Lantronix Hub User manual

Part Number 900-328
Rev. A 1/04
MSS User Guide

i
Copyright & Trademark
© 2004, Lantronix. All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be
transmitted or reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of
Lantronix. Printed in the United States of America.
Ethernet is a trademark of XEROX Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark of The
Open Group. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and
Windows XP are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Netscape is a trademark of Netscape
Communications Corporation.
Lantronix Corporate Headquarters
15353 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618, USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Technical Support
Phone: [phone] or 949-453-7198
Fax: [phone]
Online: www.lantronix.com/support
E-mail [email protected]
Sales Offices
For a current list of our domestic and international sales offices, go to the Lantronix web
site at http://www.lantronix.com/about/contact/index.html
Contacts
Lantronix Corporate Headquarters
15353 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618, USA
Phone:[phone]
Fax: [phone]
Technical Support
Phone: [phone] or 949-453-7198
Fax: [phone]
Online: www.lantronix.com/support
Email mailto:[email protected]
Sales Offices
For a current list of our domestic and international sales offices, go to the Lantronix web
site at http://www.lantronix.com/about/contact/index.html

ii
Disclaimer & Revisions
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference in which
case the user, at his or her own expense, will be required to take whatever measures
may be required to correct the interference.
Attention: This product has been designed to comply with the limits for a Class
A digital device pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when operating in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with this guide,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Changes or modifications to this device not explicitly approved by Lantronix will void the
user's authority to operate this device.
The information in this guide may change without notice. The manufacturer assumes no
responsibility for any errors that may appear in this guide.

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Contents
Copyright & Trademark ________________________________________________ i
Disclaimer & Revisions _______________________________________________ ii
Contents __________________________________________________________ iii
1: Introduction to the MSS Family ________________________________ 1-1
MSS Family Features _______________________________________________1-1
Protocols _________________________________________________________1-2
Terms ___________________________________________________________1-3
About The Documentation____________________________________________1-3
2: Installation _________________________________________________ 2-1
MSS-VIA Installation ________________________________________________2-1
Components ___________________________________________________2-1
Installation Procedure ____________________________________________2-3
MSS-VIA Specifications __________________________________________2-6
MSS4 Installation___________________________________________________2-7
MSS4 Components______________________________________________2-7
Installation Procedure ____________________________________________2-8
MSS4 Specifications ____________________________________________2-10
MSS100 Installation________________________________________________2-11
Components __________________________________________________2-11
Installation Procedure ___________________________________________2-12
MSS100 Specifications __________________________________________2-14
3: Getting Started _____________________________________________ 3-15
Privileged User Status ______________________________________________ 3-15
IP Address Configuration____________________________________________3-16
Using EZWebCon ______________________________________________3-16
Using a Web Browser ___________________________________________3-16
Using ARP and Ping ____________________________________________3-17
Using a DHCP, BOOTP, or RARP Reply ____________________________3-18
Using the Serial Console_________________________________________3-18
Incoming Logins __________________________________________________3-19
Login Password _______________________________________________3-19
Incoming TCP/IP Logins _________________________________________3-19
Serial Port Logins ______________________________________________3-20

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Remote Console Logins _________________________________________3-21
Incoming LAT Logins ___________________________________________3-21
Changing the Login Password________________________________________3-21
Outbound Connections _____________________________________________3-22
Logout __________________________________________________________3-22
4: Configuration _______________________________________________ 4-1
Overview _________________________________________________________4-1
Rebooting the MSS _________________________________________________4-1
Normal Reboot _________________________________________________4-1
Factory Defaults ________________________________________________4-2
Protocol Configuration _______________________________________________4-2
TCP/IP Configuration ____________________________________________4-2
SNMP ________________________________________________________4-4
IPX (NetWare) Configuration ______________________________________4-5
LAT Configuration _______________________________________________4-7
RS-485 Configuration _______________________________________________4-8
Two-Wire Mode_________________________________________________4-8
Four-Wire Mode ________________________________________________4-9
TXDrive ______________________________________________________4-10
Termination ___________________________________________________4-10
A Note About RS-422 Networking__________________________________4-10
Serial Port Configuration ____________________________________________4-11
Access Mode _________________________________________________4-11
Autostart _____________________________________________________4-11
Serial Data ___________________________________________________4-12
Baud Rate ____________________________________________________4-13
Character Size, Parity, and Stop Bits _______________________________4-13
Flow Control __________________________________________________4-14
Modems and Modem Signaling____________________________________4-14
Logouts ______________________________________________________4-16
Preferred Host_________________________________________________4-17
Dedicated Host ________________________________________________4-17
802.11 Configuration _______________________________________________4-17
Enabling 802.11 Networking ______________________________________4-18
802.11 Region_________________________________________________4-18
MAC Address _________________________________________________4-18

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Extended Service Set ID (ESSID)__________________________________4-18
Network Mode_________________________________________________4-18
Channel______________________________________________________4-18
WEP ________________________________________________________4-18
Formatting an ATA Flash Card ____________________________________4-18
Modem Cards _________________________________________________4-18
5: Using the MSS _____________________________________________ 5-18
Incoming Connections ______________________________________________5-18
Socket Connections ____________________________________________5-18
Interactive Connections _____________________________________________5-18
Outbound Connections __________________________________________5-18
Session Control________________________________________________5-18
Status Displays ________________________________________________5-18
Serial Tunnel _____________________________________________________5-18
TCP Configuration______________________________________________5-18
UDP Configuration _____________________________________________5-18
Multihost Mode ___________________________________________________5-18
Enabling Multihost Mode_________________________________________5-18
Adding Hosts__________________________________________________5-18
Removing Hosts _______________________________________________5-18
Modem Emulation Mode ____________________________________________5-18
Modem Mode Commands________________________________________5-18
Wiring Requirements____________________________________________5-18
Sequential Hostlist Mode____________________________________________5-18
COM Port Redirector_______________________________________________5-18
6: Troubleshooting____________________________________________ 6-18
Power-up Troubleshooting __________________________________________6-18
DHCP Troubleshooting _____________________________________________6-18
BOOTP Troubleshooting ____________________________________________6-18
RARP Troubleshooting _____________________________________________6-18
TFTP Troubleshooting______________________________________________6-18
Modem Configuration Checklist_______________________________________6-18
Entering Commands at the Boot Prompt________________________________6-18
Technical Support _________________________________________________6-18
7: Pinouts ___________________________________________________ 7-18
Ethernet Connector ________________________________________________7-18

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MSS VIA Connectors_______________________________________________7-18
PC Card Slot __________________________________________________7-18
Serial Connectors ______________________________________________7-18
MSS4 Connectors _________________________________________________7-18
Serial Connectors ______________________________________________7-18
MSS100 Connectors _______________________________________________7-18
DB25 Connector _______________________________________________7-18
Modem Wiring_________________________________________________7-18
8: Updating Software __________________________________________ 8-18
Obtaining Software ________________________________________________8-18
Via the Web __________________________________________________8-18
Via FTP ______________________________________________________8-18
Reloading Software ________________________________________________8-18
Reloading Sequence____________________________________________8-18
Troubleshooting Flash ROM Updates __________________________________8-18
A: Compliance and Warranty Information _________________________ 8-18
Compliance Information_____________________________________________8-18
Warranty ________________________________________________________8-18

1-1
The Lantronix MSS family of Device Servers allows you to network-enable a variety of
serial devices that were not originally designed to be networked: medical devices, retail
point of sale terminals, modems, industrial machinery, and more. Typically, an MSS
achieves this by providing a serial port on one end and a 10BASE-T or a 10/100BASE-T
Ethernet I/O port on the other end.
The MSS-VIA provides all the functionality of other MSS products plus a PC card
interface, allowing the MSS-VIA to use a variety of technologies such as 802.11b
wireless technology, modems, and storage cards. When an 802.11 PC card is installed in
the MSS-VIA PC card slot, the MSS-VIA can link its attached serial device to your
wireless LAN.
This manual assumes knowledge of the IEEE 802.11 Standard governing wireless
networking. If you are not familiar with wireless networking concepts and implementation,
please refer to the Standard or the documentation that came with your wireless PC card.
Note: For a current list of supported PC card technologies, please check the MSS-VIA
product page on the Lantronix website: http://www.lantronix.com/.
Throughout this manual, the MSS may be referred to as the MSS or as the device
server.
MSS Family Features
TCP/IP and UNIX Compatibility
The MSS supports a variety of TCP/IP features, including Telnet, Rlogin, UDP,
DNS, SNMP, WINS, FTP, DHCP, BOOTP, RARP, and HTTP.
Connectivity
The MSS connects serial devices directly to a wired 10/100 BASE-T or wireless
802.11 Ethernet network (for MSS-VIA).
Ease of Use
The MSS family of products has a simple but powerful command interface for
both users and system managers. The MSS Local mode supports command line
editing, command line recall, and command completion. An extensive Help
facility is included.
The EZWebCon utility (provided on the CD-ROM) allows you to configure the
MSS from any host machine. It also allows remote host logins into the MSS-VIA,
which are similar to Telnet logins.
The Lantronix Web Manager allows you to configure the device server using a
standard browser. For more information, see Web Browser Login and
Configuration.
1
1: : I In nt tr ro od du uc ct ti io on n t to o t th he e M MS SS S F Fa am mi il ly y

MSS User Guide 1: Introduction to the MSS Family
1-2
Remote Configuration
The MSS can be logged into and remotely configured via a network login, a
Telnet login to the remote console port, EZWebCon, or a web browser
connection to the MSS’ internal HTTP server.
Context-Sensitive Help
Context-sensitive online help is available from the CLI at any time. You may type
HELP by itself for overall help, HELP <command> for help on a specific
command, or a partial command line followed by a question mark for help on
what is appropriate at that particular point.
Note: See the MSS Reference Manual for more information.
Reloadable Operating Software
The MSS stores its operating code in Flash ROM, which means that it does not
have to download code at boot time. If necessary, you can upgrade the MSS
operating code to support additional features as newer code becomes available.
Also, you can configure the MSS to request a downloaded configuration file at
boot time.
Security
The MSS includes several configurable security features:
−Automatic session logouts when a port is disconnected or a device is turned
off.
−Password protection for privileges, ports, maintenance commands, and the
remote console.
−An IP security table, which allows the system administrator manager to
restrict incoming and outgoing TCP/IP connections to certain ports and
hosts. This allows managers to restrict MSS access to a particular local
network segment or host.
Diagnostics
Power-up and interactive diagnostics help system managers troubleshoot
network and serial line problems.
SDK Support
The MSS supports the Lantronix Software Developer Kit (SDK), which allows
users to customize the MSS and add functionality.
Note: The SDK does not allow users to configure custom PC card support.
Protocols
A network protocol is a method of communicating over Ethernet (wired or wireless). Each
protocol specifies a certain arrangement of data in the Ethernet packets and provides
different services for its users.
The MSS supports TCP/IP protocols, including Telnet, Rlogin, UDP, DNS, and WINS.
The Telnet terminal protocol, supported on most UNIX systems, is an easy-to-
use interface that creates terminal connections to any network host supporting
Telnet.
Rlogin is a protocol that allows users to initiate a TCP/IP login session.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a connectionless protocol that results in
smaller packet headers, no session overhead, and the ability to send to multiple
hosts.

MSS User Guide 1: Introduction to the MSS Family
1-3
Domain Name Service (DNS) is a protocol that allows a network nameserver to
translate text node names into numeric IP addresses.
For WINS support, the MSS can be configured to announce itself as a WINS
node.
Note: MSS products support B-node functionality only
The MSS also implements basic Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
functionality. SNMP commands enable users, usually system administrators, to get
information from and control other nodes on a Local Area Network (LAN), and respond to
queries from other network hosts. The MSS allows configuration of one community name
with read/write access.
Terms
The following terms are used throughout this manual.
Host
A computer attached to the network. The term host is generally used to denote interactive
computers, or computers that people can log into.
Local Mode
The MSS user interface. It is used to issue configuration and session management
commands and to establish connections. When in Local mode, users see a
Local> prompt.
Node
Any intelligent device directly connected to the Ethernet network such as a host, a printer,
or a terminal server. All nodes have their own Ethernet addresses. The MSS is a node.
Devices connected to the MSS are not nodes.
Server/server
Server, when capitalized, refers to your Lantronix MSS device server product. When not
capitalized, it refers to a generic network server machine.
Session
A logical connection to a service. A typical session is a terminal connected to a host
through the device server.
About The Documentation
The rest of this User Guide is divided into chapters as follows:
2:Installation explains the MSS connectors and the installation process.
3:Getting Started contains configuration information to get the unit up and
running. Read this chapter in its entirety, and be sure to configure the required
items.
4:Configuration contains additional configuration information.
5:Using the MSS, contains information about how the MSS can be used in
different applications. Read this chapter to get the most out of using the MSS in
your situation.