CTEK Z4300 User manual

USER MANUAL
Ctek Z Series Router
Model Z4300
Ctek – Things That Move Data
.

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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS I
PREFACE 1
1INTRODUCTION 1
1.1Theory Of Operation 1
1.2Features 1
2CONNECTORS, LIGHTS, SWITCHES, AND JUMPERS 3
2.1Switches 3
2.2Lights 3
2.3Connectors 4
3START UP 5
3.1Power 6
3.2Connecting the Antenna 6
3.3Connecting to the Ethernet Port – Administrative Connection 6
4ADMINISTRATION, CONFIGURATION AND STATUS 6
4.1Getting Started 7
4.2Interfaces 8
4.2.1Configuring The Wireless Interface 8
4.2.2Configuring The Ethernet Interace 11
4.2.1The RS232 Interface 13
4.2.2Configuring The Relay Input Interface 14
4.2.3Configuring The Relay Output (Driver) Interface 15
4.1Status 16
4.1.1Wireless Status 16
4.1.2View All Networks 18
4.1.3Ethernet Status 19
4.2Services 20
4.2.1Password Administration 20
4.2.2Routing and Forwarding Services 20
4.2.3TCP PAD Services 23
4.2.4UDP PAD Services 28

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4.2.5Admin Screen Services 29
4.2.6SIM Management Tools 30
4.3Options 31
4.3.1Applications 31
4.3.2Tools 31
5SPECIFICATIONS 31
6CERTIFICATIONS 33
7APPENDIX A – DISCRETE I/O ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS 34

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Preface
Welcome to the Ctek Z4300 Router User’s Guide. The Z4300 is an EDGE model with GPRS fallback. The configuration
and administration of the 4300 model is identical to previous generations of SkyRouters with the exception of a few small
differences noted in the text. The User’s Guide will explain the basic operation of the routers and take you through the
necessary settings to get your wireless application online. Additional information and applicable technical notices can be
found at www.ctekproducts.com.
1 Introduction
Wireless routers provide application and network designers with a bridge between the world of IT infrastructure and the
evolving wireless data networks. With the Z Series the wireless transport is fully integrated into the product’s routing fabric
meaning that you can approach the setup and operation of this product much as with any other IP addressable device.
Wireless considerations are reduced to the absolute minimum necessary to register and make connections on a network.
1.1 Theory Of Operation
The Z Series router is a complete IP router that routes traffic over LAN Ethernet (10/100baseT) connections. The wireless
features of the router simply extend the IP routing capabilities to include routing and network address translation (NAT)
over GSM EDGE wireless networks. A fallback GPRS transport is also provided. As with most routers Ctek’s Z Series can
be viewed as having a Local Area Network (LAN) side and a Wide Area Network (WAN) side. Traffic originating at the
router’s Ethernet or Serial port is considered LAN traffic. The Wide Area Network connection is over the wireless
network’s EDGE/PRS transport.
1.2 Features
This manual covers Ctek Z4300 and contains the following feature and functions.
1) Ethernet
a. Static Addressing
b. Dynamic (DHCP) Server
c. DHCP Client
d. Configurable DNS address
e. Configurable Gateway, Sub net mask, and Broadcast address
f. Port Forwarding
g. Service management
2) EDGE/GPRS Interface
a. Enable/Disable Wireless Routing
b. Enable/Disable inbound IP requests
c. Name Server Interoperability with UDP or SMS
d. DDNS Interoperability with BIND or MS Server
e. Administration web server port address selection
f. Home Network Selection
3) RS232
a. Configurable Bit Rate
b. Configurable for Start/Stop Bits, Flow Control, and Parity
c. Local and remote Telnet Access
d. Enhanced Packet Assembly and Disassembly (PAD) function.

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4) USB Host – Z4300U Model Only
5) Relay Contact Closure (detection and operation)
a. NO/NC detection
b. SMS or email cry out alarm
6) Relay Driver Output
a. SMS Activation
b. Web Activation
7) General Administration
a. Modify Password
8) Status – Ethernet Status
a. Currently Assigned IP Address
b. Current MAC Address
9) Status – EDGE/GPRS Status
a. IMEI – Equipment ID
b. Network Assigned IP Address
c. Telephone Number (MSISDN)
d. Current Network Status Active/Inactive
e. Signal Level (RSSI)

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2 Connectors, Lights, Switches, and Jumpers
2.1 Switches
Referring to Figure 1, there are two switches on the front of the Z Series router. S1 (Reset) causes a hard reset of unit.
S2 (DFLT) is used to completely restore the firmware settings that were included when the product was shipped from the
factory. To restore factory defaults, the unit must be running. Press the Restore Defaults (inner) switch and hold it down
for 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, you will see both the green and yellow lights go off. At that time you may either press
the reset (outer) switch or cycle power on the unit.
Figure 1
2.2 Lights
The Z Series router has indicators as shown in Figure 1.
LAN – The LAN light indicates that the Ethernet port is connected to an active Ethernet device.
The network status indicators LINK and SVC are interpreted as follows:
SVC – Multi-color (yellow/green). Indicates:
a) Power
b) RSSI
Display Definition
Off No Power
Yellow Blinking Power On – No Signal (RSSI)
Yellow Solid Power On – RSSI < -88
Green Solid Power On – RSSI >= -88
LINK SERVICE LAN
Reset Default

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Link - Multi-color (red/green). Indicates:
a) Status of IP connection
b) Type of transport (EDGE or GPRS)
Display Definition
Off No Connection (IP address)
Green Connection established on GPRS
Red Connection established on EDGE
2.3 Connectors
RS232 Connector – This connector is a standard RS232 DCE interface. A straight-through RS232 cable should be used.
The RS232 connector pin out diagram is shown below.
Figure 2
Ethernet Connector
The Ethernet connector on the Z Series is a standard RJ45 connector with auto polarity sensing and can be used with
either a standard Ethernet cable or a reverse (cross over) Ethernet cable.
Terminal Block
Connector J1 supports four separate functions, power, relay contact closure detection, relay driver output, and auxiliary
serial port serial data. Contact closure pins 2 and 4 are shared with the auxiliary serial port. To option remove the circuit
board and locate 3-pin headers JP1 & JP2 behind the green connector. Facing the end of the board containing the green
connector JP1 and JP2 should have jumpers center to right to use the discrete I/O (Din, Dout), and JP1 and JP2 should
have jumpers center to left to use the auxiliary serial port. Auxiliary serial port parameters (baud, parity, etc.) are set using
the RS232 screen. From the factory the unit ships with the auxiliary serial port enabled.
.
The pin out configuration is as follows:

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Terminal Block Pin JP1 & JP2 (internal) Center to Right JP1 & JP2 (internal) Center to Left
Pin 1 Din – Discrete Input (See Appendix A)
Pin 2 Din Src – Discrete Input Source RxD of auxiliary serial port
Pin 3 Dout Gnd – Discrete Output Ground Ground of auxiliary serial port
Pin 4 Dout - Discrete Output TxD of auxiliary serial port
Pin 5 Power supply Ground Power supply Ground
Pin 6 Power supply +12VDC Power supply +12VDC
Figure 3 – Z4300S Model
Figure 4 – Z4300U Model
3 Start Up
Warning – You must connect antenna(s) to the SMA style antenna connectors on the router before turning it on.
Failure to do this could result in erratic start up behavior and could possibly damage the unit.
Note – Z Series routers ship from the factory with DHCP server enabled. The Default Gateway address for the
unit is 192.168.1.10. The address of the web based administration is also 192.168.1.10. After you have activated
your unit on the wireless network it WILL NOT have a DNS address, meaning that public Internet web access will
not work. To load DNS values go to the Ethernet Interface screen, select “Acquire From Wireless Network” and
press the update button. At this point the Primary and Secondary DNS addresses in the Ethernet Interface screen
will be populated with the DNS addresses provided by your wireless network. As a last step restart both the
router and the connected PC.

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3.1 Power
Before starting connect the supplied 12VDC power adapter to the power connector described in Section 2. The adapter
supplied with your router is suitable for use with 120VAC 60-hertz wall power. If you need a different power solutions
contact Ctek.
3.2 Connecting the Antenna
Antennas should be attached to the SMA style antenna connectors described in section 3. The antenna must be
connected before powering the unit on.
3.3 Connecting to the Ethernet Port – Administrative Connection
For a direct Ethernet connection between a PC connect to the Ethernet port using a standard or reverse Ethernet cable.
For initial configuration and administration with a PC or workstation Ctek recommends that the PC be set to obtain an IP
address and obtain a DNS address automatically. For Windows PCs make the following settings under the networking
control panel
Figure 5
4 Administration, Configuration and Status
About Addressing – Devices connecting to GSM/EDGE/GPRS networks are assigned an IP address by the serving
network. Address assignment may either be static or the unit will be dynamically assigned an IP address, depending on
arrangements that you have made with your wireless network operator. Dynamically assigned IP address remain in effect
for a period of time assigned by the network operator, usually at most a small number of hours.
Ctek’s Z Series includes features that manage the temporal nature of dynamically assigned wireless IP addresses. Using
the Wireless Configuration screen you can configure your router to use a Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service. Ctek operates a
DDNS test bed that allows our customers to observe the performance and reliability of DDNS with their applications. For
large-scale commercial applications Ctek recommends that users configure their own DDNS, managed and maintained
with the customers ongoing IT operations. The Z Series may also be configured to operate with a standard DNS having
Dynamic DNS capabilities. Examples of this type of service would be Berkeley Internet Name Daemon (BIND) and Microsoft
Server 2000 and up. For detailed information see Ctek’s TechNote S001.

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Even if you elect to use a static IP address a DDNS service will add value in two ways. First, when the networks static
addressing assignment fails there is a mandatory waiting period before the endpoint is allowed to reinitiate the request for
a static address registration. During this period of time the network will dynamically assign addresses to the end point. A
DDNS service will make the end point network addressable (by name) during this period of time. Secondly, a name
service allows your end point to be known by a name that is independent of network addressing. Addressing a unit by
name may be easier for end users to remember and will, over a long period of time, reduce maintenance problems.
4.1 Getting Started
Once the PC has been set up properly and physically connected to the router you are ready to begin configuring the
router for your application. To access the Administration menu use a conventional web browser pointed at http://
192.168.1.10. A login screen appears as shown below. The default User ID is “ctek” (without the quotes) and the default
Password is also “ctek”. Be sure to change the user ID and password and record your new selections.
Figure 6
When you have completed the login process you will be presented with the top-level administration menu.

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Figure 7
Note that the administration menu is divided into four sections. The Interfaces section deals with physical connectivity,
managing the connection and subtended devices. Status screens are provided for the EGPRS/GPRS and Ethernet
interfaces. Services are applications that are within the router core to modify the behavior of a specific interface or to
change system wide parameters within the router core. Under the Options category users can find any optional or custom
applications and tools provided to maintain the router.
Important Note – The Restart button must be used to apply any changes made on specific Interface
or Service screens.
4.2 Interfaces
4.2.1 Configuring The Wireless Interface
The configuration screen for the wireless interface is shown below. The actual wireless interface is provisioned and
configured by the wireless Network Operator. The router’s Wireless Interface Configuration screen is used to establish
select from those capabilities available such as inactivity timeouts and Name Server selections.

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Figure 8
Network Select – Available settings are Automatic, Prefer A Network, or Demand a Network.
Automatic – Allow radio to select network based on SIM and signal quality
Prefer a Network – Similar to Automatic with a bias towards the network ID specified in the Network ID field
Demand a Network – Make every effort to use the network specified in the Network ID field
User Name and Password – Normally blank. Required for activation on some networks. See TechNotes for specific
usage.
Wireless Connection – Used to enable/disable the wireless WAN connection.
Disabled – Turn off WAN connection
Enabled – Turn off WAN connection
Inactivity Timer – Used to specify a duration of no outbound or incoming traffic after which the WWAN connection will be
re-established.
APN – Provided by the network operator. Determines what IP addresses are assigned to the mobile station, what security
methods are used, and how the GSM data network connects to the customer’s network.

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PDP Address – Provided by the network operator. Specifies the address of a particular device’s Packet Data Protocol
context area in the network.
Authentication – Available settings are None, PAP, CHAP, BOTH. Usually set to none but may be required on some
networks.
Enable LCP echo packets – Used on some International networks. For all US networks LCP echo packets should be
turned off, meaning this box should be unchecked. If you have questions check with Ctek support.
SMSC Address – Short Message Service Center Address. A number prefixed with a plus (+) sign that specifies the
service center that will handle SMS traffic. Provided by the network operator.
Email Gateway – A number (address) specifying a gateway that will transform email to SMS and SMS to email. Provided
by the network operator. Note that emails targeted at SMS delivery have network dependent formats.
Select DNS Type – Used to select the appropriate protocol for your Dynamic DNS.
1) None – DDNS will not be used.
2) EW/SMS – Use Ctek Enhanced Wireless DDNS with SMS updates. Not currently supported.
3) EW/UDP - Use Ctek Enhanced Wireless DDNS with UDP updates over the GPRS/EDGE Air Interface
4) Standard UDP – Use a standard BIND, MS2000, or MS2003 DDNS server
Device Name – Establishes the name by which this particular router will be known at the Name Server. This entry must
be a fully qualified device name and domain and is limited to 40 characters in total. It is limited to one level of name space
definition meaning that all characters to the right of the first “dot” will be assumed to be a component of the resolving
server. An example would be ctek01.thingme.net where ctek01 is the name of an individual router and thingme.net is the
name of the resolving server.
Primary and Secondary Name Server – Enter the IP address of the designated Name Server. Name resolution is not
performed on this entry meaning that a numeric IP address of the resolving server is required.
Provide Network Name Server Facilities – Selecting Yes causes this router to provide Name Server services to client
Ctek routers configured to use it. If this option is selected additional set up in the Name Services screen will be required.

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4.2.2 Configuring The Ethernet Interace
The Ethernet configuration determines how devices connected to the LAN side of router will be addressed, and what the
actual address of this router will be on the LAN.
Figure 9
Media Type – Determines the type of Ethernet connection. Auto allows router to determine what the connection is. This
setting is appropriate for most cases. Other settings are to select either 10Mb (10baseT), 100Mb (100baseT), Full Duplex
(FD), or Half Duplex (HD). Again, in almost all cases Auto will correctly determine the proper setting.
DHCP Configuration – These settings determine the network topology of the LAN side of router’s network.
Disabled – You must manually configure the IP address and other addressing parameters described in the next
section . It is recommended that the router be assigned a private static address of 192.168.1.10.
Enable Server - This router must be assigned a private static IP address, as defined in the next section. It is
recommended that an address of 192.168.1.10 be used. The DHCP server will issue dynamic IP addresses to
other devices connected to the LAN side. IP addresses will be assigned for up to 50 devices. Address assignment
is sequential in the range of 192.168.1.100 – 192.168.1.150.

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Enable Client – Some other device on the LAN side of the network is acting as a DHCP server. The router will be
assigned a dynamic IP address by the DHCP server.
DNS Address Source – In most cases this parameter should be set to Acquire From Wireless Network. In this case,
when you click on the Update button, the router will verify that it has been connected to the wireless network and that the
wireless network has provided DNS addresses. If DNS addresses have been provided, they will be displayed in the
Primary and Secondary Address boxes. If addresses have not been provided, you will receive an error indication. At that
point, you should allow the router to establish a connection with the wireless network so that it can acquire the DNS
addresses. You should then go back into the Ethernet Configuration screen and click on submit again. At this point, the
DNS addresses should appear.
If you application requires a specific DNS setting check the User Defined box and manually fill in the DNS IP Address
fields below.
DNS IP Address (Primary and Secondary) – The address of the Domain Name Server that your network uses. This
should not be confused with the Name Server entries on the Wireless Interface screen. The DNS referenced by these
addresses will resolve outbound queries.
IP Address – The IP address assigned to the LAN segment of this router.
NetMask – This parameter is also known as Subnet Mask. Network Mask determines which portion of an IP address is
the network portion and which portion belongs to the host. As an example a setting of 255.255.255.0 would indicate that
the first three groups of this address (255.255.255) identify the network and that the last group (000 – 254) identify a
particular host.
Default Gateway – The Default Gateway is the address of a device that the router will use to reach remote networks or
servers. In many cases this will be a firewall address. In a normal situation where the Z4300 is acting as a fringe router
and is expected to pass incoming Ethernet traffic through to the network, this field should be left blank. If the router is
acting as a RAS where traffic is coming in from the network so that it can be routed through to some sort of host/server,
this field must set to an address on the Z4300’s LAN segment.
Broadcast Address
If applications on the router need to do a broadcast operation, this is the address that will be used on the Ethernet
segment to fulfill the broadcast request.

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4.2.1 The RS232 Interface
This screen sets basic parameters for the RS232 port and the auxiliary serial port. These settings should be made to
correspond to those on the far end of the serial connection or serial over IP emulation. The RS232 serial port is available
for al applications and can be connected to the TCP or UDB PAD feature. The auxiliary port is available for selected
applications.
Figure 10
Bit Rate – Selects transmit and receive speed. This setting is available on both the serial and auxiliary ports.
Character Length – Selects the number of bits representing a character. This setting is available on both the serial and
auxiliary ports.
Parity – Selects the parity bit setting that will match the far end. This setting is available on both the serial and auxiliary
ports.

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Flow Control – Selects No flow control, Hardware Flow Control (RTS/CTS), or Software Flow Control (XON/XOFF). If
RTS/CTS is selected make sure that the cable you are using has those pins connected on both ends. Many pre-
manufactured cables either do not terminate these signals or else jumper them into a permanent True state.
Service – determines the mode of operation for the RS232 port.
None - Indicates that a custom application and protocol has been implemented.
TCP PAD - Selects the Packet Assembly and Disassembly Service.
4.2.2 Configuring The Relay Input Interface
This screen configures the connection characteristics of the relay input interface and defines the service associated with
this interface. Currently, the relay interface can cause an SMS message to be sent to another wireless device or an e-
mail message to be sent to any valid email address.
Appendix A contains schematic information concerning the relay input configuration.
Figure 11
Relay Input Trigger – Establishes the conditions under which the Relay Service will be invoked. Unless it is disabled the
relay input is sampled at 1000 millisecond (1 second) intervals.
Disabled – Never respond to relay activity
On Closure – Respond when relay contacts go closed
On Opening - Respond when relay contacts go open

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Maximum Trigger Rate – This setting determines how often the router will send a “relay event” message. If the relay
event is recurring at a rapid rate this setting will prevent an undesirable “flood” of messages. If Maximum Trigger Rate is
set to "Always" the relay input is operating in edge triggered mode. In this mode the router will invoke its assigned
service any time that the input transitions to the selected state. So if ON CLOSURE is selected an SMS is sent every time
that the contacts close. This means that once closure is sensed there can be no other closure event until the contacts are
first sensed to be open.
All other modes where Max Trigger Rate has a time value are level sensitive. So if the contacts close an SMS is sent and
then the state of the relay input is ignored for a defined period of time. For instance, if Max Trigger Rate is set to 5
minutes an SMS is sent and then the relay input is sampled again in 5 minutes. If the contacts are still closed another
SMS is sent. If the relay input is not closed the router reverts to monitoring the relay every second.
SMS Destination Address – The MIN (mobile phone number) or email address to which the SMS message will be sent.
MIN must be 10 numeric characters with no spaces or punctuation. Any email address in the form
Anything@Any_Domain will be accepted.
SMS Alert Message – The text of the message to be sent when the relay interface activates. Limited to 100 characters
maximum. Only printable ASCII characters in the range of 32 – 126 decimal (20 – 7E hex) can be included in the
message.
4.2.3 Configuring The Relay Output (Driver) Interface
This screen configures the connection characteristics of the relay output interface and defines the service associated with
this interface. Currently, the relay output interface can be activated by an SMS message or from a button that can be
defined on the Advertising screen described in the Services section.
Appendix A contains schematic information concerning the relay output configuration.
Figure 12

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Set Relay Output State – Used to set the current state of the relay driver circuit. The relay driver can be activated and
deactivated by changing this setting and pressing update.
Relay Shut Off Timer – The relay driver circuit will revert to its default setting after the number of minutes or seconds
specified by this parameter. The two second setting is useful for resetting end point equipment.
Allow SMS Control of Relay – If Yes is checked the relay driver may be activated by sending an SMS with the command
“R1” and deactivated by sending an SMS with the command of “R0”.
Allow Web Browser Control of Relay – If set to yes a button will appear on the Advertising screen to enable and disable
the relay driver circuit.
Text For Web Link To Relay – This text will appear on the advertising screen next to the relay activation button.
4.1 Status
4.1.1 Wireless Status
The Wireless Status interface provides information on the Z4300 Series router’s wireless network connection, local
operating conditions, and predefined information contained within the radio module. Wireless status information can be
refreshed (updated) in real time using the Refresh button at the bottom of the page. The Wireless Status interface is
display only.
Figure 13

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Carrier – Often referred to as the Mobile Operator
Network Status – Possible values are “In Service”, “No Service”, or “Service Denied”. Indicates the state of the network
as seen through your particular router
Service Type – Indicates whether EGPRS (EDGE) is available or failing that whether GPRS is available. Possible values
are “None”, “EGPRS”, or “GPRS”.
Current IP Address – The Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to this router by the serving wireless network. If this
field is blank a connection does not currently exist.
Signal Level (RSSI) – A measure of the strength of the wireless signal that your router is currently seeing. A larger
negative number indicates a marginal network connection. Typically this number will be in the range of -75 - -95dBm
although there are many locations where the value will be outside of the typical range.
Roam Status – Indicates the network’s view of the current geographic location of your router. The possible values are
“Not Roaming”, or “Roaming”. An indication of Roaming may or may not impact your data transmission costs. Charges
are a function of your rate plan, not necessarily linked to the networks notion of roaming.
Call Status – Indicates the current status of network registration. Possible values are “Attached”, or “Not Attached”.
Subscriber ID (IMSI) – Identifies the subscriber. IMSI is contained in the SIM.
Equipment ID (IMEI) – Identifies a particular piece of hardware, specifically the radio within the SkyRouter
Radio Type – Displays the Radio Manufacturer
Firmware Rev. – Displays the firmware revision level of the radio.
Phone Number (MSISDN) – The network address of the unit
Short Message Service Center Address. - A number prefixed with a plus (+) sign that specifies the service center that
will handle SMS traffic. Provided by the network operator.
Model – The model number of the radio installed.
Hardware Rev. – If available displays the revision level of the radio module