Moxa Technologies DA-681C Series User manual

DA-681C Series Embedded Computer
User’s Manual
Version 1.0, December 2019
www.moxa.com/product
© 2019 Moxa Inc. All rights reserved.

DA-681C Series Embedded Computer
User’s Manual
The software described in this manual is furnished under a license agreement and may be used only in accordance
with the terms of that agreement.
Copyright Notice
© 2019 Moxa Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
The MOXA logo is a registered trademark of Moxa Inc.
All other trademarks or registered marks in this manual belong to their respective manufacturers.
Disclaimer
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of
Moxa.
Moxa provides this document as is, without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not
limited to, its particular purpose. Moxa reserves the right to make improvements and/or changes to this manual, or to
the products and/or the programs described in this manual, at any time.
Information provided in this manual is intended to be accurate and reliable. However, Moxa assumes no responsibility
for its use, or for any infringements on the rights of third parties that may result from its use.
This product might include unintentional technical or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the
information herein to correct such errors, and these changes are incorporated into new editions of the publication.
Technical Support Contact Information
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-free: 1-888-669-2872
Tel:
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
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Toll
-free: 800-820-5036
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-Pacific
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 1-1
Overview ...........................................................................................................................................1-2
Model Descriptions and Package Checklist..............................................................................................1-2
Appearance........................................................................................................................................1-2
Dimensions ........................................................................................................................................1-3
Features ............................................................................................................................................1-3
Hardware Block Diagram .....................................................................................................................1-4
DA-681C Basic System ................................................................................................................1-4
Hardware Specifications ......................................................................................................................1-4
2. Hardware Installation ....................................................................................................................... 2-1
Installing Rack-mounting Ears ..............................................................................................................2-2
Wiring Requirements...........................................................................................................................2-3
Connecting the Power .........................................................................................................................2-4
Wiring the Power Inputs ......................................................................................................................2-4
Grounding the Chassis ................................................................................................................. 2-4
Power Wiring Methods.................................................................................................................. 2-5
Reset Button ......................................................................................................................................2-6
LED................................................................................................................................................... 2-6
Connecting to Displays ........................................................................................................................2-6
Connecting USB Devices ...................................................................................................................... 2-7
Installing a USB Dongle Kit...........................................................................................................2-7
Connecting to a Keyboard and Mouse....................................................................................................2-8
Serial Ports ........................................................................................................................................2-8
Gigabit LAN Ports................................................................................................................................ 2-9
Digital Inputs/Digital Outputs ...............................................................................................................2-9
Relay Output.................................................................................................................................... 2-10
Upgrading the Memory Module ........................................................................................................... 2-10
Installing an mSATA Storage Card ...................................................................................................... 2-11
Installing SATA Hard Disks................................................................................................................. 2-12
3. BIOS Setup........................................................................................................................................ 3-1
Entering the BIOS Setup......................................................................................................................3-2
Main Page..........................................................................................................................................3-3
Advanced Settings .............................................................................................................................. 3-4
Boot Configuration.......................................................................................................................3-5
SATA Configuration .....................................................................................................................3-5
Intel Rapid Storage Technology.....................................................................................................3-7
CPU Configuration ....................................................................................................................... 3-8
Intel® Active Management Technology Support ..............................................................................3-9
Video Configuration ................................................................................................................... 3-10
Chipset Configuration................................................................................................................. 3-11
SIO ITE8786E ........................................................................................................................... 3-12
Security Settings .............................................................................................................................. 3-14
Current TPM Device ................................................................................................................... 3-14
TPM State................................................................................................................................. 3-14
Clear TPM................................................................................................................................. 3-14
Set Supervisor Password ............................................................................................................ 3-15
Power Settings ................................................................................................................................. 3-16
Wake on LAN ............................................................................................................................ 3-16
Auto Wake on S5 ...................................................................................................................... 3-16
Power On USB3(Rear)................................................................................................................ 3-16
Power On USB2(Front)............................................................................................................... 3-17
Power On USB2(Internal) ........................................................................................................... 3-17
PS/2 Keyboard Power-Up ........................................................................................................... 3-17
Boot Settings ................................................................................................................................... 3-17
Boot Type................................................................................................................................. 3-17
Network Stack .......................................................................................................................... 3-18
PXE Boot capability.................................................................................................................... 3-18
USB Boot ................................................................................................................................. 3-18
Timeout ................................................................................................................................... 3-18
EFI .......................................................................................................................................... 3-18
Exit Settings .................................................................................................................................... 3-18
Exit Saving Changes .................................................................................................................. 3-19
Save Change Without Exit .......................................................................................................... 3-19
Exit Discarding Changes ............................................................................................................. 3-19
Load Optimal Defaults................................................................................................................ 3-19
Load Custom Defaults ................................................................................................................ 3-19
Save Custom Defaults................................................................................................................ 3-19
Discard Changes ....................................................................................................................... 3-19

Upgrading the BIOS .......................................................................................................................... 3-20
A. Safety Installation Instructions ........................................................................................................ A-1

1
1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Moxa DA-681C industrial computer, a multi-functional embedded computer
designed especially for IEC 61850-3 substation automation systems.
This manual covers hardware installation, connector interfaces, and BIOS setup of the DA-681C. For
software configuration and management, please refer to the user’s manual for your operating system.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:

Overview

Model Descriptions and Package Checklist

Appearance

Dimensions

Features

Hardware Block Diagram
DA-681C Basic System

Hardware Specifications

DA-681C Series HW UM Introduction
1-2
Overview
The DA-681C computer is built around an Intel® Celeron® or Intel® Core™ i3 CPU and comes with dual
display ports (2 x HDMI), 5 USB ports, 6 Gigabit LAN ports, two 3-in-1 RS-232/422/485 serial ports, 10 RS-
485 serial ports, 6 digital input ports, and 2 digital output ports. Additionally, one 2.5” HDD/SSD slot and
one mSATA slot are included to enable storage expansion for industrial applications that require large
storage space for edge data acquisition.
With IEC 61850-3, IEEE 1613, and IEC 60255 compliance, the DA-681C is sure to deliver stable and reliable
system operation for power applications. EN 50121-4 compliance confirms that the DA-681C can deliver
stable and reliable system operations in rail wayside applications, such as station SCADA systems, wayside
disaster prevention, traction power, and signaling and safety systems, to provide an integrated view of your
smart rail setup.
Model Descriptions and Package Checklist
The DA-681C Series includes the following models:
•DA-681C-KL1-H-T: Intel® Celeron® 3965U 2C/2T 2.2 GHz CPU with 2 HDMIs, 6 Gigabit LAN ports, 2
RS/232/422/485 3-in-1 serial ports, 2 PS/2 interfaces, 6 DIs, 2DOs, 1 mSATA, 2 SATA, 6 USB ports,
without RAM, mSATA, and OS, single power, -40 to 70°C operating temperature
•DA-681C-KL1-HH-T: Intel® Celeron® 3965U 2C/2T 2.2 GHz CPU with 2 HDMIs, 6 Gigabit LAN ports, 2
RS/232/422/485 3-in-1 serial ports, 2 PS/2, 6 DIs, 2DOs, 1 mSATA, 2 SATA, 6 USB ports, without RAM,
mSATA, and OS, dual power, -40 to 70°C operating temperature
•DA-681C-KL3-HH-T: Intel® Core™ i3-7100U 2C/4T 2.4 GHz CPU, with 2 HDMIs, 6 Gigabit LAN ports, 2
RS/232/422/485 3-in-1 serial ports, 2 PS/2, 6 DIs, 2DOs, 1 mSATA, 2 SATA, 6 USB ports, without RAM,
mSATA, and OS, dual power, -40 to 70°C operating temperature
NOTE
To or
der a DA-681C system with preinstalled Debian 9 or Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 64-bit OS, contact a
Moxa sales representative.
Each basic system model package includes the following items:
•DA-681C rackmount computer
•Rack-mounting kit
•Quick Installation Guide (printed)
•Warranty card
Appearance
Front View

DA-681C Series HW UM Introduction
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Rear View
Dimensions
Features
The DA-681C computer has the following features:
•IEC 61850-3, IEEE 1613, and IEC 60255 compliance for power substation automation systems
•7th Generation Intel® Core™ or Intel® Celeron® Processor
•Built-in DDR4 memory slot; up to 32 GB capacity
•One hot-swappable 2.5-inch HDD or SSD storage expansion trays
•Redundant power supply (100 to 240 VAC/VDC)
•EN 50121-4 compliant for railway-wayside applications

DA-681C Series HW UM Introduction
1-4
Hardware Block Diagram
DA-681C Basic System
Hardware Specifications
NOTE
The latest specifications for Moxa’s products can be found at
https://moxa.com.

2
2. Hardware Installation
The DA-681C embedded computers are compact and rugged, making them suitable for industrial
applications. The LED indicators allow users to monitor performance and quickly identify trouble spots.
Multiple ports are provided for connecting a variety of different devices. The DA-681C embedded computers
come with a reliable and stable hardware platform that lets you devote the bulk of your time to application
development. This chapter describes the hardware installation and connector interfaces of the DA-681C
embedded computers.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:

Installing Rack-mounting Ears

Wiring Requirements

Connecting the Power

Wiring the Power Inputs
Grounding the Chassis
Power Wiring Methods

Reset Button

LED

Connecting to Displays

Connecting USB Devices
Installing a USB Dongle Kit

Connecting to a Keyboard and Mouse

Serial Ports

Gigabit LAN Ports

Digital Inputs/Digital Outputs

Relay Output

Upgrading the Memory Module

Installing an mSATA Storage Card

Installing SATA Hard Disks

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
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Installing Rack-mounting Ears
The DA-681C computer comes with a rack-mounting kit for installing the computer on a rack. The rack-
mounting kit includes the following items: Two rack-mounting ears and four screws (size: M4x6) for each
ear.
NOTE
The
two rack-mounting ears are not identical. Refer to the diagram above to identify the left rack-mounting
ear and the
right rack-mounting ear, and ensure that you use them correctly to mount the computer.
Follow the instructions below to install the computer.
1. Attach the left rack-mounting ear to the left
side of the DA-681C computer and fasten the
four screws tightly.
2. Attach the other rack-mounting ear to the
right side of the computer and secure it
with the four screws.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
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Wiring Requirements
The following common safety precautions should be observed before installing any electronic device:
•Power wires and communication/signal wires should be routed through separate paths. If power and
communication/signal wires must cross paths, make sure the wires are perpendicular at the intersection
point.
NOTE
Do not run signal or communication wiring and power wiring in the same wire conduit. To avoid
interference, wir
es with different signal characteristics should be routed separately.
•Use the type of signal transmitted through a wire to determine which wires should be bundled together
and which ones should be kept separate. The rule of thumb is that wiring that carries similar electrical
signals can be bundled together.
•When necessary, we strongly advise labeling the wiring for all devices in the system.
ATTENTION
Do not run signal or communication wiring and power wiring in the same
wire conduit. To avoid
interference, wires with different signal characteristics should be routed separately.
ATTENTION
Safety First!
Be sure to disconnect the power cord before installing and/or wiring
your device.
Elect
rical Current Caution!
Calculate the maximum possible current in each power wire and common wire. Observe all electrical codes
dictating the maximum current allowable for each wire size.
If the current goes above the maximum rating, the wiring could overhe
at, causing serious damage to your
equipment.
Temperature Caution!
Be
careful when handling the unit. When the unit is
plugged in, the internal components generate heat, and
consequently the
outer casing may feel hot to the touch.
Restricted Access Location
This equipment is intended to be used in Restricted Access Locations, such as a computer room, with access
limited to SERVICE PERSONAL or USERS who have been instructed on how to handle the metal chassis of
equipment th
at is so hot that special protection may be needed before touching it. The location should only
be accessible with a key or through a security identity system
.
External metal parts of this equipment are extremely hot!! Before touching the
equipment, you must take special precautions to protect your hands and body from
serious injury.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
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Connecting the Power
The DA-681C Series includes single-power and dual-power input models that use terminal block(s) located
on the rear panel. Connect the power cord wires to the screws on the power input and then tighten the
screws. The Power LED will light up to indicate that power is being supplied to the DA-681C, after which
the BIOS will initialize the flash disk module, causing the Storage LED to blink. It should then take about
30 to 60 seconds for the operating system to complete the boot-up process.
Wiring the Power Inputs
Refer to the following illustration and table for details on wiring the power inputs to the DA-681C computer.
The table uses the reference numbers in the diagram to identify the lines in the terminal blocks.
Number Description Note
1
Power Line PWR Line is connected to the Line (L) terminal for the AC power
source
Power Positive PWR Positive is connected to the +terminal for the DC power
source
2 NA Reserved
3 Power Neutral PWR Neutral is connected to the Neutral (N) terminal for the AC
power source
Power Negative PWR Negative is connect to the –terminal for the DC Power
4 NA Reserved
5 Bond Earth Bond Earth is connected to the Chassis Ground via a jumper on
the terminal block
Grounding the Chassis
A grounding connector is located on the rear panel of the computer.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
2-5
Connect this grounding connector on the chassis
to the earth (ground). The minimum wire
diameter is 18 AWG.
ATTENTION
If protective earthing is used as a safeguard, the instructions shall require connection of the equipment
protective earthing conductor to the installation protective earthing conductor (for example, by means of a
power cord connected to a socket
-outlet with earthing connection).
Power Wiring Methods
The DA-681C comes with single or dual power inputs with both AC and DC power sources supported. Refer
to the following diagrams for details on the wiring methods that can be used.
ATTENTION
This e
quipment must be installed according to the applicable country’s wiring codes.
A power button on the rear panel allows users to power on the computer when it is in the sleep or hibernate
mode.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
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Reset Button
Pressing the Reset button initiates a hardware warm reboot. The button plays the same role as a desktop
PC’s reset button. After pressing the reset button, the system will reboot automatically. During normal use,
you should NOT use the Reset Button. You should only use this button if the software is not working
properly. To protect the integrity of data being transmitted or processed, you should always reset the
system from the operating system using the software reboot function.
LED
There are 48 LED indicators on the front panel.
Information about each LED indicator is given in the following table:
LED Color Description
Power Green Power is on
Off No power input
Storage Yellow/Blinking Data is being written to or read from the storage unit
Off
Storage unit is idle
Power 1 Failure Off The 1st power supply is on
Red Error in the 1st power supply
Power 2 Failure Off The 2nd power supply is on
Red Error in the 2nd power supply
Gigabit LAN LEDs 1 to 6 Green 100 Mbps Ethernet mode
Orange 1000 Mbps (Gigabit) Ethernet mode
Serial Port P1/P12 (TX/RX) Green Tx: Serial data is being transmitted
Yellow Rx: Serial data is being received
Programmable LEDs 1 to 8 Green/
Blinking
Can be used to indicate statuses or for debugging, as
defined by users.
Connecting to Displays
The DA-681C comes with 2 HDMI interfaces on the rear panel, allowing users to connect two displays.
NOTE
For
highly reliable video streaming capability, use premium, certified HDMI cables.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
2-7
Connecting USB Devices
The DA-681C comes with 2 USB 2.0 ports on the front panel and 3 USB 3.0 ports on the rear panel. The
USB ports can be used to connect to other peripherals, such as flash drives, for expanding the system’s
storage capacity. In addition, both USB ports support system boot up, which can be activated by modifying
the BIOS settings. See “Chapter 3 BIOS Setup”for details.
Installing a USB Dongle Kit
You can use a USB dongle kit to secure your USB dongle inside your DA-681C computer.
The USB dongle kit includes a USB plate and a screw.
NOTE
The USB dongle k
it is an optional accessory that can be purchased separately.
To install a USB dongle kit, do the following:
1. Power off the DA-681C computer and remove the top cover of the computer.
2. Find the location of the USB slot.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
2-8
3. Insert the USB device into the USB port inside
the DA-681C computer.
4. Place the USB plate on the rail and push it down
as close to the USB device as possible. Finally,
fasten the screw on the plate to secure the USB
device.
5. Put back the top cover of the computer.
Connecting to a Keyboard and Mouse
Connectors for a keyboard and a mouse are located on the rear panel of the computer. Both connectors are
PS/2 interfaces; you can directly connect a keyboard and a mouse using these connectors.
Serial Ports
The DA-681C comes with 2 software-selectable RS-232/422/485 serial ports (P1 and P2) with DB9
connectors, which are located on the rear panel.
Pin RS-232 RS-422 RS-485 (4-
wire)
RS-485 (2-
wire)
1 DCD TxDA(-) TxDA(-) –
2 RxD TxDB(+) TxDB(+) –
3
TxD
RxDB(+)
RxDB(+)
DataB(+)
4 DTR RxDA(-) RxDA(-) DataA(-)
5 GND GND GND GND
6 DSR – – –
7 RTS – – –
8 CTS – – –
In addition, there are 10 serial ports (P3 to P12) that use terminal blocks. Refer to the following table
for the pin assignments.
Pin RS-232 RS-422 RS-485 (4-
wire)
RS-485 (2-
wire)
1 TxD TxD(+) TxDA(+) –
2 RxD TxD(-) TxDB(-) –
3 RTS RxD(+) RxDB(+) Data(+)
4 CTS RxD(-) RxDA(-) Data(-)
5 GND GND GND GND

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
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Gigabit LAN Ports
The DA-681C has 6 Gigabit LAN ports. When a LAN cable is properly connected, the LEDs on the front panel
will glow to indicate the connection status.
Refer to the following figure and table for the pin sequence and definitions.
Pin 100 Mbps 1000 Mbps
1 Tx+ TRD(0)+
2 Tx- TRD(0)-
3 Rx+ TRD(1)+
4 – TRD(2)+
5 – TRD(2)-
6 Rx- TRD(1)-
7 – TRD(3)+
8
–
TRD(3)-
Digital Inputs/Digital Outputs
The DA-681C is provided with six digital inputs and two digital outputs in a terminal block. Refer to the
following figure for the location of the DI and DO connectors.
For pin definitions and wiring methods, see the figures below.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
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Relay Output
The DA-681C is provided with a relay output located on the rear panel of the computer.
Refer to the figure on the right for detailed
pin definition of the relay output connectors.
Upgrading the Memory Module
The DA-681C embedded computer supports 2 DDR4 2133 SODIMM modules for up to 32 GB of memory (2
slots, each with 16 GB capacity). To upgrade the SDRAM memory module, follow these instructions:
1. Disconnect the DA-681C from its power source.
2. Unfasten the screws on the back of the computer, and then remove the top cover.
3. Find the location of the SDRAM memory slot.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
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4. Install the new memory module in the slot.
Make sure you insert the SDRAM in the correct direction. Push down the memory module, making sure
that the two fasteners snap in place and are holding the module firmly.
NOTE
If a memory module is
already installed in the slot, push the two fasteners to free the module and then
remove the module.
5. Replace the top cover of the computer and fasten the screws.
Installing an mSATA Storage Card
The DA-681C embedded computer comes with an mSATA slot. To insert an mSATA storage card, follow
these instructions.
1. Disconnect the DA-681C from its power source.
2. Unfasten the screws on the back of the computer, and then take off the top cover.
3. Find the location of the mSATA slot.

DA-681C Series HW UM Hardware Installation
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4. Insert the mSATA storage card into the slot and fasten the two screws to secure the card to the slot.
5. Replace the top cover of the computer and fasten the screws.
ATTENTION
The
DA-681C rackmount computer does not support hot swap and plug and play functions for the mSATA
storage card
. You must disconnect the power source to the computer before inserting or removing the
mSATA storage
card.
Installing SATA Hard Disks
The DA-681C comes with one SATA slot that allows users to install a 2.5” SATA HDD/SSD. Follow these
steps to install a SATA disk.
1. Unfasten the screw on the storage slot cover and pull down the cover to access the storage tray.
2. Push the clutch on the storage tray to the left to release the storage tray and pull out the tray.