Linear AM-SEK User manual

AM-SEK
Serial-Ethernet Server
User Manual

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
The information contained in this document is the property of Nortek Security & Control LLC, and is supplied for the sole
purpose of operation and maintenance of products of Nortek Security & Control LLC. No part of this publication is to be
used for any other purposes, and it is not to be reproduced, copied, disclosed, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system,
or translated into any human or computer language, in any form, by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior
explicit written consent of Nortek Security & Control LLC.
Published by Nortek Security & Control LLC. Toll-Free: [phone]. Website: www.nortekcontrol.com
Copyright © 2021 Nortek Security & Control LLC. Linear and GTO are trademarks of Nortek Security & Control LLC. All
rights reserved.
All other product names referenced herein are registered trademarks of their respective companies.
This document is intended to provide customers with brief descriptions on the product and to assist customers to get
started. For detail information and operations of the product, please refer to www.linear-solutions.com.
FCC NOTICE
We, Nortek Security & Control LLC of 5919 Sea Otter Place, Carlsbad, CA 92010, declare under our sole responsibility
that the device, ACP00964 complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and radiates radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expenses.
A shielded-type power cord is required in order to meet FCC emission limits and also to prevent interference to the
nearby radio and television reception. It is essential that only the supplied power cord can be used.
Use only shielded cables to connect the device’s RS-232 or RS-485 port.
Be cautioned that changes or modications not explicitly approved by Nortek Security & Control could void your
authority to operate the equipment.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................6
1.1 Application Connectivity............................................................6
TCP Server Mode ......................................................................... 6
TCP Client Mode..........................................................................7
UDP Mode ..............................................................................7
Tunneling Mode...........................................................................8
2. Hardware Setup ..............................................................9
2.1 LED Indicators....................................................................9
2.1.1 LAN LED............................................................................9
2.1.2 COM Port LED .......................................................................9
2.1.3 RUN LED ...........................................................................9
2.2 Installation Procedures.............................................................10
3. Software Setup ...............................................................10
3.1 Conguration by Monitor.exe Utility...................................................10
3.1.1 Static IP ............................................................................10
3.1.2 Auto IP (Dynamic IP) ..................................................................11
3.2 Conguration by Telnet Utility .......................................................12
3.2.1 Login to the System...................................................................12
3.2.2 Networking..........................................................................13
3.2.3 Change the Password .................................................................14
3.2.4 COM1 Setup ........................................................................14
3.2.5 Congure AM-SEK as TCP Client ........................................................ 16
3.2.6 Congure AM-SEK as UDP Client ........................................................17
3.2.7 COM Port Setting..................................................................... 17
3.2.8 Enabling Serial Data Buffer .............................................................18
3.2.9 Setting Packet Delimiter ............................................................... 18
3.2.10 Accept Control Command from COM Port ................................................ 19
3.3 Conguration Using Web Browser....................................................19
3.3.1 Log in to the System ..................................................................19
3.3.2 Change the password ................................................................. 20
3.3.3 Network Setup .......................................................................21
3.3.4 Congure AM-SEK as TCP Server........................................................ 22
3.3.5 Congure AM-SEK as TCP Client ........................................................ 23
3.3.6 Pair Connection ......................................................................23
3.4 Assign a New IP Address by ARP Command ...........................................24
4. Using Virtual COM ............................................................25
4.1 Setup of a Virtual COM Driver .......................................................26
4.1.1 Pre-installation Requirements ........................................................... 26
4.1.2 Cautions on Use .....................................................................26
4.1.3 Limitation ........................................................................... 26
4.1.4 Installation .......................................................................... 26
4.1.5 Uninstalling .........................................................................26

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4.2 Virtual COM Communication ........................................................26
4.2.1 Enable Virtual COM on AM-SEK ......................................................... 26
4.2.2 Run Serial/IP on Monitoring PC .......................................................... 27
4.3 Conguring Virtual COM Ports.......................................................28
5. SNMP Setup .................................................................29
5.1 SNMP Network Management Platform ................................................29
6. Start Writing One’s Own Applications ............................................29
6.1 Preparing the System ..............................................................29
6.2 Running the Sample Program .......................................................29
6.2.1 TCPTEST in Visual Basic ............................................................... 29
6.2.2 TCPTEST2 in Visual C .................................................................30
7. Diagnostics ..................................................................30
7.1 Use Standard TCP/IP Utility Ping Command ...........................................30
7.2 Use Monitor.exe Conguration Utility Program..........................................31
7.3 Use TCPTEST.exe or TCPTEST2.exe Sample Program ...................................31
Appendix A: Specications .......................................................32
A.1 Hardware Specications ...........................................................32
A.2 Software Specications ............................................................32
A.3 Panel Layout and Connector Pin Assignments..........................................33
A.3.1 Panel Layout - DB9 for AM-SEK ......................................................... 33
A.3.2 DB9 Pin Assignments ................................................................. 34
A.3.3 Ethernet Port (RJ-45) .................................................................. 34
A.3.4 Power Terminal Block Connector ........................................................ 35
A.4 Buzzer/LED Message ..............................................................35
A.4.1 Buzzer .............................................................................35
A.4.2 LAN LED ...........................................................................35
A.4.3 COM Port LED.......................................................................35
A.4.4 RUN LED ...........................................................................35
Appendix B: Upgrade System Firmware ............................................36
B.1 Upgrade Procedures ..............................................................36
B.2 Critical Issues of Upgrading.........................................................37
B.3 Error Messages...................................................................37
Appendix C: Disable System Firmware .............................................37
Appendix D: Using Monitor.exe Utility ..............................................38
D.1 Run the utility ....................................................................38
D.2 Detect Operational Devices .........................................................38
D.3 Congure Devices ................................................................38

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Figures
Figure 2.1 AM-SEK interfaces ..........................................................9
Figure 3.1 Congure by monitor.exe utility ................................................10
Figure 3.2 Static IP setup dialog window .................................................11
Figure 3.3 monitor.exe Auto IP Dialog Window .............................................11
Figure 3.4 Login to the system..........................................................12
Figure 3.5 Main menu .................................................................12
Figure 3.6 Overview ..................................................................13
Figure 3.7 Network settings ............................................................13
Figure 3.8 Change the password ........................................................14
Figure 3.9 Com1 setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Figure 3.10 Link Mode-TCP server setup .................................................15
Figure 3.11 Link Mode-TCP client setup ..................................................16
Figure 3.12 Link Mode-UDP client setup..................................................17
Figure 3.13 Com port setting ...........................................................17
Figure 3.14 Com port-Enabling serial data buffer ...........................................18
Figure 3.15 Setting packet delimiter timer.................................................18
Figure 3.16 Setting packet delimiter-character pattern ......................................19
Figure 3.17 login the system via Web ....................................................19
Figure 3.18 Overview .................................................................20
Figure 3.19 Change the password .......................................................20
Figure 3.20 Network setup .............................................................21
Figure 3.21 Com1 setup-TCP server .....................................................22
Figure 3.22 Com1 setup-TCP client......................................................23
Figure 3.23 Com1 setup –pair connection.................................................23
Figure 3.24 Com 1 setup –UDP mode ....................................................24
Figure 3.25 Congure success..........................................................24
Figure 3.26. Ms-DOS command prompt window ...........................................24
Figure 3.27. Assigning a new IP address by ARP command ..................................25
Figure 4.1 Virtual Com connection diagram ...............................................25
Figure 4.2 Enable Virtual Com ..........................................................26
Figure 4.3 Enable Virtual Com via telnet ..................................................27
Figure 4.4 Serial/IP conguration........................................................27
Figure 4.5 Conguration Wizard.........................................................28
Figure 6.1 TCP test sample program in Visual Basic ........................................29
Figure 6.2 TCP test sample program in Visual C............................................30
Figure 7.1 Standard TCP/IP utility ping command ..........................................30
Figure 7.2 Monitor conguration utility ...................................................31
Figure D1. Main window of monitor.exe utility program ......................................38
Figure D2. Conguration dialog box .....................................................38

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1. Introduction
The AM-SEK Ethernet Serial Server is a gateway between Ethernet (TCP/IP) and RS-232 or RS- 485/RS-422
communications. The information transmitted by AM-SEK is transparent to both host computers (Ethernet) and devices
(RS-232 or RS-485/RS-422). Data coming from the Ethernet (TCP/IP) is sent to the designated RS-232 or RS-485/RS-
422 port and data being received from RS-232 or RS- 485/RS-422 port is sent to the Ethernet (TCP/IP) transparently.
In the computer integration manufacturing or industrial automation area, the AM-SEK Ethernet Serial Server is used
for eld devices to directly connect to the Ethernet network. The terminal server (main control program run in AM-SEK)
transforms whatever data received from RS-232 or RS-485/RS-422 to TCP/UDP port then connect devices to the
Ethernet network via a single application program or multiple application programs.
Many control devices provide the ability to communicate with hosts through RS-232 or RS-485/RS-422, however
RS-232 or RS-485/RS-422 serial communication has its limitations. It is hard to transfer data through a long distance.
With AM-SEK, it is possible to communicate with a remote device in the Intranet environment or even in the Internet,
Therefore, this setup increases the communication distance dramatically.
AM-SEK offers one RS-232 or RS-485/RS-422 port, one RJ45 Ethernet and a Watch-Dog Timer.
1.1 Application Connectivity
TCP Server Mode
The AM-SEK can be congured as a TCP server on TCP/IP Networks to wait for other applications (clients) in the host
computer to establish a connection with the serial device. After the connection is established between serial device and
the host computer, data can be transmitted in both directions.

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TCP Client Mode
The AM-SEK can be congured as a TCP client on TCP/IP Networks to establish a connection with other applications
(server) in the host computer. After the connection is established, data can be transmitted between serial device and the
host computer in both directions.
UDP Mode
UDP is a faster, but it’s a non-guaranteed datagram delivery protocol. AM-SEK can be congured in UDP mode on a
TCP/IP Network to establish a connection using unicast or multicast data from the serial device to one or multiple host
computers.
Data can be transmitted between the serial device and the host computers in both directions.

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Tunneling Mode
The serial connection can be established with two or more AM-SEK devices to send data over TCP/IP Network. This
helps nullify the 15-meter distance limitation normally imposed on an RS-232 interface.

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2. Hardware Setup
NOTE:
1. Panel layout available in Appendix A.3.1
2. Press the reset button of AM-SEK to reset the settings to the default values (see Figure 2.1 below).
DIN-Rail Screw Hole
DC Jack 5VDC
Reset Button
DC 9~30V RJ45 10/100 Mpbs
Wall Mount Screw Hole
2.1 LED Indicators
2.1.1 LAN LED
Message Description
Off Ethernet Disconnected
Blinking with Green Data is transmitting on Ethernet for 100Mbps
Blinking with Orange Data is transmitting on Ethernet for 10Mbps
Table 1. LAN LED Message
2.1.2 COM Port LED
Message Description
Off No data is transmitting on COM port
Blinking Data is transmitting on COM port
Table 2. COM Port LED Message
2.1.3 RUN LED
Message Description
On Jumper JP1 Pin1 and Pin2 are shorted to disable
AP rmware running
AP rmware is running normally
Table 3. RUN LED Message
Figure 2.1 AM-SEK interfaces

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2.2 Installation Procedures
1. Connect AM-SEK to power source using 5VDC jack (or 9~30VDC terminal block power source).
Note: AM-SEK provides two power inputs that can be connected simultaneously to live DC power sources. If any one
of the power inputs fails, the other live source acts as a backup to support power needs automatically. The redundant
dual DC power inputs give one extra assurance of non-stop operation.
2. Connect AM-SEK to the Ethernet network. Use a standard straight-through Ethernet cable when connecting it to
a hub/switch. It can also be connected to the PC‘s Ethernet port via a cross- over Ethernet cable for easy set up.
However in this case, it’s necessary to make sure the PC is in the same network sub-net as the AM-SEK.
3. Connect AM-SEK’s serial port to a serial device.
4. Placement options: Mount AM-SEK to a wall/panel (mounting screws included) or Din-Rail rack (requires optional
item model: Din-Rail-Kit DK-25).
3. Software Setup
AM-SEK Ethernet Serial Server is shipped with default settings shown in the following table:
Property Default Value
IP Address 10.0.50.100
Gateway 10.0.0.254
Subnet Mask 255.255.0.0
Firmware 3.609 or Greater
User Name admin
Password default
Firmware 3.605 or earlier
User Name admin
Password Null (leave blank)
COM 1 9600, None, 8, 1, No ow control, buffer disabled, packet delimiter timer 2ms
Link 1 Type: TCP Server, Listen port 4660, Filter=0.0.0.0, Virtual COM disabled
SysName of SNMP Name
SysLocation of SNMP location
SysContact of SNMP contact
3.1 Conguration by Monitor.exe Utility
3.1.1 Static IP
Use monitor.exe (available at www.linear-solutions.com) to congure the network parameters of AM-SEK. Click Cong
(see Figure 3.1), then enter static IP information (see Figure 3.2).
Figure 3.1 Congure by monitor.exe utility

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Figure 3.2 Static IP setup dialog window
Figure 3.3 monitor.exe Auto IP Dialog Window
3.1.2 Auto IP (Dynamic IP)
A DHCP server can automatically assign the IP address and network settings. AM-SEK supports the DHCP function.
By default, the DHCP function on AM-SEK is disabled, so the Monitor.exe software can be used to search network
information automatically using the following steps:
1. Execute Monitor.exe (see Figure 3.1).
2. Click the IP address of AM-SEK in monitor.
3. Click Cong (the Dialog Window will be displayed).
4. Check Auto IP.
5. Click Cong Now. The AM-SEK will restart, and the IP from DHCP server information is automatically entered.

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3.2 Conguration by Telnet Utility
One can use Telnet utility to change conguration settings of AM-SEK by following steps:
3.2.1 Login to the System
1. Open Ms-DOS command prompt window.
2. Telnet to AM-SEK using command Telnet IP address. (For example: Input Telnet 10.0.50.100 in Ms-DOS command
prompt window). Once connected to the AM-SEK, the system prompts for a password. The default password is the
word default (see Figure 3.4 below).
Figure 3.4 Login to the system
Figure 3.5 Main menu
Note: One can press the default button of AM-SEK to reset the password to the default value.
3. After verifying the password, the following terminal screen appears:
Notes
• If the AM-SEK does not receive any command within 1 minute, telnet will be terminated automatically.
• The changes of the networking parameters will take effect only when the AM-SEK is exited and restarted.

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Figure 3.6 Overview
Figure 3.7 Network settings
4. Select 1 from Input choice and enter (0~4) to enter the overview page:
This page gives the general information of the AM-SEK including IP and MAC address, SNMP information, Kernel
Version, AP Version, Link Status and the connection status of the device.
3.2.2 Networking
Select 2from Input choice and enter (0~4) to enter the networking page:
This page allows a change of the network settings of the device including IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway IP Address
and SNMP Information of the AM-SEK. Please notice that any setting change made on this page won’t take effect until
one restart the device.
Note: Press ESC key to return to the previous menu.

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3.2.3 Change the Password
1. Select 3from Input choice and enter (0~4). The following screen appears:
Figure 3.8 Change the password
Figure 3.9 Com1 setup
To change the password, please type the old password in the Please input old password eld. Type the new password
in the Please input new password and the Please verify new password elds. Note: One can press the default key of
product to reset password to the default value.
3.2.4 COM1 Setup
Select 4from Input choice and enter (0~4): the following screen appears:
The page gives the opportunity to congure parameters of COM1 setting which include COM1 working mode, port
parameters, enabling or disabling serial buffer’s data and setting packet delimiter.

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Figure 3.10 Link Mode-TCP server setup
LINK Mode Setup Congure AM-SEK as TCP server (Figure 3.10):
1. Type 1from Input choice and enter (1~4).
2. Type 1in the Input choice (1~5) and press Enter:
3. Input local port in the Please input local port:
A. To enable IP lter if desired:
1. Input yfor option Do one want to enable IP lter (y/n)?
2. Input source IP in the Please input Filter_IP:
3. Double click the Enter key.
B. If user doesn’t want to enable IP lter:
1. Input nin the Do one want to enable IP lter(y/n)?
2. Double click the Enter key.
3. Input idle time to the Please input idle time to send TCP alive packet(4*10sec) option. If the input is 2, the sending
TCP keep alive packet period will be changed to 2*10 sec.
Notes:
• IP ltering function is disabled if FILTER_IP is set to “0.0.0.0”.
• By default, IP lter is disabled.
• If IP lter is enabled, only the source IP assigned can connect to AM-SEK.

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3.2.5 Congure AM-SEK as TCP Client
1. Type 2in the Input choice (1~5) and enter (see Figure 3.11 below).
2. Input the destination IP in the Please input Destination IP option.
3. Input the destination port in the Please input Destination port option.
A. Type 1for Connected always:
1. Double click Enter key.
2. Input the idle time in Please input idle time to send TCP alive packet(4*10sec). If the input is 2, the sending TCP
keep alive packet period will be changed to 2*10 sec).
B. Type 2for Trigger by receiving COM port:
1. Input an idle time to disconnect in the Please input idle time to disconnect (0sec, 1~255). If the input is 0, the
function is disabled; if the input is 2, the serial inactivity beyond 2 sec will result in a disconnection.
2. Input error retrying time in “Please input waiting time for error retrying (0 minute,1~255)”. If the input is 0, the
function is disabled; if the input is 2, the serial inactivity beyond 2 sec will result in a disconnection.
3. Double click Enter key.
4. Input the idle time in Please input idle time to send TCP alive packet (4*10sec). If the input is 2, the sending TCP
keep alive packet period will be changed to 2*10 sec.
Figure 3.11 Link Mode-TCP client setup

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3.2.6 Congure AM-SEK as UDP Client
For example, the local port is 4660, the destination IP is 10.0.29.254 and the destination port is 1234).
Figure 3.12 Link Mode-UDP client setup
Figure 3.13 Com port setting
3.2.7 COM Port Setting
Enter 2for Input choice and enter (1~4) for COM1. The following screen appears. The COM port alias name can be
given, the baud rate and parity can be set, the number of data bit and stop bit can be determined, the use of ow control
and the type of ow control to be used can be decided.

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3.2.8 Enabling Serial Data Buffer
Type 3from Input choice and enter (1~4) for COM1. By default, COM port serial data buffer is enabled. This means that
when TCP/IP Ethernet connection is broken, serial data collected from serial device will be empty in AM-SEK once TCP/
IP connection is resumed. The serial data will be sent through Ethernet connection, which can be disabled if desired.
Figure 3.14 Com port-Enabling serial data buffer
Figure 3.15 Setting packet delimiter timer
3.2.9 Setting Packet Delimiter
Packet delimiter is a way of controlling packets within serial communication. It can prevent packets from being cut, thus
keeping the packets complete. AM-SEK provides two ways of parameter setting as inter-character timer and terminator.
By default, packet delimiter timer is 1 ms. The timer can be changed as displayed below.

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Figure 3.16 Setting packet delimiter-character pattern
Figure 3.17 login the system via Web
The character pattern can be chosen as the packet delimiter indicated below.
3.2.10 Accept Control Command from COM Port
AM-SEK can also accept serial control commands directly over the network following RFC2217 format. For more detail
about this function, please contact Technical Support.
3.3 Conguration Using Web Browser
1. Conrm that the PC is located on the same network sub-net as AM-SEK
2. Open a web browser, then type in the IP address of AM-SEK to be congured. Default user name is admin and
default password is default (password is blank for rmware versions 3.605 or earlier).
3. AM-SEK’s network, link mode and COM ports settings can be congured in different web pages.
4. Click Save Conguration to save settings.
5. Click Restart to make the change effective (if necessary).
It is also possible to modify various settings through the web server interface. To do so, please follow the steps detailed
in sections 3.3.1 to 3.3.6.
3.3.1 Log in to the System
1. From web browser, type in the IP address of AM-SEK in the URL. (Example: http://10.0.50.100)
2. The authentication screen appears (see Figure 3.17). Type in the User Name and Password, then click OK. The
default user name and password are admin and password.

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3. The following overview page is displayed.
Figure 3.18 Overview
Figure 3.19 Change the password
3.3.2 Change the password
1. Click the Security link, and the following screen is displayed.
• Input the current password in the Old Password eld, input the new password in the New Password and Veried
Password elds, and then click Save Conguration to update the password.
Note: Press the product's default key to reset the password to the default value.