Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User manual

Blue Heat/Net
Ethernet-to-Serial Communications
User Manual
Connect Tech Inc
42 Arrow Road
Guelph, Ontario
N1K 1S6
Tel: [phone]
Toll: 800-426-8979 (North America only)
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Web: www.connecttech.com
CTIM-00016 Revision 0.13, July 2006

Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User’s Manual
Revision 0.13 9
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Connect Tech Inc. provides a Lifetime Warranty for all Connect Tech Inc. products. Should this
product, in Connect Tech Inc.'s opinion, fail to be in good working order during the warranty
period, Connect Tech Inc. will, at its option, repair or replace this product at no charge, provided
that the product has not been subjected to abuse, misuse, accident, disaster or non Connect Tech
Inc. authorized modification or repair.
You may obtain warranty service by delivering this product to an authorized Connect Tech Inc.
business partner or to Connect Tech Inc. along with proof of purchase. Product returned to
Connect Tech Inc. must be pre-authorized by Connect Tech Inc. with an RMA (Return Material
Authorization) number marked on the outside of the package and sent prepaid, insured and
packaged for safe shipment. Connect Tech Inc. will return this product by prepaid ground
shipment service.
The Connect Tech Inc. Lifetime Warranty is defined as the serviceable life of the product. This
is defined as the period during which all components are available. Should the product prove to
be irreparable, Connect Tech Inc. reserves the right to substitute an equivalent product if
available or to retract Life Time Warranty if no replacement is available.
The above warranty is the only warranty authorized by Connect Tech Inc. Under no
circumstances will Connect Tech Inc. be liable in any way for any damages, including any lost
profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or
inability to use, such product.
Copyright Notice
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Connect Tech
Inc. shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. This document contains
proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this
document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without the prior
written consent of Connect Tech, Inc.
Copyright 1997 - 2006 by Connect Tech, Inc.
Trademark Acknowledgment
Connect Tech, Inc. acknowledges all trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyrights
referred to in this document as the property of their respective owners.
Not listing all possible trademarks or copyright acknowledgments does not constitute a lack of
acknowledgment to the rightful owners of the trademarks and copyrights mentioned in this
document.

Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User’s Manual
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Certification Statements
Class A Computing Device
Blue Heat/Net
Connect Tech Inc. declares that the product(s) covered by the contents of this manual have been
tested and found compliant with the below listed standards as required by the Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) Directive for General Immunity Compliance.
EN 55022 Conducted and Radiated emissions
CISPR 22 Class A
EN 55024 Immunity to Disturbances
EN 61000-4-2 EN 61000-4-4 EN 61000-4-6 EN 61000-3-2 Exempt
EN 61000-4-3 EN 61000-4-5 EN 61000-4-11 EN 61000-3-3 Pass
The above satisfy the requirements of:
USA: FCC – CFR47, Part 15, part 2
Canada: ICES-003
Europe EMC Directive
Japan: VCCI
Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS

Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User’s Manual
Revision 0.13 11
Table of Contents
Limited Lifetime Warranty ..............................................................................................................................9
Copyright Notice..............................................................................................................................................9
Trademark Acknowledgment...........................................................................................................................9
Certification Statements.................................................................................................................................10
Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................................10
Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................................11
Introduction....................................................................................................................................................14
Features...............................................................................................................14
Understanding virtual COM ports.........................................................................15
Customer Support Overview................................................................................16
Contact Information..............................................................................................16
Blue Heat/Net Installation Overview .............................................................................................................17
Hardware Installation.....................................................................................................................................17
Connecting the Blue Heat/Net to your Network:...................................................17
Direct Connect.........................................................................................................17
Connecting to the Network.......................................................................................17
Ethernet LEDs..........................................................................................................18
Serial Port LEDs......................................................................................................19
Connecting Serial Devices...................................................................................19
RS-232 Connections: ...............................................................................................19
Connecting Power................................................................................................21
Activating the Special Operations Mode and Default Settings .............................21
Using the Reset Button to activate the Special Operations Mode............................21
Selecting a Special Operation..................................................................................22
Power On Diagnostics:.........................................................................................23
LED Error Codes.....................................................................................................23
Mounting Bracket .................................................................................................26
SCM and TCM Cabling requirements...................................................................27
SCM: Serial Configuration Manager.......................................................................27
TCM: Telnet Configuration Manager......................................................................27
Setting a Static or Dynamic IP Address................................................................28
Set the IP Address using the Web Configuration Manager......................................28
Set the IP Address using the Serial Configuration Manager....................................28
Blue Heat/Net Configuration .........................................................................................................................29
CDS (Configuration Data Space) .........................................................................30
Description...............................................................................................................30
Access to CDS Parameters.......................................................................................30
SCM (Serial Configuration Manager) ...................................................................31
Description...............................................................................................................31
Getting Access to the SCM.......................................................................................31
SCM Command Reference.......................................................................................31
TCM (Telnet Configuration Manager)...................................................................40
Description...............................................................................................................40
Getting Access to TCM ............................................................................................40
TCM Command Reference.......................................................................................41
WCM (Web Configuration Manager)....................................................................43
Signing In to the Web Configuration Manager........................................................43
Configuring Your Blue Heat/Net..............................................................................44
Monitoring Your Blue Heat/Net...............................................................................59
Field Server Protocols.............................................................................................62
Software Installation for Windows ................................................................................................................69
Installing the Blue Heat/Net Configuration Manager.............................................69
Running the Configuration Manager.....................................................................73
Device Installation................................................................................................73
Configure Default Blue Heat/Net.............................................................................73
Add New Blue Heat/Net ...........................................................................................74
Auto Discover Blue Heat/Net...................................................................................74
Configuring the Blue Heat/Net..............................................................................75
Port Mapping...........................................................................................................76
Unmap Port(s):........................................................................................................82
Remapping Ports......................................................................................................83

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Port Properties ........................................................................................................83
Advanced Settings ............................................................................................85
Special Options........................................................................................................85
RS-232......................................................................................................................86
RS-485 Options (on RS-422/485 ports)....................................................................86
Baud Rate Mapping .................................................................................................86
COM Port Number...................................................................................................86
Scan .........................................................................................................................87
Defaults Button........................................................................................................87
Export Settings.........................................................................................................87
Import Settings.........................................................................................................87
Replacing your Blue Heat/Net:................................................................................87
Removing your Blue Heat/Net: ................................................................................88
Blue Heat/Net Properties:........................................................................................88
Driver Removal........................................................................................................88
Software Installation for Linux ......................................................................................................................89
Installing the Linux host driver..............................................................................89
Linux host driver setup using auto discovery...........................................................89
Firmware Upgrades........................................................................................................................................90
Upgrade using WCM (Web Configuration Manager)..............................................90
Upgrade using TCM (Telnet Configuration Manager)............................................90
Upgrade using SCM (Serial Configuration Manager).............................................90
Appendix .......................................................................................................................................................91
Blue Heat/Net Specifications................................................................................91
Products...................................................................................................................92
Options.....................................................................................................................92
Protocol Descriptions ...........................................................................................93
Pinouts.................................................................................................................94
RS-232 and RS-485..................................................................................................94
Cabling Examples: ...............................................................................................94
Typical RS-232 null modem connection:..................................................................94
Basic “3 wire” RS-232 null modem connection: .....................................................95
Connecting to DCE type devices:.............................................................................95
Loopback Connectors:.............................................................................................96
RS-422/485 Examples: ........................................................................................96
RS-422/485 Wiring Tips: .........................................................................................96
4-wire (full duplex, “RS-422 mode”) Wiring hardware flow control ......................96
Four-wire (full duplex, “RS-422 mode”) Wiring without hardware flow control....97
Four-wire (full duplex multi-drop, “RS-485 mode”)...............................................97
Two-wire (1/2 duplex, “RS-485 mode”) Wiring ......................................................98
RS-485 Multi-drop Topology, Two-Wire and Four-Wire.........................................98
Default Settings....................................................................................................99
Network Settings ......................................................................................................99
Boot Settings............................................................................................................99
SCM Operation Settings...........................................................................................99
CDS (Configuration Data Space) .........................................................................99
Common Configuration Setups..........................................................................100
Static IP Setup........................................................................................................100
DHCP Setup...........................................................................................................101
DIN Rail Mounting Option:..................................................................................102
How the Blue Heat/Net Boots Up.......................................................................104
Bootup Sequence....................................................................................................105
Flowchart of Special Operations Mode using the reset button..............................106
Asynchronous communications Tutorial................................................................106
Serial Line Interface Tutorial ..............................................................................107
RS-232 Line Interface:...........................................................................................107
RS-485 Line Interface:...........................................................................................107
Bus contention on RS-485 multi-drop networks:....................................................110
Bias and Termination Resistors in RS-485 networks:............................................111

Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User’s Manual
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List of Figures
Figure 1: LED locations on 2, 4 and 8 port Blue Heat/Net models ............................................................. 18
Figure 2: Typical RS-232 null modem connection....................................................................................... 19
Figure 3: Basic 3-wire RS-232 null modem connection............................................................................... 19
Figure 4: Recommended pinouts for loopback connectors. ......................................................................... 20
Figure 5: Power connector illustration........................................................................................................ 21
Figure 6: LED error code example.............................................................................................................. 23
Figure 7: Web Configuration Manager Sign In ........................................................................................... 43
Figure 8: Configuring Basic Serial Port Settings (RJ-45 Models)............................................................... 44
Figure 9: Configuring Basic Serial Port Settings (DB-9 Models)................................................................ 45
Figure 10: PPP Call configuration.............................................................................................................. 47
Figure 11: PPP Answer Configuration........................................................................................................ 49
Figure 12: Raw TCP Server configuration .................................................................................................. 50
Figure 13: Raw TCP Client configuration................................................................................................... 51
Figure 14: Configuring Advanced Serial Port Properties ........................................................................... 54
Figure 15: Configuring Security Settings..................................................................................................... 55
Figure 16: Configuring Blue Heat/Net Settings........................................................................................... 56
Figure 17: Firmware Upgrades/Downloads................................................................................................ 57
Figure 18: Restore Default Settings............................................................................................................. 57
Figure 19: Saving To Flash.......................................................................................................................... 58
Figure 20: Monitoring Serial Port Activity.................................................................................................. 59
Figure 21: Monitoring Network Traffic ....................................................................................................... 60
Figure 22: Monitoring TCP/IP Statistics..................................................................................................... 60
Figure 23: My Blue Heat/Net Hardware Details ......................................................................................... 61
Figure 24: My Blue Heat/Net Software Details............................................................................................ 61
Figure 25: WCM Basic Serial Screen .......................................................................................................... 62
Figure 26: WCM Protocol Map ................................................................................................................... 67
Figure 27: Blue Heat/Net Driver/Software Installation CD......................................................................... 69
Figure 28: Blue Heat/Net Software Installation Screen............................................................................... 70
Figure 29: Blue Heat/Net Configuration Manager, Installation complete screen....................................... 72
Figure 30: My Blue Heat/Net Places screen................................................................................................ 73
Figure 31: Add or Auto Discover Blue Heat/Net menu screen .................................................................... 73
Figure 32: Add Blue Heat/Net screen .......................................................................................................... 74
Figure 33: Auto Discover Blue Heat/Net screen.......................................................................................... 75
Figure 34: Installed Blue Heat/Net screen................................................................................................... 75
Figure 35: Map Port(s) menu....................................................................................................................... 76
Figure 36: Map Port(s) Express method screen........................................................................................... 77
Figure 37: Found New Hardware Wizard.................................................................................................... 78
Figure 38: Configuration Manager Window after successfully mapping ports ........................................... 79
Figure 39: Basic Port Mapping option ........................................................................................................ 80
Figure 40: Advanced port mapping interface .............................................................................................. 81
Figure 41: Port action menu........................................................................................................................ 82
Figure 42: Unmap Port window................................................................................................................... 83
Figure 43: Remap Port window ................................................................................................................... 83
Figure 44: Port Properties window.............................................................................................................. 84
Figure 45: Advanced settings window.......................................................................................................... 85
Figure 46: Baud Rate Mapping options....................................................................................................... 86
Figure 47: Replace Blue Heat/Net window.................................................................................................. 87
Figure 48: Blue Heat/Net properties............................................................................................................ 88
Figure 49: Remove Drivers window............................................................................................................. 88
Figure 50: DIN Rail mount option for Blue Heat/Net 2............................................................................. 102
Figure 51: DIN rail mount option for four and eight port DB-9 models.................................................... 103
Figure 52: Bootup sequence....................................................................................................................... 105
Figure 53: Bootup sequence via Reset Button............................................................................................ 106
Figure 54: Typical Asynchronous Date frame ........................................................................................... 106
Figure 55: RS-232 signals.......................................................................................................................... 107

Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User’s Manual
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Introduction
Connect Tech’s Blue Heat/Net enables you to remotely access your RS-232 and RS-422/485
serial devices via your Ethernet LAN or the Internet. Once installed, you can network-enable any
device that is designed to be connected to a serial port. Your industrial serial communication
devices will no longer be tied to a single computer. The Blue Heat/Net hardware is easy to
install, involving little more than plugging the unit into the appropriate locations and performing
some simple configuration steps, as outlined in this manual.
Driver setup is made easy by the Blue Heat/Net’s auto-detection feature. The software does the
work of locating the units, and the Configuration Manager leads you through the rest of the setup
process.
The Blue Heat/Net’s firmware is easily configured with a choice of methods: web browser,
Telnet, or direct serial connection with a terminal and/or terminal software. Once you’ve
configured the Blue Heat/Net to your specifications, you’ll be able to start remotely accessing
your devices immediately.
Features
● Includes an auto-sensing 10Base-T, 100Base-TX LAN interface
● Programmable uClinux embedded operating system running on a ColdFire embedded
processor
● Power over Ethernet (PoE) option for 2 port models
● Free Software Development Kit available
● Serial ports on the unit can be linked to one or more remote computers via an Ethernet LAN
and accessed using standard serial applications
● MDI/MDI-X autodetect cabling feature prevents improper cabling connections on 2 port
model (enables use of cross-over or straight through cable)
● Serial ports can be run at speeds up to 460.8 Kbps on RS-422/485 ports (and RS-232 ports
on 2 port models) and 230.4 Kbps on RS-232 ports (4 and 8 port models)
● Full modem control and hardware flow control pins on all ports
● Supports IP, TCP, UDP, ARP, RARP, TFTP, DHCP, BOOTP, HTTP, PPP, Telnet and DNS
● Use of TCP/IP means communications can be routed to support WANs as well as LANs.
The Blue Heat/Net does not have to be located in the same site as the controlling computer
● Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) client and server
● Raw TCP client and server
● Several levels of security are built into the Blue Heat/Net that can limit connections and
help ensure the privacy of data flow
● Network boot or booting from built-in Flash Memory
● Firmware upgrades are downloadable
● Configuration of Blue Heat/Net units can be done via Web Browser, Telnet or direct serial
connection
● Software switchable RS-232/422/485 with bias/termination models are available
● Front mounted diagnostic LEDs
● Wall mount bracket included
● DIN Rail mount available on DB-9 models
● 1U rack mount available for BNG models

Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User’s Manual
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Understanding virtual COM ports
In a typical serial port setup, the application communicates directly with the connected serial
port hardware.
Virtual COM ports differ in that the application communicates with a network protocol layer that
transfers the necessary information to and from the remote serial ports. The virtual ports appear
as standard serial ports to the application, but in reality, the data is translated into a series of
Ethernet messages between the Blue Heat/Net unit and the host computer. The serial port is not
physically connected to the host computer, but this is transparent to the application trying to
access it.
There are several advantages to using virtual COM ports, which include:
Distance – The serial ports can be a very long distance away from the host computer. They
are not limited by the standard electrical characteristics of the RS-232 or RS-422 interface
because the primary data transfer is being done via Ethernet. Depending on the set up, these
serial ports can be at a different location and the Internet can act as the carrier of the serial
port traffic.
Speed – Short RS-232/422 cable lengths can be used with the primary distance relying on
the network connection. The capacitance of long lengths of serial cable does not limit data
speeds in these cases.
Cabling – Cost effective Ethernet cabling can be used for the transfer of information to the
Blue Heat/Net and often this is part of the existing networking infrastructure. Putting some
serial ports in a remote location can be as easy as plugging in a Blue Heat/Net to the
Ethernet Network. This provides a simple, clean cabling arrangement.
Port Sharing – In some applications, it is desirable to have a serial resource that is accessed
and shared by more than one host computer. Connect Tech’s Virtual Serial Port technology
allows this to be done easily.
Routing – Different ports on a Blue Heat/Net can be connected to multiple host computers.
Monitoring – The Virtual Serial Ports can easily be monitored to ensure everything is
working correctly because they are on the network.

Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User’s Manual
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Customer Support Overview
If you experience difficulties after reading the manual and/or using the product, contact the
Connect Tech reseller from which you purchased the product. In most cases the reseller can help
you with product installation and difficulties.
In the event that the reseller is unable to resolve your problem, our highly qualified support staff
can assist you. Our support section is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on our
website at:
www.connecttech.com/sub/support/support.asp. See the contact information section below for
more information on how to contact us directly. Our technical support is always free.
Contact Information
We offer three ways for you to contact us:
Telephone/Facsimile
Technical Support representatives are ready to answer your call Monday through Friday, from
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Our numbers for calls are:
Telephone: [phone] (North America only)
Telephone: [phone] (Live assistance available 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday to
Friday)
Facsimile: 519-836-4878 (on-line 24 hours)
Email/Internet
You may contact us through the Internet. Our email and URL addresses are:
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.connecttech.com
Mail/Courier
You may contact us by letter and our mailing address for correspondence is:
Connect Tech Inc.
Technical Support
42 Arrow Road
Guelph, Ontario
Canada N1K 1S6
Note:
Please go to the Download Zone or the Knowledge Database in the
Support Center on the Connect Tech website for product
manuals, installation guides, device driver software and
technical tips.
Submit your technical support questions to our customer
support engineers via the Support Center on the Connect Tech
website.

Connect Tech Blue Heat/Net User’s Manual
Revision 0.13 17
Blue Heat/Net Installation Overview
There are three main stages in the installation process for your Blue Heat/Net.
1. Hardware Installation
This involves the physical connection of the Blue Heat/Net hardware to your network,
and addresses issues such as cabling and power requirements.
2. Blue Heat/Net Configuration
The first step in the configuration process is to set the IP Address. Then use one of three
available methods to configure the Blue Heat/Net firmware settings for your application.
This can be done through the Serial Configuration Manager, Telnet Configuration
Manager, or the Web Configuration Manager, depending on circumstances and personal
preference.
3. Software Installation and Configuration of Blue Heat/Net drivers
This step installs and configures the Blue Heat/Net drivers and ports for your host
Operating System, and allows you to set parameters specific to your serial requirements.
This is done via the Blue Heat/Net Configuration Manager.
Hardware Installation
Connecting the Blue Heat/Net to your Network:
Before you begin, take a minute to ensure that your package includes the required components
that should have shipped with your Blue Heat/Net.
•One Blue Heat/Net unit
•One power supply
•One CD containing software and documentation
•One Quick Start Guide
•One Pheonix contact screw terminal plug (2-port PoE models)
•One RJ-45 cable (optional)
•One DB-9 female to DB-9 female null modem cable (optional)
If any of these components is missing, contact Connect Tech (See Contact Details) or your
reseller.
NOTE: The Blue Heat/Net 2 port model features an MDI/MDI-X
Autodetect feature. The pinouts will adjust automatically to
accommodate the use of a null Ethernet cable or a straight
through cable.
Direct Connect
Direct connect is an Ethernet connection made directly from Blue Heat/Net to the Ethernet jack
on your computer.
This connection is achieved using a cross-wired Ethernet cable, also known as a null
Ethernet cable. These cables can be assembled yourself (see appendix for pinouts) or purchased
from any electronics or computer store.
Connecting to the Network
The most common method involves connecting your Blue Heat/Net to network hardware at the
facility where you are installing the Blue Heat/Net device. The hub or switch could be in a
network closet in your building, or locally on your desk or workbench. This connection is
achieved using a straight through Ethernet cable; a standard Ethernet cable readily available
from any electronics or computer store. (See appendix for pinouts.)