Systech Corporation RCS/5000 User manual

RCS/5000
Hardware
Manual
Document number 80-001051-5
Revision B

RCS/5000
Hardware
Manual

Document part number 80-001051-5
Revision History
Date Revision Description
4/10/01 A Initial production release
1/08/04 B Added 10/100BaseT
Created 2000, and Protected Under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976.
Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2004, SYSTECH Corporation
All Rights Reserved
This document is subject to change without notice.

Agency Notifications
FCC Class A
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with this manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his/her own expense.

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW...........................................................................................3
Features...........................................................................................................................4
Using the RCS/5000 ........................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE HARDWARE ..........................................................7
Overview..........................................................................................................................7
Planning the installation.................................................................................................7
RCS/5000 Panel Connectors...........................................................................................7
Connecting EIA-232 Devices ..........................................................................................9
Connecting Parallel Printers to the RCS/5000 ............................................................13
Synchronous Serial Devices ........................................................................................14
Ethernet LAN .................................................................................................................15
Starting the RCS/5000...................................................................................................16
CHAPTER 3: PHYSICAL LAYER INTERFACE SETTINGS.....................................18
Connecting RS-422/485 Devices ..................................................................................18
RS-422/485 Point-to-point Configuration....................................................................19
RS-422/485 Bus Configurations .................................................................................19
Two-Wire System...................................................................................................................20
Four-Wire Systems.................................................................................................................20
Using the RCS Port Server in RS-422 or RS-485 Mode ..............................................21
Connecting the RCS RCS/5000..................................................................................21
Configuring an RCS serial port for RS-422/485..........................................................22
CHAPTER 4: TROUBLESHOOTING........................................................................25
LED Displays .................................................................................................................25
Error Codes ...................................................................................................................28
APPENDIX: SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................30
RCS/5000 Hardware Specifications .............................................................................30
Environmental Specifications ......................................................................................30
Product Dimensions .....................................................................................................30
Model Numbers .............................................................................................................31
Ethernet cabling specifications ...................................................................................31

Overview 3
Chapter 1: Overview
The RCS/5000 port server provides communication between peripheral devices and devices
connected to your local network. When the port server is connected to your LAN and to one
or more peripherals, it manages network traffic, routing it to the correct device. For instance,
the RCS might be used, as shown in the network diagrams below, to allow several PC
registers to share expensive peripherals or to communicate with a remote site.

Features4
Features
The RCS/5000 offer the following features and benefits:
•Easy set up and configuration
•Open systems communications for multi-site data networks
•Can be used in a variety of data communications applications
•Reduces cost and complexity
•8 or 16 RJ-45 serial ports
•1 Hub with 4 ethernet ports, 1 port cross-wired for easy connection to another hub
•High-speed serial connections
•Software selectable RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 modes on each port
•Parallel printer port
•Optional WAN port for PPP over HDLC or Frame Relay
•Dial-up LAN/Internet access
•IP packet routing
•Operating system independent
•Modem and serial printer pooling
•Complete remote diagnostics
•LEDs for each port, signaling port status and error conditions
•Industry standard interoperability
•Developer's API for custom, on-board applications and protocols

Overview 5
•Raw reverse telnet option so you can access ports without using special protocol or
processing
•Standard lpd printing option that is efficient and easy to use
•Dial on demand to automatically dial and make a connection with a remote system
•Multiple services per port allows setting up both incoming and outgoing services on the
same port
•ppp header compression
•Reverse telnet support for a variety of UNIX operating systems
Using the RCS/5000
Using the RCS requires three steps:
1. Hardware installation
2. Configuration
3. Operation
Hardware installation is documented in this manual.
There are three ways to configuration and use your RCS port server: NativeCOM, a web
browser, or the command line interface.
•NativeCOM: If you are using Windows, you can use NativeCOM, a software package
provided free of charge by Systech. The NativeCOM Networked COM ports software
makes remote serial communication ports (e.g. EIA-232 ports on a terminal server)
available to PC programs as local COM ports. Applications from a PC running Microsoft
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, or Windows 2000 can access and use the
remote serial ports. For further information on configuring and using Networked COM
ports, see the NativeCOM manual. The NativeCOM software and manual are available
on the CD you received with your port server and from the Systech web site
(www.systech.com).
•Web Browser: If you are not using Windows or do not wish to use NativeCOM, you can
configure your port server directly using your web browser. To use the browser, point it
at the IP address of your Systech port server. For further information on assigning an IP
address to your port server and on the configuration and operation options for your port
server, see the Systech Port Server Administrator’s Guide, available on the CD you
received with your port server and from the Systech web site (www.systech.com).
•Command line interface: You can also configure your port server directly using the
command line interface, rather than a browser, by connecting a terminal to one of the
serial ports or by connecting to the port server via telnet. For further information on
configuration and operation using the command line interface, see the Systech Port
Server Administrator’s Guide, available on the CD you received with your port server
and from the Systech web site (www.systech.com).

Installing the Hardware 7
Chapter 2: Installing the Hardware
This chapter describes installing the RCS/5000 hardware, including:
•Planning the installation
•Checking cables and connectors
•Sample configurations
Overview
Installing the RCS/5000 hardware includes the following steps:
1. Plan the installation.
2. Connect the RCS port server to your network.
Most common connection method: Connect LAN (10/100BaseT RJ-45 connector located
on the back panel) to your Ethernet LAN using a straight through cable.
3. Connect your peripheral devices to the RCS port server.
Most common connection method: Connect each peripheral device (e.g., cash register,
card reader, modem) to a serial port (one of the RJ-45 connectors on the front panel).
4. Plug the unit into a source of AC power and turn the power switch on.
Planning the installation
Before installing the RCS remote communications server, consider the following:
•How will you configure your network—what types of devices will you connect and
where will they be located? Identify the distances at which each device will be located
from the RCS/5000 port server.
•Verify that the locations selected for devices do not exceed cable specifications.
•Is there an acceptable source of AC power available near each device’s proposed
location?
RCS/5000 Panel Connectors
Figure 2-1 shows the RCS/5000 front panel. Figure 2-2 shows the back panel.

RCS/5000 Panel Connectors8
STATUS
WAN BLAN
serial port LEDs LEDs Ethernet
port LEDs port server LED
910111213141516
13
16
15
14
9
12
11
10
87654321
5
8
7
6
1
4
3
2
RJ-45 serial ports
PRINTER C
A
Figure 2-1. RCS/5000 Front Panel
The front panel of the RCS/5000 (Figure 2-1 above) provides 8 or 16 RJ-45 serial ports, with
its number above each connector. Each serial port connector has an associated LED, also
numbered, that signals normal operation or error conditions. A larger status LED on the
lower right indicates the overall status of the port server. In addition, LEDs for the printer,
WAN, and Ethernet ports are located on the front panel, although the connectors are located
on the back panel. (NOTE: Not all models include a WAN port. See Model Numbers, page
31. If your model does not have a WAN port, the WAN LED will always remain dark.) For
information on interpreting the LED color and pattern displays, see LED Displays, page 25.
HARDWARE
RESET DEBUG
WANPRINTER Power
Ethernet ports DB-25 printer port
female DB-25 WAN port
male
LANBAC
Figure 2-2. RCS/5000 Back Panel
The back panel provides four RJ-45 Ethernet hub ports. The port labeled LAN is wired for
connection to a hub. The DB-25 WAN port and Printer port are also located on the back
panel. (NOTE: Not all models include a WAN port. See Model Numbers, page 31. If your
model does not have a WAN port, the WAN connector will be present but not operational.)
The power connector is located on the right side.
A hardware reset button is located on the left side of the back panel. The hardware reset
button reboots the port server, restarting it as if it had been powered off and back on,
putting the unit into operating mode. A debug button is located next to the reset button.
Pressing debug accesses the firmware monitor, but does not reboot. When the server enters
the firmware monitor, operation is suspended and all active sessions are ended. The
firmware monitor allows you to load new software into the port server, perform
maintenance or troubleshooting functions, make a bootp request, etc. For instructions on
using the Firmware Monitor, see the Systech Port Server Administrator’s Guide.

Installing the Hardware 9
Connecting EIA-232 Devices
The RCS/5000 server uses a symmetrical EIA-232 data terminal equipment (DTE) pinout on
the RJ-45 serial ports. Table 2-1 lists the pinouts of the RJ-45 ports used for EIA-232 serial
communications.
RJ-45
Pin
Number RS-232 Name Direction Signal Function
1 DCD I Signals module that remote device is
attached and powered on
2 RTS O Flow control, to enable remote device to
send data
3 SG Signal return (NOT chassis ground)
4 TXD O Serial data out, from RCS to remote device
5 RXD I Serial data in, from remote device to RCS
6 SG Signal return (NOT chassis ground)
7 CTS I Flow control, to enable RCS to send data on
TXD
8 DTR O Signals remote device that RCS is attached
and powered on
Table 2-1 EIA-232 RJ-45 Pinouts
To connect your EIA-232 device to the serial port of an RCS/5000, you need to determine
whether the device connector wiring follows the standard for data terminal equipment
(DTE) or for data communication equipment (DCE). In general, modems are wired as DCE
devices and all other devices are wired as DTE; however, some equipment manufacturers
may deviate from the standard. The manual for your device will contain information on the
pinouts for the device. Figures 2-3 through 2-6 show cable diagrams for the most common
configurations. Figure 2-7 shows a minimal cable using 3 wires.
The cable shown in Figure 2-3 or 2-4 may be used to connect most ASCII terminals or serial
printers to RCS/5000 serial ports. The cable shown in Figure 2-5 or 2-6 may be used to
connect modems to the RCS/5000. Modems should be configured to switch their carrier
detect signal (CD) on and off in response to making and breaking telephone connections.
This insures that the RCS/5000 terminates users’ sessions when they disconnect. Figure 2-7
shows a 3-wire cable.

Connecting EIA-232 Devices10
RJ-45 Plug Pin
Number DB-25 Plug Pin Number/Signal
1 DCD
8 DTR
7 CTS
5 RXD
4 TXD
6 SG
3 SG
2 RTS
20 DTR
6 DSR
8 DCD
4 RTS
2 TXD
3 RXD
7 SG
5 CTS
Pin 1
Figure 2-3. RJ-45 to DB-25 Terminal Cable
RJ-45 Plug Pin
Number DB-9 Plug Pin Number/Signal
1 DCD
8 DTR
7 CTS
5 RXD
4 TXD
6 SG
3 SG
2 RTS
4 DTR
6 DSR
1 DCD
7 RTS
3 TXD
2 RXD
5 SG
8 CTS
Pin 1
Figure 2-4 RJ-45 to DB-9 Terminal Cable

Installing the Hardware 11
RJ-45 Plug Pin
Number DB-25 Plug Pin Number/Signal
1 DCD
8 DTR
7 CTS
5 RXD
4 TXD
6 SG
3 SG
2 RTS
8 DCD
20 DTR
5 RTS
3 RXD
2 TXD
7 SG
4 RTS
Pin 1
Figure 2-5. RJ-45 to DB-25 Modem Cable
RJ-45 Plug Pin
Number DB-9 Plug Pin Number/Signal
1 DCD
8 DTR
7 CTS
5 RXD
4 TXD
6 SG
3 SG
2 RTS
1 DCD
4 DTR
8 RTS
2 RXD
3 TXD
5 SG
7 RTS
Pin 1
Figure 2-6 RJ-45 to DB-9 Modem Cable

Connecting EIA-232 Devices12
The RCS/5000 does not require the use of all 8 wires. Only pins 3, 4, and 5 are essential.
RTS/CTS and DTR (pins 2, 7, and 8) are only necessary for flow control. Only one ground,
(e.g., pin 3) is necessary. Although the RCS/5000 requires DCD by default, you can change
the serial port setting so that the DCD signal is not required. Thus, a minimal cable as shown
in Figure 2-7, using only RX (pin 5, data in), TX (pin 4, data out), and SG (pin 3, ground), can
be used.
NOTE: A 3-wire cable can NOT be used to login or to start a session until
after you have changed the DCD setting. Therefore, if you connect a terminal
or PC with terminal emulation software to your RCS/5000 port server when
you first set it up, e.g., to set the port server IP address, the factory setting that
requires the DCD signal is in effect and you cannot use a 3-wire cable. The
cable must have at least four wires: RXD, TXD, GND, and DCD. Be sure that
the null modem cable you are using supplies DCD. Some do not.
To change the DCD setting, necessary before a 3-wire cable can be used, use the command
set ignoredcd portnumber yes i
where portnumber is the number of the port to be changed. (For more information, see the
ignoredcd command in the Port Server Administrator’s Guide).
RJ-45 Pin
Number DB-25 Pin Number/Signal
1 DCD
8 DTR
7 CTS
6 SG
5 RXD
4 TXD
3 SG
2 RTS
7 SG
3 RXD
2 TXD
Figure 2-7 RJ-45 to DB-25 3-Wire Terminal Cable
RJ-45 to DB-25 or DB-9 adapters may be used with RJ-45 cables to create the cable
configurations shown in Figures 2-4 through 2-5. In most cases, you use “straight through”
RJ-45 cables. If you use “crossover” RJ-45 cables, the RJ-45 pins will be reversed. Figures 2-8
and 2-9 illustrate the difference between the two types, when constructed with flat 8-
conductor wire.

Installing the Hardware 13
pin 1
Figure 2-8 RJ-45 to RJ-45 Straight-through Cable
pin 1
Figure 2-9 RJ-45 to RJ-45 Crossover Cable
Connecting Parallel Printers to the RCS/5000
The RCS/5000 parallel port is compatible with common PC parallel printer ports. The same
printer cables used with PCs will work with the RCS. The RCS uses a male 25-pin D type
connector; your printer may use a similar connector, or it may use a Centronics type
connector. Make sure your cable matches the connector types at each end. Table 2-2 gives the
parallel port pinouts.

Synchronous Serial Devices14
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
STROBE
D(0)
D(1)
D(2)
D(3)
D(4)
D(5)
D(6)
D(7)
A
CK*
BUSY*
ERROR
SELECT*
A
UTOFD*
FAULT
INIT*
SELECTIN*
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
I
I
I
I
O
I
O
O
Pin
Number Signal Name I/O
Table 2-2. Parallel Port Pinouts
Synchronous Serial Devices
(NOTE: Only some RCS models have WAN ports. See Model Numbers, page 31)
Your installation can include an RCS port server that acts as a Local Area Network-to-Wide
Area Network (LAN-to-WAN) router. For example, a remote office location might use an
RCS port server to access applications at regional or corporate headquarters. The RCS port
server routes traffic destined for the home office off the local LAN and over its own WAN
port, which would typically be connected to a wide-area network service provider via ISDN,
T1/E1, 56 Kbps leased line, Switched 56 service, etc.
The WAN port on the back of the RCS/5000 can be configured to meet any of these
standards:
•EIA-232
•EIA-422
•EIA-530
•V.35