NCD Gen3 Ethernet Module User manual

GEN3 ETHERNET MODULE
Ethernet Quick Start Guide
N a t io n a l C o n t ro l D e v i c es

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Introduction
Gen3 Ethernet Module
In this guide we will cover the configuration and use of the NCD Gen 3
Module. We will discuss the configuration software as well as the web
interface. The module can be configured through the web interface,
however if you have a Windows Computer available, we recommend
configuring settings in the module through the configuration software.
Basic Usage
For most users, the Gen 3 Ethernet module will work right out of the box
with no settings configuration required. Simply install the Ethernet
module into your main control board, connect a standard ethernet cable to
the Gen 3 module, connect the other end of the ethernet cable into your
network, then power up the main control board. Your main control board
Power LED(s) should turn on and the LEDs on the front of the Ethernet
module should turn on and begin flashing which indicates the module is in
fact powered up normally.
At this point you can open the Base Station software or Alpha
Station software and communicate with the main control board through
the Gen 3 Module. Both Base Station and Alpha Station should
automatically discover the Gen 3 module on the network and allow you to
connect to the main control board.
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Important Details
DHCP
By default, NCD Gen 3 modules ship in DHCP mode so it is expected that they
be connected to a DHCP enabled networks. Most routers support DHCP,
however if your network does not support DHCP then you will want to store
a static IP address into the controller.
Force Static IP for Configuration
If your network does not support DHCP then power down the main control
board. Install a jumper on the two pins directly to the left of the Ethernet
Jack then power the board up again. Installing a jumper on these two pins
will force the module to use a Static IP address of 192.168.1.88. This will
allow you to connect to the Gen 3 Module for configuration on a Non DHCP
enabled network or by connecting the Ethernet module directly to the
Ethernet port of your PC. When configuring settings in this way you will
need to leave the static IP address jumper in place, alter the settings, select
“Apply Settings”, power down the control board, wait 2 seconds, remove the
static IP jumper, and power the board back up for the settings to be stored in
the module.
Factory Reset
There is a hardware method of restoring the Gen 3 module to factory default
settings. To do this press and hold the button to the right of the Ethernet
Jack for 5 seconds, then release the button. This will factory reset all setting
inside the Gen 3 module.
Note
Always connect the Ethernet cable to the Gen 3 module and the network
prior to powering the board up.
Applying Settings
Any time settings are altered on the Gen 3 module it is necessary to power
cycle the module. This can be done by manually removing power from the
host board or by clicking the Reset button in the software/web interface.
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NCD Config Tool Software
If you need to make configuration changes to the Gen 3 module and you
have a windows computer available, we highly recommend using this NCD
Config Tool software to make your configuration changes:
NCD5500 Configuration Software for Windows
If you do not have a Windows computer available or cannot install this
software for another reason, please proceed to the Web Interface
Configuration section.
Discovering Gen 3 Modules with the NCD Config Tool
Download and install the NCD Config Tool from the link above on a
Windows computer connected to the same network as the Gen 3
module. Once installed open the NCD Config Tool software.
Power on the Main
Control board with the
Gen 3 module. After 20
seconds or so the
module should appear
in the list as a MAC
address, if it does not
click the Search button
until the module
appears in the list.
From here all settings
of the Gen 3 module
may be configured.
If the IP address shows up as 0.0.0.0 go ahead and click the Search button
again and the IP address should appear in the IP Address Field.
We will now cover all settings that may be configured through the NCD
Config Tool Software. You will notice two tabs on the software labeled
Basic Settings and Advanced Options. We will cover each of these
categories of settings individually.
Once settings are configured as desired click the Apply Settings button to
store them into the Gen 3 module. It is also possible to power cycle the
module with the Reset Button. Keep in mind settings entered in the
module do not take effect until the module is power cycled.

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Basic Settings
Network Settings(Use the Follow IP address)
When this radio button is selected it forces the Gen 3 module to utilize the
Static IP address settings entered by the user in the IP Address, Subnet
Mask, Gateway, and DNS Server fields.
Network Settings (Get IP address from DHCP Server)
When this radio
button is selected
the Gen 3 module
will obtain an IP
address from the
network router upon
boot. Configuration
settings entered in
the IP Address,
Subnet Mask,
Gateway, and DNS
Server fields will be
ignored however
these fields will still
display current
module information.
COM Port Settings
NCD Gen 3 Ethernet module ship with Com Port Settings which make the
module compatible with the Main Control board it is installed in. If any
settings are made to the COM Port Settings fields it must be assured that
these settings are compatible with the Main Control Board. For most
applications it is not recommended that these fields be changed.
Connection
These settings determine how Software will communicate with the Gen 3
module in daily use. Socket connection type may be selected from the
Work As drop-down menu. Options are TCP Server, TCP Client, or UDP. In
TCP Server mode the Gen 3 module will accept TCP socket connections
from your Software over the port specified in the Local Port Field. In TCP
Client mode the Gen 3 module will automatically establish a TCP socket to
a server on the IP specified in the Remote Host Field on the port specified
in the port field to the right of the Remote Host field. Lastly UDP mode
causes the Gen 3 Module to utilize UDP sockets. This is a good option if the
board needs to send information to multiple software applications running
on different servers.

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Advanced Options
Show Debug Messages
Not recommended for use in NCD Devices
Echo In AT Mode
Not recommended for use in NCD Devices
Use NetBIOS
Not recommended for use in NCD Devices
Device Name
Gen 3 module send out
discovery packets which
allow software to discover
them on the network. This
Device Name field allows
the user to specify the
name of this particular
device in the discovery
packet. This can be used
to differentiate between
devices if there are
multiple on the same
network.
Password
The Web interface of the Gen 3 module is password secured. Double click
the Password field here and it is possible to edit the web interface
password.
Enter Mode when power on or reset
Only Data mode is recommended for NCD Devices.
Enabled Web Server Port
By default the Gen 3 module serves its web interface on port 80 like most
normal web servers, however this field allows the user to alter the port the
web interface is served on. This field may be set to 0 if it is desired to
disable the web interface for the Gen 3 module.
Nagle Wait Time (ms):
This configures the amount of time the Gen 3 module waits after data is
initially received over its serial connection to the Main Control Board
before sending the data packet over the Network Socket. The
default/recommended setting for this field is 5.

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Data Length:
This is the amount of data required to be received over the Serial
connection to the Main control board before the data packet is sent out
over the Network Socket. For use in NCD Devices it is recommended to
leave this setting at 0.
Clear Data Buffer when TCP Connected
The Gen3 module has an internal buffer where data received over it’s serial
connection may be stored. This setting determines whether or not that
data buffer should be emptied when a TCP socket connection is established
to the board or from the board to the Server. For most applications it is
recommended to leave this setting checked.
Request Admin Password
This setting is only available when the Gen 3 module is in TCP Server
Mode. This setting requires software connecting to the Gen 3 module to
submit a password in order to communicate with it. The Password from
the Password field is utilized as the connection authorization password. It
should be noted that this setting has not yet been thoroughly tested by
NCD Staff.
Connect TCP Server When
This setting is only available when the Gen 3 module is in TCP Client
Mode. This setting determines when a socket should be established with
the Remote Host TCP server. Options are Power On and Serial Data
Received.
Auto Message
This setting determines whether the Gen 3 module should send a message
to the Client or Server when a socket is initially established. This is not
necessary for most applications as it is possible to retrieve this information
from the socket, however it may be utilized to identify the device to the
software. Options are No Message, Device Name, Device IP, or Device MAC
address.
Inactivity(ms)
This setting determines how long a socket will be maintained if no data is
transmitted or received over a network socket connection. After this
amount of time the Gen 3 module will disconnect the socket. If it is not
desired to automatically disconnect the socket after no data is transferred
for a specified amount of time set this field to 0.

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Reconnection(ms):
This setting is only applicable in TCP Client mode. This setting determines
the amount of time the Gen 3 module will wait after a connection has been
closed by the remote Host. After this amount of time the Gen 3 module will
attempt to reconnect to the remote Host.
Keep Alive (5s):
This is the interval in 5 second increments the Gen 3 module will send
keep alive packets to the remote host/client.

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Web Interface Connection
Gen 3 modules have a built-in web interface which may be utilized to
configure settings in the module
To access the web
interface simply open
your web browser and
enter the IP address of
the Gen 3 module. If
you do not know the
module’s IP address you
may be able to discover
it by opening the Base
Station or Alpha Station
software. It is also
possible to obtain the
module’s IP address by
checking the DHCP
Table of your Router. If
your router does not
support DHCP simply
power the board down
and install a jumper on
the pins directly to the left of the Ethernet Jack, then power the board back
up. This will force the module to use a static IP address of
192.168.1.88. Note however that the module will not utilize user
configured settings while this jumper is installed so be sure to power down
the board and then remove the jumper once settings are entered as
desired.
Device View
The Device View page displays current information about the Gen 3
Module such as its network connection information, it’s socket mode
information, UART Settings, etc. If you are contacting technical support for
help with your Gen 3 module it’s a good idea to provide a screen shot of
this page as it outlines a lot of very important information about the
current configuration of your Gen 3 module.

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Basic Settings
Most settings you will be interested in configuring can be found under
Basic Settings. Here you can configure A static IP address and the type of
socket connection the module should utilize. Here we will review each of
these settings.
Use DHCP
If this box is checked
the module will obtain
an IP Address from
your DHCP server on
the network router. If
this box is checked the
IP Address, Subnet
Mask, Gateway, and
DNS Server fields will
be ignored. If you
intend to enter Static
IP address settings
make sure this box is
NOT checked.
IP Address
This setting is only
applicable if Use DHCP
is unchecked. This
field configures the Static IP address the module should utilize on the
network.
Subnet Mask
This setting is only applicable if Use DHCP is unchecked. This field
configures the Subnet Mask the module should use on the Network it is
connected to.
Gateway
This setting is only applicable if Use DHCP is unchecked. This field should
match the IP address of your network router.
DNS Server
This setting is only applicable if Use DHCP is unchecked. This field will
configure the DNS Server the Module uses for DNS requests.