Moxa Technologies ThinkCore DA-660-8-CE User manual

ThinkCore DA-660-8/16-CE
User’s Manual
Second Edition, May 2006
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ThinkCore DA-660-8/16-CE 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 ©2006 Moxa Systems Co., Ltd.
All rights reserved.
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
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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 Technologies
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.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................1-1
Overview..................................................................................................................................1-2
Package Checklist.......................................................................................................1-2
Model Descriptions and Features ............................................................................... 1-2
Hardware Specifications.............................................................................................1-2
Software Features.....................................................................................................................1-3
Applications Development Environment....................................................................1-3
Networking and Communications Capabilities..........................................................1-4
Supported Servers and Daemons................................................................................ 1-4
Obtaining the Firmware Build Version ....................................................................................1-5
Memory and File Systems........................................................................................................ 1-5
Hive-Based Registry................................................................................................................1-5
RS-232/422/485 Serial Ports.................................................................................................... 1-5
Chapter 2 Getting Started .............................................................................................2-1
Starting Your DA-660 Computer .............................................................................................2-2
Resetting Your DA-660 Computer........................................................................................... 2-2
Operating Your DA-660 Computer Via Serial Console ........................................................... 2-2
Changing the Network Settings ...............................................................................................2-2
Operating Your DA-660 Computer Via Telnet Client..............................................................2-3
User/Group Management......................................................................................................... 2-3
Adjusting System Time and RTC Time.................................................................................... 2-4
Starting and Stopping Services ................................................................................................2-5
Troubleshooting Network Connectivity................................................................................... 2-5
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)..................................................................... 2-6
SNMP Agent .............................................................................................................. 2-6
SNMP Manager..........................................................................................................2-7
Chapter 3 Web-based Management System ...............................................................3-1
System Information..................................................................................................................3-2
Networking/Server Configuration............................................................................................3-2
Serial Port Configuration ......................................................................................................... 3-3
Process (Thread) Monitoring/Control...................................................................................... 3-3
Launching Processes Automatically......................................................................................... 3-4
Services Monitoring/Control.................................................................................................... 3-4
Binary/Text File Management..................................................................................................3-5
Chapter 4 Application Development............................................................................4-1
Installing Development Tools (IDEs)....................................................................................... 4-2
VB.NET/C# Applications: Using Visual Studio 2005 ...............................................4-2
C/C++ Applications: Using eMbedded Visual C++ (eVC) 4.0.................................. 4-2
Installing MOXAWindows® CE 5.0 C/C++ SDKs................................................................4-3
Developing Applications with IDEs.........................................................................................4-6
Developing eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0 applications with an imported SDK.............4-7
Developing VB.NET / C# applications with a .NET Compact Framework...............4-8
Visual Studio 2005 Remote Tools............................................................................................4-9
Using Visual Studio C#, VB.Net or C++ 2005 Express............................................. 4-9
Remote Tool # 1: Application Debugger..................................................................4-11
Remote Tool #2: Remote File Explorer.................................................................... 4-15

Chapter 5 Programming Examples..............................................................................5-1
Embedded Visual C++4 Examples........................................................................................... 5-1
Example #1—MOXA UART Supporting RS-232/422/485....................................... 5-2
Example #2—Buzzer..................................................................................................5-5
Visual Studio 2005 C# Examples............................................................................................. 5-5
Example #1—MOXA UART Supports RS-232/422/485........................................... 5-6
Example #2—Buzzer..................................................................................................5-9
Example #3—Real Time Clock................................................................................ 5-10
Frequently Asked Questions .................................................................................................. 5-10
Appendix A Using the LCM Keypad...............................................................................A-0
Appendix B Firmware Upgrade Procedure....................................................................B-0
Appendix C Service Information.....................................................................................C-1
MOXA Internet Services..........................................................................................................C-2
Problem Report Form...............................................................................................................C-3
Product Return Procedure........................................................................................................C-4

1
1
Chapter 1 Introduction
Microsoft® Windows® CE 5.0 is an open, scalable, 32-bit operating system (OS) that allows you
to build a wide range of innovative, small footprint devices. A typical Windows® CE-based device
is designed for a specific use, and often runs disconnected from other computers, or distributed as
a front-end to a centralized host. Examples include enterprise tools, such as industrial controllers,
communications hubs, and point-of-sale terminals, and display devices, such as HMI,
advertisement appliances, and interactive panels.
The ThinkCore DA-660 WinCE series of ready-to-run embedded computers includes the 8-port
DA-660-8-CE and the 16-port DA-660-16-CE.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
Overview
¾Package Checklist
¾Model Descriptions and Product Features
¾Product Hardware Specifications
Software Features
¾Applications Development Environment
¾Networking and Communications Capabilities
¾Supported Servers and Daemons
Obtaining the Firmware Build Version
Memory and File Systems
Hive-Based Registry
RS-232/422/485 Serial Ports

ThinkCore DA-660 WinCE User’s Manual Introduction
1-2
Overview
The ThinkCore DA-660 WinCE embedded computer is ideal for reliable, small-footprint,
programmable, communication-centric applications. DA-660 uses an Intel XScale IXP-422
RISC-based CPU running at a clock rate of 266 MHz. Unlike the CISC architecture under an X86
CPU, the RISC design supports compact instruction sets. A RISC-based CPU generates less heat
and consequently enhances reliability. To provide sufficient data storage and run-time memory for
your applications, DA-660 integrates 32 MB of Flash memory and 128 MB of SDRAM. In
addition, the DA-660 has two LAN ports and 8 or 16 serial ports to extend its communication
capabilities. Two efficient LAN ports support high-performance data transmission over the
Intranet/Internet. Each serial port supports an RS-232/422/485 3-in-1 operation mode switch to
provide centrally-controlled connectivity to diverse serial devices.
The Da-660 WinCE system is built on the Microsoft® Windows® CE 5.0 operating system (OS).
Using a common, widely used programming environment makes DA-660 suitable for new system
development and legacy system migration.
The hardware and software capabilities of the Da-660 WinCE system make it an ideal computing
platform for data acquisition and transmission applications.
Package Checklist
Before installing the Da-660 WinCE system, verify that the package contains the following items.
y1 ThinkCore DA-660 WinCE
y19-inch Rackmount Kit
yThinkCore DA-660 WinCE Quick Installation Guide
yThinkCore DA-660 WinCE Document & Software CD
yCross-over Ethernet cable
yCBL-RJ45M9-150: 150 cm, 8-pin RJ45 to male DB9 serial port cable
yCBL-RJ45F9-150: 150 cm, 8-pin RJ45 to female DB9 console port cable
yPower Cord
yProduct Warranty Sheet
Notify your sales representative if any of above items is missing or damaged.
Model Descriptions and Features
The Da-660 WinCE Series (referred to in this manual as DA-660) consists of two models. Both
models have exactly the same software features and hardware specifications, but DA-660-8-CE
has 8 serial ports and DA-660-16-CE has 16 serial ports.
The following table lists the hardware specifications of the models in more detail.
Hardware Specifications

ThinkCore DA-660 WinCE User’s Manual Introduction
1-3
Model DA-660-8-CE DA-660-16-CE
CPU Intel XScale IXP-422 266 MHz
RAM 128 MB
Flash 32 MB
LAN Auto-sensing 10/100 Mbps ×2 with built-in 1.5 KV magnetic
isolation protection, RJ45 Connector
Serial Port RS-232/422/485 ×8
RJ45 Connector RS-232/422/485 ×16 RJ45 Connector
Serial Protection 15 KV ESD
Data Bits 5, 6, 7, 8
Stop Bits 1, 1.5, 2
Parity None, Even, Odd, Space, Mark
Flow Control RTS/CTS, XON/XOFF, RS-485 ADDC™
Speed 50 bps to 921.6 Kbps
Serial Console RS-232 ×1, RJ45 Connector
LCM 128 ×32 dots
Keypad 4 buttons
Real Time Clock Yes
Buzzer Yes
Reset Button Reset to Default ×1
Power Input 100- to 240 VAC/VDC auto ranging (47 to 63 Hz for AC input)
Power Consumption 12W
Dimensions
(W ×D ×H) 480 ×198 ×45 mm (with rack-mount ears)
440 ×198 ×45 mm (without rack-mount ears)
Operating
temperature -10 to 60°C (14 to 140°F), 5 to 95% RH
Storage temperature -20 to 80°C (-4 to 176°F), 5 to 95% RH
Regulatory Approvals EMC: CE Class A, FCC Class A
Safety: UL, CUL, TUV
Warranty 5 years
Software Features
DA-660 ready-to-run embedded computers are network-centric, head-less computers that are
designed to be programmable for embedded communication applications.
Applications Development Environment
The Windows® CE operating system provides an easy-to-use programming environment for the
DA-660. In fact WinCE’s popular application development features make programming as
convenient and easy as in a PC environment.
yC Libraries and Run-times—Compared to the C libraries and run-times used on a desktop
PC running Windows®, the C libraries and run-times on a DA-660 WinCE are a subset of the
WIN32 APIs. The system supports a full ANSI C run-time, standard input/output library,
standard input/output ASCII library, and standard ASCII string functions. In addition,
compiler C++ exception handling and Run-Time Type Information (RTTI) equivalent to
desktop C++ compilers are supported.
yComponent Services (COM and DCOM)—The Common Object Model (COM) is an
operating system-independent, object-oriented system for creating binary software
components that can interact with other COM-based components in the same process space, in
other processes, or on remote machines.

ThinkCore DA-660 WinCE User’s Manual Introduction
1-4
yMicrosoft® Foundation Classes (MFC)—MFC is a comprehensive class library and
complete object-oriented application framework designed to help build applications, COM
components, and controls.
ySOAP Toolkit—SOAP is an XML-based protocol for object exchange and remote procedure
calls. Microsoft® Windows® CE 5.0 provides functionality similar to the SOAP Toolkit
version 2 on the desktop. It provides a layer that allows COM objects to use SOAP as the
transport protocol for remote procedure calls and to interact with Web services.
yMicrosoft® .NET Compact Framework 2.0—Offers a choice of programming languages,
initially Microsoft® Visual Basic® and Microsoft® Visual C#, and eliminates the common
problems faced with language interoperability.
yXML—Provides the Document Object Model (DOM) for base XML functionality, support for
XML Query Language (XQL) and XPATH, Extensible Style Sheet Language
Transformations (XSLT) that enables you to transform one class of XML document to another,
SAX2 support for event-based parsing of XML documents (including MSXML Writer), and
parsing based on Simple API for XML (SAX) for resource-constrained target devices.
yWinsock 2.2—Provides enhanced capabilities over Winsock 1.1, including installable service
providers for additional third-party protocols, and Media sense.
Networking and Communications Capabilities
For network centric embedded application usage, DA-660 not only provides powerful
communication hardware interfaces, including dual Ethernet and 3-in-1 serial ports, but also
supports the networking and communications capabilities that are built into the Windows® CE 5.0
OS. The following features are supported:
ySimple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)—Monitors remote connections to the
network.
ySimple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) Client—Provides support for synchronizing the
device’s system time with an SNTP server, and supports Daylight Savings Time.
ySerial Communications—In addition to the 16550 UART driver bound to a debug port and
the console port, a special driver for 8 or 16 additional MOXA home-made serial ports is also
included.
yNetwork Utilities (IpConfig, Ping, Route)—Utilities for troubleshooting various network
problems.
yTCP/IP—Includes IP, Address Resolution (ARP), Internet Control Message (ICMP), Internet
Group Membership (IGMP), Transmission Control (TCP), User Datagram (UDP), name
resolution and registration, and DHCP.
Supported Servers and Daemons
In addition to the development and communication capabilities mentioned above, DA-660 embeds
the services and daemons listed below. These common and easy-to-use application servers help
users migrate the DA-660 embedded computer to industrial communication applications easily and
conveniently.
yTelnet Server—A sample server that allows remote administration through a standard Telnet
client.
yFTP Server—A sample server used for transferring files to and from remote computer
systems over a network using TCP/IP.
yWeb Server (HTTPD)—Includes ASP, ISAPI Secure Socket Layer support, SSL 2, SSL 3,
Transport Layer Security (TLS/SSL 3.1) public key-based protocols, and Web Administration
ISAPI Extensions.
yDial-up Networking—Consists of a RAS client API and Point to Point Protocol (PPP). RAS
and PPP support Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) and RAS scripting.

ThinkCore DA-660 WinCE User’s Manual Introduction
1-5
Obtaining the Firmware Build Version
There are three ways to obtain the firmware version of the DA-660 embedded computer. This
information is particularly important for feature identification.
yExamine the welcome message after you log on to the computer.
yLog on to the Web-based management system (described in a later chapter) to view the system
information.
yCheck the firmware version on the LCM display.
Memory and File Systems
The operating system and user applications occupy about 112 MB of the 128 MB of SDRAM. The
kernel image occupies the rest of the space.
DA-660’s internal file system controls access to the ROM, and also provides file storage in the
object store, which is in the RAM. The ROM file system provides persistent storage for
applications and related data, even when the main power supply is lost. The ROM file system
integrates the read-only files that are stored in Flash ROM with the read/write files of both an
application and a user. A child directory named “NORFlash” under the root directory indicates the
ROM storage of the flash memory of size 15.5 MB.
The root directory is a RAM file system of size 15.5 MB. The root directory can be used for
storing temporary files for your applications. Do not place persistent files or applications in the
root directory because they will be deleted when the system is shut down. Instead, place them in
the directory “NORFlash.”
The internal file system supports TFAT (Transaction-Safe File Allocation Table), which is safer
than FAT. TFAT protects the file system from write corruption in critical times, such as power loss.
During power loss, the file state is rolled back. In addition, TFAT is a superset of FAT. This means
that the internal file system of the embedded computer provides the ability to mount external FAT
file systems.
Hive-Based Registry
The registry for DA-660 is a hive-based registry instead of a RAM-based registry. The hive-based
registry stores registry data inside files, or hives, which can be kept on any file system. This
eliminates the need for performing backup and restore on power off.
RS-232/422/485 Serial Ports
The DA-660 embedded computer comes with two embedded serial ports, named COM1 and
COM2. COM1 is hidden inside the box case for debugging purposes when developing firmware.
COM2 is used as the console port. Although the console port can be used when developing
applications (e.g., data acquisition and control), we suggest that you always use the serial ports
located on the front of the device for your applications, and reserve COM2 for console access.
The additional serial ports are named COM3, COM4, etc., reading from left to right. The ports are
designed for reliable, high-speed data transmission. The ports are 3-in-1 (i.e., they can be set for
RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485) to make them suitable for many different applications. Each of the
ports supports a baudrate up to 921600 bps.

2
2
Chapter 2 Getting Started
In this chapter, we explain how to use a PC to operate a DA-660 computer. For clarity, the PC is
referred to as a development workstation and the DA-660 computer is called a target computer.
In addition, manual steps are described to facilitate operations such as system time adjustment,
troubleshooting network connectivity, etc. Some of these operations can be done via system
commands after gaining access to the computer and others can be done by a Web-based
management system, which is described in a later chapter.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
Starting Your DA-660 Computer
Resetting Your DA-660 Computer
Operating Your DA-660 Computer Via Serial Console
Changing the Network Settings
Operating Your DA-660 Computer Via Telnet Client
User/Group Management
Adjusting System Time and RTC Time
Starting and Stopping Services
Troubleshooting Network Connectivity
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
¾SNMP Agent
¾SNMP Manager