................................................... 17
3.1 Home Page ................................................................................................... 17
3.2 Network Settings .......................................................................................... 18
3.3 Serial Port Settings........................................................................................ 19
3.4 WLAN Setting.............................................................................................. 20
3.5 Site Survey ................................................................................................... 21
3.6 Restore to Default ......................................................................................... 22
3.7 Firmware Upgrade........................................................................................ 23
3.8 Password Setting........................................................................................... 24
3.9 Reboot.......................................................................................................... 25
4. Command Mode Configuration .................................................................................... 27
4.1 Console Port Default Settings ....................................................................... 27
4.2 HyperTerminal Settings ................................................................................ 27
4.3 Command Format ......................................................................................... 30
4.4 Command Sets.............................................................................................. 31
4.5 Telnet............................................................................................................ 33
5. SerialComm™ Utility .................................................................................................. 34
5.1 Define Virtual Com....................................................................................... 36
5.2 Create and Stop Virtual Com......................................................................... 41
5.3 Ident-and-Connect ™.................................................................................... 43

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
4
5.4 Direct Connect with Discovered IP Device ................................................... 45
5.5 LED Status Graphic Display ......................................................................... 46
5.6 Ping IP Connectivity..................................................................................... 48
5.7 Utility Version............................................................................................... 48
6. Diagnostics – ComSR Utility ....................................................................................... 49
6.1 Install ComSR Utility ................................................................................... 50
6.2 Open ComSR utility...................................................................................... 51
6.3 Select COM port........................................................................................... 52
6.4 COM Port Settings........................................................................................ 53
6.5 Simple Terminal Simulator ........................................................................... 54
6.6 Send/Receive Text File ................................................................................. 56
If the transmission path has no error, then the comparison result will show Error Count: 0... 57
7. Specifications............................................................................................................... 58
8. Default Settings............................................................................................................ 60
8.1 Network........................................................................................................ 60
8.2 WLAN.......................................................................................................... 61
8.3 Serial Port..................................................................................................... 62
9. Glossary....................................................................................................................... 63
Table 1 Command Sets......................................................................................................... 31
Figure 1-1 Peer to Peer (Ad-Hoc Mode)................................................................................. 8
Figure 1-2 LWS100A/LWS100AE to PC WLAN (Ad-Hoc Mode)......................................... 8
Figure 1-3 LWS100A/LWS100AE to Access Point (Infrastructure Mode).............................. 9
Figure 1-4 LWS100A/LWS100AE over the Internet (Infrastructure Mode) ............................ 9
Figure 2-1 LWS100A/LWS100AE Rear Panel ..................................................................... 11
Figure 2-2 DIP Switch and Serial Port Pin Assignment Table............................................... 12
Figure 2-3 LED Indicator Label ........................................................................................... 13
Figure 3-1 Web Configuration Home Page........................................................................... 17
Figure 3-2 Network Settings ................................................................................................ 18
Figure 3-3 Serial Settings..................................................................................................... 19
Figure 3-4 WLAN Settings .................................................................................................. 20
Figure 3-5 Site Survey ......................................................................................................... 21
Figure 3-6 Restore Default Settings...................................................................................... 22
Figure 3-7 Firmware Upgrade.............................................................................................. 23
Figure 3-8 Password Settings ............................................................................................... 24
Figure 3-9 Reboot................................................................................................................ 25

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
5
Figure 3-10 Select Internet Options...................................................................................... 26
Figure 3-11 Delete Temporary Internet Files ........................................................................ 26
Figure 4-1 Open HyperTerminal .......................................................................................... 27
Figure 4-2 PC/NB COM Port Selection................................................................................ 28
Figure 4-3 PC/NB COM Port Settings.................................................................................. 28
Figure 4-4 Ready to Accept Command................................................................................. 29
Figure 4-5 Open Telnet Connection...................................................................................... 33
Figure 4-6 Command Setting via Telnet ............................................................................... 33
Figure 5-1 Uninstall SerialComm™..................................................................................... 34
Figure 5-2 Stop SerialCommSvc Service.............................................................................. 35
Figure 5-3 Start SerialCommSvc Service ............................................................................. 36
Figure 5-4 Virtual Com Settings........................................................................................... 37
Figure 5-5 Log Area............................................................................................................. 38
Figure 5-6 Add to Virtual Com List...................................................................................... 39
Figure 5-7 Clear from Virtual Com List................................................................................ 40
Figure 5-8 Select COM port................................................................................................. 41
Figure 5-9 Crate/Stop Virtual COM...................................................................................... 42
Figure 5-10 Subnet Broadcast Auto Discovery..................................................................... 43
Figure 5-11 IP Range Auto Discovery .................................................................................. 44
Figure 5-12 Connect with Discovered IP Device .................................................................. 45
Figure 5-13 Select LED Status Graphic Display................................................................... 46
Figure 5-14 LED Status Graphic Display ............................................................................. 47
Figure 5-15 Ping IP Connectivity ......................................................................................... 48
Figure 6-1 ComSR Icon ....................................................................................................... 50
Figure 6-2 ComSR Window................................................................................................. 51
Figure 6-3 Select Virtual COM............................................................................................. 52
Figure 6-4 Com Port Settings............................................................................................... 53
Figure 6-5 Connect Com Port............................................................................................... 54
Figure 6-6 Simple Terminal Simulator ................................................................................. 55
Figure 6-7 Select Com Ports................................................................................................. 56
Figure 6-8 Send and Receive Text File................................................................................. 57
Figure 8-1 Network Default Settings.................................................................................... 60
Figure 8-2 WLAN Default Settings...................................................................................... 61

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
6
1. Introduction
The LWS100A/LWS100AE WLAN Dual SerialBridge™ easily brings a wireless connection to any serial device
in a simple and secure manner. The LWS100A/LWS100AE enables remote accessibility for services and support
to any legacy serial devices and eliminates cable interference and ground loops. In addition to expanding beyond
cabling limitations, it combines the benefits of data network with proven asynchronous connectivity to deliver
high performance serial connections to wireless LANs. Its external antenna design also allows the use of third
party antenna for extended range and performance.
The LWS100A/LWS100AE has a broad range of networking functions utilizing TCP/IP to provide serial
tunneling. It is easy to set up using a secure web browser. Its flash-upgradeable firmware provides future
upgradeability. The LWS100A/LWS100AE Site Survey function allows users to browse the available active
Access Points facilitating easy network connection. It also supports full mobility and seamless roaming from cell
to cell.
The Auto Discovery utility let user can easily find all the available LWS100A/LWS100AE in the network and
can access any specific LWS100A/LWS100AE. The Virtual COM utility will treat the LWS100A/LWS100AE
serial ports as the COM ports of the Windows based PC/NB running the Virtual COM utility.
The LWS100A/LWS100AE supports full and half-duplex transmission, software and hardware flow control, and
has programmable baud rates for application optimization. Its enhanced security features support 64 bit and 128
bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption.
Overall, the LWS100A/LWS100AE will enable wireless connections for most serial applications including retail
point-of-sales, remote metering and display, industrial and building automation, security and access control and
general data acquisition applications.
1.1 Features
 Easily connect all types of serial devices via IEEE 802.11b WLAN
 Dual serial ports, each can be RS232, RS422 or RS485 which is DIP switch selectable
 Serial ports can be set up individually via easy-to-use web browser with password protection
 External antenna connector supports third-party products for extended range/performance
 Programmable baud rate (from 300bps to 115,200bps)
 Full-duplex (serial data in/data out)
 Hardware RTS/CTS flow control
 Software flow control (XON/XOF, None)

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
7
 Supports variant of protocols: TCP, UDP, IP, ICMP, HTTP, TFTP, ARP, DHCP Client, SNMP (get)
 Auto Discovery function allows available LWS100A/LWS100AE in the network to be automatically
discovered
 Includes Virtual COM function
 Supports watch dog timer
 Firmware upgrade via WLAN
 Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security feature supports 64 and 128-bit encryption
 Unique site survey function lets users browse for all available active Access Point connections
 Supports both “Ad-Hoc” and infrastructure topologies
 Supports full mobility and seamless roaming from cell to cell
 Full compliment of status LEDs and activity indicators for easy installation, monitoring and diagnostics
 User friendly LED status graphic display for monitoring status remotely
 Extended operational temperature range
 Optional industrial DIN Rail mounting hardware accessory, DB9 to terminal strip or RJ-45 termination
adaptor

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
8
1.2 Applications
The following describes 4 application examples for LWS100A/LWS100AE:
Application 1 – Peer to Peer (Ad-Hoc Mode)
Application 1 is a dedicated application environment. Both the Host PC and serial device use the
LWS100A/LWS100AE device to communicate with each other (refer to Figure 1-1).
Figure 1-1 Peer to Peer (Ad-Hoc Mode)
Application 2 – LWS100A/LWS100AE to PC WLAN (Ad-Hoc Mode)
Application 2 uses the LWS100A/LWS100AE in the serial device side and the Host PC side will be equipped
with WLAN card.
Figure 1-2 LWS100A/LWS100AE to PC WLAN (Ad-Hoc Mode)

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
9
Application 3 – LWS100A/LWS100AE to Access Point (Infrastructure Mode)
Application 3 uses the LWS100A/LWS100AE in the serial device side (for example, Programmable Logic
Controller, PLC) and the Host PC side is connected to the AP via LAN as shown below.
Figure 1-3 LWS100A/LWS100AE to Access Point (Infrastructure Mode)
Application 4 – LWS100A/LWS100AE over the Internet (Infrastructure Mode)
Application 4 is used for far end remote communication via the Internet.
Figure 1-4 LWS100A/LWS100AE over the Internet (Infrastructure Mode)

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
10
2. Installation
Please follow the steps described in Section 2.1 through 2.9 to install your LWS100A/LWS100AE including
hardware and utilities.
2.1 Product Kit
Before starting installation, please make sure the LWS100A/LWS100AE package includes the following four
items:
1) LWS100A/LWS100AE device with one antenna.
2) CD-ROM (containing SerialComm™ Utility and User’s Manual).
3) Power adapter.
4) Quick Installation Guide
If anything from the above items is missing, please contact your vendor.
2.2 System Minimum Requirements
For LWS100A/LWS100AE Application 3 and 4 (Figure 1-3, Figure 1-4), your system should meet the following
minimum requirements to use LWS100A/LWS100AE as the serial data transport platform.
1) A serial Device
2) A WLAN Access Point (AP)
3) A Host PC/server connected to the AP via LAN.
2.3 LWS100A/LWS100AE and AP Location
Please choose a proper location for your AP. In general, the best location to place the AP is at the center of all the
WLAN stations, including LWS100A/LWS100AE, within the line of sight. Better performance can be obtained
by locate the elevation of the AP device above obstacles. For AP installation/configuration, please refer to your
AP user manual.

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
11
2.4 Serial Port Operation Mode Setting
LWS100A/LWS100AE supports dual serial ports. Each port can be a console, RS232, RS422 or RS485 port
selected by the DIP switch, refer to Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1 LWS100A/LWS100AE Rear Panel
There is a DIP switch and serial port ping assignment table attached at the bottom of LWS100A/LWS100AE. Set
the serial port type based on your need, refer to Figure 2-2.
Note: The default DIP switch is set port 1 to console and port 2 to RS232. After the initial settings, remember to
set the DIP switch to meet your need.
Note: After changing the DIP switch, you need to reboot the device to make the change valid. To reboot the
device, you can do it via web browser or by command (console port or Telnet). Unplug and then re-plug
the power can also reboot the device.

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
12
Figure 2-2 DIP Switch and Serial Port Pin Assignment Table
For example,
 To set port 1 as the console port: set DIP switch 3 and 4 to OFF position (i.e. up), refer to Figure 2-1
and Figure 2-2. Port 1 LED will be all OFF.
 To set port 2 as the RS232 port: set DIP switch 1 to OFF position (i.e. up) and DIP switch 2 to ON
position (i.e. down). Port 2 RS232 LED will be all ON.

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
13
2.5 LED Indicator Label
Figure 2-3 shows the LWS100A/LWS100AE LED indicator label.
Figure 2-3 LED Indicator Label
The function for each LED is described as follow:
Power LED: ON, green, when power adaptor is plugged into LWS100A/LWS100AE
Alarm LED: When power is applied to LWS100A/LWS100AE, it will do self test. During this period, the
Alarm LED will be ON, red. After passing the self test, it will be OFF.
When you reboot the device, the Alarm LED will also be ON during the self test period, and
then it will be OFF.
Link LED: ON, green, when LWS100A/LWS100AE is linked with AP (infrastructure mode) or
with another WLAN station (Ad-Hoc mode)
OFF when LWS100A/LWS100AE is not linked with any WLAN devices
Activity LED: Blinking, yellow, when there is data transferring to/from LWS100A/LWS100AE
RS232 LED: ON, green, when the corresponding DIP switch is set to RS232
RS422 LED: ON, green, when the corresponding DIP switch is set to RS422
RS485 LED: ON, green, when the corresponding DIP switch is set to RS485
For console port, all RS232, RS422 and RS485 LED will be OFF,

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
14
2.6 Plug in RS232 Cable
Connect PC/NB to the LWS100A/LWS100AE serial port by using an NULL cross cable with DB9 female
connector. This PC/NB will be used to configure LWS100A/LWS100AE via command mode. A NULL cross
cable will cross pins 2 & 3, 7 & 8, and 4 & 6. LWS100A/LWS100AE can be configured either by web browser
or by command mode.
2.7 Plug in Power Cable
Plug the power cord of power adapter into the socket marked with “DC IN” on the rear panel of
LWS100A/LWS100AE, and plug the power adapter into an A/C power outlet. When completed, the green power
LED on the top panel should light up.
Warning: Use only power adapter supplied with the LWS100A/LWS100AE; otherwise, the
LWS100A/LWS100AE may be damaged.
2.8 Install SerialComm™ Utility
Please follow the steps below to install SerialComm™ utility into the PC/NB. This utility support several
functions: Virtual Com, Auto Discovery, directly connect with discovered IP devices, LED status graphic display
and Ping IP connectivity.
1) Insert the supplied CD-ROM in the CD-ROM driver.
2) After inserting the CD-ROM into the driver, the SerialComm™ utility will be automatically executed.
Follow the prompt instructions to finish the installation.
3) Or, directly execute the file Setup.exe in the CD-ROM.
2.9 Initial Settings
For setting up your LWS100A/LWS100AE at the first time, the first thing you should do is to configure the IP
address, SSID and WEP settings. The PC/NB, AP and LWS100A/LWS100AE should be within at the same IP
subnet. AP and LWS100A/LWS100AE should have same SSID and WEP settings.
The default IP address, SSID and WEP of the LWS100A/LWS100AE is set to:
 IP address: 192.168.1.200
 SSID: WLAN
 WEP: Disable
Select one of the following methods for your LWS100A/LWS100AE initial setting.

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
15
2.9.1 Change PC and AP Settings
Connect your PC/NB directly with an AP’s LAN port (or via LAN connection).
Configure AP with the following settings:
IP Address: 192.168.1.xxx where “xxx” is a value other than “200”.
Mask: 255.255.255.0
SSID: SerialBridge
WEP: Disable
Operation Mode: AP (Infrastructure mode)
Change your PC/NB IP address to have IP address 192.168.1.yyy where “yyy” is the value other than “200”.
Now, the LWS100A/LWS100AE can be configured via web browser or telnet by enter LWS100A/LWS100AE IP
address: 192.168.1.200 (which is the LWS100A/LWS100AE default IP address).

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
16
2.9.2Change LWS100A/LWS100AE Settings
Your PC/NB needs to be connected with LWS100A/LWS100AE serial port. Follow the steps below to configure
LWS100A/LWS100AE:
 Set LWS100A/LWS100AE serial port to be the console port as described in section 2.4. The
permanent, default settings for console port are:
Baud Rate: 2,400 Data Length: 8Parity: None
Stop Bit: 1Flow Control: None
 Follow the steps described in section 4.1 and 4.2 to set the PC/NB COM port and open Microsoft
HyperTerminal.
 Use the commands described in section 4.3 and 4.4 to change LWS100A/LWS100AE IP address.
LWS100A/LWS100AE IP address should have same IP subnet as your PC/NB and AP have.
The commands are: IP <IP_Address>
MASK <IP_Address>
GW <IP_Address>
 Use the commands described in section 4.3 and 4.4 to change LWS100A/LWS100AE WLAN
Operation Mode, Channel, SSID and WEP settings. They also should be the same as your AP has.
The commands are:
MODE <[B]SS|[A]d-Hoc> Note: “B” for infrastructure and “A” for Ad-Hoc mode
SSID <SSID>
CHAN <1-11> Note: Only needed for Ad-Hoc mode.
WEP <0|64|128> Note:When “0” is set, WK and WKID is not needed.
Format <1|2> Note: 1for ASCII char and 2for HEX char
WK <0|64|128> <1-4> <Key in Hex>
WKID <1-4>

3. Web Browser Configuration
This section provides directions for LWS100A/LWS100AE web browser configuration: Network Settings, Serial
Settings, WLAN Settings, Site Survey, Restore Default, Firmware Upgrade, Password Setting and Reboot the
System.
3.1 Home Page
The WIRELESS LAN DUAL SERIAL BRIDGE home page will be displayed when the
LWS100A/LWS100AE IP address is correctly entered into the web browser, refer to Figure 3-1. It also shows the
firmware version.
Figure 3-1 Web Configuration Home Page

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
Version 1.1
18
3.2 Network Settings
At the left frame of the WIRELESS LAN DUAL SERIAL BRIDGE web page, select Network to change the
IP related settings and device description information. Refer to Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-2 Network Settings
LWS100A/LWS100AE, AP and Gateway must have the same IP subnet. When the LWS100A/LWS100AE needs
to connect to a Host PC that is in another subnet, then you need to specify the gateway IP address. If
LWS100A/LWS100AE and Host PC are at the same subnet, then just leave Gateway IP address as it is.
The LWS100A/LWS100AE web browser configuration also provides device description information: Alias,
Contact, and Location. Enter the information that meets your need. They are used to identify specific
LWS100A/LWS100AE among several LWS100A/LWS100AE devices in same IP subnet.

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
Version 1.1
19
Serial Port Settings
At the left frame of the WIRELESS LAN DUAL SERIAL BRIDGE web page, select Serial to change the
serial port related settings, refer to Figure 3-3.
Figure 3-3 Serial Settings
Depend on the serial port operation mode setting, the LWS100A/LWS100AE web browser configuration will
provide different display for user to enter the serial port parameter. Figure 3-3 shows that port 1 is a console port
while port 2 is a RS232 port.
When the Connection Mode is set to Server, the Remote Port (TCP port) and Remote IP (IP address) filed
will not show up, instead the Local Port (TCP port) will show up.

LWS100A/LWS100AE User’s Manual
Version 1.1
20
3.3 WLAN Setting
At the left frame of the WIRELESS LAN DUAL SERIAL BRIDGE web page, select WLAN to change the
WLAN related settings, refer to Figure 3-4.
Figure 3-4 WLAN Settings
LWS100A/LWS100AE and AP must have the same SSID and WEP settings. When the Operation Mode is set to
Infrastructure, LWS100A/LWS100AE will follow the channel used by the AP. So, Channel is not displayed.
When Encryption is OFF, then other WEP related fields are not displayed.
When Encryption is set to 64 or 128, then the related WEP Key settings must be set to the same values as those
set in AP.