Helmholz REX 100 User manual

Quick Start Guide REX100
www.helmholz.com
Version
3en

Quick Start Guide REX 1002
Content
1. Introduction 3
2. Preparing the REX 100 unit 3
3. Creating a REX 100 conguration in the myREX24 portal 3
4. Router conguration transfer options 6
5. Establishing a VPN connection to your REX 100 12
6. Remotely servicing an Ethernet PLC 14
7. Description of LEDs and buttons 15
8. Restoring the REX 100 router to its default settings 15
9. Loading the conguration or rmware update from a USB ash drive 15
10. Technical specications 16

Quick Start Guide REX 100 3
2. Preparing the REX 100 unit
2.1 REX 100 3G/LAN
Connect the antenna and insert your SIM card.
Connect a supply voltage of 10–30 V DC to the provided
connector.
2.2 REX 100 WAN/LAN
Connect the REX 100 router’s WAN port (port 1) to the
network or DSL modem being used to establish an Internet
connection.
Connect a supply voltage of 10–30 V DC to the provided
connector.
1. Introduction
Before getting started:
For commissioning please use the latest version (as of v3) of the dial-up software “shDIALUP”.
Write down the serial number and MAC address of your REX 100 router before installing the router in your system. You
will need the serial number in order to congure the device!
The REX 100 is an industrial router designed to be installed on DIN rails and is suitable for worldwide remote access
to IP-enabled devices (PLCs, HMIs, IP cameras, etc.)
This Quick Start Guide goes over the basic settings in the myREX24 portal and shows how to use the portal to
create a conguration and transfer it to your REX 100 unit.
3.1 Register
If you do not yet have a myREX24 account, you will rst
have to visit www.myREX24.net and register under “Re-
quest access.” Make sure to ll out all mandatory elds.
Once you submit the form, you will receive an e-mail
containing your login data.
You can download the software necessary for establish-
ing a connection with myREX24-Portal (shDIALUP and
shCHECK), as well as other documents with supplementa-
ry example applications anytime from the download area
under www.myREX24.net and www.helmholz.com.
3.2 Log in to the myREX24 portal
Once you install and open the shDIALUP program, you can
use your login data to log in to the myREX24 portal.
Note: Your login name is composed of a user name preceding
the @ character and the name of your company.
Example: admin@helmholz
Other users can be created and managed after you log onto
the myREX24 portal.
3. Creating a REX 100 conguration in the myREX24 portal
REX 100 routers are fully congured using the myREX24 portal. Once the corresponding conguration le is ready,
it can be transferred to the actual REX 100 unit in a variety of ways.

Quick Start Guide REX 1004
A  eld for entering a phone number for the SIM card will be shown for GSM devices only. If you do enter a number,
the myREX24 portal will be able to control the REX 100 router using SMS text messages.
No entry needs to be made in the „Change VPN password  eld“. The password is generated automatically.
In order that the con guration is sent to the correct end device, the serial number of the REX 100 must be entered
for purposes of recognition. The purpose of the additional description  eld is to make it possible to distinguish
between several remote servicing units internally.
Go to the „Network“ tab without .
3.3 Create a router con guration
The con guration points necessary to realize a VPN portal connection are described in the following. For a more
detailed description of the advanced functions and con guration options available, please use the portal’s online
help.
Note: You should always individualize your access data (user names/passwords).
For more information, make sure to consult the portal‘s online help (
You should always individualize your access data (user names/passwords).
For more information, make sure to consult the portal‘s online help (
).
Once a connection to the myREX24 portal is successfully established, a new browser window with your myREX24
online account will open. Create a new device in the „Machines“ menu.
With the button you go to the next submenu.
Note: The device name must start with a letter. Umlauts, special characters and spaces are generally not permitted.
In addition, every device name must be unique.
The description page for the device you just created will appear now. Please note that the location and contact
information  elds are optional.

Quick Start Guide REX 100 5
Under „Connect to server on“, select the actions with which this device should connect to your myREX24 account.
Depending upon the device version, you must carry out corresponding adjustments for establishing a connection:
-In the case of devices with a radio modem, all information concerning the access point (Access Point Name) of
the card provider must be provided and the SIM PIN entered.
-In the case of wired devices and when using static IP addresses, the customer specications for the subsequent
router start must be used for the gateway, DNS server and VPN port.
Prior to dening a pre-selectable VPN port, clarify whether this is also open on the system side at the customer
location (also see the chapter 5.2 „Tips and Tricks“, page 13).
The basic settings have thus been completed and the conguration can be transferred to the REX 100 with the
button via the channels available in the menu (see page 6, point 4).
In the event that the dialog for „Submit to Device“ appears automatically, you can cancel this dialog and call it up
later when needed.
Note: The myREX24 portal’s online help provides information on the function of the advanced settings. If you enable
DHCP, make sure that the DHCP server does not assign the WAN port an IP address that is already in use on the LAN
side. Each router must be assigned to the LAN and WAN interface IP addresses from 2 different sub-networks.
If you would like to connect additional TCP/IP components for purposes of remote maintenance at the LAN inter-
face of the REX 100, this IP address is also the standard gateway for these devices (see page 14, point 6).
Open the „Internet“ tab without clicking on .
Enter the IP address and the appropriate subnet mask for your equipment network into the LAN parameter elds.
All REX 100 routers come with a default IP address of 192.168.0.100/24. If you don‘t have to/don‘t wish to change
this address, it should be noted that this address area on the REX 100 WAN side may not be used.

Quick Start Guide REX 1006
4. Router conguration transfer options
After you have created a conguration, you can select one of three transmission methods via the diskette symbol:
1* Submit to device:
Used to transfer the conguration via the local LAN connection of the computer on which shDIALUP is running (see
point 4.2 below).
You can use this option if the REX 100 router can be reached directly through the local network (LAN).
2* Prepare for CTM:
The conguration is downloaded via an Internet connection of the REX 100 from the myREX24-Portal (CTM = Con-
guration Transfer Manager, see chapter 4.2, page 8).
Internet transfer is the standard conguration channel as soon as the REX 100 has established a connection to the
myREX24 portal. When the REX 100 has a connection to the myREX24 portal, the CTM is automatically used for all
subsequent conguration changes.
3* Download to PC:
The conguration le is saved and subsequently transferred to the REX 100 using a USB stick
(see point 4.3, page 12).
Choose this option if the REX 100 router cannot be reached through the local network (LAN) or through the Inter-
net when it is rst being set up.
1*
2*
3*
4.1 Transfer conguration via a local LAN connection
LAN
1. Login via shDIALUP
3. Search for the device on the LAN network
4. Transfer the configuration
2. Create/edit and
download the REX 100
configuration
LAN
LAN
In order to be able to transfer the conguration through the LAN network, it must be possible to reach the REX 100
unit (the one being congured) on the same network on which the computer with the shDIALUP program is found.
4.1.1
Connect the LAN socket of your PC (LAN card) with a LAN
socket of the REX 100.
Make sure to use a standard Cat5 patch cable to establish
the direct connection between your computer and the
router. PC

Quick Start Guide REX 100 7
4.1.2
In the myREX24 portal (shDIALUP) in Device Administra-
tion, select the option “Submit to Device”.
4.1.3
After you have selected the corresponding PC-LAN net-
work card in the device search menu, the search for locally
connected REX routers is carried out automatically in the
following dialogue.
The transfer will start if a device with the right serial num-
ber is found. Once the transfer is complete, the REX 100
router will start using the new conguration after being
restarted.
4.2 Conguration Transfer Manager (CTM)
The Conguration Transfer Manager enables the transfer of the conguration to the REX 100 when the router has
established an Internet connection with the myREX24 portal.
If the REX 100 unit has a connection to the myREX24 portal, it will check whether there is a newer conguration
available for its serial number. If there is one, it will load it automatically.
This method is ideal for retroactive changes to the conguration.
Note: Only with version 3 and up of the dial-up software “shDIALUP” is the CTM function supported.
In order to be able to transfer the conguration, the Conguration Transfer Manager needs an Internet connection
established using a WAN network or SIM card.
If you are using your REX 100 router for the rst time, you can establish this connection directly on the router by using
the First Start webpage.
1. Create/edit the REX 100
configuration and deposit
it in the CTM
Cyclic check
whenever there
is an Internet
connection
2. The configuration
is downloaded
and activated
4.2.1 Establishing an Internet connection through the First Start webpage
If you have not yet congured your REX 100 router using one of the other two conguration methods (directly
on the computer or using a USB ash drive), you can establish an Internet connection directly with the REX 100
router’s web interface by using the First Start webpage so that you can set the router up.
If the REX 100 unit is already able to establish an Internet connection, please skip ahead to page 10, point 4.2.5
“Automatic download of the conguration.”
Commissioning via the “First Start” website presumes that the REX 100 can be addressed in the local network
under its default IP address. REX 100 routers come with a default IP address of 192.168.0.100 (subnet mask:
255.255.255.0).
In order to be able to reach the REX 300 router, the PC network adapter must also be set to the IP address space
and subnet of the router.

Quick Start Guide REX 1008
4.2.2 Establish Internet connection via “First Start” with REX 100 3G
If you are using a REX 100 3G model, you will now need to provide the following for the modem:
The login data for the carrier (APN) and the SIM card ID number (SIM PIN).
Start by opening the properties for your LAN connection.
Windows1) XP: Start -> Settings -> Control panel -> Network connections.
Windows1) 7: Start -> Control panel -> Network and sharing center -> Change adapter settings
Open the Properties dialog box for the network connection
that you want to use in order to establish a connection to
your REX 100 unit. To change your computer’s IP address,
select “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” and click on the “Prop-
erties” button.
Your IP address must lie within the address range
“192.168.0.x”. The subnet mask must match the subnet
mask used by the REX 100 unit (default: 255.255.255.0).
Note: Make sure that there are no address space conicts
with any other network ports (do not assign the same IP
address more than once). If there are, you will not be able to
communicate with your REX 100 unit properly.
When your PC network card has accepted the new settings, start a browser (Firefox, Chrome, Opera) and enter the
IP address of the router in the address line (URL) as follows: http://192.168.0.100.
Enter the standard login data now required for logging into the REX 100:
Username: helmholz
Password: router
Note: Please note that the login data must be changed for your security after the router is set up. To change them, go to
the conguration menu on the myREX24 portal.
The Internet connection path of the REX 100 is now dened uniquely at the “First Start” website.

Quick Start Guide REX 100 9
4.2.3 Establish Internet connection via “First Start” with REX 100 WAN
In the case of wired models, access to the Internet can only be established through the “external router” on the
equipment side.
To this purpose, the WAN interface must be connected with the customer server/DSL modem.
No WAN settings need to be made when selecting “DHCP”.
Please note that either the MAC address lter at the DSL modem or in the external rewall is deactivated or the MAC
address of the REX device has been activated there.
The values for the statically set WAN interface are dened by the responsible network administrator.
Settings for access via the proxy server are also stored in the WAN settings when needed.

Quick Start Guide REX 10010
As soon as all settings have been transferred and saved in the REX 100 router, the router will establish an Internet
connection.
4.2.4 Complete “First Start” steps with REX 100 3G and WAN
The cloudserver preset here doesn’t need to be changed. The code for the session key is optional and does not have
to be entered when setting up the router.
4.2.5 Automatic download of the confi guration
If the REX 100 router is able to establish an Internet con-
nection, it will connect to the myREX24 portal and verify
itself using its serial number.
The successful establishing of a connection is displayed at
the router by the blinking “CON” LED (see LED descrip-
tion, page 15).
If a con guration  le is available on the portal server, it will
be automatically loaded onto the device and enabled.
4.2.26 REX 100 Quick Start status page
The status page on the REX 100 router’s web interface will show the router’s connection status and active con gu-
ration data.
To get more information on each step of the router connection, click on the Info icon in the various status
 elds.
You can use the status page to trigger test functions or to manually make the router obtain its con guration using
the CTM.

Quick Start Guide REX 100 11
4.2.7 Change confi guration with Confi guration Trans-
fer Manager (CTM)
If the REX 100 router has already gotten a con guration
 le, you will be able to transfer any new con guration
changes to the router using the CTM.
If the router has already been con gured using the CTM
and you click on “Save” in the “Device Administration”
page after making changes to a con guration, the “Pre-
pare for CTM” dialog box will appear.
Alternatively, the transfer of the con guration to the
Device Administration of the myREX24 portal can also be
triggered manually via the diskette symbol.
A con guration prepared for CTM transfer is displayed in
the Device Administration with the symbol
A con guration prepared for CTM transfer is displayed in
.
Note: In order to establish a VPN connection with the REX
100, please read Chapter 5, page 12.
4.3 Transfer of the con guration using an USB stick
1. Create/edit and download
the REX 100 configuration
2. Store the configuration file
The parameterization method via USB should be used when the REX 100 isn’t accessible either through the local
network (LAN) or via the Internet. In the myREX24 portal in Device Administration, select the option “Download
con guration to the PC”.
-Don’t change the name of the con guration  le and save this in the root directory of a standard FAT-formatted
USB stick
-The REX 100 must be in standby mode (that is, at least the PWR and RDY LED should be lit)
-Insert the USB stick into the USB interface of the REX 100
-Once the USR LED starts  ashing, you will have ten seconds to press the FCN button.
-Once the USR LED lights up with a solid light, you can release the FCN button, at which point the
data will be loaded from the USB  ash drive
Following successful transfer of the con guration  le, the  le is automatically renamed “Xmyrex24” and can thus
not be used a second time by mistake.
Note: The con guration  le must be stored in the root directory of your USB  ash drive.
In addition, no valid  rmware  le may be found for this action in the root directory, and an interruption of the supply
voltage during the transfer can result in the router changing to an unde ned status.

Quick Start Guide REX 10012
5. Establishing a VPN connection to your REX 100
Note: In order for the following steps to work, the REX router must have already been con gured.
5.1 Establishing a VPN connection and transferring IP packages
After you log in successfully with shDIALUP, your online account will be opened. Logged-in REX routers will be
indicated with a green circle.
In the “Connect Status”  eld, you are shown the REX “LAN IP” address on the system side (important, for example,
for the “PG/PC interface”, see page chapter 6 page 14).
Once a connection to the REX 100 unit has been established, all the IP packets that are valid for the LAN network in
the  eld will be sent.
To terminate the remote access connection, click on the “Disconnect” button.
The “Status Legend” provides more information on additional “statuses.”
If you want to connect to a REX router, you can click on the “QuickConnect” button to establish a connection to
your device.

Quick Start Guide REX 100 13
5.2 Tips and tricks
-If logging in to the myREX24 portal does not work on the rst try, please install our “shCHECK” testing tool on a
PC. This free program will check whether the ports needed to successfully establish a connection to the myREX24
portal are open. Make sure to run the test on the network from which the REX router will also be establishing a
connection to the Internet.
-In order to be able to establish a connection to myREX24, at least one of the TCP ports (80, 1194, or 443) required
for the VPN tunnel must be open.
-If you would like to use the function for automatic sending of e-mails of the REX, the SMTP port 25 may not be
blocked.

Quick Start Guide REX 10014
6. Remotely servicing an Ethernet PLC
6.1
In order to be able to access an Ethernet PLC through a
VPN connection, the “Use router” option must be enabled
and correctly lled out in the PLC for the Ethernet port
being used for remote servicing purposes.
Enter the REX 100 unit’s LAN IP address into the “Address”
eld.
Note: The IP address of the PLC must lie within the address
range of the LAN interface of the REX 100.
If it should not be possible to activate the “Use router” option
in your project, or if you want to reach an Ethernet device for
which you cannot enter a gateway IP, please check the securi-
ty settings in Device Administration of the myREX24 portal in
the “Settings” tab.
The SNAT function should be enabled under “General Firewall
Settings” so that you will be able to reach devices in which a
gateway IP has not been entered.
This function is always enabled in myREX24 congurations.
6.2
In order to be able to reach the PLC through the VPN
tunnel, you will have to select the appropriate VPN adapter
in the PG/PC interface.
The virtual network connection responsible for this is the
TAPWindows1) Adapter V9
Note: You can use either crossover or standard Ethernet
cables in order to connect PLCs to the REX 100 unit.
The “Available stations” function is not supported by the
software when using VPN connections.
6.3
As soon as a VPN connection to the REX 100 unit has been
established (see item 5), you can start working with the
PLC from the project (e.g., transferring a hardware project,
monitoring variables, etc.).

Quick Start Guide REX 100 15
PWR Indicator light for the power supply
RDY Readiness indicator (this LED must show a solid light after a max. of 110 s)
CON Off: There is no active Internet or VPN connection
Solid light: Internet connection active or possible, but VPN connection inactive
Rapid ashing (3 Hz): The router is attempting to establish a VPN connection
Flashing (1.5 Hz): VPN connection active
USR Solid light: When loading default settings, rmware les, or device congurations
Flashing (1.5 Hz): A portal conguration has been detected on the USB ash drive*
Rapid ashing (3 Hz): A rmware le has been detected on the USB ash drive*
FCN 1. Function button used to manually establish a connection to the portal server (see page 5)
2. * If the USR LED starts ashing, this means that you have ten seconds to press this button in order
to load data from an inserted USB ash drive.
RST Reset button for restarting the router
7. Description of LEDs and buttons
8. Restoring the REX 100 router to its default settings
In order to reset the REX 100 to the factory settings, the following steps are necessary:
-Apply a supply voltage (or press “RST”) until the “PWR” LED lights up
-Wait until the “RDY” LED ashes
-Hold down the FCN button for about10 –15 sec. until the “USR” LED ashes orange
-After you release the “FCN” key, the REX reboots and once again has the factory settings
Important: The IP address of the REX 100 LAN interface is reset to 192.168.0.100/24.
9. Loading the conguration or rmware update from a USB ash drive
Note: Ensure that either only the rmware le or only the conguration le is found in the root directory of the USB stick.
If you wish to update both the rmware and the conguration, carry out the following steps for each le individually.
To provide the REX 100 with a conguration or perform a rmware update from a USB ash drive, the following
requirements must be met:
-The boot process of the device must be completed (PWR & RDY LEDs light up continuously)
-The le to be loaded must be saved in the root directory of the USB ash drive
-During the operation, the voltage supply should not be interrupted.
-After successful loading, it is not necessary to reboot the device
If these conditions are met, you can proceed with the following steps:
-Insert the USB ash drive into the REX
-Wait until the USR LED begins to ash
-Press and hold the FCN button until the USR LED lights up permanently
-Release the FCN button -> the device now loads the conguration or rmware le
Once the RDY & ON LEDs light up again permanently, the process is complete.

10. Technical specications
Systeme Helmholz GmbH | Hannberger Weg 2 | 91091 Großenseebach | Germany
Phone [phone] | Fax [phone] | [email protected] | www.helmholz.com
Note:
The contents of this Quick Start Guide have been checked by us so as to ensure that they match the hardware and soft-
ware described. However, we assume no liability for any existing differences, as these cannot be fully ruled out.
The information in this Quick Start Guide is, however, updated on a regular basis. When using your purchased products,
please make sure to use the latest version of this Quick Start Guide, which can be viewed and downloaded on the Inter-
net at www.helmholz.com.
Our customers are at the center of everything we do. We welcome all ideas and suggestions.
1) Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
Dimensions (D x W x H) 35 x 59 x 75 mm
Weight (approx.) 3G = 270 g | WAN = 250 g
GSM modem
Antenna connection
SIM card type
GSM frequency bands (MHz)
UMTS/HSPA frequency bands (MHz)
Transmit power
Quad-band GPRS/EDGE data interface
SMA connector (external thread)
Standard Mini-SIM, 1.8 V/3 V
GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS/HSPA: 800/850, 900, AWS 1700, 1900, 2100, class 1
E2, 3, 4
Data transfer rates HSPA+ (upload: 5.76 Mbps | download: 21.0 Mbps)
Number of inputs/switching point 2/24 V (DC), as per DIN EN 61131-2 Type 2
Router
Features
VPN
Firewall, NAT/PAT, SMS wake-up
OpenVPN
Interfaces 3x or 4x LAN 10/100 Mbps
1x WAN 10/100 Mbit/s
USB 2.0 Type A port
Voltage DC 18 V ... DC 30 V
Current draw max. 250 mA with DC 24 V
Ambient temperature 0 … +50 °C
Transport and storage temperature -20 … +60 °C
Humidity 0 … 95 %, non-condensing
Location of use Dry location
Protection rating IP20
Certications CE, GCF, FCC, PTCRB, IC