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Since it is possible to misconfigure the LAN interface, making it impossible to communicate with
the instrument over LAN, a LAN Configuration Initialise (LCI) mechanism is provided via a push
switch (marked LAN RESET) accessible through a small hole in the rear panel. This restores
the default configuration with DHCP enabled, so the unit will then follow the sequence
described in the previous paragraph. Note that resetting the LAN interface removes any
password protection.
The progress of establishing a LAN connection can be viewed either by inspecting the Remote
Control Interfaces screen (Menu > Remote Control Interfaces) or by interpreting the symbol
shown on the status line of the Home screen, which has four possible indications:
No LAN
If the unit cannot detect any connection to a LAN, e.g. the cable is unplugged,
then the LAN status indicator is
.
Configuring
The unit has detected a LAN connection but is not yet configured, e.g. is
waiting for DHCP. The LAN status indicator is animated, flashing between
and
LAN OK
The LAN connection is now configured and the unit can communicate. The
display becomes
LAN FAULT The unit has detected a problem with LAN connection, e.g. Its IP address is in
use by another device. Communication is not possible and the display shows
12.2.5
LAN IP Address and Hostname
To communicate with the instrument through the LAN interface, the IP address (which was
allocated during the connection procedure described above) must be known. Once connected
and correctly configured, the IP address of the unit is displayed within the Remote Control
Interfaces screen (Menu > Remote Control Interfaces). Alternatively the address can be
obtained from the DHCP server, or by using the LXI Discovery Tool described below.
mDNS and DNS-SD Support
The instrument supports these multicast name resolution protocols, which allow a meaningful
host name to be assigned to the unit without needing an entry in the database of a central
nameserver. The desired hostname can be entered on the webpage (which will have to be
accessed by IP address the first time); spaces are not allowed. The name then appears in the
.local domain (e.g. myMX100.local), if the accessing device is configured to support the
protocol (which is the case with most modern PCs). The default name is followed by the serial
number.
ICMP Ping Server
The unit contains an ICMP server allowing the instrument to be ‘pinged’ using its IP address as
a basic communication check, or by its host name if name resolution is working.
Web Server and Configuration Password Protection
The unit contains a basic web server. This provides information on the instrument and allows it
to be configured. The Configure and Instrument Control pages can be password protected to
deter unauthorised changes to the remote operation configuration; the default configuration is
‘no password’. The Configure page itself explains how to set the password. The password can
be up to 15 characters long; note that the User Name should be left blank. The password and
hostname will, however, be reset to the default (no password) if the rear panel LAN reset switch
is used to reset all the LAN parameters to their factory default.
LAN Identify
The instrument's main web page has an 'Identify' function which allows the user to send a
command to the instrument which causes its display to flash until the command is cancelled.
