WTI RSM-800 User manual

WTI Part No. 12771
Rev. C
RSM-800
RemoteSite Manager
Preliminary Draft
July 1997
User's Guide

5 Sterling ·Irvine ·California 92618
[phone] ·Toll Free: 1-800-854-7226
Fax: [phone] ·http://www.wti.com

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................1-1
2. Unit Description.........................................2-1
2.1. Front Panel............................................2-1
2.2. Back Panel ............................................2-2
3. System Overview ........................................3-1
3.1. Communication Parameters..............................3-1
3.2. Apply Power to the RSM-800............................3-2
3.3. Connecting your PC to the RSM-800 .....................3-2
3.4. Communicating with the RSM-800 .......................3-3
4. Hardware Installation ...................................4-1
4.1. Configure Setup Switches ...............................4-1
4.1.1. Default Baud Rate (Sw1, Sw2, Sw3)...............4-2
4.1.2. Default Handshake (Sw4) ........................4-2
4.1.3. Default Response Message Format (Sw5) ..........4-3
4.1.4. Default Command Echo (Sw7)....................4-3
4.2. Initialize the Unit to Default Settings .....................4-4
4.3. Connecting the Network Cable...........................4-4
4.4. Connecting Devices to the RSM-800......................4-5
5. Configuration ...........................................5-1
5.1. Communication During Initial Configuration ..............5-1
5.2. Defining and Reading the Site I.D. .......................5-2
5.3. Port Configuration .....................................5-2
5.3.1. Configuration Conventions .......................5-2
5.3.2. Port Modes.....................................5-3
5.3.2.1. The Net Mode ..........................5-3
5.3.2.2. The Any-to-Any Mode...................5-3
5.3.2.3. The Buffer Mode........................5-3
5.3.2.4. The Modem Mode.......................5-4
5.3.3. Command Availability ...........................5-4
5.3.4. Selecting Parameters for TCP/IP Networks .........5-5
5.3.5. Port Configuration Commands....................5-5
5.4. Implementing IP Security ...............................5-8
5.4.1. IP Security Filter Examples .....................5-10
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6. Operation ...............................................6-1
6.1. Access to the RSM-800 Command Mode ..................6-1
6.1.1. Access via Local PC.............................6-1
6.1.2. Access via Modem ..............................6-1
6.1.3. Access via TCP/IP Network ......................6-2
6.1.4. Access via Netware 3.x/4.x Network ..............6-3
6.2. Port Connection and Disconnection.......................6-5
6.2.1. Using ASCII Commands to Connect Ports .........6-5
6.2.2. Disconnecting Ports .............................6-7
6.3. Defining Hunt Groups ..................................6-9
6.4. The Buffer Mode......................................6-10
6.5. Pass-through to Network ...............................6-12
7. Saving Configuration Parameters.........................7-1
7.1. Sending Parameters to a File.............................7-1
7.2. Restoring Saved Parameters .............................7-2
8. Command Reference Guide...............................8-1
8.1. Command Conventions .................................8-1
8.2. Command Response ....................................8-2
8.3. Command Summary ....................................8-3
8.4. Command Set..........................................8-4
Appendices
A. Description of System Interface ........................Apx-1
A.1. Ports 2 through 8 (RS-232) ...........................Apx-1
B. Specifications.........................................Apx-2
C. FCC Notice...........................................Apx-3
D. Customer Service .....................................Apx-4
Index
List of Figures
2.1. Instrument Front Panel ......................................2-1
2.2. Instrument Back Panel.......................................2-2
3.1. The RSM-800 Help Screen ...................................3-3
3.2. The Status Screen ...........................................3-4
5.1. Port Configuration Menu (Port 2 Shown).......................5-6
6.1. LIST14 Command Response..................................6-3
A.1. Ports 2 through 8 (RS-232) ................................Apx-1
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RSM-800 User's Guide

1. Introduction
The RSM-800 Remote Site Manager provides a cost effective
means for control and management of network hardware without
SNMP in-band restrictions. The RSM-800 allows on-site,
modem, or network communication with any piece of equipment
with an RS-232 command port. Devices can be accessed without
the need to travel to the installation site, even when the network
is down.
Supports Both TCP/IP and Netware 3.x/4.x
The RSM-800 is ideal for both TCP/IP and Netware 3.x/4.x
networks. The unit can be simultaneously configured for both
environments, and will recognize which protocol is being used to
connect. Note however, that only one type of network can
connect at a given time.
Password Protected Network Access
Network access to command functions is protected by a user-
defined password. If unauthorized access is not a concern, the
password feature can also be disabled.
Modem Communication
The RSM-800 can also be controlled via modem. ProComm® (or
another communications program) is used to send commands to
connect ports or display status. When an external modem is
connected, all devices connected to the RSM-800 have access to
the modem. The Modem Port is password protected to restrict
unauthorized access to connected devices.
Versatile Connectivity
The RSM-800 provides a practical solution for applications that
require communication between devices operating at dissimilar
baud rates. Up to 7 different devices can be connected, without
the need to select a common baud rate. Each port can be
individually configured for specific baud rates, parity,
handshaking format, and various other parameters and options.
Easy Set-Up and Operation
Configuration of the RSM-800 is simple. A convenient menuing
system is used to select communications parameters, and enable
or disable options. The RSM-800 can be easily configured to fit
the requirements of almost any data communications application.
1-1

Protected Command Access
The RSM-800 is ideal for situations that require limited access to
important commands. Each port can be individually configured
to allow access to all commands (Administrator), or only allow
access to basic commands (User).
Modular Design
DB9 jacks provide quick, easy connection to computers,
modems, and other LAN hardware. The RSM-800 is compact
and takes only one rack unit (1.75 inches) of vertical rack space
Buffered Ports
The RSM-800 has 256KB of non-volatile, dynamically allocated
buffer memory. This prevents data overflow during
communication between two ports operating at dissimilar baud
rates. The RSM-800 also features a Buffer Mode, which enables
a port to collect data from a connected device and store that data
in an 8 Kbyte revolving buffer.
Configuration Backup
Once you have configured the RSM-800 to fit the requirements
of your application, parameters and options can be sent to an
ASCII text file and saved for future retrieval. If configuration is
accidentally altered or deleted, parameters can be reloaded using
your terminal emulation software.
Typographic Conventions
Throughout this manual, typefaces and characters have been used
to denote the following:
^(e.g. ^E)Indicates a key combination used to invoke
a command. For example, the text “^E”
(Control E) indicates the [Ctrl] key and
the [E] key must be pressed simultaneously.
COURIER FONT Indicates characters typed on the keyboard.
For example, /^E or /P 02.
[Bold Font] Text set in bold face and enclosed in
square brackets, indicates a specific key.
For example, [Enter] or [Esc].
< > Indicates required keyboard entries:
For Example: /P <n>
[ ] Indicates optional keyboard entries.
For Example: /W [n]
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RSM-800 User's Guide

2. Unit Description
2.1. Front Panel
¬CLEAR: Restarts the RSM-800 operating program
without changing user-selected parameter settings or
breaking port connections.
-ON: Lights when AC Power is applied.
®SET: Initializes the RSM-800 to the defaults specified by
the Setup Switches. To initialize, press and hold both the
SET and CLEAR buttons, release only the CLEAR button,
and then release the SET button.
Note:
During initialization, all command-selected
parameters will be cleared, and the default
parameters specified by the Set-Up Switches
will be restored.
¯RDY: Flashes to indicate the unit is operational. Upon
power up, the unit will pause for approximately 45 seconds
before flashing the RDY indicator. During this delay, the
unit will initialize the Network Port.
°ACTIVITY LEDs (1 - 8): Light to indicate that the
corresponding port is receiving data.
2-1
Figure 2.1: Instrument Front Panel

2.2. Back Panel
¬Port 1 (10Base-T Port): An RJ45 Ethernet port for
connection to your Netware 3.x/4.x or TCP/IP network.
Note that, in order to communicate via a TCP/IP network,
the user must first access the Command Mode via Port 2 or
3 and specify an IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway
Address, and Network Password as described in
Section 5.3.
-Ports 2 - 8 (RS-232 Ports): For connection to RS-232
devices. Standard DB9 connectors. Please refer to
Appendix A for a description of the RS-232 Port interface.
·Port 2 (Modem Port): Provides all lines required for a
complete interface with a high speed, external modem.
Configured as a DTE port, similar to a standard serial
port on a PC. Port 2 is the only port that can select the
Modem Mode, allowing definition of a password, reset
message, and hang-up message. Port 2 always allows
access to Administrator level commands.
·Port 3 (Setup Port): Used for communication during
initial setup. Provides same communication capabilities
as other RSM-800 RS-232 Ports (except Modem Mode)
and allows local access to Administrator level
commands, even when unit has been reset to default
parameters.
®SETUP Switches: A bank of eight dip switches, used to
set the default baud rate, handshake, message type, port
mode, and duplex mode.
¯Power Switch
°Power Cable Receptacle
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RSM-800 User's Guide
Figure 2.2: Instrument Back Panel

3. System Overview
This section provides a brief overview of the unit's basic
capabilities.
For this overview, a PC or terminal will communicate with the
RSM-800 via RS-232 Port 3. Although the RSM-800 is designed
for applications where the user would normally access the
Command Mode via the Network Port (Port 1), Port 3 provides a
simple means for local access to command functions prior to
actual installation and configuration. After completing this
overview, the RSM-800 should be installed and configured as
described in Sections 4 and 5 of this User’s Guide.
3.1. Communication Parameters
The Setup Switches, located on the Back Panel, select the default
settings for all RSM-800 RS-232 ports. Switch functions are
described on a label on the RSM-800 unit, and in Section 4.1 of
this User’s Guide.
When the RSM-800 is shipped from the factory, the Setup
Switches are configured for 9600 baud, 8 Bits-No Parity, DTR
handshaking, verbose command response, and no echo (all
switches down). For this overview, use the factory selected
Setup Switch configuration. Set your communications program
(e.g. ProComm) to use the following parameters:
·9600 Baud
·8 Bits, No Parity
·DTR Handshaking
·Full Duplex
Using Other Parameters (Optional): If desired, the RSM-800
can also be set to match the parameters used by the
communications program. Refer to Section 4.1 and configure
Setup Switches accordingly. After changing the Set-Up
Switches, initialize the RSM-800 as described in Section 4.2.
Note:
If Setup Switches are changed, new parameters will
not take effect until the unit is initialized.
3-1

3.2. Apply Power to the RSM-800
Connect the power cable to the RSM-800 and plug the cable into
an AC power source. Press the Power Switch to ON. The ON
LED should light, and the RDY LED should begin to flash.
Note:
·Upon power-up, the unit will pause for
approximately 45 seconds in order to initialize the
Network Port. After the 45 second delay has
elapsed, the RDY indicator will begin to flash.
·If all Port Activity LEDs flash upon power-up, this
may indicate a problem with the unit. Please
contact WTI Technical Support as described in
Appendix D.
3.3. Connecting your PC to the RSM-800
Port 3 is generally used for communication during initial set-up
and configuration. This is because Port 3 is the only port
designed for connection to a local PC, that also provides access
to all commands when the unit is initialized to the default state.
Note that after the unit has been installed and configured, the
Network Port (Port 1) and other RSM-800 ports can then be used
to access command functions.
After installation and configuration, the RSM-800 can be
controlled via Network or Modem, or controlled by a local PC
that communicates via cable. For this overview, a local PC
running ProComm (or a similar communications program), will
be cable connected to Port 3.
Note:
Communication via Modem (Optional): If desired,
this overview can also be performed via modem.
Perform the following procedure to connect a PC to Port 3.
1. Attach a standard null modem cable to your PC COM port.
Make certain to connect to the PC COM port used by your
communications program.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to RSM-800 Port 3. For
a description of the port interface, please refer to
Appendix A.
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RSM-800 User's Guide