KERN YKI-01 User manual

KERN & Sohn GmbH www.kern-sohn.com
Ziegelei 1
72336 Balingen-Frommern
Germany
+0049-[0]7433-9933-0
+0049-[0]7433-9933-149
[e-mail]
Installation manual
Ethernet interface
KERN YKI-01
Version 1.1
2021-03
GB
YKI-01-BA-e-2111

2 YKI-01-BA-e-2111
GB
KERN YKI-01
Version 1.1 2021-03
Operating instructions
Ethernet interface
Contents
1Scope of delivery .....................................................................................................3
2Use ............................................................................................................................3
3Connecting the adapter...........................................................................................4
4Configuration ...........................................................................................................4
4.1 Software Installation................................................................................................4
4.2 Integration into the network....................................................................................5
4.3 Use with a virtual COM port ....................................................................................8
4.4 Use as a TCP Server................................................................................................9
5Instant help.............................................................................................................12

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1 Scope of delivery
Delivery includes:
1. RS232 Ethernet Adapter
2. Mains adapter
3. 4x adhesive feet
4. Quick instructions (original, English) in paper format
5. KERN Operating Instructions (German/English) in paper format (this document)
6. 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 an Ethernet 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 an Ethernet 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:
⇒Connect the mains adapter to the mains power (plug socket) and to the adapter.
Make sure the “Ready” LED is illuminated.
⇒Connect the adapter to a network using a standard Ethernet network cable. When
connecting to a network-enabled device (such as a computer) a so-called cross-
over cable must be used. During network activity, the “Link” LED should flash
green.
⇒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.
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 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.

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4.2 Integration into the network
For communication between devices on an IP-based network, the IP address and subnet
mask settings for both devices must be compatible.
The adapter is factory-set to an unusable IP domain, such that the IP address of the
adapter must first be changed for it to be compatible with your network.
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 data. You
can find out the most important information from your computer (which is already attached
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:
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 NPort administrator software makes it possible to fix the IP address of the adapter via
the ARP protocol. The program needs Adminstrator privileges for this.

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⇒Run the NPort Administrator Software with administrator privileges.
⇒Click on “Search” in the tools menu:
The "searching” dialogue box will open.
The adapter to be configured should appear in the list here. You can identify your
adapter by comparing the listed MAC address with the MAC address on the
reverse of the adapter.
Once located, the adapter will also appear in the program's main window:
⇒Right-click on the new entry (here “No. 1”) and select “Assign IP address”.

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⇒Enter the selected IP address for the adapter in
the dialogue box that opens:
Confirm the entry by pressing “OK“. The IP address is assigned. The new IP
address appears in the main window:
If the NPort Administrator Software is run without administrator privileges,
assigning an IP address is usually not possible.

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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.
To install and configure a virtual COM port, please do the following:
⇒Double click on the entry with the adapter to be configured.
This will open the “Configuration” dialogue box:
⇒Change to the “Operating Mode” tab.
⇒Make sure that the mode “Real COM Mode” is listed in the “OP Mode” menu.
This is the standard setting.
Changing the operating mode is described in the next chapter.
After configuring the adapter, a virtual COM port must be installed and assigned to the
adapter. Proceed as follows:
⇒From the directory map on the left in the main window,
select the entry "COM Mapping”.
⇒Click on “add” in the tools menu:

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⇒Confirm with “OK” the dialogue boxes "Add NPort” that will open.
⇒The name of the new virtual COM port will appear in the main window. In this
example it is “COM12”. The parameters of the COM port can be changed in the
application.
⇒Confirm settings by clicking on "Apply”:
You can now use the virtual COM port to access the connected measuring device.
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.
⇒Double click on the entry with the adapter to be configured.
This will open the “Configuration” dialogue box:

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⇒Change to the “Operating Mode” tab.
⇒Activate the “Modify” check box.
⇒Select the entry to be modified (Port 1) and
click on the “Settings” button.
The “Operating Mode” dialogue box will open:
⇒From the “Operating Mode” list, select “TCP Server Mode”.
The possible configuration settings will change:

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⇒The “Local TCP Port” setting is important here. The standard value is 4001. The
server is accessible at this port number. This figure must be entered in the
application to be used. You can change the number to one of your choice.
⇒Confirm the open dialogue box with “OK”.
⇒In the “Configuration” dialogue box, go to the "Serial” tab. This will show the
current RS-232 settings of the adapter. These must match the settings of the
connected measuring device.
⇒As before, you can adapt the settings of the adapter by activating the check box
and clicking on “Settings”.
The adapter is now set up for operation as a “TCP Server”.
Depending on the application, you may now be able to retrieve the measurement data at
the IP address and port number used.
You can run a quick test using a terminal program such as “telnet” (pre-installed up to
Microsoft Windows XP) or “PuTTY”:

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5 Instant help
Symptom
Remedy
The “Ready” LED fails to
illuminate.
Check whether the network device is connected to the adapter and the
network.
The “Link” LED fails to
flash.
Check whether the network cable is connected to the adapter and the
network (switch/hub/port). Test the connection with e.g. another
network-enabled device.
The adapter cannot be
found.
Make sure that the “Link” LED is flashing.
A fault occurs during
configuration.
Make sure that the “NPort Administrator” program is running with
administrator privileges.
No printing is taking place
and paper does not
emerge.
Check whether the connecting cable is connected at both ends,
whether the printer prints the self-test and the SW switches are
correctly set up.
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.