Moxa Technologies NPort 5150AI-M12 User manual

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series User Manual
First Edition, June 2012
www.moxa.com/product
© 2012 Moxa Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series 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
Copyright ©2012
Moxa Inc.
All rights reserved.
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
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.
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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.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 1-1
Overview...........................................................................................................................................1-2
Package Checklist...............................................................................................................................1-2
Product Features ................................................................................................................................1-2
Product Specifications .........................................................................................................................1-2
2. Getting Started.................................................................................................................................. 2-1
NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Appearance ...................................................................................................2-1
Connecting the Hardware.....................................................................................................................2-1
Wiring Requirements ...................................................................................................................2-1
Connecting the Power ..................................................................................................................2-2
Connecting to the Network ...........................................................................................................2-2
Connecting to a Serial Device .......................................................................................................2-2
LED Indicators ............................................................................................................................2-2
3. Initial IP Address Configuration........................................................................................................ 3-1
Initializing the NPort’s IP Address .........................................................................................................3-2
Factory Default IP Address...................................................................................................................3-2
NPort Administration Suite...................................................................................................................3-2
ARP...................................................................................................................................................3-2
Telnet Console ...................................................................................................................................3-3
Serial Console (19200, n, 8, 1).............................................................................................................3-6
4. Choosing the Proper Operation Mode................................................................................................ 4-1
Overview...........................................................................................................................................4-2
Real COM Mode ..................................................................................................................................4-2
RFC2217 Mode ...................................................................................................................................4-3
TCP Server Mode ................................................................................................................................4-3
TCP Client Mode .................................................................................................................................4-3
UDP Mode..........................................................................................................................................4-4
Pair Connection Mode..........................................................................................................................4-4
Ethernet Modem Mode.........................................................................................................................4-4
Reverse Telnet Mode...........................................................................................................................4-5
Disabled Mode....................................................................................................................................4-5
5. Web Console Configuration ............................................................................................................... 5-1
Opening Your Browser.........................................................................................................................5-2
Quick Setup.......................................................................................................................................5-3
Export/Import ....................................................................................................................................5-6
Basic Settings ....................................................................................................................................5-6
Network Settings................................................................................................................................5-7
Serial Settings..................................................................................................................................5-10
Operating Settings............................................................................................................................5-12
Real COM Mode.........................................................................................................................5-12
RFC2217 Mode..........................................................................................................................5-15
TCP Server Mode.......................................................................................................................5-17
TCP Client Mode........................................................................................................................5-20
UDP Mode ................................................................................................................................5-24
Pair Connection Mode ................................................................................................................ 5-26
Ethernet Modem Mode ...............................................................................................................5-28
Reverse Telnet Mode .................................................................................................................5-30
Disabled Mode ..........................................................................................................................5-31
Accessible IP Settings........................................................................................................................5-32
Auto Warning Settings.......................................................................................................................5-33
Auto warning: Email and SNMP trap ............................................................................................5-33
Event Type...............................................................................................................................5-34
Upgrade Firmware ............................................................................................................................5-36
Monitor............................................................................................................................................5-36
Monitor Line .............................................................................................................................5-36
Monitor Async...........................................................................................................................5-37
Monitor Async-Settings .............................................................................................................. 5-37
Monitor Relay Output.................................................................................................................5-38
Change Password .............................................................................................................................5-38
Load Factory Default.........................................................................................................................5-39
Save/Restart....................................................................................................................................5-39
6. Configuring NPort Administrator....................................................................................................... 6-1
Overview...........................................................................................................................................6-2
Installing NPort Administrator ..............................................................................................................6-2
Configuration .....................................................................................................................................6-4
Broadcast Search ........................................................................................................................6-5

Unlock Password Protection ..........................................................................................................6-6
Configuring the NPort 5x50AI-M12 ................................................................................................6-7
Upgrading the Firmware...............................................................................................................6-9
Export Configuration..................................................................................................................6-10
Import Configuration .................................................................................................................6-10
Monitor............................................................................................................................................6-11
Port Monitor.....................................................................................................................................6-15
COM Mapping...................................................................................................................................6-15
On-line COM Mapping ................................................................................................................ 6-16
Off-line COM Mapping ................................................................................................................ 6-19
COM Grouping..................................................................................................................................6-20
Creating a COM Group ...............................................................................................................6-20
Deleting a COM Group................................................................................................................6-22
Adding a Port to a COM Group ....................................................................................................6-24
Removing a Port from a COM Group ............................................................................................6-25
Modify Ports in a COM Group ...................................................................................................... 6-27
Changing the COM Number of a COM Group .................................................................................6-27
Changing Advanced Settings and Serial Parameters of the COM Group.............................................6-29
Changing the Serial Port Specified as Signal Port for the COM Group ...............................................6-31
IP Address Report.............................................................................................................................6-32
7. IP Serial LIB...................................................................................................................................... 7-1
Overview...........................................................................................................................................7-2
IP Serial LIB Function Groups...............................................................................................................7-3
Example Program ...............................................................................................................................7-3
A. Pinouts and Cable Wiring .................................................................................................................. A-1
Pin Assignments and Cable Wiring ........................................................................................................A-2
Ethernet M12..............................................................................................................................A-2
Power M12 .................................................................................................................................A-2
RS-232/422/485 (male DB9) Pinouts.............................................................................................A-2
Serial Cable Wiring Diagrams ...............................................................................................................A-3
Female DB9 to Male DB9..............................................................................................................A-3
B. Well Known Port Numbers ................................................................................................................ B-1
C. SNMP Agents with MIB II & RS-232 Like Groups .............................................................................. C-1
D. Auto IP Report Protocol ....................................................................................................................D-1
E. Compliance Notice............................................................................................................................. E-1

1
1. Introduction
Welcome to the NPort IA5400A Series of industrial serial device servers. In this manual, we refer to the four
products in the series collectively as “NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series.”
The nine models in the NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series are:
NPort 5150AI-M12 1-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -25 to 55°C
NPort 5150AI-M12-CT 1-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -25 to 55°C, Conformal Coating
NPort 5150AI-M12-T 1-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -40 to 70°C
NPort 5250AI-M12 2-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -25 to 55°C
NPort 5250AI-M12-CT 2-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -25 to 55°C, Conformal Coating
NPort 5250AI-M12-T 2-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -40 to 70°C
NPort 5450AI-M12 4-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -25 to 55°C
NPort 5450AI-M12-CT 4-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -25 to 55°C, Conformal Coating
NPort 5450AI-M12-T 4-port RS-232/422/485 Device Server , 1 x 10/100BaseT(X) with M12
Connector, M12 Power Input, -40 to 70°C
The following topics are covered in this chapter:

Overview

Package Checklist

Product Features

Product Specifications

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Introduction
1-2
Overview
NPort 5x50AI-M12 device server is designed to make serial devices network-ready in an instant and is
compliant with EN 50155 and EN 50121-4 standards, allowing them to perform reliably in rolling stock and
wayside applications where high level vibration is present. Use the NPort 5x50AI-M12 device servers to give
your PC software direct access to serial devices from anywhere on the network.
Package Checklist
Before installing the NPort 5x50AI-M12 series device servers, verify that the package contains the following
items:
Standard Accessories
•1 NPort 5x50AI-M12 serial device server
•Wall Mount Kit
•Documentation and Software CD
•Quick Installation Guide (printed)
•Warranty Card
Optional Accessories
•DR-4524 45W/2A DIN-Rail 24 VDC Power Supply with universal 85 to 264 VAC input
•DR-75-24 75W/3.2A DIN-Rail 24 VDC Power Supply with universal 85 to 264 VAC input
•DR-120-24 120W/5A DIN-Rail 24 VDC Power Supply with 88 to 132 VAC/176 to 264 VAC input by switch
•WK-36-01 Wall mounting kit
NOTE: Notify your sales representative if any of the above items is missing or damaged.
Product Features
The NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series are the world’s first EN 50155 compliant device servers and have the following
features:
•Versatile socket operation modes, including TCP Server, TCP Client, UDP
•Support UDP multicast and COM Grouping
•-40 to 70°C operating temperature range (T models only)
•Compliant with EN 50155/50121-4
•M12 connector and IP40 metal housing
•2 KV isolation for serial signals
Product Specifications
Ethernet Interface
Number of Ports: 1
Speed:
10/100 Mbps, auto MDI/MDIX
Connector:
M12
Serial Interface
Number of Ports:
1/2/4
Serial Standards:
RS-232/422/485
Connector:
DB9 male
Serial Line Protection:
15 KV ESD protection for all signals
RS
-485 Data Direction Control: ADDC® (automatic data direction control)
Serial Communication Parameters
Data Bits:
5, 6, 7, 8

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Introduction
1-3
Stop Bits:
1, 1.5, 2
Parity:
None, Even, Odd, Space, Mark
Flow Control:
RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR (RS-232 only), XON/XOFF
Baudrate:
50 to 921.6 Kbps
Serial Signals
RS
-232: TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, GND
RS-422: Tx+, Tx-, Rx+, Rx-, GND
RS
-485-4w: Tx+, Tx-, Rx+, Rx-, GND
RS
-485-2w: Data+, Data-, GND
Software
Network Protocols:
ICMP, IP, TCP, UDP, DHCP, BOOTP, Telnet, DNS, SNMP V1, HTTP, SMTP, IGMP V1/2,
LLDP
Configuration Options:
Web Console (with new Quick Setup), Telnet Console, Windows Utility
Windows Real COM Drivers:
Windows 98/ME/NT/2000, Windows XP/2003/Vista/2008/7 x86/x64
Fixed TTY Drivers:
SCO Unix, SCO OpenServer, UnixWare 7, UnixWare 2.1, SVR 4.2, QNX 4.25, QNX 6,
Solaris 10, Fr
eeBSD, AIX 5.x, HP-UX 11i, Mac 10.3
Linux Real TTY Drivers:
Linux kernel 2.4.x, 2.6.x, 3.0.x
Physical Characteristics
Housing:
Metal
Weight:
0.56 kg (1.23 lb)
Dimensions:
80 x 216.6 x 52.9 mm (3.15 x 8.53 x 2.08 in)
Environmental Limits
Operating Temperature:
Standard Models:
-25 to 55°C (-13 to 131°F)
Wide Temp. Models:
-40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F) EN 50155 Compliant
Ambient Relative
Humidity: 5 to 95% (non-condensing)
Storage Temperature:
-40 to 85°C (-40 to 185°F) EN 50155 Compliant
Power Requirements
Input Voltage:
12 to 48 VDC
Power Consumption: 439.4 mA@12V
Connector:
M12
Standards and Certifications
EMI
:EN 55022 Class A, FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class A
Safety:
UL 60950-1, EN 60950-1
EMC:
EC, FCC
EMS:
EN 55024
Rail
Traffic: EN 50155, EN 50121-4
Reliability
Alert Tools:
Built-in buzzer and RTC
Automatic Reboot Trigger:
Built-in WDT (watchdog timer)
Warranty
Warranty Period:
5 years
Details:
See www.moxa.com/warranty

2
2. Getting Started
In this chapter, we give instructions on installing NPort 5x50AI-M12 device servers. Software installation is
covered in subsequent chapters.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Appearance
Connecting the Hardware
This section describes how to connect NPort 5x50AI-M12 to serial devices for first time testing purposes. We
cover Wiring Requirements, Connecting the Power, Connecting to the Network, Connecting to a
Serial Device, and LED Indicators.
Wiring Requirements
ATTENTION
Safety First!
Be sure to disconnect the power cord before installing and/or wiring your NPort
5x50AI-M12 Series.
Wiring Caution!
Calculate the maximum possible current in each power wire and common wire. Observe all electrical codes
dictating the maximum current allowab
le for each wire size.
If the current goes above the maximum ratings, the wiring could overheat, causing serious damage to your
equipment.
Temperature Caution!
Please take care when handling NPort
5x50AI-M12. When plugged in, NPort 5x50AI-M12’s internal
components generate heat, and consequently the casing may feel hot to the touch. When installed with other
components, make sure that there is at least 2 cm clearance on all sides of NPort
5x50AI-M12
in order to allow
proper heat dissipation.

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Getting Started
2-2
You should observe the following:
•Use separate paths to route wiring for power and devices. If power wiring and device wiring paths must
cross, 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, wires with different signal characteristics should be routed separately.
•You can use the type of signal transmitted through a wire to determine which wires should be kept separate.
The rule of thumb is that wiring that shares similar electrical characteristics can be bundled together.
•Keep input wiring and output wiring separate.
•Where necessary, it is strongly advised that you label wiring to all devices in the system.
Connecting the Power
Connect the power line with the NPort 5x50AI-M12’s M12 connector. If the power is properly supplied, the
“Ready” LED will show a solid red color until the system is ready, at which time the “Ready” LED will change to
a green color.
Connecting to the Network
Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the NPort 5x50AI-M12’s 10/100M Ethernet port and the other end of
the cable to the Ethernet network. If the cable is properly connected, the NPort 5x50AI-M12 will indicate a valid
connection to the Ethernet in the following ways:
•The Ethernet LED maintains a solid green color when connected to a 100 Mbps Ethernet network.
•The Ethernet LED maintains a solid orange color when connected to a 10 Mbps Ethernet network.
•The Ethernet LED will flash when Ethernet packets are being transmitted or received.
Connecting to a Serial Device
Connect the serial data cable between NPort 5x50AI-M12 and the serial device. Serial data cables are optional
accessories for NPort.
LED Indicators
The top panels of all NPort 5x50AI-M12 have four LED indicators, as described in the following table.
Name Color Function
PWR green Power from Power 1 input
Ready
red Steady on: Power is on and NPort is booting up.
Blinking: Indicates an IP conflict, or DHCP/BOOTP server did not respond properly.
green Steady on: Power is on and NPort is functioning normally.
Blinking: The NPort has been located by NPort Administrator’s Location function.
off Power is off, or a power error condition exists.
10M,
100M
orange 10 Mbps Ethernet connection.
green 100 Mbps Ethernet connection.
off Ethernet cable is disconnected, or has a short.
P1, P2,
P3, P4
orange Serial port is receiving data.
green Serial port is transmitting data.
off No data is being transmitted or received through the serial port.

3
3. Initial IP Address Configuration
When setting up your NPort 5x50AI-M12 for the first time, the first thing you should do is configure the IP
address. This chapter introduces the methods that can be used to configure the device server’s IP address.
Select one of the initial IP Address configuration methods to configure NPort 5x50AI-M12’s IP
Address. For more details about network settings, see the Network Settings section from Chapter 5, Web
Console Configuration.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:

Initializing the NPort’s IP Address

Factory Default IP Address

NPort Administration Suite

ARP

Telnet Console

Serial Console (19200, n, 8, 1)

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Initial IP Address Configuration
3-2
Initializing the NPort’s IP Address
1. Determine whether your NPort 5x50AI-M12 needs to use a Static IP or Dynamic IP (either DHCP or BOOTP
application).
2. If the NPort 5x50AI-M12 is used in a Static IP environment, you can use NPort Administration Suite,
ARP, Web Console, Telnet Console, or Serial Console to configure the new IP address.
3. If the NPort 5x50AI-M12 is used in a Dynamic IP environment, you can use NPort 5x50AI-M12
Administration Suite, Web Console, Telnet Console, or Serial Console to configure NPort 5x50AI-M12 to get
an IP address dynamically with DHCP, DHCP/BOOTP, or BOOTP.
ATTENTION
Consult your network administrator on how to reserve a fixed IP address for your NPort
5x50AI-M12
in the
MAC
-
IP mapping table when using a DHCP Server or BOOTP Server. In most applications, you should assign
a fixed IP address to your NPort
5x50AI-M12.
Factory Default IP Address
NPort 5x50AI-M12 products are configured with the following default private IP address:
Default IP address: 192.168.127.254
(IP addresses of the form 192.168.xxx.xxx are referred to as private IP addresses, since it is not possible to
directly access a device configured with a private IP address from a public network. For example, you would not
be able to ping such a device from an outside Internet connection. NPort 5x50AI-M12 applications that require
sending data over a public network, such as the Internet, require setting up the server with a valid public IP
address, which can be leased from a local ISP.)
NPort Administration Suite
NPort Administration Suite consists of some useful utility programs that are used to configure and manage your
NPort 5x50AI-M12.
See Chapter 5 for details on how to install NPort Administration Suite, and how to use this suite of
useful utilities to set up IP addresses and configure your NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series serial device
servers.
ARP
You can make use of the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) command to set up an IP address for your NPort
5x50AI-M12. The ARP command tells your computer to associate the NPort 5x50AI-M12’s MAC address with
the intended IP address. You must then use Telnet to access the NPort 5x50AI-M12, at which point the device
server’s IP address will be reconfigured.
ATTENTION
In order to use this setup method, both your computer and NPort
5x50AI-M12 must be
connected to the same
LAN. Or, you may use a cross
-over Ethernet cable to connect the NPort 5x50AI-M12 directly to your
computer’s Ethernet card. Before executing the ARP command,
your NPort 5x50AI-M12
must be configured
with the factory default IP address
(192.168.127.254), and your computer and the NPort 5x50AI-M12
must
be on the same subnet.

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Initial IP Address Configuration
3-3
Take the following steps to use ARP to configure the IP address:
1. Obtain a valid IP address for your NPort 5x50AI-M12 from your network administrator.
2. Obtain the NPort 5x50AI-M12’s MAC address from the label on its bottom panel.
3. Execute the ‘arp -s’ command from your computer’s MS-DOS prompt by typing:
arp –s 192.168.200.100 00-90-E8-xx-xx-xx
This is where 192.168.200.100 is the new IP address and 00-90-E8-xx-xx-xx is the MAC address for your
NPort 5x50AI-M12. (Be sure to use the actual IP address and MAC address for your NPort 5x50AI-M12.)
4. Next, execute a special Telnet command by typing:
telnet 192.168.200.100 6000
After issuing this command, a Connect failed message will appear, as shown here. After the NPort reboots,
its IP address should be updated to the new address, and you can reconnect using either Telnet, Web, or
Administrator to check that the update was successful.
Telnet Console
Depending on how your computer and network are configured, you may find it convenient to use network
access to set up your NPort 5x50AI-M12’s IP address. This can be done using Telnet.
ATTENTION
Figures in this chapter were generated using
the NPort 5x50AI-M12I.
1. From the Windows desktop, click on Start and then select Run.
2. Type telnet 192.168.127.254 (use the correct IP address if different from the default) in the Open text
input box, and then click OK.
3. When the Telnet window opens, if you are prompted to input the Console password, input the password and
then press Enter.
Note that this page will only appear if the NPort is password protected.

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Initial IP Address Configuration
3-4
4. Type 2to select Network settings, and then press Enter.
5. Type 1to select IP address and then press Enter.
6. Use the Backspace key to erase the current IP address, type in the new IP address, and then press
Enter.

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Initial IP Address Configuration
3-5
7. Press any key to continue…
8. Type m and then press Enter to return to the main menu.
9. Type s and then press Enter to Save/Restart the system.
10. Type y and then press Enter to save the new IP address and restart the NPort 5x50AI-M12.

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Initial IP Address Configuration
3-6
Serial Console (19200, n, 8, 1)
You may use the RS-232 console port to set up the IP address for NPort 5x50AI-M12. We suggest using PComm
Terminal Emulator, which is available free of charge as part of the PComm Lite program suite, to carry out the
installation procedure, although other similar utilities may also be used.
ATTENTION
The
Serial Console is at serial port 1 of the NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series, with RS-232 mode.
Before you start to configure the NPort 5x50AI-M12 via serial console, turn off the power and connect the serial
cable from NPort 5x50AI-M12 to your computer’s serial port.
1. Connect NPort 5x50AI-M12’s serial port 1 directly to your computer’s male RS-232 serial port.
2. From the Windows desktop click on Start Programs PComm Lite Terminal Emulator.
3. When the PComm Terminal Emulator window opens, first click on the Port Manager menu item and select
Open, or simply click on the Open icon.
4. The Property window opens automatically. From the Communication Parameter page, select the
appropriate COM port for the connection, COM1 in this example, and 19200 for Baud Rate, 8 for Data Bits,
None for Parity, and 1 for Stop Bits.
5. From the Property window’s Terminal page, select ANSI or VT100 for Terminal Type and then click OK.
Note: If you select Dumb Terminal as the terminal type, some of the console functions—especially the
“Monitor” function—may not work properly.
6. Press the “ ` ” key continuously and then power on the NPort 5x50AI-M12.

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Initial IP Address Configuration
3-7
7. The NPort 5x50AI-M12 will automatically switch from data mode to console mode as it receives a
continuous string of “ ` ” characters.
8. Input the password when prompted. Note that this page will only appear when the NPort 5x50AI-M12 has
been set up for password protection.
9. Start configuring the IP address under Network Settings. Refer to step 4 in the Telnet Console section for
the rest of the IP settings.

4
4. Choosing the Proper Operation Mode
In this chapter, we describe the various NPort 5x50AI-M12 operation modes. The options include an operation
mode that uses a driver installed on the host computer, and operation modes that rely on TCP/IP socket
programming concepts. After choosing the proper operation mode in this chapter, refer to Chapter 5 for
detailed configuration parameter definitions.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:

Overview

Real COM Mode

RFC2217 Mode

TCP Server Mode

TCP Client Mode

UDP Mode

Pair Connection Mode

Ethernet Modem Mode

Reverse Telnet Mode

Disabled Mode

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Choosing the Proper Operation Mode
4-2
Overview
NPort 5x50AI-M12 Serial Device Servers network-enable traditional RS-232/422/485 devices, in which a Serial
Device Server is a tiny computer equipped with a CPU, real-time OS, and TCP/IP protocols that can
bi-directionally translate data between the serial and Ethernet formats. Your computer can access, manage,
and configure remote facilities and equipment over the Internet from anywhere in the world.
Traditional SCADA and data collection systems rely on serial ports (RS-232/422/485) to collect data from
various kinds of instruments. Since NPort 5x50AI-M12 Serial Device Servers network-enable instruments
equipped with an RS-232/422/485 communication port, your SCADA and data collection system will be able to
access all instruments connected to a standard TCP/IP network, regardless of whether the devices are used
locally or at a remote site.
NPort 5x50AI-M12 is an external IP-based network device that allows you to expand the number of serial ports
for a host computer on demand. As long as your host computer supports the TCP/IP protocol, you won’t be
limited by the host computer’s bus limitation (such as ISA or PCI), or lack of drivers for various operating
systems.
In addition to providing socket access, NPort 5x50AI-M12 also comes with a Real COM/TTY driver that
transmits all serial signals intact. This means that your existing COM/TTY-based software can be preserved,
without needing to invest in additional software.
Three different Socket Modes are available: TCP Server, TCP Client, and UDP Server/Client. The main
difference between the TCP and UDP protocols is that TCP guarantees delivery of data by requiring the recipient
to send an acknowledgement to the sender. UDP does not require this type of verification, making it possible
to offer speedier delivery. UDP also allows unicast or multicast of data to only one IP or groups of IP addresses.
Real COM Mode
NPort
5x50AI-M12 comes equipped with COM drivers that
work with
Windows
95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP//2003/Vista/2
008/7/XP
x64/2003 x64/Vista x64/2008 x64/7 x64
systems, and
also TTY
drivers for Linux or Unix systems. The driver
establishes a
transparent connection between host and
serial
device by mapping the IP:Port of the NPort
5x50AI
-M12’s serial port to a local COM/TTY port on the
host computer. Real COM Mode also
supports up to 8
simultaneous connections, so that
multiple hosts can
collect data from the same
serial device at the same time.
ATTENTION
The driver used for Real COM Mode comes with the NPort Administrator.
The driver is installed automatically
on your computer when you install NPort Administration Suite.
One of the major conveniences of using Real COM Mode is that Real COM Mode allows users to continue using
RS-232/422/485 serial communications software that was written for pure serial communications applications.
The driver intercepts data sent to the host’s COM port, packs it into a TCP/IP packet, and then redirects it
through the host’s Ethernet card. At the other end of the connection, the NPort 5x50AI-M12 accepts the
Ethernet frame, unpacks the TCP/IP packet, and then transparently sends it to the appropriate serial device
attached to one of the NPort 5x50AI-M12’s serial ports.

NPort 5x50AI-M12 Series Choosing the Proper Operation Mode
4-3
ATTENTION
Real COM Mode allows several hosts to have access control over the same NPort
5x50AI-M12.
The driver that
comes with your NPort
5x50AI-M12 controls host access to attached serial
devices by checking the host’s IP
address. Refer to Accessibl
e IP Settings in Chapter 5 for more details.
RFC2217 Mode
RFC2217 mode is similar to Real COM mode in that a driver is used to establish a transparent connection
between a host computer and a serial device by mapping the serial port on the NPort 5x50AI-M12 to a local
COM port on the host computer. RFC2217 defines general COM port control options based on the Telnet
protocol. Third party drivers that support RFC2217 are widely available on the Internet and can be used to
implement Virtual COM mapping to your NPort 5x50AI-M12 serial port(s).
TCP Server Mode
In TCP Server mode, NPort
5x50AI-M12 is configured with a
unique IP:Port address on a
TCP/IP network. NPort
5x50AI
-M12 waits passively to be contacted by the host
computer,
allowing the host computer to establish a
connection with and get data from the serial
device. This
operation mode also supports up to
8 simultaneous
connections, so that multiple hosts
can collect data from the
same serial device
—at the same time.
As illustrated in the figure, data
transmission proceeds as
follows:
1. The host requests a connection from the NPort
5x50AI-M12 configured for TCP Server Mode.
2. Once the connection is established, data can be
transmitted in both directions—from the host to the
NPort 5x50AI-M12, and from the NPort 5x50AI-M12 to
the host.
TCP Client Mode
In TCP Client mode,
the NPort 5x50AI-M12can actively
establish a TCP connection to a pre
-defined host computer
when serial data arrives.
After the data has been transferred,
the NPort can
automatically disconnect from the host computer
by using the
TCP alive check time
or Inactivity time settings. Refer to
chapter 5 for more details.
As illustrated in the figure, data transmission proceeds as
follows:
1. The NPort 5x50AI-M12 configured for TCP Client Mode
requests a connection from the host.
2. Once the connection is established, data can be
transmitted in both directions—from the host to the
NPort 5x50AI-M12, and from the NPort 5x50AI-M12 to
the host.