Lantronix CoBox E2 01 User manual

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CoBox
Universal Thin Server
Installation Guide

Contents
1INTRODUCTION
2UTS INTERFACES
SERIAL INTERFACE ......................................................................................2-1
UTS, Ethernet and Token Ring:...........................................................2-1
NETWORK INTERFACE..................................................................................2-1
HARDWARE ADDRESS..................................................................................2-1
Network Hardware Address.................................................................2-1
UTS Ethernet ......................................................................................2-2
UTS Token Ring ................................................................................2-2
POWER SUPPLY............................................................................................2-2
3NETWORK PROTOCOLS
PACKING ALGORITHM..................................................................................3-1
CHANNEL IDENTIFICATION...........................................................................3-1
IP ADDRESS ................................................................................................3-1
PORT NUMBER.............................................................................................3-1
4CONFIGURATION
NETWORK CONFIGURATION.........................................................................4-1
FACTORY IP ADDRESS.................................................................................4-1
INITIAL IP ADDRESS SETTING ......................................................................4-1
SERIAL CONFIGURATION..............................................................................4-2
CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS ....................................................................4-3
BASIC PARAMETERS ....................................................................................4-3
Ethernet Interface................................................................................4-3
IP Address...........................................................................................4-3
Gateway IP Address............................................................................4-3
Netmask..............................................................................................4-3
Telnet Config Password.......................................................................4-3
CHANNEL SPECIFIC PARAMETERS.................................................................4-4
Interface Mode....................................................................................4-4
Flow Control.......................................................................................4-5
Port Number........................................................................................4-5
Remote IP Address..............................................................................4-5
Remote TCP Port ................................................................................4-5
Connect Mode.....................................................................................4-6
Automatic Connection Address............................................................4-6
Disconnect Mode.................................................................................4-7

Force Telnet Mode ..............................................................................4-7
Buffer Flushing...................................................................................4-7
Inactivity Timeout...............................................................................4-8
Pack Control .......................................................................................4-8
Send Characters...................................................................................4-8
Telnet Terminal Type..........................................................................4-9
Exit Configuration Mode.....................................................................4-9
5MONITOR MODE AND FIRMWARE UPGRADE
MONITOR COMMANDS.................................................................................5-1
FIRMWARE DOWNLOAD SERIAL ...................................................................5-2
DISTRIBUTE FIRMWARE ...............................................................................5-2
FIRMWARE DOWNLOAD FROM HOST............................................................5-2
6SERIAL LINE INTERFACES
CONNECTOR PINOUT RS-232C, CHANNE1 1.................................................6-1
CONNECTOR PINOUT RS-232C CHANNEL 2..................................................6-1
CONNECTOR PINOUT RS-422/485 ................................................................6-2
LINE INTERFACE DESCRIPTION.....................................................................6-2
First Channel, RS-232C.......................................................................6-2
Secondary RS-232C Interface..............................................................6-2
RS-422/485 Interface...........................................................................6-3
7APPLICATION EXAMPLES
ASCII TERMINAL TO HOST FOR LOGIN.........................................................7-1
RS-485 2-WIRE PROLONGATION OVER NETWORK.........................................7-1
TELNET SERVER FOR DEVICE MANAGEMENT................................................7-2
PRINTER CONNECTION.................................................................................7-2
Software Handshake............................................................................7-3
Printer Ready Signal............................................................................7-3
8LED STATUS DISPLAY
YELLOW AND GREEN LED...........................................................................8-1
RED LED ....................................................................................................8-1
9TECHNICAL DATA
CPU, MEMORY CONTROLLERS:...................................................................9-1
SERIAL INTERFACE ......................................................................................9-1
NETWORK INTERFACE..................................................................................9-1
POWER SUPPLY............................................................................................9-1
POWER CONSUMPTION.................................................................................9-1
LEDS..........................................................................................................9-1
CASE...........................................................................................................9-1
DIMENSIONS................................................................................................9-1

WEIGHT ......................................................................................................9-1
ATOKEN RING SPECIFIC
BIP ADDRESSES, NETMASK ETC
CBINARY TO HEX CONVERSION
WARRANTY AND DECLARATIONS

Introduction
1-1
1Introduction
The CoBox Universal Thin Server (UTS) is designed to connect peripherals
with a serial interface to an Ethernet or Token Ring network using the TCP/IP
protocol family (TCP for transparent stream- and UDP for datagram
applications). Various peripherals can be interfaced, for example:
•terminals
•time/attendance and data collection devices
•CNC controllers
•industrial robots
•data display units
•instruments
•printers
•modems
Depending on the model used, UTS’s have different network interfaces to
connect peripherals.
The UTS connects peripherals through a transparent TCP data channel or a
Telnet connection to computers or another UTS. Datagrams (protocol blocks)
can be sent by UDP. The network interface speed is 10-Mbit for Ethernet
models and 4- or 16-Mbit for Token Ring versions.

UTS Interfaces
2-1
2UTS Interfaces
Depending on the model, the UTS supports different peripheral device interface
connections with different network topologies:
2.1 Serial Interface
2.1.1 UTS, Ethernet and Token Ring:
1 x RS-232/RS-422 DB25 female (channel 1), software selectable, including
RS-485 2 and 4-wire support, up to 115kBaud. 1 x RS 232 interface DB9 male
(channel 2), up to 115k Baud.
Figure 2-1
2.2 Network Interface
Ethernet models support 10Mbit; Token Ring models support 4 and 16Mbit
network speed, switch or jumper selectable. Token Ring Source Bridge routing
and administered address is fully supported.
2.3 Hardware Address
2.3.1 Network Hardware Address
The hardware address of the UTS can be calculated from the serial number and
type:
First three bytes are fixed, and read 00-20-4A
Fourth byte is the type of the unit:
•02 for UTS Ethernet
•08 for all Token Ring models
Fifth and sixth bytes are the serial number in hex notation.

UTS Interfaces
2-2
Depending on the model, UTS supports different physical network interfaces.
The following list gives model-specific information:
2.3.2 UTS Ethernet
10BaseT (RJ-45 Connector) and
AUI (SubD15 Connector) for external transceiver connections.
Figure 2-2
2.3.3 UTS Token Ring
STP and UTP interfaces (SubD9 and RJ-45)
Ring speed (4/16Mbit) switch selectable from outside of UTS.
Figure 2-3
2.4 Power Supply
Depending on the model, the UTS has different power supply needs. In Europe
(230VAC) and USA (110VAC), the UTS external models are shipped with an
AC power adapter. Power consumption varies with connected transceivers,
phantom current, etc. Typically, the Ethernet version consumes around 250mA
with the 10BaseT interface activated, while the Token Ring version needs
approximately 400mA at 15V (including the phantom drive).

Network Protocols
3-1
3Network Protocols
The UTS family uses TCP/IP protocols for network communication. The
supported standards are: ARP, UDP, TCP, ICMP, Telnet, TFTP and SNMP.
For transparent connections, TCP/IP (binary stream) or Telnet protocols are
used. Firmware updates can be done with the TFTP protocol.
The IP protocol defines addressing, routing and data block handling over the
network. The TCP (transmission control protocol) assures that no data is lost or
duplicated, and that everything sent into the connection on one side arrives at
the target exactly as it was sent.
For typical datagram applications where devices interact with others without
maintaining a point to point connection, UDP is used (customer specific
versions and “Datagram” mode).
3.1 Packing Algorithm
The two available packet algorithms (which define how and when packets are
sent to the network) are software selectable on a per-channel base. The standard
algorithm is optimized for applications where UTS is used in a local
environment, allowing for very small delays for single characters while trying
to keep the packet count low. The alternate packing algorithm minimizes the
packet count on the network, and is especially useful for applications in routed
Wide Area Networks. Various parameters can be set in this mode to economize
the serial data stream.
3.2 Channel Identification
The UTS has one IP Address. The port number selects the specific channel,
which must be unique.
3.3 IP Address
Every device connected to the TCP/IP network must have a unique IP address.
This IP address is used to reference the specific device, for example to build a
connection to a serial port. See Appendix B for a complete description of IP
Addressing.
3.4 Port Number
Every TCP connection and every UDP datagram is defined by the two peer IP
addresses, which are source and destination port number. These port numbers
are necessary to address different applications or channels on a network host.
The port number can be compared to an extension on a PBX system.

Network Protocols
3-2
A Telnet application (login to a host with an ASCII terminal) is commonly
assigned TCP port number 23. More than one Telnet connection can be
established to one host to the Telnet port; however, the other peer IP
address/port number combination must be different.
In the UTS, a different port number for each channel must be configured. The
UTS uses this port number as the source port in outgoing messages and receives
connections or UDP datagrams, which are addressed to this number. Port 9999
(decimal) is used for remote configuration.

Configuration
4-1
4Configuration
The UTS can be configured by various remote or local methods. Either use an
ASCII terminal or terminal emulation to locally access the first serial port or
use a Telnet connection to configure the unit over the network.
The UTS configuration is stored in nonvolatile memory and is retained without
AC power. The configuration can be changed any time. The UTS performs a
reset after the configuration has been changed and stored.
4.1 Network Configuration
To configure over the network, a Telnet connection to port 9999 must be
established.
4.2 Factory IP Address
The UTS serial servers are shipped with the following default IP addresses:
Factory IP Address UTS Type
194.039.078.254 Ethernet External Version
194.039.079.254 Token Ring External Version
194.039.078.253 Ethernet Mini Version
194.039.079.253 Token Ring Mini Version
Figure 4-1
4.3 Initial IP Address Setting
If the IP Address of the UTS is unknown or undefined, the following sets a
temporary IP address:
a) Set a static ARP with the desired IP address using the hardware address of
the UTS, which is printed on the product label. This address can also be
calculated from the serial number (see Hardware Address). Below is the
command example for WinNT/Win95, using the DOS prompt, when the
hardware address of the UTS is 00-20-4A-02-64-0B.

Configuration
4-2
NOTE: In order for the ARP command to work in Windows, the ARP table on
the PC must have at least one IP address defined other than its own.
Type “ARP –A” at the DOS command prompt to verify that there is
at least one entry in the ARP table. If there is no other entry beside the
local machine, ping another IP machine on your network to build the
ARP table. This has to be a host other than the machine on which you
are working. Once there is at least one entry in the ARP table, use the
following commands to ARP an IP address to the UTS.
arp -s 191.12.3.77 00-20-4A-02-64-0B
The command example for most Unix systems is:
arp -s 191.12.3.77 00:20:4A:02:64:0B
b) Open a Telnet connection to port number 1. This connection will fail, but the
UTS will change its IP address to the desired one designated in that step.
telnet 191.12.3.77 1
c) Open a Telnet connection to port 9999 and set all required parameters.
telnet 191.12.3.77 9999
NOTE: The temporary IP address is reverted after every power reset of the
UTS. Be sure to log into UTS and store the parameters to make the
changes permanent.
4.4 Serial Configuration
An ASCII terminal or PC with a terminal emulation is connected to the first
serial port of the UTS. The terminal (or PC) should be configured for 9600
Baud, no parity, 8-bit, and 1 or 2 stop bits.
To enter configuration mode, the power on the UTS must be cycled (powered
off and back on). After power-up, the self-test begins. About a half second later
the red LED starts blinking. Now three lowercase ‘x’ characters must be sent to
the UTS. These characters must all be sent within approximately one second to
start configuration mode.
NOTE: The easiest way to enter the configuration is to hold down
the ‘x’ key at the terminal (emulation) and then powering the
UTS. This will ensure that the x characters will arrive in
time.

Configuration
4-3
4.5 Configuration Parameters
After configuration mode is entered (confirm with <CR>), the parameters can
be changed; default values can be confirmed with the enter key. The
parameters must be stored, and the UTS performs a reset.
4.6 Basic Parameters
To change the basic parameters, press ‘0’. The following values can be
set/changed:
4.6.1 Ethernet Interface
This parameter is used to select the network port on the External Ethernet
Model (10BaseT or AUI)
4.6.2 IP Address
The IP address must be set to a unique value in your network. Please refer to the
literature mentioned in Appendix B if you are not familiar with IP addresses.
If the UTS is set to an address already in use, it will display an error code with
the LEDs and it will not connect to the network.
4.6.3 Gateway IP Address
The router/gateway address is needed to communicate to other LAN segments.
The default gateway must be set to address the router that connects these
segments. This address must be within the local network. If in doubt, consult
the network administrator.
4.6.4 Netmask
A netmask defines how many bits from the IP address are to be taken as the
network section and how many bits are to be taken as the host section
(reminder: Standard class A 8/24 (net/host), class B 16/16, class C 24/8 bits). If
set to 0, the standard appropriate netmask for the actual IP address is used.
Appendix B covers the calculation of the right value in detail.
The UTS prompts for the number of host bits, and then calculates the netmask.
It is shown in standard format “255.255.xxx.xxx” when parameters are
displayed.
4.6.5 Telnet Config Password
The telnet configuration password can be set to disable unauthorized access to
the setup menu through a telnet connection to the setup port (9999).
For the setup through the serial port, it is not necessary to enter the password.

Configuration
4-4
4.7 Channel Specific Parameters
The baud rate can be set within the defined limits (model dependent, most
models 300 to 19200 or 115k Baud).
NOTE: 115 kBaud is entered as “150”
4.7.1 Interface Mode
The line interface (I/F) mode is a bit-coded byte with the following meaning. It
is entered in hexadecimal notation
Function 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
RS-232C 0 0
RS-422/485 0 1
RS-485 2-wire 1 1
7 Bit 1 0
8 Bit 1 1
No Parity 0 0
Even Parity 1 1
Odd Parity 0 1
1 Stop bit 0 1
2 Stop bit 1 1
Figure 4-2
Common settings:
RS-232C, 8-bit, No Parity, 1 stop = 0x4C
RS-232C, 7-bit, Even Parity, 1 stop = 0x78
RS-485 2-Wire, 8-bit, No Parity, 1 stop = 0x4F
RS-422, 8-bit, Odd Parity, 2 stop = 0xDD
The bit combination can be easily converted to hexadecimal notation for input.
See Appendix C for conversion tables.

Configuration
4-5
4.7.2 Flow Control
This parameter sets the local handshake method for stopping output.
Generally, Flow control is not required if the connection is used to pass a
blocked protocol with block sizes <1k (ACK/NAK protocols and the like)
-No flow control: 00
-XON/XOFF flow control in both directions: 01
-Hardware handshake with RTS/CTS lines: 02
XON/XOFF, pass characters to host: 05
4.7.3 Port Number
This setting is the source port number in TCP connections, and is the number
used to identify the channel for remote initiated connections. The port number
must be unique for every channel, and may not be set to 0 or 9999 (Range: 1-
65535). In general the port numbers 0..1023 are reserved in UNIX systems for
specific applications. It is advisable to use numbers in the range 2000-30000 to
avoid potential conflicts (although these are unlikely).
If the UDP Datagram mode is selected, the port number is used as the UDP
source port number for outgoing datagrams; datagrams sent to the UTS with
this port number are received to this channel.
4.7.4 Remote IP Address
If automatic connection mode is selected, a connection is made to this IP
address and the set remote port number. In manual connection mode, the parts
of the IP address that are not given are taken from this value.
4.7.5 Remote TCP Port
The remote TCP port number must be set to use automatic connections, and can
be set to give a default for manual connect mode. This parameter defines the
port number on the target host to which a connection is attempted.
NOTE: To connect an ASCII terminal to a host using a UTS for
login purposes, use the remote port number 23 (This is the
Internet standard port number for Telnet services).
This port number is also used as the UDP destination port number for
transmitted datagrams, provided the UTS is used in UDP mode.

Configuration
4-6
4.7.6 Connect Mode
This parameter defines how the UTS makes a connection and how it reacts to
incoming connections over the network
Function
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Connection acceptance
never accept incoming 000
Accept incoming with active DTR
only 010
Accept unconditional (if not busy) 110
Response on serial to connect
Nothing (quiet) 0
Character response: (C=conn.,
D=disc., N=not
available/unreachable)
1
Active connection startup
no active connection startup 0000
start connection with any
character on serial line 0001
start connection with active-going
DTR line 0010
start connection with CR (0x0d)
only 0011
Manual connection startup (‘C’ +
address) 0100
Datagram Mode (separate doc) 1100
Figure 4-3
Please refer to Appendix C on converting values to hexadecimal format.
4.7.7 Automatic Connection Address
For each serial port, an automatic TCP connection can be programmed—these
are the remote IP address and the TCP port number.
If automatic connection is selected, all parameters must be supplied.
If manual connection startup is configured (with “C” + address/port), only the
part not supplied in the command string is used. In manual mode, the last byte
of the address must be supplied.

Configuration
4-7
Example: The configured remote IP address within the UTS is 129.1.2.3 and
the TCP port number is 1234 :
C121.2.4.5/1<CR>
complete override - connection is started with host
121.2.4.5, port 1.
C5<CR>
This means connect to 129.1.2.5, port 1234.
C28.10/12<CR>
This means connect to 129.1.28.10, port 12.
4.7.8 Disconnect Mode
In disconnect mode, DTR drop can be activated or ignored to end a connection:
- Disconnect with DTR drop: 80
- Ignore DTR: 00
4.7.9 Force Telnet Mode
With another bit in the disconnect mode, UTS can be forced into Telnet
(terminal) mode and the setup for the terminal name can be enabled:
- activate Telnet mode and terminal type setup: 40
4.7.10 Buffer Flushing
With this parameter it is possible to control line handling and network buffers
with connection startup and disconnect. Also, selection between two different
packing algorithms is possible.
Function
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
clear input buffer (line to network)
- with active connection: 1
- with passive connection: 1
- at time of disconnect: 1
clear output buffer (network to line)
- with active connection: 1
- with passive connection: 1
- at time of disconnect: 1
alternate packing algorithm 1
Figure 4-4

Configuration
4-8
4.7.11 Inactivity Timeout
With these parameters an inactivity time can be set. If the set time expires
without an activity on the serial line, the connection is dropped.
4.7.12 Pack Control
(Version 2.80 and above) Alternative pack algorithm settings are controlled
here. Set this value to 00 if specific functions are not needed.
The functions of these bits are defined in the following table:
Function 76543210
Idle time to force transmit: 12ms (avg.) 0 0
Idle time to force transmit: 52ms (avg.) 0 1
Idle time to force transmit: 250ms (avg.) 1 0
Idle time to force transmit: 5 secs (!) 1 1
No trailing chars after sendchar(s) 0 0
One trailing char after sendchar(s) 0 1
Two trailing chars after sendchar(s) 1 0
Sendchars define 2-Byte sequence 1
Send immediate after Sendchar 1
Figure 4-5
“Idle time to force transmit” defines the time period after which all accumulated
characters are sent, regardless of the recognition of send characters.
In some applications, CRC, Checksum or other trailers follow the
end_of_sequence character. In these cases, this option helps to adapt frame
transmission to the frame boundary.
If Bit 4 is set, UTS interprets the Sendchars as a 2-byte sequence, if reset, they
will be interpreted independently.
If Bit 5 is not set, any other characters already in the serial buffer will be
included in the transmission after a “transmit” condition is found. If the bit is
set, the UTS will immediately send after recognizing the transmit condition
(sendchar or timeout)
NOTE:A transmission might occur if status information has to be
exchanged or an acknowledgement has to be sent.
4.7.13 Send Characters
Up to two characters can be entered in hexadecimal representation in the
parameters “sendchar.” If a character received on the serial line matches one of
these characters, it is immediately sent, together with any waiting characters to

Configuration
4-9
the TCP connection. This is especially useful to minimize the response time for
specific protocol characters on the serial line (i.e. ETX, EOT etc.). Setting the
first Sendchar to “00” disabled the recognition of the characters.
Alternatively, the two characters can be interpreted as a sequence (see Pack
control, above).
4.7.14 Telnet Terminal Type
This parameter appears only if terminal type option is enabled by setting Bit 6
in the disconnect mode. If set, the terminal name used for the Telnet terminal
type exchange option can be set here. Only one name can be entered.
If Terminal type option is enabled, UTS also reacts to the EOR (end of record)
and binary options, which can be used for applications like terminal emulation
to IBM hosts (contact Lantronix for details).
4.7.15 Exit Configuration Mode
To leave the configuration program and save all changes, press ‘9’. All values
will be stored in nonvolatile (E²PROM) memory, and UTS will reset.

Monitor mode and Firmware Upgrade
5-1
5Monitor Mode and Firmware Upgrade
To enter monitor mode, the same principal as setting the parameters is used (see
4.4 Serial Configuration). Instead of entering three “x ” keys, key in “xx1”. The
UTS will respond with a special prompt. A UTS Token Ring needs a working
network connection to enter monitor mode. Because Network functions are
needed for some diagnostics commands, it may take up to 20 seconds until the
network part of the UTS is initialized and the prompt is displayed. This is
especially true if an empty Token Ring (or a ring simulator) is used. For a
simple ring simulator, see Appendix B. To start the monitor mode without
network functions, enter “xx2” (new function with Version 2.05 and later).
5.1 Monitor Commands
The following commands are available in the monitor mode. Many commands
have an IP address as an optional parameter (x.x.x.x). If it is given, the
command is applied to another UTS with that IP address. If no IP address is
given, the command is executed locally.
All commands must be given in capital letters; only blanks (spaces) are
accepted between parameters.
DL Firmware download to the UTS
SF x.x.x.x Send irmware to UTS with IP x.x.x.x
VS x.x.x.x Query software header record (16-byte).
GC x.x.x.x Get configuration as HEX records
SC x.x.x.x Set configuration from HEX records
PI x.x.x.x Check with Ping if x.x.x.x is alive and reachable.
QU Quit - exit diagnostics mode
Command result codes:
0OK, no error
1No answer from remote device
2Cannot reach remote device or does not answer
8Wrong parameter(s)
9Invalid command