Kramer FC-28 User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
FC-28
Ethernet Controller
P/N: 2900-300539 Rev 1

Contents
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 2
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2
2.2 Safety Instructions 2
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products 3
3Overview 4
3.1 About the Power over Ethernet Feature 6
4Defining the FC-28 Ethernet Controller 7
5Initial Configuration and Use Overview 9
5.1 Configuring the FC-28 Ethernet Controller 9
5.2 Configuring a Virtual Port on the PC 11
5.3 Setting Up an Ethernet Connection on the PC 11
6Connecting the FC-28 12
6.1 Connecting via Ethernet 13
7Remote Operation via the Web Pages 18
7.1 Browsing the Web Pages 18
7.2 Connected Clients Page 20
7.3 Device Settings Page 21
7.4 Communication Page 23
7.5 Serial Port Settings Page 23
7.6 GPIO Port Settings Page 25
7.7 Relay Port Settings Page 31
7.8 IR Command Learner Page 32
7.9 Security Page 33
7.10 Logs Page 35
7.11 About Us Page 36
8Configuring and Maintaining the FC-28 37
8.1 IR Learning 37
8.2 Resetting to the Factory Default Settings 38
8.3 Upgrading the Firmware 38
9Technical Specifications 39
9.1 Data Handling Performance 40
9.2 Example Bandwidth Calculation 40
9.3 TCP/UDP Port Limitations 41
10 Default Communication Parameters 42
11 Kramer Protocol 3000 43
11.1 Kramer Protocol 3000 –Syntax 43
11.2 Kramer Protocol 3000 –Command List 46
11.3 Kramer Protocol 3000 –Detailed Commands 47
11.4 Parameters 72

ii
Contents
Figures
Figure 1: FC-28 Controlling Devices Remotely Using K-Touch 3.0 over a LAN 5
Figure 2: FC-28 Ethernet Controller Front Panel 7
Figure 3: FC-28 Ethernet Controller Rear Panel 8
Figure 4: Connecting the FC-28 for Initial Configuration 9
Figure 5: Configuring a Remote Connection 11
Figure 6: Connecting the FC-28 Ethernet Controller 12
Figure 7: Local Area Connection Properties Window 14
Figure 8: Internet Protocol Version 4 Properties Window 15
Figure 9: Internet Protocol Version 6 Properties Window 15
Figure 10: Internet Protocol Properties Window 16
Figure 11: General Info Page 19
Figure 12: Connected Clients Page 20
Figure 13: Device Settings Page 21
Figure 14: Communication Page 23
Figure 15: Serial Port Settings Page 24
Figure 16: GPI/O Port Settings Page Digital IN 26
Figure 17: GPI/O Port Settings Page Digital OUT 28
Figure 18: Digital Out Selection Warning Popup 28
Figure 19: GPI/O Port Settings Page Analog IN 30
Figure 20: Relay Port Settings Page 31
Figure 21: IR Command Learner Page 32
Figure 22: Security Page 33
Figure 23: Security Confirmation Popup 33
Figure 24: Authentication Required Popup 34
Figure 25: Security Activated Page 34
Figure 26: Logs Page 35
Figure 27: About Us Page 36

Introduction
1
1 Introduction
Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been
providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of
problems that confront video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting professionals
on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and upgraded most of our
line, making the best even better!
Our 1,000-plus different models now appear in 13 groups that are clearly defined
by function: GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Switchers and Routers;
GROUP 3: Control Systems; GROUP 4: Format/Standards Converters; GROUP 5:
Range Extenders and Repeaters; GROUP 6: Specialty AV Products; GROUP 7:
Scan Converters and Scalers; GROUP 8: Cables and Connectors; GROUP 9:
Room Connectivity; GROUP 10: Accessories and Rack Adapters; GROUP 11:
Sierra Video Products; GROUP 12: Digital Signage; GROUP 13: Audio, and
GROUP 14: Collaboration.
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer FC-28 Ethernet Controller which is
ideal for use with Ethernet/RS-232 interfaces.

2
Getting Started
2 Getting Started
We recommend that you:
Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging
materials for possible future shipment
Review the contents of this user manual
Use Kramer high performance high resolution cables
Go to http://www.kramerav.com/downloads/FC-28
to check for up-to-date user manuals, application programs, and to check if
firmware upgrades are available (where appropriate).
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance
To achieve the best performance:
Use only good quality connection cables (we recommend Kramer high-
performance, high-resolution cables) to avoid interference, deterioration in
signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise levels (often
associated with low quality cables)
Do not secure the cables in tight bundles or roll the slack into tight coils
Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may adversely
influence signal quality
Position your Kramer FC-28, and away from moisture, excessive sunlight
and dust
This equipment is to be used only inside a building. It may only be
connected to other equipment that is installed inside a building.
2.2 Safety Instructions
Caution:
There are no operator serviceable parts inside the unit
Warning:
Use only the Kramer Electronics input power wall
adapter that is provided with the unit.
Warning:
Disconnect the power and unplug the unit from the wall
before installing

Getting Started
3
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC
aims to reduce the amount of WEEE sent for disposal to landfill or incineration by
requiring it to be collected and recycled. To comply with the WEEE Directive,
Kramer Electronics has made arrangements with the European Advanced
Recycling Network (EARN) and will cover any costs of treatment, recycling and
recovery of waste Kramer Electronics branded equipment on arrival at the EARN
facility. For details of Kramer’s recycling arrangements in your particular country
go to our recycling pages at http://www.kramerelectronics.com/support/recycling/.

4
Overview
3 Overview
The FC-28 is bidirectional RS-232, IR control, GP I/O and relay control signal to
Ethernet converter. It allows two RS-232, four IR, two GP I/O, and two relay-
controllable devices to be controlled via an Ethernet or LAN connection.
These Ethernet to I/O controllers bridge the gap between Ethernet infrastructures
and I/O communication devices by offering bidirectional Ethernet to any I/O
interface conversion. All setup and maintenance of the devices is done from built-
in Web pages which are accessible using any common Web browser.
The FC-28 can receive K-Touch Ethernet-based per-I/O port commands and
convert them into I/O interface signals on the requested I/O port. Responses are
sent back to all Ethernet connected panels.
In particular, the FC-28:
Offers network connectivity that lets you connect a Kramer (or other) device
via its control I/O port to an Ethernet LAN
Works in conjunction with K-Touch 3 for remote control of devices over an
Ethernet LAN via I/O interface connections, (see Figure 1)
Provides control of up to two RS-232 devices via Ethernet from a PC, tablet,
smartphone, and so on
Provides up to four IR ports for device control via IR blasters/emitters
Provides input/output triggering for up to two devices via the GP I/O ports
Provides control of up to two devices via built-in relays
Provides control of a device from multiple Ethernet points (PCs or remote
controllers), via a LAN or the Internet
Has built-in IR learning capabilities
Includes Windows®-based Virtual Port software for setting up virtual ports on
a PC
Supports static or dynamic (DHCP) IP addressing
Can act as a PoE receiver

Overview
5
Has a USB port for upgrading the firmware
Supports remote firmware upgrades via a LAN
Is housed in a compact, Kramer MegaTOOL™ enclosure which can be
mounted side by side in a 19-inch rack using suitable rack adapters
Figure 1: FC-28 Controlling Devices Remotely Using K-Touch 3.0 over a LAN
Using K-Touch you can design advanced room-control and automation systems
that can be operated from iOS or Android touch devices. K-Touch can be used to
perform device discovery over the network as the FC-28 is set to be a DHCP client
by default.
You can use the Kramer LAN Configurator software to discover devices that are
attached to the network, including the FC-28.
The FC-28 includes the Virtual Serial Port Manager (Kramer VSPM) for
compatibility with applications based on COM-port communication. Virtual Serial
Port Manager:
Makes the FC-28 compatible with all Windows®-based applications which
require a physical COM port. This includes all versions of K-Router and

6
Overview
other Kramer control applications. It lets you operate all RS-232 controllable
devices via an Ethernet LAN using their existing PC software
Allows virtual serial ports to operate like physical COM ports, that is, logical
COM ports that behave exactly like a standard hardware COM port. In
reality, it transparently reroutes the data using the TCP/IP network to the
FC-28 interface via a virtual connection which you can emulate over the
Ethernet or Internet
Allows the creation of any number of serial ports on your PC which do not
occupy any physical serial ports
3.1 About the Power over Ethernet Feature
Power over Ethernet passes electrical power along with data on Ethernet cabling.
This allows a single cable to provide both data connection and electrical power to
compatible devices.

Defining the FC-28 Ethernet Controller
7
4 Defining the FC-28 Ethernet Controller
Figure 2 defines the front panel of the FC-28.
Figure 2: FC-28 Ethernet Controller Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
F/W UPGRADE Mini
USB Connector
Connect to a PC to perform a firmware upgrade
2
IR IN Sensor
Sensor for IR learning
3
ETH LEDs
CONNECT
Lights orange when the Ethernet port is connected
DATA
Flashes green when data is transferred over the Ethernet link
4
RS-232
LEDs
TX 1
Lights green when data Is transmitted on serial port 1
RX 1
Lights red when data is received on serial port 1
TX 2
Lights green when data Is transmitted on serial port 2
RX 2
Lights red when data is received on serial port 2
5
IR OUT 1 ~ 4 LEDs
The associated LED lights green when the relevant IR port
transmits data.
Note: When IR learning is in progress, the relevant IR Out
LED lights and the FC-28 is unavailable for normal operation
6
I/O 1 ~ 2 LEDs
Lights green when the port is triggered
7
RELAY 1 ~ 2 LEDs
Lights green when the relay is closed
8
ON LED
Lights green when the unit is on

8
Defining the FC-28 Ethernet Controller
Figure 3 defines the rear panel of the FC-28.
Figure 3: FC-28 Ethernet Controller Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
RS-232 Two
3-pin Terminal
Blocks
1
Connect to the first RS-232 controlled device
2
Connect to the second RS-232 controlled device
2
IR 1 ~ 4 Four 2-pin
Terminal Blocks
Connect to IR blasters/emitters using cables up to 80m
(260ft) long
3
I/O Two
2-pin
Terminal
Blocks
1
Connect to sensors or devices to be controlled, (for
example, a motion sensor). Port may be configured as a
digital input, digital output, or analog input
2
Connect to the second sensor or device to be controlled
4
RELAY Two
2-pin
Terminal
Blocks
1
Connect to the first device to be controlled by relay, (for
example, a motorized projection screen)
2
Connect to the second device to be controlled by relay
5
LAN POE RJ-45
Connector
Connect to a PC or other controller directly or via a LAN (see
Section 6.1)
6
RESET Button
Press and hold while power-cycling the device to reset to
factory default parameters, (see Section 10)
7
5V DC Connector
Connect to the 5V DC power supply, center pin positive.
External power supply is not needed when the device is
supplied power by a PoE provider

Initial Configuration and Use Overview
9
5 Initial Configuration and Use Overview
This chapter provides an overview of the initial configuration and basic operation
of the FC-28 and comprises:
Configuring the FC-28 (see Section 5.1)
Configuring a virtual port on the PC (see Section 5.2)
Configuring an Ethernet connection on the PC (see Section 5.3)
Figure 4: Connecting the FC-28 for Initial Configuration
5.1 Configuring the FC-28 Ethernet Controller
Note: The FC-28 is dispatched from the factory with DHCP enabled and a random
IP address. This means that in order to connect to the FC-28 on first installation,
you need to identify what IP address has been automatically assigned to the
FC-28. This can be done by using K-LAN Configurator to discover the IP address
of the FC-28. This is available for download from our website at
http://www.kramerav.com.

10
Initial Configuration and Use Overview
To browse the FC-28 Web pages on taking the device out of the box, use the
default host name, (see Section 10).
To configure the FC-28:
1. Connect the Ethernet port on the rear panel of the FC-28 to a PC, either
directly or via a LAN, (see Section 6.1).
2. Using a Web browser and the relevant IP address, browse the General Info
home page (see Figure 11).
3. Click on Device Settings to browse to the Device Settings page, (see
Figure 13).
4. Enter the time and date manually, or enter the Time server address for
automatic time and date synchronization.
5. Click Save Changes.
6. Click on Communication to browse to the Communication page, (see
Figure 14).
7. Enter the IP address, mask and gateway for static IP addressing and Click
Set. We recommend that you set a meaningful host name.
Note: If you have changed the IP from the default setting, you must reload
the General Info home page again using the new IP address.
8. Click on Serial Ports Settings to browse to the Serial Port Settings page,
(see Figure 15).
9. Associate the required serial ports with their corresponding TCP/UDP
settings.
10. For each associated serial port, enter the serial port configuration
parameters using the drop-down lists under Serial Configuration.
11. Click Save Changes.
12. If required, click on Security to browse to the Security page.

Initial Configuration and Use Overview
11
13. Click ON to activate security.
The user name and password credentials popup appears.
14. Enter the required user name and password.
5.2 Configuring a Virtual Port on the PC
If the control application cannot work with an Ethernet driver, download the Kramer
VSPM from our Web site to set a virtual port for each local port on your FC-28.
The Kramer VSPM software lets you emulate virtual ports which normally would
be present in the machine hardware. After setup, the virtual port lets you control
Kramer machines via your PC.
5.3 Setting Up an Ethernet Connection on the PC
If the control application can directly connect to the Ethernet driver, select the host
IP and port number according to your FC-28 configuration, as illustrated in
Figure 5.
Figure 5: Configuring a Remote Connection

12
Connecting the FC-28
6 Connecting the FC-28
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
FC-28. After connecting your FC-28, connect its power and then switch
on the power to each device.
Figure 6: Connecting the FC-28 Ethernet Controller
To connect the FC-28 as illustrated in the example in Figure 6:
1. Connect the device to a LAN or PC via the RJ-45 Ethernet connector.
2. Connect up to two serially controlled devices, (for example, the control port
of a switcher and a projector) to the 3-pin, RS-232 terminal blocks.

Connecting the FC-28
13
3. Connect IR emitters to the IR Outputs, (for example, two IR emitters for
Blu-ray disk player and multimedia player control, and an IR blaster for a
second Blu-ray disk player).
4. Connect a Relays port to a device to be controlled, (for example, an electric
screen).
5. Connect a GP I/O port to a input/output device, (for example, a sensor).
6. If the FC-28 cannot be powered by a PoE power source, connect the device
to the power adapter and connect the power adapter to the mains electricity
(not shown in Figure 6).
6.1 Connecting via Ethernet
You can connect to the FC-28 via Ethernet using either of the following methods:
Directly to the PC using a crossover cable (see Section 6.1.1)
Via a network hub, switch, or router, using a straight-through cable (see
Section 6.1.2)
Note: If you want to connect via a router and your IT system is based on IPv6,
speak to your IT department for specific installation instructions.
6.1.1 Connecting the Ethernet Port Directly to a PC
You can connect the Ethernet port of the FC-28 directly to the Ethernet port on
your PC using a crossover cable with RJ-45 connectors.
This type of connection is recommended for identifying the FC-28
with the factory configured default IP address.
After connecting the FC-28 to the Ethernet port, configure your PC as follows:
1. Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change Adapter Settings.
3. Highlight the network adapter you want to use to connect to the device and
click Change settings of this connection.

14
Connecting the FC-28
The Local Area Connection Properties window for the selected network
adapter appears as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Local Area Connection Properties Window
4. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
The Internet Protocol Properties window relevant to your IT system appears
as shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9.

Connecting the FC-28
15
Figure 8: Internet Protocol Version 4 Properties Window
Figure 9: Internet Protocol Version 6 Properties Window