KERN YKI-03 User manual

KERN & Sohn GmbH
Ziegelei 1
D-72336 Balingen
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Tel: +49-[0]7433- 9933-0
Fax: +49-[0]7433-9933-149
Internet: www.kern-sohn.com
Installation manual
RS-232 WLAN adapter
KERN YKI-03
Version 1.1
2020-05
GB
YKI-03-BA-e-2011

2 YKI-03-BA-e-2011
GB
KERN YKI-03
Version 1.1 2020-05
Operating instructions
RS-232 WLAN adapter
Contents
1Scope of delivery .....................................................................................................3
2Use ............................................................................................................................3
3Connecting the adapter...........................................................................................4
4Configuration ...........................................................................................................5
4.1 Accessing the web interface...................................................................................5
4.1.1 Changing the adapters wired IP-address ...........................................................5
4.1.2 Opening the web interface...................................................................................7
4.2 Configuration of the wireless network connection...............................................7
4.3 Use with a virtual COM port ....................................................................................9
4.3.1 Software-Installation ............................................................................................9
4.3.2 Configuring the virtual COM port........................................................................9
4.4 Use as a TCP Server..............................................................................................11
5Instant help.............................................................................................................13

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1 Scope of delivery
Delivery includes:
1. RS232 Ethernet Adapter (incl. screw-on antenna)
2. Mains adapter (EU)
3. Ethernet network cable (ca. 1m)
4. 4x adhesive feet
5. Quick instructions (original, English) in paper format
6. KERN installation instructions (German/English) in paper format (this document)
7. Guarantee slip
If one the articles listed above is missing please contact your supplier immediately.
2 Use
The adapter is used to connect devices with an RS-232 interface to a (WLAN) wireless
network. The adapter supports a number of different operating modes. These instructions
describe configuration for the two most important operating modes:
•Virtual COM port:
This operating mode simulates a driver of a virtual COM port (to be installed). This
virtual COM port represents the RS-232 interface of the adapter and thus hides
the fact that the measuring device is controlled via a wireless network. This also
makes it possible for non-network-enabled applications to access the device
transparently.
•TCP Server:
In this operating mode, the adapter offers a TCP service to which a network-
enabled program can connect. Data sent over the network are forwarded to the
device directly via the RS-232 interface. Responses from the device are sent back
to the connected computer via the network.
Installation of the adapter should only be carried out in coordination with the
appropriate network administrator.

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3 Connecting the adapter
After unpacking the adapter, you should decide how the adapter is to be mounted. If you
wish to lay the adapter flat on a table, please attach the adhesive feet to the underside of
the adapter.
The enclosed “Quick Installation Guide” contains descriptions of other assembly options.
The adapter can then be connected to the measuring device and the network. Please
proceed as follows:
⇒Screw the antenna onto the adapter.
⇒Connect the adapter using the included or a standard Ethernet network cable to
either your computer directly or the network your computer is connected to.
⇒Connect the mains adapter to the mains power (plug socket) and to the adapter.
Alternatively, the adapter can by powered over the screw terminals (make sure
the Make sure the “Ready” LED is illuminated.
⇒Connect the RS-232 port of the device (scales, dynamometer...) to the
RS-232 port of the adapter using an appropriate interface cable.
After connecting the hardware, the device must now be configured appropriately.

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4 Configuration
Configuration of the adapter can be carried out in several ways. The following description
explains the steps for configuration over a network for Microsoft Windows with the help of
the web interface integrated into the adapter. A static IP address is assigned.
Other methods (Telnet, RS-232, ARP) are to be found in the complete instructions,
download from website:
https://www.moxa.com/support/support_home.aspx?isSearchShow=1
4.1 Accessing the web interface
To access the adapter’s web interface, a connection via the wired Ethernet interface has to
be established first. Therefore, the IP address and subnet mask of the computer used for
configuration has to be compatible with the adapter’s settings.
The following steps adjust the adapter settings so they match with the computer’s
configuration.
4.1.1 Changing the adapters wired IP-address
Ideally you will be assigned a free IP address for the adapter by your network
administrator. To select a free IP address yourself, you must know your network
configuration. You can find out the most important information from your computer (which
is already connected to the network):
⇒Click on Start (Windows Vista/7) or Start -> Run or press the key combination
“Windows key + R”.
⇒Enter the following command: cmd /K ipconfig
Press return.
In the window that will open, you will see the computer’s IP address and its subnet mask:

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The parts of the subnet mask containing the number 255 have to correspond in the IP
addresses of the adapter and computer. Compatible addresses in the example thus
include: 10.0.1.7, 10.0.12.34, 10.0.200.300, ...
Be sure to choose an IP address that is not in use elsewhere now or will not be in
the future. It may otherwise be the case that another device on the network will
not be able to communicate properly. For this reason, installation of the adapter
should only be carried out in coordination with the appropriate network
administrator.
In the following example, the address 10.0.12.34 has been selected for the adapter.
The adapter’s IP address can be set multiple ways:
a) over network: ARP, Telnet
b) over RS-232
For the configuration by ARP proceed with the following steps.
⇒Open a command prompt with administrator permissions:
a. Press the Windows key
b. Enter „cmd“
c. Right-click on the highlighted search result
(„cmd“ or „Command Prompt“)
d. Click „Run as administrator“
e. Confirm the UAC security dialog
The result is an elevated command prompt.
⇒In this, enter the following commands:
arp –s 10.0.12.34 00-90-E8-xx-xx-xx
telnet 10.0.12.34 6000 (alternatively open http://10.0.12.34:6000 in a browser)
Here, „10.0.12.34“ is the IP address to be set and „00-90-E8-xx-xx-xx“ is the
adapter’s MAC address. It is listed on the type plate on the adapter’s back side.

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⇒The adapter restarts with the newly set IP address.
4.1.2 Opening the web interface
After configuration oft he IP-address, the web interface of the adapter
is available on the standard HTTP Port (80). Enter the IP address into
a browser of your choice (e.g. Microsoft Internet Explorer). In the
previous example, this would be:
http://10.0.12.34
The login screen appears:
In the factory settings, the password of the „admin“ account is empty.
Log in by clicking on the “Login” button, leaving the password field empty.
4.2 Configuration of the wireless network connection
The following steps describe the configuration of the wireless network
connection:
⇒Set the WLAN network IP address and subnet mask.
As previously, this new IP address should be unused in the
wireless network and should be specified by your network
administrator.
In the web interface, open the menu item
„WLAN Settings“ ->„WLAN“:

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⇒Set the WLAN profile and security parameters:
⇒By clicking on “General”, you can specify the SSID of your wireless network.
⇒By clicking on „Security“ you can set the encryption method and key used by your
wireless network:
To activate the WLAN connection after configuration of the WLAN parameters, the network
cable has to be unplugged and the adapter has to be restarted by disconnecting the power
supply.
During initialization of the WLAN connection, the status LED „WLAN“ flashes.
When the connection is established successfully, the LED is permanently on.

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4.3 Use with a virtual COM port
Many conventional applications still work exclusively with a direct RS-232 interface
connection and are not network-enabled. To continue to be able to use these programs as
usual, the adapter offers an option of simulating an RS-232 interface on the computer in
the form of a virtual COM port.
4.3.1 Software-Installation
To use the virtual COM port feature, the required driver has to be installed on the
computer accessing the device. It is included in the software „NPort Windows Driver
Manager”. The following steps install this software on your computer.
Download from website:
https://www.moxa.com/support/support_home.aspx?isSearchShow=1
⇒Extract and run the executable file (exe) you will find there.
Installation requires administrator privileges.
⇒Confirm the installation dialogue boxes with “Next”.
Finish installation.
For operating systems Microsoft Windows 8 and later, in some cases, an updated
version of the software has to be downloaded from the manufacturer’s web site.
4.3.2 Configuring the virtual COM port
Open the „NPort Windows Driver Manager“ software as administrator.
A new virtual COM port for your adapter with the following steps:

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⇒Click „Add“ in the toolbar. The dialog “Add NPort” appears:
⇒Press the button „Search“. The adapter connected to the WLAN will be found and
listed in the list below the search button:
⇒Press „OK“ to create and configure the new virtual COM port. In the process,
confirm the following dialogs:
⇒Read the number of your new COM port from the list in the main screen of the
configuration software (here „COM3“):

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You can now use the virtual COM port to wirelessly access your RS-232 device.
The RS-232 communication parameters of the adapter will be automatically adjusted by
the application accessing the virtual COM port.
4.4 Use as a TCP Server
No installation of a virtual COM port is required to use the adapter in connection with a
network-enabled application. The application can instead communicate directly across the
network with the measuring device via the adapter. For this purpose, one way the adapter
can be configured is to offer a service (server) in the network to which the application can
connect.
To install and configure a virtual COM port, please follow these steps.
⇒Open the web interface of the adapter, as described above.
⇒Choose the menu item
„Serial Port Settings“ -> „Operation Modes“:

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⇒Click on the „Real COM“ link to open the configuration of the first port:
⇒For „operation mode“, choose „TCP Server“ (instead of „Real COM“) and submit
the form.
⇒Configure the RS-232 communication parameters, so they
match with the ones of the RS-232 device to be connected. To
do this, choose the menu item
„Serial Port Settings“ -> „Communication Parameters“:
The adapter is now set up for operation as a “TCP Server”.
Depending on the application, you are now be able to retrieve the measurement data at
the IP address and port number used.

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You can run a quick test using a terminal program such as “telnet” (pre-installed up to
Microsoft Windows XP) or “PuTTY”:
5 Instant help
Symptom
Remedy
The “Ready” LED fails
to illuminate.
Check whether the adapter is connected to the power
supply.
The “WLAN” LED fails
to flash.
Restart the adapter without a network cable connected. If
the WLAN LED flashes, make sure the WLAN settings and
keys are set correctly. Test the connection with e.g.
another network-enabled device.
The adapter cannot be
found.
Make sure that the “WLAN” LED is lit.
A fault occurs during
configuration.
Make sure that the configuration program is running with
administrator privileges.
Incorrect characters are
produced.
The measuring device
does not respond to
commands.
Check to see if the previous points apply and whether the
RS-232 settings of the application and/or the TCP server
match the settings of the measurement device.
If you are unable to remedy the error, please contact your supplier.